RUC this

Let me explain.  The RUC has systematically (either with or without malice) over valued procedures and undervalued cognition.

If I were health czar – steps to decrease health care costs

Please comment and I will respond.  Perhaps we could even develop a health care bloggers guide to decreasing health care costs!

Are we whining about primary care?

I ask how we should modify our system to encourage the growth of primary care.  Money does matter.  To think otherwise is unfortunately wrong.

Understanding the financial collapse

I had heard of Liar’s Poker, and actually had heard of this article.  Having just read it, I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to understand.

Work hours and unintended consequences

At 59, I’m still improving as an internist. You won’t keep up with all the science, but can still become great.

Resident work hours

On the positive side, the committee did not back off from the 80 hours.  They recommend more strenuous enforcement, and I agree with that plan.

Quality improvement is a misnomer

We should be precise with our semantics.  We should call these programs performance measure improvement.

Why we should not short change medical training

When I have a medical problem, I hope my physicians have adequate experience.  I hope their training was not short changed.

Defensive medicine documented

As we prepare to attack health care reform, I hope that the administration will include malpractice reform. 

Huh? on the proceduralist generalist war

The RUC is STACKED against cognition.  The link to John Goodson’s wonderful article from JAMA will make this clear.