UNIONIZATION
Is There a Physician Union in Your Future?
By joining forces with unions, some family physicians are hoping to overcome the unrealistic demands of managed care.
Robert Carlson

PHYSICIAN RECRUITING
Nine Keys to Better Recruiting
You'll get professional results with the author's time-tested tips.
Chester H. Fox, MD

SPECIAL SECTION
Strengthening Relationships With Your Patients

USING THE INTERNET
Getting Patients Off Hold and Online
Using e-mail and the Web to connect with patients may sound like a hassle, but it can make patients' lives easier -- and yours, too.
John Spicer

PATIENT SATISFACTION
Measuring Patient Satisfaction: How to Do It and Why to Bother
A well-designed survey can help you improve your practice. The key? 'Keep it simple,' and act on what you learn.
Brandi White

TELEPHONE MANAGEMENT
How Does Your Practice Sound on the Phone?
Many patients derive their impression of your practice from telephone contacts. Here are tips for doing a better job.
Lyndia Flanagan

THE PATIENT'S VIEWPOINT
Why I Fired My Family Doctor
This patient's experience teaches lessons that at least one FP apparently hasn't learned.

PATIENT RELATIONS
FPM Articles on Patient Relations
For tips on conducting efficient office visits, enhancing physician-patient communication and more, look to the FPM archives

EDITORIAL
Tools for Today's Family Physician: The FPM Curriculum
Marc Rivo, MD, MPH

GETTING PAID
Three New Year's Resolutions From Medicare
When it comes to updates from HCFA, two pieces of good news out of three isn't bad.
Kent J. Moore

CODING AND DOCUMENTATION
Answers to Your Questions
Kent J. Moore and Leigh Ann Henry

MONITOR
Y2K update HMO lets doctors choose referral physicians • Groups call for patient privacy improvements • A matter of trust • National health care spending slows ... with help from Medicare, Medicaid • Physicians fare well, despite managed care • Four family physicians go to Washington

PRACTICE DIARY
Excerpts From a Family Physician's Journal
Sanford J. Brown, MD

ASK FPM
Medicaid and "teaching physician" rules • PCPs and Stark II • Who can sign your prescriptions? • Tracking ED use

IMPROVING PATIENT CARE
Are Your Patients Getting the Preventive Services They Need?
The author's group used a simple chart review to assess (and improve) its performance in the area of preventive care.
L. Casey Chosewood, MD

COMPUTERS
Make Your Presentations More Powerful
Traditional slides and overheads just don't grab attention the way a computerized presentation can.
Thomas G. Savel, MD

Our Featured Web Site: MEDLINE
David C. Kibbe, MD, MBA

SALARIED FP
Medalia: Why We Unionized
The physicians of this health care system saw organizing as the only way to make their voices heard.
James D. Vandermeer, MD

BALANCING ACT
Six Ways to Make Play a Priority
What on earth ever made you think that all work and no play was any way to live?
Pamela J. Vaccaro, MA