Palliative Care: Helping Patients Get the Treatment They Want
June 2010

Although palliative care can be a difficult topic to discuss, your patients will be betteroff if you bring it up in a compassionate manner.

Broken Speech
May 2010

Southern California boasts a wide diversity of cultures. But when it comes to health care, the all-too-often inability of physicians and patients to communicate in their native languages can harm outcomes.

Air Quality: Going Green
April 2010

Southern California counties continue to make strides in cleaning up our air. But is it enough? A new study from the RAND Corporation reveals the true cost of bad air.

EHR: Medicine That Is Good For You
March 2010

Purchasing and implementing an EHR system is still a complex and costly venture. Fortunately, there's a wealth of new resources to help you out.

The Magically Disappearing Consulting Codes
February 2010

Thanks to Federal legislation, Medicare consulting codes are a thing of the past. Here's what you need to know to cope.

The Year Ahead, The Year Behind
January 2010

Southern California Physician tracks 2009's big issues and events, and looks into the future for the big topics of 2010.

Hanging By a Thread?
December 2009

For as long as MICRA has been around, there have been threats to its existence. Here's an in-depth look at the challenges it faces today.

Giving Back
November 2009

Physicians do more volunteer work than many in the general public realize. Here's a closer look at what makes volunteers tick.

Medical Homes & Hopes
October 2009

The patient-centered medical home is a new way to arrange how a primary-care practice operates, and how it collaborates with specialists, hospitals, labs and other providers. But is it the right panacea?

Pay-for-Performance: All Stick and No Carrot?
September 2009

Pay-for-performance programs are being touted as a way to improve quality of care. But many people argue that they are really a cost-saving incentive for physicians to use cheaper drugs and cheaper treatments.

The Country Doctor
August 2009

Patients in rural Southern California have long had a hard time getting access to primary and specialist care. Here’s a look at the current situation and prospects for a better future.

Hitting A Brick Wall
July 2009

Insurers are often more happy to tell physicians that a treatment isn't medically necessary. Here's the latest update.

Never Events
June 2009

28 outcomes that insurers won't cover. Here's what you need to know.

Sounding the Alarm
May 2009

New rules from the FTC aim to prevent identity theft. Here’s a simple guide to what you need to do to be compliant—and why.

Taking the Hit
April 2009

President Obama wants to pay you to implement a healthcare IT system. But should you take the bait?

A Bitter Pill
March 2009

How health plans hinder physicians’ drug prescribing preferences—and harm patients.

Good Sense Services
February 2009

If you choose wisely, adding extra services to your practice can benefit both patients and your office’s bottom line.

Reform: 2009 Poised for Change
January 2009

Big changes are brewing in Washington, D.C., and they might change the way doctors do business. Here’s what the pundits predict.

A Well-Oiled Machine
December 2008

Physician assistants can help you see more patients in a day and offload some of your more mundane tasks, making your office run ever more efficiently. Here’s what you need to know about hiring one, or even two, physician assistants.

The Palmetto Problem
November 2008

The transition from NHIC to Palmetto GBA for the processing of Medicare claims has been plagued with problems. Is there an end in sight? We tell you what’s gone wrong and what you can do about it.

Identity Theft
October 2008

There’s no sure-fire way to prevent identity theft but there are tried-and-true methods for making it harder for thieves to steal your valuable information. Here are 10 great tips for protecting yourself and your hard-won assets.