Physicians Practice Expands Education Series to Gastroenterologists

Baltimore, Maryland — March 21, 2005 — Physicians Practice today announced the continuation of its complimentary continuing medical education (CME) series for gastroenterologists, The Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice.

“Helping healthcare professionals better manage their gastroenterology practices for better patient care is crucial,” said F. Taylor Wootton, III, MD, chair of the American Gastroenterological Association’s (AGA) clinical practice and economics committee. “We are pleased to continue to endorse this program.”

In response to participant surveys and continued needs assessment, the 2005 program will focus on ways gastroenterologists can improve care when treating patients with hepatitis C, said Pamela L. Moore, PhD, CPC, lead researcher for The Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice, and senior editor for Physicians Practice®, The Business Journal for Physicians. “In 2004, we had over 400 gastroenterology practices participating with this series.”

Endorsed by the AGA and supported by an educational grant from Roche Laboratories, Inc, the Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice provides data and advice on all aspects of running a gastroenterology practice, with content designed to increase the time that physicians who treat patients with hepatitis C devote to patient care.

“This series provides the gastroenterologist and his/her staff with useful information and tips that can be easily and inexpensively implemented in the practice to better meet the needs of the patients,” said Cecile Katzoff, MGA, director of the AGA Center for GI Practice Management and Economics.

Physicians and healthcare professionals who sign up for the complimentary Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice will receive the following specialty information:

• Audioconferences – A series of 60-minute audioconferences featuring expert speakers and Q&A sessions on how to run a more patient-centered gastroenterology practice.
  
  
• Digestive Disease Week Presentation – Live presentation, “Simple Technologies for Better Hepatitis C Patient Care,” offered to members of the Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice who attend the national conference sponsored in part by the American Gastroenterological Association.
  
  
• Local Seminars – Practical advice and tips on how to improve practice management for better patient care, offered at regional seminars across the country.
  
  
• Newsletters – Published quarterly with easy-to-implement tips and content based on research and interviews with gastroenterologists, practice management experts, and practices across the country that treat patients with hepatitis C.
  
  
• Web Cast – Program featuring simple technologies to better manage hepatitis C, available online at www.PatientCenteredPractice.com.
  
  
• Web Site – Electronic versions of The Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice: Research and Findings Paper, and archived issues of newsletters and audioconferences, available online at www.PatientCenteredPractice.com.