News & Trends – Page 11 – Physician Factor

At Physician Factor, we're passionate about supporting the knowledge transfer and shared expertise among physicians to drive improvements across healthcare, as well as career development. Here we spotlight news and trends of interest to physicians in our network.

What is Physician Factor? This knowledge exchange network is a dedicated portal for physicians seeking opportunities to contribute their expertise and input in exchange for compensation and supplemental income.

11Oct 2021

Preparing For The Next Phase Of Telehealth: What Physician Practices Need To Consider

Patient preferences and needs have changed, and physician practices will need to level up their virtual care offerings to accommodate them.

04Oct 2021

Which Healthcare Sectors Are Predicted to See Revenue Growth in 2022?

According to a comprehensive report from Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), “US Staffing Industry Forecast: September 2021 Update,” US staffing revenue will grow by 16% to reach a record $157.4 billion this year. Healthcare staffing outpaces even this increase thanks to a 40% expansion in the travel nurse segment, with a projected 24% year-over-year growth in 2021 to reach $24.7 billion.

06Sep 2021

Pushing Health App Data to Doctors: A Burden or an Asset?

Apple announced recently, it will enable doctors to monitor health data from their patients’ phones and watches between visits, part of the push into health care that Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, has declared will constitute the company’s greatest contribution to mankind. Since 2014, health systems around the country have partnered with Apple to tap into the mountains of data the company’s devices generate from patients. But most are still experimenting with these tools. While some doctors appreciate seeing records of home-monitored blood pressure, exercise, and the like between visits, for others the data is more of a burden than an asset. Over 100 types of data are available in Apple’s health app through iPhone, Apple Watch, and third-party apps. In June, Apple said patients whose doctors work with one of the six electronic medical record companies participating in the new feature will be able to send them tracked data like heart rate, sleep hours, exercise minutes, steps, falls, or menstrual cycle history. Some see great promise in building “pipes” between a patient’s phone and the health records viewed by their clinicians. Apple is “democratizing the flow of health data” between doctors and patients, said Anil Sethi, a former Apple health director and current CEO of Ciitizen, a startup that manages health data for cancer patients.

30Aug 2021

Is the Demise of the Doctor's White Coat Near?

Your doctor walks into the exam room wearing a white coat. Or perhaps your physician has on a fleece or softshell jacket. Does it make a difference? Yes, according to a survey that sought public perceptions on doctor attire and professionalism in the United States. The lay public still appears to associate the traditional white coat with experience and professionalism, said study author Dr. Jordan Steinberg. The study was conducted as the white coat has come under scrutiny lately, with the association of germ transmission between patients, the increase in casual wear, and the relaxation of appearances of elitism or hierarchy as health care moves to a more team-based approach, according to the authors.

23Aug 2021

Expect the Unexpected: Why Young Physicians Need a Financial Plan

If you build your five-year plan, the answers to all your questions will fall into place. If you take time to plan for the unexpected, you’ll ensure nothing stands in the way of where you are going. If you understand your employment contract, benefits, limitations, and uncertainties, you’ll be closer to reaching your financial goals. If you’re conservative and realistic when considering your future income – like avoiding inserting a rosy scenario into your plan if that’s not practical – you’ll be able to set and reach certain expectations.

17Aug 2021

Our Patients Are Using More Supplements: Here’s How We Can Guide Them

Among the less-noted consequences of COVID-19, many Americans have become more health-conscious than ever and more aware of the value of self-care. A new national survey by The Harris Poll shows that since the pandemic, nearly 3 in 10 Americans have initiated or increased their use of supplements, bringing the percentage of daily supplement users to more than 75 percent of the adult population. But the poll also revealed an alarming level of misinformation and ignorance about the benefits and dangers of these nutritional supplements, a finding that should be a signal to physicians that we need to do a better job in monitoring their use as part of our commitment to promoting the health of our patients.

26Jul 2021

Getting Paid Today: Challenges and opportunities for independent practices

New legislation, as well as changes in patient expectations, present a host of challenges and opportunities for getting paid for service this year.

19Jul 2021

How Can Medical Practices Finance Their Growth?

How can practices finance growth? And what are pitfalls to avoid when seeking outside sources of funds? Julianne Andrews, MBA, CFP, has more than 30 years’ experience helping doctors answer questions such as these as a principal and co-founder of Atlanta Financial Associates.

12Jul 2021

Covid’s Lingering Effects Can Put the Brakes on Elective Surgeries

As the number of people who have had covid grows, medical experts are trying to determine when it’s safe for them to have elective surgery. In addition to concerns about respiratory complications from anesthesia, covid may affect multiple organs and systems, and clinicians are still learning the implications for surgery. A recent study compared the mortality rate in the 30 days following surgery in patients who had a covid infection and in those who did not. It found that waiting to undergo surgery for at least seven weeks after a covid infection reduced the risk of death to that of people who hadn’t been infected in the first place. Patients with lingering covid symptoms should wait even longer, the study suggested.

06Jul 2021

Researchers Turn To Machine Learning To Predict When Immunotherapy Will Be Effective

When it comes to defense, the body relies on attack thanks to the lymphatic and immune systems. The immune system is like the body's own personal police force as it hunts down and eliminates pathogenic villains. But it's not always so straightforward as tumor cells can develop ways to hide themselves from the immune system. Fortunately, there is a way to wake up the immune cells and restore their antitumor immunity, and it's based on immunotherapy.

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