October 16th 2024
AI is poised to revolutionize the patient’s and the clinician’s journey, from initial symptom assessment to long-term care management.
October 7th 2024
Your weekly dose of wisdom from the Physicians Practice experts.
September 30th 2024
September 27th 2024
This is not a time to be defensive or be oft-putting. Show the patient that you respect their right to make decisions about their care. Avoid being defensive or dismissive.
September 10th 2024
A look at how communication can repair the divide between physician and patient.
Prevent a Poor Online Reputation from Harming Your Medical Practice
Doctors and their practices are similar to any product or service: They represent a brand, and like all products or services, that brand must be protected.
Sample Patient Payment Installment Plan
When You Send Patients to Collections
Do you have a set policy for sending your delinquent patients to collections? By implementing a clear policy, you have a greater chance of collecting on those accounts.
Getting Money in the Door: Streamlining Patient Collections
Small unpaid claims can add up to big problems for your medical practice. Here's how to find the best partner to collect what's owed for your medical services.
Marketing Magic for Your Medical Practice
Here are five marketing tips that work like magic to grow your patient base, through engaging with your community.
New Health App to Link Patient Data with Physician EHRs
There are all kinds of health apps that track blood pressure, medications, nutrition, you name it. Now Apple is entering the fray with the goal of interoperability.
New Practice Models Are Gaining Acceptance in Primary Care
Our Great American Physician Survey, Sponsored by Kareo, indicates greater physician acceptance of alternate practice models to help themselves and patients.
Six Phrases to Avoid When Talking with Patients
The chief patient safety officer at medical malpractice insurer The Doctors Company identifies six common communication missteps physicians make.
The 'Ethnocentrism' of Physicians is a Threat to Patient Care
As physicians, we have fundamentally failed to clearly communicate to patients what we do, what we cannot do, how we do it, and why it costs what it does.
A Medical Practice's Best, and Often Overlooked, Patient Retention Tool
A former boss once said to me, “Medicine is all about the docs.” Indeed it is, but the staff that supports the docs determines how patients feel about the practice.
Dismissing a Patient for Seeing Two Physicians
Some patients are choosing to drive long distances to continue seeing a trusted physician who has moved. But is it OK to retain a "back up" physician, just in case?
Can Technology Replace Physician and Patient Interaction?
Technology continues to be promoted as a way to increase efficiencies; but will doctors lose that important human contact and touch as it grows?
Four Common Problems Found in Patient Satisfaction Surveys
Patient surveys almost always sound like a good idea, but most of the time poorly thought-out objectives and questions make them a waste of time and money.
Treating Chronic Pain Patients Is Rarely Easy
Despite rising rates of prescription drug abuse, there is no real consensus in the physician community on treatment protocols. Physicians often follow their own heart.
Patient Portals: More Than a Tool to Meet Meaningful Use
Smart use of your patient portal can not only help physicians meet meaningful use rules, but also foster better patient interactions.
Improve Patient Relations by Employing Johnson & Johnson Techniques
While J&J is a product-based company, its methods of connecting with consumers can easily be translated to medical practices. Here are four strategies.
Create a Great First Impression at Your Medical Practice
A poor first impression will diminish patient confidence, lower patient volume, and reduce your brand value. Here are some simple ways to start off on the right foot.
Five Ways to Better Market Your Practice to Young Adult Patients
Twenty-three-year-olds are now the single largest age group in the U.S. Here's how to attract them to your practice and keep them around for the long term.
Medical Practices See No New Patient Increase, Despite ACA
More than 8 million patients have signed up for insurance due to the ACA, according to HHS, but where are all of them?
Explain Your Financial Policy Upfront to Patients
Having a very well written financial policy isn't enough. It's all about staff training and verbal explanations to patients.
Sample Payment Policy for Medical Practices
One way to ensure patients understand your payment requirements is to ask them to sign a payment policy. Here's a sample policy to consider adapting for your practice.
Four Major Challenges Harming Physicians' Reputations
These four challenges have the unfortunate ability to largely overshadow a physician's professional accomplishments, board certifications, and industry accolades.
Incorporating Meditation in Your Medical Practice
The most tangible benefit of meditation is the sense of calm and peace, even balance that you feel. It is also a great technique to foster the art of customer service.
Physician’s Guide to the New Consumer Market
With costs front and center for patients, in simple and stark terms: If you can’t deliver what the consumer perceives as quality, you will lose.
Dealing with Awkward Patient Encounters
Illness can lead to trying and often tender times for patients and their loved ones. Here are five ways physicians can manage intimate patient encounters.
Is the New 'Assistant Physician' Role Good for the Healthcare System?
It's no secret that the United States is facing a serious physician shortage. But how far should we go to ensure adequate access to patient care?
Boost Your Medical Practice's Web Presence by Using Keywords
Identifying keywords that will help your medical practice perform better in search results is key to attracting new patients.
Legal Pitfalls of Electronic Patient Communication
From texting to Facebook messages, communicating with patients electronically has always raised legal questions. Here are the answers to keep your practice safe.
Fist Bumping with Patients: A Healthier Alternative to Shaking Hands?
Many physicians start off their patient visits with a friendly handshake. But some researchers say that's not the healthiest approach. What do you think?
Facebook Advertising for Medical Practices
Advertising on Facebook is the most effective and targeted way to promote your medical practice.