Health Experts Available to Comment on Technologies to Improve Patient Care
Original Research Focus: Physicians Practice, and the American Gastroenterological Association Cente

Chicago, Illinois — May 11, 2005 — Many gastroenterologists who manage chronically ill patients with Hepatitis C are integrating simple technologies into their practices to significantly increase the amount of time available to spend with patients and, ultimately, to improve the quality of patient care.

On Tuesday, May 17, 2005, during Digestive Disease Week, The Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice will present original research obtained through interviews with gastroenterology practices across the country on simple technologies that can be used to improve patient care. This continuing medical education (CME) activity for physicians and other healthcare providers is sponsored by Physicians Practice, supported by an educational grant from Roche Laboratories Inc., and endorsed by the AGA Center for GI Practice Management and Economics.

This presentation will take place at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, at 301 East North Water Street in Chicago, from 6:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. CT.

Imtiaz Alam, MD, Medical Director for the Austin Hepatitis Center, and Rosemarie Nelson, MS, researcher for The Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice, will be available after the presentation, on-site or by telephone, to discuss easy-to-implement systems such as:

- Information technology solutions that improve practice operations for gastroenterologists treating Hepatitis C patients
- Integrating technology to improve practice operations, patient access, and patient care

For more information about The Patient-Centered Gastroenterology Practice, visit http://www.PatientCenteredPractice.com/.

About Physicians Practice
Physicians Practice is publisher of Physicians Practice®, The Business Journal for Physicians. Circulated to more than 300,000 community-based practicing physicians throughout the United States, Physicians Practice is the most widely circulated practice management journal for physicians in the country. Its award-winning Web site, www.PhysiciansPractice.com®, and weekly e-mail newsletter, Physicians Practice Pearls®, have helped the company earn a reputation as the premier practice management solutions provider for physicians and their administrators.

The company's Connecticut-based Provider Solutions division, Physicians Practice capitalizes on its strong position in the healthcare marketplace by creating educational initiatives for physicians. These programs utilize a number of learning platforms such as satellite broadcast, Web cast, audioconference, print, and live symposia to provide the highest quality education and information with the easiest access for the healthcare professional customer. In October 2004, Physicians Practice was voted runner-up out of 600 entries for “Best Use of Direct Marketing to Healthcare Professionals” in the Medical Marketing and Media Awards.

Through its multimedia programs and its journal, Physicians Practice teaches physicians how to manage the challenges of delivering high quality patient care in a turbulent medical marketplace. The company also provides customized strategies for the pharmaceutical industry, 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. Physicians Practice, founded in 1989 by Gerry Hartung and Scott Weber, is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. For more information, visit us at www.PhysiciansPractice.com.

For More Information, Contact:
LaWanda Stone Abernathy
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
(443) 543-5144
labernathy@physicianspractice.com

Catherine Bretz Mullaney, MHA
Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Development
(443) 543-5154
cbretz@physicianspractice.com