Opinion columns

AMA Leader Commentary

Messages to all physicians about current events in medical practice.

• A year of AMA successes helped patients and doctors, by Robert M. Wah, MD, AMA board chair - May 14
• Senior physicians keep working, putting off the R-word, by AMA President Peter W. Carmel, MD - April 30
• Connecting personally with women’s health care issues, by Robert M. Wah, MD, AMA board chair - April 16
• Relationships build organized medicine’s strength, by AMA President Peter W. Carmel, MD - April 2
• The EHR: It’s about our patients, not technology, by Robert M. Wah, MD, AMA board chair - March 19
• AMA physicians gather not just to listen, but to act, by AMA President Peter W. Carmel, MD - March 5
• In turbulent times, AMA projects physicians' united voice, by Robert M. Wah, MD, AMA board chair - Feb. 20
• It's fiscally irresponsible not to address liability reform, by AMA President Peter W. Carmel, MD - Feb. 6
• Clinical experience is the essence of a career in medicine, by Robert M. Wah, MD, AMA board chair - Jan. 23
• Congress misses another chance to fix Medicare SGR, by AMA President Peter W. Carmel, MD - Jan. 2

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Ethics Forum

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

• How to talk to patients about genetic testing - May 7
• Data bank information needs careful interpretation - April 9
• Follow-up resources are key to health fairs’ success - March 12
• Special assistance needs of young and old place demands on doctors - Feb. 13
• Physicians can find themselves in the middle of medical guideline debates - Jan. 16

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In the Courts

A column analyzing the impact of recent court decisions on physicians, by staff writer Alicia Gallegos. Columns prior to April 25 were written by Amy Lynn Sorrel.

• Minnesota ruling could put medical staff rights at risk - May 21
• Doctors can risk lawsuits when writing about patients - April 30
• Screening panels in medical liability cases under scrutiny - March 26
• Family may use secret recording in medical negligence suit - Feb. 27
• Doctor can be sued for emotional distress despite lack of physical negligence - Jan. 30

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Practice Management

A column on managing your practice, by staff writer Victoria Stagg Elliott.

• The best ways to market your practice at local events - May 14
• How to oversee practice staff’s appearance — legally - May 7
• Some physicians say home is where the practice is - April 16
• Can a specialty practice be a patient-centered medical home? - April 9
• Should your medical practice use a credit report in hiring? - March 19
• Practices can use EMRs to join more clinical trials - March 12
• Why some practices stopped accepting patients' cash - Feb. 20
• How to keep sick staffers at home and healthy ones at work - Feb. 13
• How to conquer clutter in your physician office - Jan. 16
• "Side-by-side" alliances may add financial stability to practices - Jan. 9

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Technically Speaking

A practical look at information technology issues and usage, by business writer Pamela Lewis Dolan.

• Should doctors stop patients from taking smartphone pictures? - May 21
• 3 steps to EHR training for new staff members - April 30
• How mobile devices can help a physician land a job - April 23
• 7 missed opportunities of not creating an online presence - April 2
• How to ensure a lost mobile device won’t cause a data breach - March 26
• Patients recognize quality and security benefits of EMRs - March 5
• Giving technology tips to older doctors should be done delicately - Feb. 27
• How your practice can get the most from tech support - Feb. 6
• Successful cloud-based EMR should include data rights in vendor's contract - Jan. 30

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