In talking to colleagues, friends and administrators, we all have physician colleagues who want to just see their patients. They eschew concerns about the running of their office (there are other people who can do that). They don’t want to be concerned about the wording of their contract, as long as they have a decent…
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Whose Fault Is It?
When I am consulted for an issue with a “bad physician,” my first question to the person in charge is: “Are you prepared to fire this doc?” Firing used to take many forms, mostly working through the difficult process of medical staff bylaws and rules, appeals and making the case usually to the medical executive…
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The Unintended Consequences of Today’s Health Delivery Model
Efforts in the name of efficiency and cost reduction have unintended consequences. When I was in practice, I admitted, or at least followed, all my patients in the hospital. There were no issues of aftercare, because I discharged them with appointments to see me within a day or two (rarely more). I knew what medications…
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Health Information Exchange-a 21st Century Upgrade Opinion
Not long ago, I injured my knee and discovered something else in the process: a severe sprain in the medical information system. Here’s the story: The emergency room took X-rays and an MRI and referred me to an orthopedist. He reviewed the tests and sent me to a specialist. But my specialist—an expert in his field—suddenly…
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