FPM's online anthology of articles for residents and new-to-practice physicians

If you're just getting started in practice and are feeling overwhelmed, these articles from Family Practice Management's archives can tell you what you need to know now. Also, be sure to check out FPM's extensive collection of useful forms, flow sheets, coding guides and other tools available through the FPM Toolbox at http://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolbox.

"Is Moonlighting Right For You?" March 2007, p. 41.
A moonlighting position can help you hone your medical skills while boosting your income.

"Finding the Perfect Job," July/August 2006, p. 37.
Here's a plan for figuring out which practice is right for you.

"Part-Time Practice: Making It Work," June 2004, p. 45.
Find out how and why growing numbers of family physicians are working less.

"Solo Practice: The Way of the Future," October 2003, p. 23.
Is there still a place for the rugged individualist in medicine? Here's one family physician who says, "Yes!"

"Ten Reasons to Be a Self-Employed Family Physician and Ten Ways to Do It," October 2002, p. 41.
Independent practice could revive your career, but do you have what it takes to succeed?

"Choosing a Practice Facility," September 2002, p. 37.
Taking the time to plan ahead will improve your chances of selecting a facility that meets your needs and those of your patients.

"A Job-Share Model for the New Millennium," September 2002, p. 29.
This approach to family practice assures continuity of care for your patients as well as a healthy life balance and a decent paycheck for you.

A series of articles about one physician's solo practice:

"14 Alternative Practice Styles," February 2001, p. 33.
Perhaps the road less traveled is the right career path for you. Here are more than a dozen ideas to get you started.

"Interviewing 101," January 2001, p. 38.
An on-site interview is your opportunity to assess how well your values and those of a potential employer align.

"Level-II vs. Level-III Vists: Cracking the Codes," January 2007, p. 21.
Once you learn the rules, choosing the right code is easier than you think.

"In Search of a Super Superbill," September 2006, p. 43.
This superbill incorporates the best characteristics of superbills submitted by FPM readers.

"Coding Level-IV Visits Without Fear," February 2006, p. 34.
Use this worksheet to quickly assess whether you can code a 99214.

"Coding 'Routine' Office Visits: 99213 or 99214?" September 2005, p. 52.
Before choosing 99213 for routine visits, consider whether your work qualifies for a 99214.

"Understanding When to Use 99211," June 2004, p. 32.
Using CPT code 99211 can boost your practice's revenue and improve documentation.

"Simplifying the Credentialing Process," May 2004, p. 24.
A new system replaces multiple plan-specific applications with one universal form.

"Making Sense of Preventive Medicine Coding," April 2004, p. 49.
Find out how to properly code and bill for the preventive services you provide.

"Two Tried-and-True Tools for E/M Documentation," October 2003, p. 51.
They don't just help you code better. They also help make the documentation guidelines less annoying.

"How to Get All the 99214s You Deserve," October 2003, p. 31.
It's easier than you might think to get what's coming to you.

"Understanding When to Use the New Patient E/M Codes," September 2003, p. 33.
Even an old patient can be new.

"Time Is of the Essence: Coding on the Basis of Time for Physician Services," June 2003, p. 27.
Sometimes, coding is almost as simple as looking at the clock.

"Coding Better for Better Reimbursement," January 2003, p. 29.
Your work is worth more than you think. You just need to document and code it better.

"11 Tips for More Productive Billing," March 2002, p. 16.
Keep cash flowing with these easy-to-implement strategies.

"Demystifying Common Terms in Employment Agreements," June 2003, p. 38.
A few key provisions can explain a lot about your contract.

"A Primer on Employment Contracts," November/December 2002, p. 73.
Defuse legal land mines by learning all you can about your employment contract. Here are five key areas to consider.

"Limiting Restrictive Covenants," April 2001, p. 50.
Don't let a restrictive covenant keep you from signing an employment contract, but don't ignore it either.

"Evaluating Restrictive Covenants: Four Key Areas," November/December 2000, p. 52.
Understanding a few general principles of contract law can help you assess the enforceability of a restrictive covenant.

"Understanding Confidentiality and Nonsolicitation Clauses," July/August 2000, p. 73.
Before you sign an employment agreement, make sure you know what you're committing to.

"Sharpen Your Salary Negotiation Skills With Leverage," April 2000, p. 61.
Recognizing the type of leverage you have is the key to using it to your advantage.

"Negotiation Gambits," January 2000, p. 60.
Successful negotiation often depends on recognizing the games people play and determining how you will react to them.

"Improving Care With an Automated Patient History," July/August 2007, p. 39.
The best way to fill your EHR with patient data might be to let your patients do it themselves.

"EHRs Fix Everything -- and Nine Other Myths," March 2007, p. 26.
Realistic expectations can help your conversion to electronic health records succeed.

"How to Successfully Navigate Your EHR Implementation," February 2007, p. 33.
These clues can help you avoid the pitfalls you'll encounter on your EHR journey.

"Improve Your ICD-9 Coding With Voice-Recognition Macros," June 2006, p. 39.
A voice-recognition system can automatically insert the correct ICD-9 codes into your dictated note.

"Free Software for Your Practice," February 2006, p.56.
Freeware and open-source software can handle many of your day-to-day computing duties.

"Take Your Personal Digital Assistant to the Next Level," November/December 2005, p.39.
Move beyond the basics with easy-to-learn programs that manage patient data.

"An EHR User-Satisfaction Survey: Advice From 408 Family Physicians," October 2005, p. 29.
Contemplating the purchase of an EHR? Results of our informal survey may help.

"Make Medical Notes Better and Faster With Macros," September 2005, p. 42.
You can use your word processing program to create notes almost instantly -- even if you're not a great typist.

"An Easy Way to Evaluate Software for Your PDA," June 2005, p. 67.
Maximize your handheld computer by picking programs that fit you best.

"Free Medical Applications for Your PDA," May 2005, p. 78.
Put powerful tools in your palm without spending a dime.

"How to Select an Electronic Health Record System," February 2005, p. 55.
These 12 steps will help make the selection process easier and lead you to the EHR that's right for your practice.

"Purchasing an Affordable Electronic Health Record," February 2005, p. 31.
An economy model may provide all the functionality your practice needs.

"Why It's Time to Purchase an Electronic Health Record System," November/December 2004, p. 43.
The old reasons for holding off may have lost their validity.

A series of articles about communicating with your patients online:

"A Primer on Wireless Networks," February 2004, p. 69.
A wireless network can give you the freedom to access your EMR on a laptop, PDA or tablet PC.

"Creating an Electronic Filing Cabinet," January 2004, p. 65.
Find out how to move the overflowing file cabinet in your office to a CD in your pocket.

"An Introduction to Online CME," March 2003, p. 59.
Taking CME courses online doesn't require fancy computer equipment, just some spare time and a comfortable chair.

"Develop Your Own Practice Intranet," February 2003, p. 37.
It really can be a do-it-yourself project -- and you probably have the basic tools already.

"Good Medicine: E-Prescribing," October 2002, p. 63.
Electronic prescribing improves patient safety and increases efficiency by providing important drug information at the point of care.

"How to Manage Difficult Patient Encounters," June 2007, p. 30.
These strategies will help you turn problematic encounters into productive ones.

"Six Tips For Improving Practice Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction," February 2007, p. 28.
When this practice's initial success began to fade, the physicians and staff had to rethink "business as usual."

"Improving Office Practice: Working Smarter, Not Harder," November/December 2006, p. 28.
Seemingly simple strategies can transform your practice.

"How to Answer Your Clinical Questions More Efficiently," July/August 2005, p. 37.
Asking focused questions and knowing where to look can lead to quicker answers.

"Making Every Minute Count: Tools to Improve Office Efficiency," April 2005, p. 61.
Using proven techniques borrowed from the business world, you can eliminate bottlenecks and waste in your practice.

"A Sure Way to Improve Your Dictation," January 2005, p. 55.
The key is to dictate your notes before you leave the exam room.

A series of articles that offer evidence-based tools to improve decision making at the point of care:

"A Simple Method for Evaluating the Clinical Literature," May 2004, p. 47.
The "PP-ICONS" approach will help you separate the clinical wheat from the chaff in mere minutes.

"Making Evidence-Based Medicine Doable in Everyday Practice," February 2004, p. 51.
Finding the evidence you need is getting easier than you ever thought possible.

"Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Clinical Interventions," January 2004, p. 53.
Should your patient be taking an aspirin a day to prevent heart attack? Here's how to decide.

"Cost Effectiveness Begins Between Your Ears," October 2003, p. 65.
Use common sense in observing and assessing patients before you start writing orders.

"Encounter Forms for Better Preventive Visits," July/August 2003, p. 35.
These two tools can help improve your care and documentation.

"'Oh, by the Way...': Agenda Setting in Office Visits," November/December 2002, p. 63.
To manage patients' long lists and add-on complaints, elicit and negotiate their agendas up front.

"Reducing Waits and Delays in the Referral Process," March 2002, p. 39.
By formalizing your referral relationships, you can make life easier for you and your patients.

"Implementing Preventive Care Flow Sheets," February 2001, p. 51.
Even the best preventive medicine tools won't work until physicians are convinced they're worth using.

"Implementing Open-Access Scheduling in an Academic Practice," March 2006, p. 59.
This group overcame staffing complexities on the road to open access.

"Answers to Your Questions About Same-Day Scheduling," March 2005, p. 59.
The concept's founder explains how to do "today's work today" and improve patient access to your practice.

"How to Use Scheduling Data to Improve Efficiency," July/August 2004, p. 27.
The first step is simply to take a closer look at your appointment book.

"The Outcomes of Open-Access Scheduling: Beyond Patient Satisfaction," February 2004, p. 35.
Good things happen when patients are seen "today" by their own physicians.

"Tuning Up Your Patient Schedule," January 2002, p. 41.
These scheduling tips can help you smooth out the peaks and valleys in your patient flow and increase your bottom line.

"Same-Day Appointments: Exploding the Access Paradigm," September 2000, p. 45.
To gain control over your schedule, you must do the unthinkable: Offer every patient an appointment for today.

"Negotiating a Contract With a Health Plan," November/December, 2006, p. 49.
You'll manage the process confidently if you ask these questions before it starts.

"Managed Care Administrative Tasks: Cutting the Red Tape," October 2006, p. 32.
Your job is difficult enough without the barriers of managed care. Are you doing what you can to reduce the hassles?

"Precertification, Denials and Appeals: Reducing the Hassles," June 2006, p. 45.
These tips can save you time and frustration when dealing with health plans.

"Making Sense of Health Plan Denials," June 2001, p. 39.
The first step to understanding and responding to denials is recognizing the difference between medical necessity and medical benefits.

"The Art of Apology: When and How to Seek Forgiveness," July/August 2007, p. 44.
If a medical mistake in your practice is worthy of an apology, make sure you offer it skillfully.

"Don't Be a Target for a Malpractice Suit," June 2006, p.57.
Protect yourself with these tips from a family physician who has successfully defended his care and that of other physicians.

"Do You Have the Right Malpractice Insurance Policy?" November/December 2004, p. 64.
Here's how to make sure your expensive policy doesn't contain any unpleasant surprises.

A series of articles about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA):

"Seven Reasons Family Doctors Get Sued and How to Reduce Your Risk," March 2003, p. 29.
By adopting a risk-management mind-set, physicians can avert not only malpractice claims but also patient injury.

"Documenting High-Risk Cases to Avoid Malpractice Liability," October 2000, p. 33.
You're at the highest risk of malpractice suits when dealing with these five clinical conditions. Full documentation can help.

"Balancing a Personal Life With OB Care," June 2007, p. 60.
Family physicians can deliver babies and have a life, but not without setting some guidelines.

"Comfort Always," October 2006, p. 74.
Our most important role as a physician is being a comforter to the sick.

"Doctorhood and Motherhood," February 2006, p. 88.
Medicine and parenting possess many similarities, but they differ in at least one significant way.

"Having It All, a Little at a Time," April 2005, p. 90.
Parenting isn't easy, and neither is medicine. But as your children grow, you'll find the two can coexist peacefully.

"Making a Living and a Life," September 2004, p. 70.
A person should design the way he makes a living around how he wishes to make a life.

"Blending Work and Family," May 2004, p. 72.
Your professional life and your personal life can cohabit peacefully.

"The Day Care Stare," October 2003, p. 80.
The struggle of a physician who is also a parent is exacting and ongoing.

"Rediscovering the Joy of Family Practice," October 2003, p. 57.
Developing a strong inner world helps us gain a new enthusiasm for our work, which in turn makes us better physicians.

"Making Family Practice Doable in Everyday Life," April 2003, p. 41.
Having trouble coping with the demands of your profession? Self-examination can make your work more meaningful and manageable.

"Enjoying Family Practice Despite It All," May 2002, p. 59.
Given lemons, some family physicians are still finding ways to make lemonade.

"Eight Ideas for Managing Stress and Extinguishing Burnout," April 2002, p. 35.
Small changes can make a big difference in how well you deal with the pressures of practice.

"Protecting the Time You've Got," July/August 2001, p. 60.
Think there's nothing you can do about frequent interruptions and urgent requests on your time? Think again.

"Physician Support Groups," October 2000, p. 76.
Making meaningful connections with your colleagues can give deeper meaning to your profession.

"Preventing Burnout," April 2000, p. 70.
The personality traits that make you a good doctor may also make you a target for burnout.

"15 Tips for Managing Life at Work and Home," February 2000, p. 60.
No gimmicks, no tricks. Just basic advice for getting the most out of the time you have without letting it get the most of you.