The Journal of medical practice management : MPM
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A recent publication suggested that only 24% of U. S. doctors use electronic medical records (EMRs), and that physicians in group practices, urban settings, and multispecialty groups are more likely than others to use EMRs. If the widespread adoption of EMRs is to be accomplished in keeping with the President's Health IT goal of universal use by 2014, the reasons for EMR under-utilization must be ascertained and addressed. ⋯ First, EMR adoption (not just electronic billing or prescribing) may actually be higher (67%) than previous reports. Second, the most important barriers to EMR use were high cost, loss of autonomy, and workflow disruption (from both installation and ongoing use). These responses are discussed in the context of recent proposals by both private and public entities that EMR systems be given away for free to any physician who will use them, as well as the potential for patients' online personal health records to permit integration of data across multiple EMR systems.
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It isn't always easy to keep a busy medical practice on schedule. However, a quick-thinking staff member can work wonders to avoid scheduling bottlenecks and realign an appointment schedule that's careening out of control. ⋯ This article also offers the medical practice staff effective strategies for minimizing the number of daily interruptions and explains how anticipating the physician's needs can save valuable production time. Finally, this article urges staff members to consider how identifying and working with the physician's scheduling preferences can make everyone happier and enable the practice to stay on schedule.
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Save you ever found yourself locked in conflict with one of your co-workers? Is there someone you work with on your medical practice team who you would describe as a "difficult" personality? If so, this article may be of help. It describes 25 practical strategies for avoiding, minimizing, and handling disputes between co-workers. The strategies offered can be used both right away and in times of conflict to diffuse tension and anger, clear up misunderstandings, and identify effective solutions to co-worker problems. In addition to these strategies, this article also suggests that active listening can help co-workers stave off and resolve conflicts and offers practical guidance about developing active listening skills.
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Physicians who participate in clinical research studies gain benefits for themselves, their practice, and their patients. Historically, private practice physicians have chosen to defer to their counterparts in academic medicine when it comes to contributing to scientific advancement through clinical studies. ⋯ Physicians who decide to participate in clinical research should give serious consideration to the time and resources that are required to meet both federal regulations and industry standards. In addition, ethical and scientific principles for assuring the protection of human research subjects must be a paramount commitment.
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Good Samaritan laws are designed to encourage individuals, including physicians, to gratuitously render medical care in emergency situations. Through these laws, immunity from civil liability is provided to physicians who act in good faith to provide emergency care gratis. Historically, emergency care involved medical assistance given to persons in motor vehicle crashes or other emergency situations in which bystanders were present. ⋯ In some states and under defined circumstances, the immunity may apply in the hospital setting, as well as in the physician's office. Legislatures have continued to amend the statutes to expand the protection provided to physicians who offer emergency care. Judicial construction of the nature and scope of physician immunity has similarly expanded.