by Ester Horowitz Starting a medical practice today is not the same as it was 20 years ago. Today’s younger physicians are opting for partnerships or buying established medical practices outright rather than starting one from the beginning. Although this is good for physicians who are considering selling their practices in the next few years, receiving both fair market value and right value can be a challenge.

Two technological developments have had an enormous effect on physician communication and patient satisfaction: the computer and the PDA. Researchers have demonstrated that computer use during consultations has an adverse effect on the quality of interpersonal communication and a consequent negative effect on patient satisfaction.1

by John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media Peter Anderson, MD, had thought about shifting away from a traditional practice model and toward a doctor-nurse team model at his family practice for about five years, ever since he’d heard a physician talk about the concept at a 1998 seminar. Anderson was intrigued by the idea but took no action until five years later, when his practice’s finances were bleeding red ink and one of his long-serving RNs threatened to quit because of low pay.

by Debra Beaulieu, for HealthLeaders Media It’s a typical afternoon at ABC Multispecialty, and 15 people trying to call into the practice are on hold. Meanwhile, one front desk employee is filing, another is putting away supplies, and the only one actually working the phones is also checking patients in and out and trying to schedule referrals.