Physicians Practice Pearls®

Discover essential medical practice marketing metrics—cost per lead (CPL), patient acquisition cost (PAC) and return on investment (ROI)—to attract more patients and maximize revenue with data-driven decisions.

Two class-action lawsuits targeting the University of Maryland Medical Center and the University of Kansas Health System for years-long cyberstalking and unauthorized access to protected health information spotlight massive HIPAA risk-analysis failures and underscore the urgent need for stronger health care cybersecurity safeguards.

Neil Baum, MD, breaks down what AI agents are, how to use them and how to overcome the barriers to adopting this new technology into your practice.

Nearly half of physicians report burnout—but counterbalancing priorities, rather than chasing work-life balance, may be the key to long-term personal and professional fulfillment.

Tariffs are poised to drive up costs, strain staff, and shrink patient payments—here's what practices need to do now to stay financially resilient.

Neil Baum, MD, tells how to broach the topic of exercise with patients and how to sell them on the benefits.

Rising tariffs on medical supplies could drive up health care costs this year, creating new financial and operational challenges for practices.

As biometric technologies expand in health care and consumer surveillance, regulators are cracking down on companies that misuse sensitive data — with HIPAA, FTC orders and billion-dollar state settlements setting the tone.

Tariffs are set to drive up costs across industries — including health care — impacting everything from medical supplies to retirement accounts. Take a look at the ripple effects on medical practices and some proactive strategies for physicians to stay one step ahead.

Does a doctor's appearance still matter? How the white coat, hygiene and professional attire impact patient trust, satisfaction and perceptions of physician competence in modern healthcare.

Neil Baum, MD, tells how to deal with last minute patient questions.

Discover timeless life and leadership lessons from Sister Jean, Loyola Chicago’s beloved 105-year-old basketball chaplain, and how her wisdom inspires teamwork, resilience and discipline in medicine and beyond.

Think HIPAA is the only law that matters for patient data privacy? Think again —mapping the complex legal web every physician and practice manager must understand to truly stay compliant.

Understanding the legal structures of medical practice acquisitions—asset purchase, stock purchase, or merger—is essential for practice administrators navigating today’s complex, high-stakes transaction landscape.

Neil Baum, MD, gives actionable interview tips to help you take your career to the next level.

Direct primary care is transforming the healthcare landscape by replacing insurance-driven models with affordable, membership-based care that strengthens patient-doctor relationships, reduces costs, and improves access to personalized treatment.

Discussing costs with patients is a conversation many physicians avoid, but they're doing their practice a disservice.

Doctors are dealing with a ton of challenges all at once, and seeing their reimbursement shrink while costs to do business increase is a major problem.

Neil Baum, MD, gives tips on dealing with difficult callers at your medical practice.

Don't make the same mistakes as this practice.

The reality is that if you try to do two things at the same time, you won't do either well. It's a trajectory to get less done.

Overwhelming tasks and unreasonable deadlines squeeze our cognitive capabilities. Choosing what you can handle improves our clarity and intelligence.

Neil Baum, MD, explains how you can move your practice from focusing on quantity of care to quality of care.

Key findings from the 2025 Physicians Practice Staffing & Salary Survey.

Your monthly collection of insights from the Physicians Practice Pearls writers is available now!

Givers do not expect anything in return. They give of themselves with no strings attached.

Medicaid is on the chopping block, but that doesn't mean the end of indigent care.

Neil Baum, MD, discusses what price transparency means and how your practice can use it to thrive.

Most physicians are caught on the “entrepreneur merry-go-round”, dealing with business issues, family, staff, banks and so on, and find it difficult even to plan this year’s strategy, let alone figure out whether it’s time to sell.

Step therapy protocols not only delays necessary treatment but can lead to adverse reactions that ultimately increase rather than lower health care costs.