FEATURES

34 Creating a Lean Practice (PDF available)

Scott Endsley, MD, MSc, Michael K. Magill, MD, and Marjorie M. Godfrey, MS, RN

A highly efficient practice is within your reach if you're willing to examine your processes and ruthlessly eliminate waste.

41 Outpatient vs. Inpatient Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia (PDF available)

Mark H. Ebell, MD, MS

Using a clinical prediction tool at the point of care will help you choose which course is best for your patient.

47 Using a Simple Patient Registry to Improve Your Chronic Disease Care (PDF available)

David D. Ortiz, MD

Who needs an EHR? Software you already have can help you make sure your patients get the care they need.

58 Same-Day E/M Services: What to Do When a Health Plan Won't Pay
(PDF available)

Cindy Hughes, CPC

These ideas will help you deal with the difficult consequences of this common policy.

67 Can Your Patients Afford the Medications You Prescribe? (PDF available)

Richard J. Sagall, MD

Patient adherence may depend on the answer to this question, so it must be asked.

DEPARTMENTS

14 from the editor

How Do You Cope With Bundled Claims?

Robert L. Edsall

Don't cheat yourself. That's the health plan's job.

17 editorial

Reinventing Family Medicine

Sanford J. Brown, MD

Redefinition is the first step toward reinvigoration.

23 letters

Should you cut out the middle plan? • Level-IV visits • Correction

26 news & trends

Family medicine sees small gains in filling residency positions • Work setting affects physicians' quality of work life • Physicians urged to prepare now for 2006-2007 flu season • Coalition aims to reduce physicians' administrative hassles • 99214s on the rise

31 coding & documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

List the chief diagnosis code first • Consultation or subsequent care in hospital rehab unit? • New vs. established patients • Acupuncture • Psychotherapy • Managing home INR draws • E/M + trigger point injections • Swing bed stays • When to use 99361

70 practice pearls

Know when to ask for help • ED work and opting out of Medicare • Send reminders for needed lab work • Encourage appropriate dress in your office • Promote patient education with podcasts • Show your appreciation for your staff

75 FPM QUIZ

Earn 3.5 CME credits.

80 the last word

Turning Frustration Into Fulfillment

Sweety Jain, MD

When we invite our patients to be part of the solution, even difficult encounters can become rewarding.

4 Contact us

77 Classifieds

79 authors guide