Conversation with Madelyn Butler, MD
Incoming FMA President Discusses Challenges, Goals
When Madelyn Butler, MD, takes office next month as president of the Florida Medical Association (FMA), the OB-GYN from Tampa will take over as the association's second female, second of Cuban descent, and youngest leader during arguably the most tumultuous time in organized medicine in the United States.
LYNNE JETER |
Healthcare Reform Affects Medicare Patients and the Under 65 Set Differently
How to Answer Questions from Your Patients
If you’re a physician, chances are you have already fielded a bevy of questions from patients about healthcare reform. Rest assured, the questions will keep coming. Experts say that doctors need to be up to speed, and fast, about how reform will affect their patients’ healthcare and their insurance options in the future.
SHARON H. FITZGERALD |
Pain Clinic Crackdown Comes Amid New Law
A Massive Sting Involving Prescription Drugs Highlights the Problem for State Leaders
The Orlando-area received a wake-up call last month that it has a serious prescription drug abuse problem when the Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced June 3 it had arrested 172 people in "Operation Pain Killer."
DAVID ROSENFELD |
Choosing a Retirement Community Seriously
The decision to move to a retirement community may be one of the most difficult decisions you make in your aging years; however, it will also be one of the most important. While you realize the lifestyle at a retirement community will most likely be better – and easier – for you, you may still struggle with the idea of moving from what's familiar to begin a new chapter of your life. You have habits and routines that are familiar to you. You have neighbors you trust. Your memories and placement of material possessions is hard to leave.
JULIE FERNANDEZ |
Advancements in Ultrasound
As the owner of a diagnostic ultrasound facility and as a sonographer myself, I am constantly amazed by the advancements in technology and the evolution in our field. Although diagnostic ultrasound became available in the 1950's, it wasn't often used and then mainly used in obstetrics. And its use in obstetrics was limited, primarily for diagnosing multiple pregnancies or fetal abnormalities. That is definitely not the case anymore.
CHAD HALL, RDMS, RDCS, RVT |
RX FOR THE BOTTOM LINE: How to Not Confuse Students with Actual Employees
Most medical offices enjoy having students come to learn how their office operates during an internship. It's helpful to have that extra body to confirm appointments, stock the rooms, assist in procedures, do the filing, etc. It can be a big help to have a student available when an employee calls in sick or needs to take an extended leave of absence because you are not as short staffed as you normally would be with one person out. Some students are fast learners and eager to be part of the activity going on at the facility. A caring student understands that any internship is a potential position if they follow work instructions and have a pleasant attitude. After all, some physicians have one employee they cannot live without, and that star employee was once a student. We all have to start somewhere.
MINERVA DEJESUS and AURIANA REYES |
High Nurse Attrition Despite Recession
Higher-than-Expected Rates of New Hires Not Enough to Stem Nursing Shortage
Two recent nursing workforce studies by the Florida Center for Nursing at the University of Central Florida show that, even during a recession, retaining nurses is still a huge problem.
DAVID ROSENFELD |
Florida Hospital DeLand Adds Facilities to Serve Growing Community
These are busy times for Florida Hospital DeLand where two construction projects are underway to serve the growing community. The Victoria Medical Park, a free-standing outpatient facility, is scheduled to open on Oct. 1, and the hospital's existing Cancer Center began a three-phase renovation on July 1.
LYNN LOFTON |
Beware of "Anotodynia"
"When physicians listen to and communicate effectively with patients, the standard of medical practice can be raised and better treatment afforded to their patients."
This conclusion was reached decades ago by Victoria Lewin-Fetter, MD, who coined the term "Anotodynia" (Greek: absence of ears for pain) to refer to the condition when a physician has difficulty listening.
TIMOTHY R. BONE |
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