2008 Reader Challenge

Do you have a big idea that has strengthened or energized your practice? Have you found a way to take better care of your patients, boost your efficiency, increase your revenue, or successfully balance your career and personal life?

If so, we want to hear about it.

How to Enter
Describe your big idea in 800 words or less (view examples from our first Reader Challenge). Your entry should address these four questions:

1. What’s the big idea? It may be an innovative approach to patient care, a powerful principle that has boosted your efficiency, or a new way of thinking that has helped you tackle a problem, excel beyond the status quo or lead your practice through tumultuous change. You don’t have to be the inventor of the idea. Simply show us how you’ve applied it to get results in your practice.

2. What were you up against? Describe the problem or challenge you faced prior to implementing the big idea. Provide details, examples, numbers and anecdotes to help describe your situation.

3. What was the outcome? Tell us how the big idea was effective in your practice, providing data or other evidence to back up your success.

4. What’s the moral? Offer take-away lessons that other family physicians can apply to their own situations. Make your entry practical, action-oriented and useful.

Label your entry with the words “FPM Reader Challenge,” include your
contact information and send your entry to Family Practice Management:
• By e-mail: fpmedit@aafp.org,
• By fax: 913-906-6010,
• By mail: 11400 Tomahawk Creek Pkwy., Leawood, KS 66211-2672.

Why to Enter
The top entries, as selected by an expert panel of judges, will be featured in the September 2008 issue of Family Practice Management. Your story could help inspire your colleagues in family medicine and demonstrate the strength, passion and ingenuity of family physicians.

So sit back, tell your tale and enjoy the challenge!

Deadline: April 30, 2008