Careers

A reader comments on the difficulties of practicing primary care medicine in today's healthcare system.

With heavy patient loads and uncertainty surrounding health reform, it’s not surprising that many physicians occasionally feel overwhelmed or burnout. But for those looking to make a radical career change away from primary care, Physician Executive Coach Ashley Wendel, MA, CMC, PDC, says they should first consider their options.

More than 70% of primary care visits are related to psychosocial issues, including anxiety and depression. Although few primary care physicians currently have the resources to help patients address those issues, a new program may show that investing in those services is worthwhile both for the provider and the patient.

Burnout and dissatisfaction are all-too-common among primary care physicians, but some practices have found ways to make medicine enjoyable again.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) are in the greatest demand by hospitals, medical groups, and other healthcare organizations seeking to fill staffing needs, a new survey indicates.

In a survey of more than 1,400 physicians, 61% of primary care physicians said they'd be willing to participate in an accountable care organization with at least one payer.

How to handle patient records if you depart the country to practice as a locum tenens.

Know whether your disability insurance policy will cover you while working abroad.

The use of locum tenens is rising, underlining the ongoing shortage of doctors nationwide.

Know how to pay your taxes as locum.

Disability insurance, disability policy cost and tax obligations while training overseas are all addressed

Here's how to find and use these substitute doctors.

If a routine employment physical or workers' comp exam reveals abnormal results, your obligation to the patient goes deeper than you might think.

New respect for academic medicine; Helping your med mal carrier see reason; Why punish everyone? Confronting HMOs on coding

Liability when a doc is part-time

You can't beat shared medical appointments for patient education and compliance, say proponents.

"Vicarious liability" and "ostensible agency" sound like obscure legal theories, but they can land you in court. Here's how to protect yourself.

When symptoms don't make sense or a story doesn't hang together, there's usually a deeper meaning.

Disclosure, Travel, Hedge Funds, Insurance, Taxes, Mutual Funds, E-mail, Stocks

Good Samaritan Laws, Managed Care, Medical Practice

Your liability when you recommend a private duty nurse

An Arizona physician who approved drug orders for an Internet pharmacy believed he was providing patients with "a good service." The state medical board disagreed.

The tales of two St. Louis doctors illustrate why you can't take freedom of speech for granted when you're somebody's employee.

You're probably making careful plans for financial security in retirement. But what about the rest of your life?

Much of your success rides not on technical skill but on the behavioral and cultural fit between you and your work. Here's how to get it right.

That's the million-dollar question. Here's how your colleagues who were tempted to quit found ways to ease the pressures.

Air Travel, Education, Autos

Your Nest Egg, Mutual Funds, Air Travel, Taxes

When properly supervised, physician assistants and nurse practitioners should reduce your malpractice risk. "Properly supervised"--ah, there's the rub.

Laws shield you from discrimination, guard your pension, grant you family leave--even protect your status as an employee.