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When it comes to Medicare, physicians get no respect. When it comes to paying into the Medicare program, self-employed doctors pay both ends of the Medicare tax, as employer and employee. The same goes for the Social Security tax.

I have worked with pharmacists who admit that their backs hurt. Does this happen to other medical professionals?

Variable annuities are widely marketed to physicians as asset-shielding investments that can offer substantial returns. These investments can hold considerable allure for doctors because assets held within them are protected from malpractice judgments in some states.

You have a recovering cardiac patient who loves baseball and the ballpark food that goes with it. So what is your patient to do?

Allowing your patients to manage some aspects of their medical records seems like it could save your practice valuable time spent re-keying information scribbled onto forms, let alone some cold hard cash. But there are definite drawbacks and kinks that have yet to be worked out.

There has been discouraging news over the last year for parents who use over-the-counter medications formulated for children.

The overture can come from anywhereâ€"a patient, colleague, family member, or a mere acquaintance. No doubt you've heard it beforeâ€""Hey Doc, I have a great business opportunity I'd like to discuss with you. This is right up your alley."

To some, it might seem like an impossibility. How can you really plan for an act of nature? Actually, no one can truly know how storms and other weather-related disasters can affect their lives until they happen.

Different people learn in different ways, as we all know. As nurses, we come across this all the time with our patient teaching.

Since we've already covered a lot of gadget review sites, here are some sites that are incredibly inspiring, and will hopefully have you running to grab your camera instead of your wallet.

Wellpoint has teamed up with Zagat to rate its physicians. Rating will be based on patients' satisfaction surveys and will be available to more than one million members.

Most physicians would think that emotions hinder rather than benefit successful investing. This common conception, though, is being challenged. Evidence supports just the reverse. Lack of any emotion in financial decisions means the result is worse,

According to a recent survey by the Indiana University School of Medicine, more than half of the nation's physicians would welcome a national health insurance program. In contrast to the last such survey, done six years ago, 59% of US doctors now say they favor national health insurance

John Goodman, Cardiology Consultant, discusses the woes of the American health care system.

The 57th Annual Scientific Session, held March 29 through April 1, 2008, brings together nearly 30,000 attendees from around the world to share best practices and learn about exciting innovations in cardiovascular science and education.

And we think we have problems with our upcoming presidential elections; look at Zimbabwe. They have been waiting 10 days to find out who has won the election! Is this leading to a changing of the guard? Not if incumbent President Robert Mugabe has anything to say about it.

As a quantum physicist by training, I have long held firm to the conviction that underlying every complicated problem exists a simple and elegant structure. As a young physicist, I was attracted to the science of investing when I realized that the capital markets are no exception to this universal truism.

Alternatives to traditional medicine now take in $40 billion a year. TV talk show hosts present riveting testimonials of clinical benefits from any of a number of "therapies." What are you doing wrong?

High volatility in the stock market in recent months would normally spur more physician-investors to think about increasing their investment in bonds. But a spurt in inflation amid slowing economic growth early this year and recent tumult in the bond markets are, at least for now, changing the yin-yang dynamic of stock versus bond investing.

Note: This story comes from the web site of Dr. Sheehen which is devoted to the teachings of the renowned "Running Doc" who died in 1993. This column is for the benefit of those taking up jogging. Here are a few practical pointers to keep in mind:

The wrist, a complex joint, often is involved in inflammatoryarthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. Wristsynovitis causes pain, swelling, and loss of extension. Extension of thesynovial lining may lead to synovitis of the ulnar styloid. During injectionof the ulnocarpal joint, the lidocaine and corticosteroid mixtureshould flow without resistance. Injecting air after corticosteroidinjection of the ulnar styloid creates a seal that prevents the corticosteroidfrom leaking up the needle tract into the dermal layer and creatingunsightly depigmentation. (J Musculoskel Med. 2008;25:188-189)

Aircell installed cell sites all over the country that will beam broadband Internet up to where passing airplanes can receive the signals. Passengers will then be able to access the Internet through their own Wi-Fi-equipped laptops.

How do physicians change careers? One helpful tool is a Career Change Ability Scale, which identifies the best career practicesâ€"hallmark career behaviors and career attitudesâ€"of physicians who have made career transitions to non-clinical occupations.

Common sense is the way to approach a heart-healthy diet. But too often, cardiologists hear the same complaints over and over from their patients regarding just what to buy after cardiac recovery.

Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem and a common reason for patient visits to a primary care physician. A pathoanatomically precise diagnosis cannot be made in most patients, and the primary care physician typically has only limited time to conduct a complete examination. A brief visit that is highly structured for efficiency can provide direction about the underlying pathology of acute LBP, leading to appropriate pharmacotherapy and adjunctive measures. Asking targeted questions during the history taking is the key to a successful diagnosis. Patient education helps ensure a successful outcome. Use of analgesics and skeletal muscle relaxants can help relieve symptoms in many patients. (J Musculoskel Med. 2008;25:162-168).

A report estimates that at least 5.2 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's, including 200,000 to 250,000 people under the age of 65. By 2010, projections say there will be 500,000 new cases of the disease each year.

The Seventh Annual Media That Matters Film Festival is the "premiere showcase for short films on the most important topics of the day." The organization's events are filled with inspiring topics related to health and health advocacy.

Is sushi good for you? Some people would argue that it is, while others would not. Yet, most sushi eaters may not be aware of the potential side effects of raw fish that is prepared incorrectly.