Program Helps Obstetricians and Gynecologists Devote More Time to Patients

Baltimore, Maryland — April 07, 2004 — Physicians need to be more knowledgeable about practice management. It means the difference between scrambling from day to day and having the time to devote to quality patient care and service.

The Patient-Centered OB/GYN Practice, a continuing medical education (CME) series published and sponsored by Physicians Practice and supported by an educational grant from Aventis Pharmaceuticals and the Alliance for Better Bone Health (Aventis Pharmaceuticals and P&G Pharmaceuticals), aims to help obstetricians and gynecologists better manage the operational side of their practices. The less time physicians spend on administration and operations, the more time they can devote to taking care of patients.

Obstetricians and gynecologists are busier than ever before. OB/GYNs handle nearly 3,000 ambulatory visits a year, according to the Medical Group Management Association's Physician Compensation and Productivity Surveys: 2002 Report Based on 2001 Data.

"With so many patient visits every year, OB/GYN practices easily can feel overwhelmed," says Elizabeth Woodcock, MBA, FACMPE, director of knowledge management for Physicians Practice. "The Patient-Centered OB/GYN Practice demonstrates best operational practices that help physicians and other staff members save time-time that is better spent with patients than paperwork."

A patient-centered management approach by obstetricians and gynecologists can have a significant impact on the health of a large percentage of the population. Research conducted in conjunction with Physicians Practice's Patient-Centered OB/GYN Practice revealed that many obstetricians and gynecologists spend a large amount of time in non-patient-care activities. The activities could be handled by other staff members or eliminated through good practice management, providing more time for physicians to devote to patient care.

The Patient-Centered OB/GYN Practice educates obstetricians, gynecologists, and other healthcare professionals with an interest in improving their medical practice in the field of obstetrics and gynecology management. The program provides data and advice on all aspects of running a practice. Content is designed to impact the time physicians can devote to patient health. This CME activity serves as a distance and live education tool for physicians who need more education about practice management.

The Patient-Centered OB/GYN Practice includes a Research and Findings Paper with 24 pages of advice, charts, and sample tools to help obstetricians and gynecologists manage their practices.

If you are interested in more information about this or The Patient-Centered OB/GYN Practice program, please contact Catherine Mullaney at (410) 863-1811, ext. 101, or by e-mail at cbretz@physicianspractice.com.

Founded in 1989 by Gerry Hartung and Scott Weber and based in Glen Burnie, Md., Physicians Practice helps physicians operate their businesses more efficiently, leading to improved patient care. The company publishes Physicians Practice(R), The Business Journal for Physicians, a CME-accredited practice management journal circulated through medical center partnerships to more than 296,000 physicians in 48 markets nationwide. It is the largest circulated practice management journal of its kind. The company is also a CME provider and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). It provides creative education services and products, custom publishing services, Internet content, and maintains a staff of experts in all areas of medical practice management who are available to speak with the media on healthcare issues. Visit us at www.PhysiciansPractice.com.

This continuing medical education activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and is sponsored by PhysiciansPractice. Physicians Practice is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity is supported through an educational grant from Aventis Pharmaceuticals and the Alliance for Better Bone Health (Aventis Pharmaceuticals and P&G Pharmaceuticals).