SPOTLIGHT -
February 5th 2024
While I don’t believe that AI is ready to replace physicians when it comes to the practice of medicine (now or possibly ever), I have been shocked at how far it has progressed in acting as a medical scribe.
January 10th 2024
It's time for pharmaceutical companies and others to innovate and disrupt the distribution side of treatment.
December 5th 2023
With planning and perseverance, small practices can still succeed against large practices and health care organizations
November 10th 2023
How to improve communication between primary and specialty care.
October 30th 2023
Let’s look at key considerations for health care leaders as they invest in innovation.
Use psychology to manage negative patient reviews
The occasional negative patient complaint online can actually turn out to be a good thing for your reputation.
Reducing physician burnout starts with increasing advocacy
Advocacy takes time-a rarity for physicians. But there are five simple ways to advocate for needed healthcare changes.
Physician moonlighting doesn’t mean major travel burdens
Many doctors think leaving full-time employment equates to arduous travel, but that doesn’t necessarily need to be the case.
How physicians can avoid becoming a boiled frog
Quality primary care takes time with patients, so it’s time for physicians to press for the time needed to truly make needed change.
Physicians need more time with older chronic condition patients
With better support, patients may experience better care and outcomes as major health issues are identified early and averted.
Facility fees: the farce everyone pays for
Because CMS can’t and Congress won’t get rid of hospital-based facility fees, doctors and patients must take action.
The value of palliative care programs
Sometimes you have to look past dollars and cents and simply do what makes sense for both patients and physicians.
CMS’s E/M reimbursement cuts hurt physicians and patients
While CMS says it aims to allow doctors more time with patients with less documentation, its proposed E/M changes simply don’t achieve that goal.
Delivering value in healthcare starts with increased primary care investment
To truly improve patient care and reduce costs, primary care is the best buy in healthcare. Here’s why.
Controlling healthcare costs means getting back to the basics
Repealing the Stark Law is a good first step, but more must be done to put doctors back in charge of patient care.
A team approach to addressing social determinants of health
When it comes to patients struggling with social issues, a little effort on the part of the practice can go a long way.
21st century prescription medication tools for physicians and patients
Here are a number of ways physicians can work with their patients to best overcome cost barriers for their prescriptions.
How can physicians regain their passion for medicine?
Three strategies to overcome burnout and bureaucracy and remain committed to medicine.
Healthcare financing is the next mortgage fiasco
Physicians face financial ruin if patients continue to access products they simply cannot afford.
To solve U.S. healthcare crisis, think small, not big
Ten steps to widespread adoption of free markets offering competition on healthcare price and value.
Arming doctors with evidence to achieve clinical and financial goals
By empowering physicians with evidence-based guidelines, they are better-equipped to make clinical decisions that are cost-effective and drive high-quality outcomes.
Healthcare is not just treating a disease; it is taking care of a human being
The patient should see a friend in his doctor, not a stranger with a white coat and a stethoscope.
Doctors and patients can benefit from motivational psychology
Lectures don’t work to motivate patients because the use of guilt and threats are horrible motivators. The same goes for doctors.
Doctors’ risks in prescribing opioids
Physicians and their pain patients will continue to suffer such inconveniences, insults and financial burdens, until the epidemic of opioid overdoses ends.
The patient safety side of improving patient access
Access isn’t just a question of overcoming the hurdle of being seen by a provider, but being seen by someone with the level of expertise required for the best clinical outcome.
Don’t drink the healthcare consolidation Kool-Aid
Don’t be fooled. When mergers occur, patients and physicians lose; executives at the top are the only ones who truly win.
Making free markets work in medicine
It stands to reason that the best way to deal with unaffordable healthcare isn’t to take a second mortgage out on the house, but to make healthcare more affordable.
Education is the key to stop opioid abuse
For the White House to meet its goals on stopping the nation’s opioid crisis, there are some practical steps to put in place first.
In defense of the private practice of medicine
It’s time for physicians to re-read the Hippocratic Oath and Oath of Maimonides to ensure the future of medicine.
The American hospital: from volunteer charity to tax-exempt patronage pit
Why should hospitals get a special tax exemption when other healthcare entities that offer more affordable care, like physician offices and independent labs, don't?
The one question to get to the heart of a patient’s true concern
The first-place winner of the 2018 Physician Writing Contest urges her peers to look at the motivating fears behind patient visits for clarity.
When a patient’s request is ‘pray with me’
The second-place winner of the 2018 Physician Writing Contest reflects on various ways doctors can be present for their patients.
Physician frustration can lead to a better treatment path
The third-place winner of the 2018 Physician Writing Contest learned three key lessons in interacting with one of her patients, Rebekah.
Patient engagement through price transparency
Presenting price estimates can provide practices with an opportunity for greater outreach to current and potential patients.
Addressing social determinants of health the key to better compliance
You truly have to walk a mile in a patient’s shoes to find out the true barriers to improving their well-being.