Practice Management

Workplace burnout among physicians is approaching crisis levels worldwide – possibly the highest levels seen in the history of health care systems, according to a recent study.

On January 1, the following CPT code will be active: 55867 (laparoscopy, surgical prostatectomy, simple subtotal [including control of postoperative bleeding, vasectomy, meatotomy, urethral calibration and/or dilation, and internal urethrotomy], includes robotic assistance, when performed).

"Going into the upcoming application cycle, I am now a bit more excited and a little less terrified," writes Leah Ashton, MD.

At each stage, health care providers have different priorities and goals, and the choice of medical software solutions should be made accordingly.

“This research highlights the importance of using electronic health records in a way that promotes interoperability to streamline processes, speed up decision-making, reduce wasted time and ultimately improve patient health outcomes,” said Kate Trout, PhD.

The study authors call health care worker burnout a “parallel pandemic that will be felt for many years to come.”

"The most important thing I feel I've learned in my life so far is the value of human interaction and human connection," says Mark S. Litwin, MD, MPH.

“When we looked at the topics within urology that are covered, either in the preclinical or clinical years, what became very surprising to us is that these highly relevant topics like urologic emergencies, bladder drainage, and erectile dysfunction—less than 1 in 5 students had exposure to during medical school,” says Jessica Kreshover, MD.

A new survey found that despite greater awareness of the issue, little progress has been made in the battle against physician burnout.

Kelvin Moses, MD, PhD, interviews Tracy M. Downs, MD, about progress and remaining challenges regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of urology.

“There is so much support and so much advocacy to work and create an equitable culture for women in this historically male-dominated field,” says Casey Kowalik, MD.

For CPT 55866, it is typical to remove the seminal vesicles as part of procedure.

“We started in 2020 and so far, we’ve had 193 mentors and 126 mentees,” says Micha Cheng, MD, MPH, MS.

Most urologists received less than $1000 last year, data reveal.

The study looked at the financial impact of CMS’s 2021 expansion of its time-based billing guidelines to include time spent on previously unreimbursed tasks associated with patient visits.

“It’s hard to see yourself in a field when there are not that many residents or faculty that look like you,” says Micha Cheng, MD, MPH, MS.

“A physician struggling under an unbearable weight of emotions, or going to work feeling like they are enduring emotional trauma can have trickle down emotional effects on family members,” writes physician and US Navy veteran Caitlin Delaney, MD.

“We still need better representation from the AUA national level on down to the section meeting. There is a positive push for that, but things are still in process,” says Danica May, MD.

Nearly two-thirds of physicians use some form of electronic exchange—either sending, receiving, or querying patient health information—with providers outside their organization.

Irrevocable life insurance trusts can be used to pay all or a portion of estate taxes.

Here are 5 best practices for cleaning a medical office.

Latest data indicate that approximately 8.5% of Part B payments were improper.

Conversion factor for 2023 is set to decrease by approximately 4.4%.

The survey examined perceptions of physicians and technology among 2000 patients.

Researchers examined geographic trends of private equity acquisitions of physician offices specializing in dermatology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN), orthopedics, and urology.