Opinion columns

AMA Leader Commentary 2004

Messages to all physicians about current events in medical practice.

• AMA communications efforts help physicians to serve, by AMA President John C. Nelson, MD, MPH - Dec. 20
• AMA's brand statement: What we do and who we are, by J. James Rohack, MD, AMA board chair - Dec. 6
• The AMA: Making a difference in the halls of power, by AMA President John C. Nelson, MD, MPH - Nov. 15
• Physicians have role in political process, by J. James Rohack, MD, AMA board chair - Nov. 1
• Ethics -- a force every day in every aspect of medicine, by AMA President John C. Nelson, MD, MPH - Oct. 18
• Unity of purpose: Get involved and we'll get things done, by J. James Rohack, MD, AMA board chair - Oct. 4
• AMA understands need for disaster preparedness, by AMA President John C. Nelson, MD, MPH - Sept. 20
• AMA an important corner of the triangle, by J. James Rohack, MD, AMA board chair - Sept. 6
• Reasons to join the AMA: Science, caring, ethics, by AMA President John C. Nelson, MD, MPH - Aug. 16
• AMA and medical education: 100 years of progress, by J. James Rohack, MD, AMA board chair - Aug. 2
• Know your worth: A few last words from AMA chair, by William G. Plested III, MD, AMA board chair - July 5
• A little lip from an LIP, by William G. Plested III, MD, AMA board chair - June 7
• Patient safety legislation -- an urgent call to action, by AMA President Donald J. Palmisano, MD - May 17
• Regional variations are created by "grand old men", by William G. Plested III, MD, AMA board chair - May 3
• Defense of truth never rests in medical liability debate, by AMA President Donald J. Palmisano, MD - April 19
• First step to fairer pay is determining your value, by William G. Plested III, MD, AMA board chair - April 5
• Tort reform debate best served by truth, by AMA President Donald J. Palmisano, MD - March 15
• Fair pay a sounder approach than "pay for quality", by William G. Plested III, MD, AMA board chair - March 1
• Lawyers who play the liability lottery must be stopped by AMA President Donald J. Palmisano, MD - Feb. 16
• Reimbursement: Medicine's Achilles' heel? by William G. Plested III, MD AMA board chair - Feb. 2
• Medical liability reform -- let's do it together now! by AMA President Donald J. Palmisano, MD - Jan. 19
• Count your many blessings and resolve to join the AMA by William G. Plested III, MD AMA board chair - Jan. 5

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Commentary 2004

Observations on the state of medical practice and medical life.

• Thou shalt follow these 10 tips to live well, by Eric Anderson, MD - Oct. 11
• Universal health care coverage through technology, by Leonard J. Marcus, PhD, and Barry C. Dorn, MD - July 12
• Zero tolerance for disparity begins with primary care, by Edmond Blum, MD - Feb. 9
• Helping survivors cope with their sorrow, by Eric Anderson, MD - Jan. 26

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Contract Language 2004

A monthly column examining the ins and outs of contract issues, by Steven M. Harris.

• Give employment contracts a thorough going-over - Dec. 6
• Give health staffing companies a contractual once-over - Nov. 1
• Check contracts before charging fees - Oct. 4
• OIG advisory on physician consultations - Sept. 6
• Stark II exceptions for physician recruitment by hospitals - Aug. 2
• New Stark regs refine "same building" rules - July 5
• Rights and limitations in "exclusive provider" contracts - June 7
• Make sure contract really says what you think it says - May 3
• Limit your liability before signing with a consultant - April 5
• Know details before taking a hospital loan - March 1
• Ways to reduce your personal liability - Feb. 2
• Look for signs of price-fixing potholes - Jan. 5

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Ethics Forum 2004

A monthly column from the Institute for Ethics at the AMA that answers questions on ethical issues in medical practice.

• Voluntary self-regulation of CME sponsorship debated - Dec. 6
• Just because it's new doesn't mean it's best - Nov. 1
• Treatment choice is ultimately the patient's - Oct. 4
• Early genetic testing puts more slip in slope - Sept. 6
• Discretion often the better part of valor - Aug. 2
• Considering costs and coverage in treatment - July 5
• Helping loved ones at time of patient's death - May 3
• Broaching topics patients may not want to talk about - April 5
• Avoiding court may offer best outcome for everyone - March 1
• Helping older patients decide to stop driving - Feb. 2
• Advocate for vaccines, but not for candidates - Jan. 5

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In the Courts 2004

A column analyzing the impact of recent court decisions on physicians, by Tanya Albert.

• Medical expert barred from Georgia court forever - Dec. 13
• Court rules a patient list is a protected trade secret - Nov. 8
• Judge: Mega-verdict spawned by passion - Oct. 11
• Illinois: No corporate certificate, no pay - Sept. 13
• Tort reform challenges yield mixed results - Aug. 9
• Documentation best defense in a malpractice action - July 12
• Physicians stand up for colleagues, then get fired - June 14
• Doctors may be liable for patients' fake IDs - May 10
• Physicians found negligent for not performing CT scan - April 12
• New Jersey squelches lawsuit for advertising fraud - March 8
• Lawyers try new tacks in malpractice suits - Feb. 9
• Tort reform and more; medical issues on deck - Jan. 12

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Personal Finance 2004

A column offering help for your wallet, by business writer Katherine Vogt.

• Doctors looking at details as interest in HSAs grows - Dec. 20
• Changes in tax laws could affect 2004 filing - Nov. 8
• Annuities offer a long-term investment option - Oct. 11
• Most bonds won't leave investors shaken or stirred - Aug. 9
• Experts examine value of buying a hybrid car - July 12
• Exchange-traded fund popularity surges - June 14
• Borrowers can cash in on student loan consolidation - May 17
• Just in case, be prepared for an IRS audit - April 12
• Home buying has more twists for doctors - March 8
• Consider alternative minimum tax liability - Feb. 9
• Matching your money with your values - Jan. 12

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Practice Management 2004

A column on managing your practice, by business writer Mike Norbut.

• Set a policy about extra exams in a single appointment - Dec. 27
• Preparation key to putting out "fires" - Nov. 22/29
• Staffing efficiency can be an elusive goal for practices - Oct. 25
• Clear policies a must for Internet use - Sept. 27
• Factors to consider in setting office hours - Aug. 23/30
• Secret shoppers can scope out your customer service - July 26
• Hate staying late? Do scut work throughout the day - June 28
• Smaller offices can use office managers, too - May 24/31
• Cell phones keep you connected (if you want to be or not) - April 26
• Tracking contracts could pay off in long run - March 22/29
• Mail sorting: tedious but necessary task - Feb. 23
• Consistency key in giving staff time off - Jan. 26

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Practice Pointers 2004

A monthly column from St. Louis-based Stone Carlie Wealth Advisers answering your questions about the business side of your practice.

• EMR search, while tough, can be done, by Karen S. Schechter - Dec. 20
• New tax laws may change your tax strategy, by Cathy B. Goldsticker - Nov. 15
• Finding right strategy to pay your child's college bills, by Amy S. Born - Oct. 18
• Controls protect against employee theft, by Karen S. Schechter - Sept. 20
• Weigh all your options before leaving a practice, by Karen S. Schechter - July 19
• A big SUV has tax benefits -- for now, by Cathy B. Goldsticker - June 21
• How to plan ahead for your retirement, by Amy S. Born - April 19
• Measure performance of 401(k) funds against benchmarks, by Amy S. Born - March 15
• Squeezing more out of your practice's bottom line, by Karen S. Schechter - Jan. 19

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Quick View 2004

An occasional snapshot of current facts and trends in medicine.

• Health proposals have popular appeal - Dec. 27
• Blues' HMOs: Shrinking, but profitable - Nov. 15
• Doctors at peak of prestigious jobs list - Oct. 18
• Earning hospitals money: How do specialties compare? - Oct. 4
• Penalty for breaking HIPAA law - Sept. 20
• Medicare drug benefits get cool reception - Sept. 6
• What's behind the drive for electronic records - Aug. 23/30
• Hospital errors generate spectrum of concerns - Aug. 23/30
• Ob-gyns feeling the pressure - Aug. 16
• Antivirus software makes a good security blanket - July 19
• Health spending growth drops again - June 28
• Malpractice payouts take huge jump - June 7
• Residents outline dangers of catching Z's - May 24/31
• Workers getting more of the health care burden - May 17
• Insurance CEOs are in the money - May 3
• Top medical schools - May 3
• Doctors express liability worries - May 3
• Practices try to pare down liability premiums - April 19
• Online interactive functionality growing among insurers - March 15
• Big health plans mark a profitable year - March 8
• Health care worries high on voters' lists - Feb. 16
• Nurses, doctors viewed as honest - Feb. 2
• The lingering costs of med ed - Jan. 26
• Internet users annoyed by explosion of spam spam spam spam - Jan. 5

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