PRACTICE STYLES
Turtles and Rabbits: Family Physicians Under Time Pressure
Are economic forces and time constraints threatening what's valuable in family practice?
Robert D. Gillette, MD

PATIENT SERVICE
Reducing Delays and Waiting Times With Open-Office Scheduling
Setting aside slots for same-day and follow-up appointments builds patients' trust -- and boosts productivity. Here's how to do it.
Sue Herriott, RN, MA

QUALITY CARE
A Team Approach to Quality Improvement
To realize change, rely on the knowledge and experience of a team such as the authors', which improved the care of patients with diabetes.
Miriam Schwarz, MPA, RRA, Suzanne E. Landis, MD, MPH, and John E. Rowe, MD

PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION
Making Wellness Medicine Work
You can turn annual physical exams into an ongoing process of prevention and health improvement.
Sanford J. Brown, MD

GETTING PAID
Billing Medicare for Diabetes Self-Management Training
Medicare now covers education for patients with diabetes, but be sure the right person is doing the educating.
Kent J. Moore

CODING AND DOCUMENTATION
Answers to Your Questions
Kent J. Moore

MONITOR
Anti-fraud campaign hits the streets • Match numbers drop again for family practice • Y2K Update: Health care worst prepared, says Senate report • GAO says HCFA isn't ready after all • Physicians targeted for unionization drive

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

IMPROVING PATIENT CARE
13 Ways to Be More Efficient
The key isn't always to work harder. Sometimes working smarter really can make a difference.
William D. Soper, MD, MBA

COMPUTERS
A Comparison of Voice Recognition Programs
They may sound promising, but not all systems are created equal. Here's a review of three of the best.
Thomas G. Savel, MD

ASK FPM
Pediatricians joining family physicians • Using "reciprocal billing" arrangements • Contracting with MSOs • Medicare HMOs and out-of-network providers

SALARIED FP
Overcoming Roadblocks on the Path to the Boardroom
Want to get a family physician on the board of directors? Here are helpful dos and don'ts.
Richard E. Thompson, MD

BALANCING ACT
Family Mission Statements
Identify the principles that are most important to you.
Marc, Karen, Jessica and Julie Rivo