Although there is no shortage of medical information available on the Internet, there is a shortage of appointment times available to discuss that information with a doctor, and the efforts of a patient researching his or her medical condition online can be a double-edged sword. Philosophically, most healthcare professionals are in favor of increasing patient involvement during the healing process. In practice, the use of the Internet as a diagnostic tool by the patient can at times be a hindrance. According to Kelly Dietrich, a physician practice manager at Physicians of the North Shore in Skokie, IL, more patients are turning to the Internet to learn more about their ailments.

In the healthcare industry today, it is often difficult to stay on top of your game. One outstanding way to increase your level of knowledge in your field is to attend a conference. Attending a conference is an excellent means of education and brain stimulation. It jump-starts your energy and gives you a fresh, new perspective about your position and your medical practice. There are a multitude of decisions to make before researching an appropriate event for your individual needs. You have to think about what area of the practice is most challenging for you, and some of those choices may be

Adding a new partner to your group can require a great deal of time and finances. That's why it's necessary for physicians and their practice staff members to talk about the major issues that need to be addressed before beginning a plan of action. Having a good handle on what goals need to be accomplished and taking advantage of the right resources, along with being organized and meeting deadlines, can prove to be the means to a successful recruitment plan and, in turn, provide your practice with a solid candidate.

Michael Tomblyn, MD,1 a radiation oncologist, and his wife, Marcie Tomblyn, MD, a bone marrow transplant oncologist, both work at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Fairview. They've been married for 13 years without any children, yet the balancing act of work and family is still a difficult one to achieve. "We both work at the same university, but barely ever run into each other," Michael Tomblyn says. Many practicing physicians are in the same search for a good work-life balance. Physicians' lives are full of interruptions, and oftentimes it's not related to medicine.