Great news for the readers of PhysiciansNews.com…..We’ve been named one of the best health related news feeds.  Nursingschools.net has released its top 100 list of Twitter feeds to follow for health and medical information.  Here’s the top part of the list:
General Health News
These feeds offer a wide variety of health care news and offer a great place to cover all your bases on health care news.

@health. From food recalls to the latest in research findings, this feed shares all the latest news.
@HealthHive. Find health news for the whole family with …

Today, the American Medical Association (AMA) and 95 state and specialty medical societies submitted formal comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed rule outlining the meaningful use criteria for the electronic health records (EHRs) incentive programs.
“The AMA is supportive of the widespread adoption and meaningful use of EHRs by physicians, but the Stage 1 criteria proposed by CMS are too aggressive,” said AMA Board Member Steven J. Stack, M.D. “It could unreasonably punish physicians who undertake great efforts to achieve meaningful use of EHRs – …

By Vasilios J. Kalogredis, Esquire
Oftentimes, physicians will admit that they have difficulty in negotiating for themselves.  For that reason, some prefer to have another individual do their negotiating for them.
Nevertheless, it is important for physicians to have some background on negotiating skills since, in reality, we all negotiate every day (be it with one’s employees, insurance companies, patients, family members, etc.).  This article will set forth some tried and true practical tips.
GATHERING INFORMATION
It is important to gather as much information as one is able to before getting involved in negotiations.  …

Glenside, PA — President Obama came to suburban Philadelphia Monday to rally for healthcare reform.  In a speech designed to fire up the crowd of 2,000 at Arcadia University, Obama gave a campaign-like address to garner support for his most recent proposal for health reform and to encourage the public to call on their legislators for an immediate up/down vote.
The details of the plan had been previously discussed and published in great detail.  That wasn’t the purpose of this visit.  This town-hall/rock concert atmosphere was intended to get Obama back …

By Mark Newman
What is the best EHR for your practice? As usual, the answer is, “it depends.” Choosing the right Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for your practice involves answering many questions. These include:
–   Which specific EHR features and functions do we need?
–   Which EHR vendor has experience in my practice type or specialty?
–   Which vendor has the best reputation and a stable business?
–   What’s the need for access to data for reporting and research?
–   Does the EHR system have the necessary certification and functionality to qualify for “Meaningful Use” …

Given a choice, Americans would place their trust in physicians to reform health care.  The results of a Gallup poll were released today in which people were asked whether they were confident or not confident in the healthcare recommendations of eight groups of potential influencers including: President Obama; Democratic and Republican lawmakers; physicians; hospitals; pharmaceutical and insurance executives; and university professors.
The poll taken on March 2-3 was also done last June and the results are mostly the same.  Physicians are most trusted (although seemingly least influential) to fix the health care …

By Guy A. Lee, MD
Middle-aged and older patients commonly present with neurogenic claudication, the classic nerve-related radiating leg and buttock pain caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. Imaging will typically show degenerative factors, including the narrowing of the midline sagittal spinal canal and possibly also narrowing between the facet superior articulating process, the posterior vertebral margin and nerve root canal.
The narrowing and compression of spinal stenosis is believed to cause leg, buttock and groin pain for about 1.2 million Americans. Those who experience mild or moderate symptoms typically have pain that …

By Jeffrey C. Bauer, Ph.D.

The title of this article is intentional, as odd as it may seem.  Futures is plural on purpose, and the question about reform is not rhetorical.  The political events of the past year created a widespread and misleading impression that a (singular) new future for health care was being created in Washington.  In reality, health care in the United States is multidimensional, and it is heading in many different directions simultaneously.  Efforts to legislate a “one size fits all” solution are doomed to failure.  Consequently, physicians …

The American Cancer Society has revised its recommendations regarding prostate cancer screening.  The new guidelines call for the patient to make an informed decision on whether to proceed with treatment.  This comes just a few months after experts recommended against regular mammograms for women.
According to the ACS, “men with no symptoms of prostate cancer who are in relatively good health and can expect to live at least 10 more years have the opportunity to make an informed decision with their doctor about screening after learning about the uncertainties, risks, and …

President Obama is determined to get health reform legislation passed and has incorporated into his plan four Republican-generated ideas from last week’s Health Summit.  In a letter sent to Congressional leaders, the president outlined items related to fraud, malpractice, reimbursements, and health savings accounts.  Obama will hit the road next week to garner support for his proposal.  He is scheduled for appearances in Philadelphia and St. Louis.

J. James Rohack, MD, president of the AMA, said “As we reach the final stage of health system reform, the AMA is pleased that …