Patients

Health literacy is the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services. How many of your patients truly have a handle on their own healthcare needs?

Why physician Katharina Scharruhn thinks about the public's view of doctors and the image she wishes they would see as diametrically opposed.

Every clinician has, no doubt, run into difficult patients. Here are 10 simple tips that may help you manage these challenging appointments.

When terminating a patient from your practice, the most important thing to do is avoid a claim of patient abandonment.

What patient-related behavior is hurting your practice the most?

Patients say they want their doctors’ offices to be tech-savvy. They want to communicate with you and your staff, use patient portals and smartphone applications. But there’s a difference between wanting a digital future and actually knowing how to get there. Here’s how to get your patients and staff on board.

Use technology to free your staff and patients from non-urgent phone calls

My providers seem really confused about using consult codes for Medicare patients in the hospital. Is the use of admission codes confined to the day the patient is admitted?

How often are physicians recommending mobile apps to their patients as tools for improving their health?

It used to be that you examined the patient. But from your credentials to your use of technology, patients are increasingly examining you. Here's how to deal with this new generation of engaged, informed, and demanding patients.

Both physicians and patients enter a practice visit with certain expectations. Sometimes they are the same but sometimes, they differ and the relationship can get strained.

The one thing that can never be replaced by sophisticated equipment is the level of courtesy that is extended to patients, colleagues, and staff.

When I demonstrate that I care about the people I work with, they work harder for my patients.

Tight staffing and lower reimbursement have made patient volume - and effective patient flow - an imperative. You'll need to be innovative to squeeze more patients into your doctors' day.

When an employee calls in sick, the pressure's on. Here are some ways to avoid chaos and keep patients happy when you are short-staffed.

The cost of patient noncompliance, for patient outcomes, your bottom line, and the healthcare system, has been well documented. But when nagging fails, what can you do? A lot, actually. Check out these strategies for increasing patient adherence and outcomes.

You love your nonphysician providers and want your patients to love them, too. But patients may be uneasy about not getting to see their doctor each time they visit. Managing expectations and carefully introducing other providers is the key.

More and more patients are using complementary and alternative methodologies to supplement their healthcare, so it's time for docs to learn more about this growing field. Here's what you need to know about CAM and the role it can play in your practice and patient care.

Dozens of Medicaid patients awaiting organ transplants are being left to die because cash-strapped Arizona will not pay for the operations.

Researchers say physician practices need to brace for the era of “e-power” - patients taking charge of their care management on a daily basis through the availability of smartphone apps, e-mail, and other “disruptive” technology.

The toughest payers to collect from are your own patients. Don't despair, there are things you can do to get paid.

The future of the direct-pay practice model is bright. Here's how it works, the affect on patients, and where it fits with models promoted by healthcare reform.

Patient-physician phone tag driving you nuts? Here’s how to make secure e-mail messaging work for your practice.

When patients demur over paying for care, don't be a soft touch - there are things you can do to collect

Can this physician bill for monitoring OB patients in the outpatient setting if he is physically not present?

Even though there is a CPT code for completing patient forms, many payers do not reimburse physicians for that service.

Cardiologist David Mokotoff feels at home whether he's prescribing a Mediterranean diet for his patients or snapper with orange brandy sauce for his family.

When it comes to creating happier patients, skip the perks in the waiting room and instead focus on boosting the morale of your staff. Here’s how.

Patient portals can offer better customer service and care, but only if you can get your patients to use it. We examine the pros and cons of jumping on the portal bandwagon.