Operations

With reimbursements declining, many practices are turning to ancillary services as a way to make extra cash. And while there’s no shortage of options, they’re not a financial cure-all. Here’s how to weigh the pros and cons.

Front-desk staff know more than you think about running a successful practice. All you have to do is ask. So we did.

Most EMR vendors are struggling to provide tech support to smaller practices, especially those in far-flung locations. What does this mean for you?

This Denver physician has a unique business model but familiar problems.

Building trust between the “suits” and the physicians.

It’s the eternal problem: How to handle the barrage of pharmaceutical reps coming through your office door? Help is on the way.

We help a small subspecialty practice compete with the big dogs

You asked for it, practice administrators, so here it is - a new monthly column just for you. This issue: Lessons from the masters.

Super-productive physicians can be a blessing to your bottom line but a challenge to manage - and an annoyance to other physicians. With a little finesse, though, you can keep everyone happy.

Another selection from our weekly e-mail newsletter. This issue: taming the copier.

Do you have patients who always seem to have “just one more thing” to talk about, in addition to the reason for their appointment? We help you solve that and other exam room communication problems.

For a small rural practice, it's time to get busy - or start laying off staff.

Three of our competition's runners-up deserve a tip of the hat. We tell you why.

Another selection from our popular weekly e-mail newsletter. This issue: Five fast ways to boost office efficiency.

This group of young family physicians embraces change, wows patients, cultivates a great staff, and makes a tidy profit. Find out how they blew us away.

Physicians Practice has been helping struggling offices with our Great Practice Makeover for a year now. Here’s one of our toughest challenges yet: This well-meaning but disorganized solo family physician has serious control issues, a stressed-out office manager/wife, and huge staffing problems. Piece of cake.

We’ve got the straight scoop on staff salaries.

Have you heard that aromatherapy cures cancer? Or that wheat grass prevents baldness? At least one of your patients probably has. Keep them focused on what’s proven to help.

How to guard against scheduling too far in advance.

You thought it was tough dealing with pharmaceutical reps? Technology vendors are multiplying quickly - and so are their sales reps. We’re here to help.

Leasing is sometimes the best way to get that expensive piece of equipment you need - especially when you negotiate favorable lease terms. Here's how.

Hurricane Katrina was a stark reminder that the worst thing that can happen sometimes does. Be ready before the clouds darken.

Midlevel providers can be a god-send to a busy practice, but you need to know how to best integrate them into your workflow.

Effectively treating patients requires more than good clinical skills. Just as important is learning how to listen.

Another selection from our popular weekly e-mail newsletter. This month: How to make call duty fair.

Some physician board meetings are bastions of inefficiency, hard feelings, and finger-pointing. Don’t let bad meetings split up a good practice.

Another selection from our popular weekly e-mail newsletter. This issue: dealing with cancellations.

Our weekly e-mail newsletter covers all the bases. Here's a favorite.

It's not clear yet if "concierge medicine" - sometimes called retainer-based practice - is truly the wave of the future, but it's certainly more than just a passing fad. Is this style of practice right for you?

Many practices focus time and money on appealing denied claims - a good strategy, if necessary. But wouldn't you rather avoid denials altogether?