Practice Improvement

The COVID-19 pandemic has financially stressed pediatric practices, with many seeing only 20% to 30% of their typical caseload. The president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has called on the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide immediate no-strings financial help.

Notes in the electronic health record (EHR) have long been promoted as a way to keep patients involved in their care and to cut down on inquiries about what’s in the record. A new study shows that this promise is being kept.

Pediatricians can turn away from the path to physician burnout by finding their inner fire. Here are suggestions for finding that passion-and to keep smiling.

Let’s recap this year’s top devices for tech-savvy pediatricians. Are they on your wish list?

With multiple patients to see and many government mandates to fulfill, the pediatrician's life is a busy one. Here are 5 apps to help you work smarter.

There is little evidence of efficacy and safety of the cannabidiol (CBD) products flooding the market when it comes to use in children. Here’s what pediatricians should know and what to tell parents.

Adopting technologies with artificial intelligence (AI) will change patient care in many ways. Here’s where AI has been, where it is now, and what it holds for the future of pediatrics.

Making some simple changes to your practice can improve patients’ compliance and keep them loyal to your medical home.

Neural performance scanning (NPS) technology outperforms photoscreeners for analyzing binocularity in a child’s eyes in mere seconds, and with higher sensitivity and specificity.

Adolescents are more likely to see a healthcare provider if they are certain their private information will be kept confidential. Here’s how to create a secure environment for these patients within your electronic health record (EHR) system.

Pediatricians are less likely than other specialties to be sued, but when losing or settling a suit, their payouts are among the highest. Here’s what to expect if you get sued.

Pediatricians who go above and beyond the expected in patient care can achieve the coveted status of “PGP”- pretty good pediatrician. Follow these 10 steps to achieve that special bond with your patients.

Catch up with the latest innovative technology products from this past year for your pediatric practice.

Using the Medicare fee schedule as a universal reference benchmark for cost of services can help pediatricians estimate out-of-pocket expenses for patients and families.

Pediatricians deal daily with parent and patient refusals of recommended care. Here’s how to protect yourself and your practice from legal repercussions.

Pediatricians need to document visits correctly to ensure continuity of care and to bill appropriately. Are you confident your office notes will pass muster with those inevitable insurance company audits?

Pediatricians are quite capable of caring for both the physical and mental health of patients. Here is how embedding mental health services into your practice and collaborating with community mental health professionals can accomplish both.

Diagnostic and medication errors frequently occur in pediatric practices, but even minor medical errors can be prevented by creating a culture of safety.

Independent pediatricians truly are small service business owners. Expert advice can help your practice avoid problems and achieve success.

The cost of healthcare can be overwhelming for patients’ families. Here are ways to cut parents’ out-of-pocket medical expenses and even help your bottom line.

Children are being transferred for care of common problems, highlighting a problem with regionalism in pediatric care.

Pediatric providers need to help patients and their parents develop critical thinking about their personal healthcare and the long-term outcomes from their decisions.

Health illiteracy is widespread across all populations, but it has the extra burden of language and cultural barriers in diverse and underserved populations. Here’s how pediatricians can help.

What do patients and their families really understand about their healthcare and what can pediatricians do about it?

As 2017 winds to a close, it's time to look toward 2018 and all that it holds. We asked our editorial advisory board and you to share your resolutions for the coming year. Here's what you had to say.

It’s time for Dr. Schuman’s annual year-end review of the new tech that’s changing how pediatricians care for children. Check out his recommendations!

We’ve been asking the same basic questions in our Annual Issues and Attitudes Survey for the past 4 years and listening to your answers so that we can discern any trends in your thinking and professional behaviors. The jury is in on 2017, so here are some of the key findings. No P values here, but lots of anecdotal comments. And still some interesting feedback on what you’re confronting and juggling from patients, parents, and payments.

Medication errors are all too common in pediatric practice, whether in the hospital, home, or office. Here’s helpful advice how to avoid the hazards of pediatric prescribing and medication missteps.

It seems that our healthcare system is overdue for an integrity/honesty overhaul. Let’s review how we can begin the process of restoration at the practice and healthcare system levels.