The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

April 07, 2012 #4,430 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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NY Podiatrist Discusses Neuromas

A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue in between the metatarsal bones - the long bones in your foot. The usual cause: "Tight, narrow shoes that squeeze the toe bones and forefoot together, pinching the nerve," says Jackie Sutera, DPM, a podiatrist in New York City. It feels like burning pain in the ball of the foot and/or between your toes.

Dr. Jacqueline Sutera

Try switching to flatter, roomier shoes; taking anti-inflammatories; wearing custom-made foot pads; and getting cortisone injections. These steps all relieve symptoms in about 80 percent of sufferers. If you're in the other 20 percent, you'll probably need surgery to shrink or remove the nerve, says Sutera.

Source: Hallie Levine Sklar, Yahoo Shine [4/3/12]

Scholl College Students Learn What the Future Holds

On April 5, students from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine graduating class of 2012 participated in the annual Match Day celebration, when students learn where they will spend the next three years of their medical training. 

Scholl College student Natalie Domek shares her good news.

Scholl College students will complete residencies at institutions such as Inova Fairfax Hospital (Virginia), Kingwood Medical Center (Texas), Detroit Medical Center (Michigan), Rush Health System (Illinois), Loyola University Medical Center (Illinois), and Kaiser San Francisco Bay Area Foot and Ankle (California), to name a few. The Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is one of five schools or colleges at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, IL.

APMA Campaign Highlights Importance of Teen Foot Health

April not only signals the beginning of prom season for teens across the country, it's also prime time for young adults to be plagued by foot pain. Yet it's not just limited to a month where high heels and strappy shoes take center stage. Six out of 10 teens are affected by foot pain that keeps them from daily activities at least some of the time, a new nationally representative survey commissioned by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) has found.

Dr. Josph M. Caporusso

"Foot health is incredibly important to a person's overall health and well-being—especially in the teen years when feet are still growing," said Joseph M. Caporusso, DPM, APMA president. "Our survey found that only about half of teens see feet as important to their overall health, but many are living with foot pain. It's vital that we educate teens on how to properly care for their feet and when to visit today's podiatrist, the foot and ankle expert."

Source: Sacramento Bee [4/5/12]

Hard Learned Lesson: Identify the Real Reason Patients Decline or Delay Surgery 

Five major roadblocks exist to patient acceptance of your recommendations: 1) No need, 2) no trust, 3) no interest, 4) no hurry, and 5) no ability to pay or decide on one's own. The challenge is to identify which if any of these problems causes a patient to decline or delay surgery. Responding to the wrong problem, no matter how brilliantly, just isn't going to work.

Source: 201 Secrets of a High Performance Dental Practice by Bob Levoy.

Query: NCS Testing Bilaterally

RE: S/P Fracture Left Ankle (Philip Graham, DPM)
From: Roger Racz, DPM, Simon Young, DPM

RE: Hyperkeratotic Tinea (Name Withheld)
From: Martin T. Girling, DPM, Stephen Musser, DPM

I have had great success with Sal. acid and sulfa soap (bar soap) (if you can get a local pharmacy to order it for you).

Martin T. Girling, DPM, Plant City, FL, mgirling@pol.net

I would treat your dermatological patient with a topical high potency steroid ointment x 2 weeks (in the evening), followed concomitantly with a topical urea cream (50%) daily (AM) until the follow-up appointment. If you already treated the patient with both PO and topical antifungals, I would repeat your cultures. I'm not sure tinea is the main issue at this time.

Stephen Musser, DPM, Cleveland, OH, ly2drmusser@gmail.com

RE: EMR Survey
From: Brent Rubin, DPM

It's about time someone asked our profession about their experiences with EMR! I recently noticed an ad in PM News requesting our input for a survey on EMR. As I look for help selecting an EMR system, I have yet to find a current and comprehensive report that is specific to podiatry EMR. The APMA website posts results of its EMR survey of its members conducted in 2007, with only 87 respondents. I'm no statistician, however, I must question how pertinent that survey is today.

Are there truly a lack of comprehensive studies done on EMR in podiatry, or are we, as a profession, too apathetic to respond to such surveys? Or, maybe I'm just not that good at Google searches. I would like to know what experiences my colleagues have had with EMR before I make any decisions. Perhaps, if we all take the time to fill out the survey, we will all benefit from knowing the day-to-day reality relating to EMR.  

If you missed taking the survey, click here.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with DecisionPoint or their survey

Brent Rubin, DPM, Bradenton FL, brentlrubin@hotmail.com

RE: E-Prescribing Program (William B. Crawford, DPM)
From: Alan Meyerberg, DPM

I'd like to add my dismay on this topic. I asked Medicare if I needed 10 prescriptions per office since I have an office in New York and one in New Jersey. I was told its per doctor and NPI, not per office.  I am now receiving a 1% penalty for not having enough prescriptions in NJ. 

It seems that 31 years ago, when I opened my first office, I used my Social Security number. The second office is listed somehow with my tax ID #. Medicare bases the eligibility on the NPI and the TAX ID and they told me there is NO APPEAL. I suppose I could have been more diligent, but I thought when we went to NPI numbers, we solved all the identity problems. The good news is I expect the $44,000 incentive for each office (I say that facetiously).
 
Alan Meyerberg, DPM, Staten Island, NY, FOOTQUEST@aol.com

RE: Digital X-Ray Sizing (Jeffrey Kass, DPM)
From: Michael L. Brody, DPM, Alan Berman, DPM

The best thing to do in order to test the magnification factor of your x-ray is to take an x-ray of a metal ruler. Then view the x-ray and use the same ruler against your screen. You will be able to determine if your system magnifies the image and by what percentage it is magnified.

Michael L. Brody, DPM, Commack, NY, mbrody@tldsystems.com

In our practice, we use a standard size ball bearing taped on the plate to ascertain that the image size is correct. Just measure the size of the ball bearing, and you will be assured that the foot image is sized correctly.

Alan Berman, DPM, Carmel, NY, anbdpm@aol.com

RE: Subtle Message From my Patient?

Expressive Shoes

Alec Hochstein, DPM, Great Neck, NY
 

Codingline & PM News
In conjunction with AAPPM Present
The Greenbrier Coding & Practice Management Workshop - August 20-22
(Following the 2012 APMA Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC)  

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV

Speakers: Harry Goldsmith, John Guiliana, Barry Block, Michael Brody, Paul Kesselman, Jonathan Moore, Rem Jackson, Chad Schwarz, and other nationally-known authorities. 

FREE RGISTRATION FOR RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS   

Click Here for information or to Register

PRACTICE FOR SALE - SOUTH NEW JERSEY

Great practice for sale, lease it, work in practice, rent-free first year, associateship possible. Must have NJ licensure have own TIN participation for Horizon, Cigna, Aetna, etc. Retiring. Anyone is welcome to make offer or come up with other ideas. Contact footcare@comcast.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE- MARYLAND, DC SUBURBS

Be an owner not a worker. Well established and equipped practice for sale. Office includes state licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center. Present owner is retiring but will stay on as needed for smooth transition. Average gross over past 3 years is $575 K. dpmpracticeforsale@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - AUSTIN TEXAS

Great opportunity for new practitioner or an additional office. 18 year practice with large patient base. Current physician transitioning to part time then retiring to pursue another business opportunity. Start turn-key without need for a bank loan. Great area to live and work. Susieintx@aol.com (512) 565-6634

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview, Long Island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM 

ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE NEW YORK

Surgical based, multi-office practice in Upstate New York looking for a highly motivated podiatrist to join our group. Base salary plus incentive. Opportunity for growth. Email resume and cover letter to: professionalfootcare@live.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SEATTLE, WA AREA

Established podiatric clinic looking for an associate to join our team, 5 offices located around the greater Seattle, WA area. Great base salary, benefits and friendly work environment. Please send resume to: seattlefootdoctor@yahoo.com  

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Looking for 3rd associate. Must be personable, well trained and highly motivated. Great locations in Southern Maryland, including an Ambulatory Surgical Center. We currently have EHR, digital radiography, dispensing center and PADNet. Looking for immediate hire! Please send CV to:   myfeetfeet@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Kansas City may be the perfect move for you and your family. I am looking for an entrepreneurial minded associate who wants to grow and then own part of an already successful practice. If you are the right candidate for this associate position, you will enjoy a competitive compensation package and you will be working with a doctor who is as committed to your success as he is his own. Go towww.YourFutureInPodiatry.com for full details.

ASSOCIATE - ST. LOUIS, MO

Multi-location group practice seeks motivated DPM with initiative and leadership skills to contribute to our growing group practice. Foot Healers Podiatry Group enjoys a strong reputation within St. Louis and looking for the right individual to complement our team. Must have the confidence to lead you own clinic and the willingness to draw on the expertise that exists within our group. Starting salary ($100k), plus incentive comp plan, malpractice coverage, health insurance, 401k, group bonus/profit sharing. Please send CV to jmurray@foothealers.com and visit our website www.foothealers.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - MULTIPLE STATES

Podiatrist Needed in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Oklahoma. Expanding multi-state medical practice seeking podiatrists to service long-term care community residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We offer an established patient base, scheduling, equipment allowance and cover travel expenses. Provide generous compensation, bonus opportunities, disability, health insurance benefits, malpractice coverage and flexible scheduling. Looking for a Podiatrist with excellent skills, able to provide expert and compassionate care to patients. Email CV to: careers@aggeus.org or call 773-770-0140 x300/x305.   www.aggeus.org

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MANHATTAN

Podiatrist needed for busy state-of-the-art offices in Manhattan. Offices are located near Penn and Grand Central Station. Along with CV, please provide medical plans that you are currently participating in. Please forward your information to roni@myfcny.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – FLORIDA

Emerald Coast on the North Shore of the Gulf of Mexico, a well-established group practice with multi-offices, seeking an associate with opportunity for partnership for a PSR-24/36 Doctor well-trained in foot/ankle/diabetic problems/wound care/surgical and medical podiatric care, covering 3 area hospitals, NO nursing homes. e-mail letter of interest, CV, and references to basewedge@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TAMPA

Looking for outstanding associate for current solo practice with partnership opportunity. Research my practice by Googling Dr. Marc Katz Tampa and then based on what you find tell me the reason you would be the perfect candidate. We are only looking for long-term high quality candidates. Email me at:  DocMKatz@gmail.com with your answers and CV.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TENNESSEE/NORTH GEORGIA

Multi-physician, Multi-office practice looking for motivated new associate leading to partnership. We are a busy practice with state of the art technology: EHR, Digital X-ray, Diagnostic Ultrasound, PADnet, EPAT machine. Applicant should be PMS 36/Board Qualified/Certified. Applicant should be ethical, personable, hard working and interested in providing all aspects of podiatric care to our patients. Competitive Salary and benefits. All interested candidates please send a CV with two letters of reference to  mybestnewjob@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - PART TIME - OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

Looking for PSR 24/36, board eligible preferred. Busy podiatric practice with up to date EMR & practice management program. Practice currently offers digital x-rays, ultrasounds, vascular studies and laser treatment. Good mix of general podiatry, wound care and surgery. Must be ethical, hardworking and committed to quality patient care. NJ license needed. Competitive salary and benefits. Send cover letter and resume to: AOKNDPM@gmail.com

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,500 DPM's and Students

Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 13,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $115 for a 50-word ad. THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.

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