Barbara A. Gabriel

Conventional wisdom has it that doctors who use EMRs are better prepared to treat patients comprehensively - especially those with chronic conditions. New research, though, is raising doubts. What’s the real story?

Incidents of data theft grab media headlines almost daily. How can you ensure that your data remains secure? We give you the best bets for implementing that “ounce of protection” that can protect your patients and your practice.

Think malpractice is your only potential legal liability? Sorry, but that’s not true. You’re an employer, too, and need to know the basics on laws governing your rights, and your employees.

The government rocked the hospital world with its plan to stop paying hospitals for the treatment necessary to fix their so-called mistakes. Could your office be next?

Change is hard. People don’t like it. If you’ve ever tried to convince a reluctant staff too content with “the old way” to try something new, you understand the size of the challenge. Allow our primer to help you clear the path to transformation.

Providing excellent care isn’t enough to keep your patients happy - and smiling patients are the key to a successful practice. Here’s a simple five-step guide to providing a total patient service experience, from the appointment call to follow-up.

Delivering unpleasant clinical news is one of the toughest jobs in medicine. Here’s how to handle it with clarity and sensitivity.

You’ve tried coaching. You’ve tried encouragement. You’ve tried punishment. This employee simply won’t improve, and has to go. How do you pull the trigger?

OK, so you’ve made a medical mistake. You know it. And the patient knows it. It happens. In polite society, the proper thing to do is to apologize. But are you opening yourself to a slam-dunk lawsuit if you say you’re sorry?

The old man would be rolling over in his grave if he knew what today’s physicians are dealing with. Professionalism as traditionally defined in medicine is dead. Or is it? We explore ways you can maintain professional standards despite the challenges of modern economics.

If you think medical malpractice, Medicare fraud, and HIPAA noncompliance are the only legal pitfalls you have to worry about, think again.

It’s hard enough recruiting new docs these days. Make sure the relationship lasts once they arrive.

The federal government is changing its interpretation of the Stark law that has long prevented hospitals from helping practices access electronic health records. Our expert explains how it will affect you.

A conversation with a renowned psychiatrist who reclaimed his personal life and learned to love his job.

Work-life balance? Not for these super-driven docs. They keep a hundred balls in the air, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

It's not clear yet if "concierge medicine" - sometimes called retainer-based practice - is truly the wave of the future, but it's certainly more than just a passing fad. Is this style of practice right for you?

Some of the worst office disputes are the ones that never happen. You may think you're keeping the peace by holding your tongue, but not all conflicts should be avoided. Here's how to fight right.