And today is another day
In the long journey through diagnosis and treatment of a serious illness, the author reaffirmed core principles and learned much about himself and others.
Letters to the Editors
I stood up to my "lawyer-patient"
The fear of being sued can make you miss discovering the patient's real problem.
Where will it all end? malpractice and managed care incentives; patient accountability
He's not my patient, he's my father
Our Father's Day tribute: A reminder that in at least one relationship, you're not the doctor, you're still his child.
Why I deliver bad news myself
Patients are often deaf to the truth if their own doctor doesn't deliver it, the author says.
Malpractice: Another way to get sued
If a routine employment physical or workers' comp exam reveals abnormal results, your obligation to the patient goes deeper than you might think.
Outlook
If you prescribe, will they dispense?
Practice Pointers: When patients can't pay
You'll collect more of what you're owed—and enhance loyalty—if you have a payment plan, say experts.
A young woman sits alone, dying
A young physician learns that the failure to care can be worse than the failure to cure.
Hospitals: Portrait of a failure
The closing of an inner-city hospital creates problems for doctors as well as patients.
Washington loves doctors—or at least their money
Alonzo brought me back to life
Facing burnout, the author became reinvigorated after skillfully handling a midnight emergency.
Can your hospital help you get an EHR?
Evanston Northwestern Healthcare has offered to rent its EHR to community doctors. Read about their experiences.
Treating by phone? Be careful
Practicing medicine by phone can be risky.
Talking about our mistakes
Maybe we should, in spite of what our lawyers and insurance companies say.
"It's like baking a cake"
Creative use of analogies, the author says, can help patients understand illness, treatment options, and the healing process.
Cultural Competence: Caring for your Muslim patients
Stereotypes and misunderstandings affect the care of patients from the Middle East and other parts of the Islamic world.
My patient lived—so she sued me
By mistakenly predicting a patient's imminent demise, this doctor nearly ended up in court.
Memo from the Editor
Who am I? Why am I here?
Second-guessing Terri Schiavo's doctors (and other Capitol Hill outrages)
There's a bug in my ear — and other unforgettable house calls
When he visited patients at home, the author found much that was surprising and enlightening.
And the Award goes to...
Meet the winners of our 2004 contest.
The night I lost my faith
Every doctor is spiritually vulnerable, the author says. His unsuccessful effort to save a dying baby triggered his personal crisis. 2004 DOCTORS' WRITING CONTEST - GRAND PRIZE WINNER
The right way to correct a record
Never try to alter or "improve" the original record.
Who sent me Mrs. Mottira?
This author wished she could turn away her late-day patient. But something happened.
Adding a doctor? Ask these questions
With money tight and overhead up, it's a tough call. But experts say groups can't afford not to grow.
