December Observer Contents
Features
Internal medicine takes a hard look at itself during summit on revitalization
Leaders at a two-day meeting on revitalizing the specialty discuss ways to re-tool education, reimbursement and the practice environment.
Dec '03
As NCQA turns its attention to physicians, performance measures find some ready takers
Why six internists volunteered for performance measurement programs—and how those programs affected their practices.
Dec '03
Clinical Medicine
In cancer treatment, targeted therapies are giving physicians and patients hope
New, focused drugs have produced dramatic results, but more challenges remain.
Dec '03
Q&A
Making the case for 'big doctoring' in primary care
A primary care advocate claims that generalists should take a broad view to strengthen their role in American medicine—and speak with one voice.
Dec '03
Your Practice
Recent CMS lab test standards simplify billing rules
Medicare has standardized policies for physician documentation requirements and frequency limitations for lab tests.
Dec '03
Implementing an EMR? Five mistakes you should avoid
Too often, implementing an EMR derails because of bad planning and worse management.
Dec '03
For Residents
Tips to detect and treat depression in older patients
Subtle clues can help you spot depression, a common condition that patients don't report—and many deny outright.
Dec '03
Commentary
Letters
Readers discuss substance abuse in the elderly, coding issues
Dec '03
College Watch
President's Column
Why compassion is such an important part of practice
Physicians needs to use compassion to help heal patients and tap their own source of professional satisfaction.
Dec '03
Regents discuss PAC, recertification, new parternship, more
ACP leaders approved a new educational alliance as well as measures that should benefit young physicians.
Dec '03
Medlineplus project: premium information for patients
A new e-health project co-sponsored by the ACP Foundation connects patients with top-quality health care information.
Dec '03
College Briefs
New Annals Web site offers more features.
Dec '03
College resolutions for spring 2004 Governors meeting due Dec. 19.
Dec '03
ACP board review course available on audio and video.
Dec '03
Newly revised book gives meanings behind medical terms.
Dec '03
Washington Perspective
The new Medicare: not your grandmother's program
Medicare reform legislation signals a new era of market-based competition and income-based premiums.
Dec '03
Policy Briefs
Changes in Medicare pay for drugs should exempt vaccines.
Dec '03
College calls on Calif. insurer to stop recoding E/M services.
Dec '03
New study: Most internists treat uninsured patients.
Dec '03
Quiz
The MKSAP Challenge
A 77-year old man is found to have asymptomatic atrial fibrillation on a routine examination.
Dec '03
Member News
Obituaries
Charles H. Hollenberg, MACP
O. Currier McEwen, MACP
Walter W. Point III, MACP
Dec '03
Deaths
Dec '03
CME
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