A new study supports the conclusion that outpatient office visits have, indeed, become longer over time, and the American Medical Association reveals its blueprint for the future of meaningful use. These stories and others are covered in today’s post.
- Last week, the American Journal of Managed Care published the results of its study on the average length of office visits with physicians from 1993 through 2010. Researchers found reported visit duration increased from 17.9 minutes to 20.3 minutes for primary care visits and 19 minutes to 21 minutes for specialized visits.
- If, while on a locum tenens assignment, you find the perfect accessory for your grandson’s costume, keep in mind realistic replica items—from pitch forks to chainsaws—are prohibited in carry-ons. In a recent blog post, the Transportation Security Administration also provides Halloween travel tips on what you can and cannot pack in checked luggage.
- As reported by Medical Economics, the American Medical Association announced its proposal for the future of the Meaningful Use Incentive program, which contains increased physician flexibility in confirming and addressing physician usability challenges.
- “It has to be brought down to a place where physicians can take or get data that is actionable and patients can access the data that is written at an appropriate level for them to become engaged in their own care,” says Clive Fields, MD, co-founder of VillageMD—an organization specializing in helping physician practices implement patient-centered, value-based models of care—in a recent EHRIntelligence.com article on making readmission data actionable for physician electronic health record users.
- According to an October 20 FierceHealthcare article—based on the findings of a study by the American Academy of Physician Assistants—more than 90 percent of patients who interacted with a physician assistant (PA) during the last year say it’s easier to get an appointment at a practice with a PA. Moreover, these patients believe PAs improve the quality of healthcare and patient outcomes.
Have a wonderful weekend!