Hip Hip HIPAA–Myth Busting 101

Photo: starpulse.com
As far as I am concerned HIPAA has added another layer of useless paperwork on to the backs of physicians, and I particularly resent the cost it has added to primary care.  Therefore, I was excited to see an article on HIPAA myths.  Below is my summary of HIPAA myth bustin’:
Myth 1: You can’t [...]

Don’t Write Off E-prescribing

I may appear to be somewhat of a troglodyte, but I actually have  committed myself to learning to love technology.  I am the proud owner of a smart phone, have mastered my email, and actually use two different EMRs.  So, you see, this qualified me as an expert on EMRs and e-prescribing (wipe that smirk off your [...]

Win an Amazon Gift Card: What Are Your Goals for Your Practice in 2009?

As a way to encourage goal setting and planning for medical practices, I am hosting a contest.  I will email a $15 Amazon gift card to the person who sends in the best plan for improving their medical practice in 2009.
Here are the rules:

Under the comments section for this post, list the goal your practice will [...]

Link Fest: Updates on group visits, RVUs, Medicare and the ‘Physician Shortage’

I’ve been storing up some links and today seemed to be a good time to have at ‘em!  They range from the scary (Health Policy and Market) to the fun (the Efficient MD’s slide show.)
Read The Country Doc Report for another take on the group visit.  Country Doc relates how his practice does a group diabetic [...]

Walk the Talk: the Patient Encounter

I am fascinated by how we physicians communicate (or not) with each other and with our patients.  As a medical student and resident NO ONE ever thought about how physicians communicated with patients.  We were always so focused on nailing the disease process and treatment that the patient was nearly ignored.  I don’t think I [...]

Medical Practice as a Socially Responsible Business

I have searched for a way to describe my view of medicine as a business.  I finally realized that the practice of medicine should be classified as a socially responsible business.   “Who cares?”, you say.  Well, I say we all should care.  We went into medicine to help people.  However, as I am fond of saying, [...]

Survival Tips for Primary Care: How to Save Money

Now that I have vented/ranted/opined on the demise of primary care, let’s move to some survival tips. Following are PookieMD’s two fundamental. most important, and most loathsome rules of survival in primary care medicine.
The money is in the numbers.
Time is money.
Yes, you have to see patients to  make money, and given today’s reimbursement you have to [...]

PookieMD Airlines: How aviation check lists apply to medicine

I am married to an electrical engineer that loves to fly around in a small airplane.  Because I hang out with him, I’ve been forced to observe the intricacies of not crashing into other planes and landing safely.  I’ve learned a lot.
Pilots have a check list for everything.  Plane manufacturers include an entire book of checklists [...]