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.
Hospitals: Portrait of a failure
The closing of an inner-city hospital creates problems for doctors as well as patients.
Outlook
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.
Technology Consult
More answers to your EHR questions
My rogues' gallery of patients
Here's a litany of difficult types-along with strategies on how to handle them.
Baghdad, bombs, and a kid with asthma
Worried about treating soldiers with combat wounds, the author finds himself facing an unexpected challenge.
Malpractice: Will a jury think money clouds your judgment?
If a managed care contract contains financial incentives to limit or withhold treatment, jurors may decide that you neglected necessary care for personal gain.
Funds of the Month
Healthcare funds
My patient did it her way
The author learns a lesson about serenity when a patient refuses treatment for her advanced breast cancer.
How to lighten the Rx renewal load
It's the dark side of prescribing. Here are some enlightened ways to minimize the hassles.
Clip and Copy: Streamlining Rx renewal requests
Set up a dedicated phone line for pharmacies, then send them this letter. It will save you time and hassles.
Oh, my aching back!
I tried everything I could to diagnose my own problem. But there was one thing I missed.
