The Voice of Podiatrists

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November 14, 2008 #3,400 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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IN Podiatrist Elected Coroner, Eyes Sheriff’s Office

Just when you exhaled with relief and said, "no more politics for a while," the jockeying for Lake County sheriff already has begun in earnest. Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez has hit his two-term limit, and it was a given that former Sheriff John Buncich was going to throw his hat into the ring for the 2010 race.

Dr. Tom Philpot

County Clerk Dr. Tom Philpot and Buncich met at The Patio restaurant in Merrillville, where Buncich thought Philpot was going to talk about potential support only to find out Philpot is testing the waters for sheriff himself.

Voters should note that Philpot, who just Tuesday won the coroner's race, takes over that office on Jan. 1, 2010, and filing for sheriff begins two weeks later.

Source: Northwest Indiana Times [11/11/08]

FL Podiatrist Leads Shoe Drive for Needy Children

At the Caring Kitchen, requests don't always concern food. Some area residents need clothes; others are in desperate need of footwear. For the fourth straight year, Dr. Elizabeth Reilly, podiatrist at Pineapple Podiatry, is organizing a campaign to give area children proper footwear.

Dr. Elizabeth Reilly

"I started collecting donations of footwear after the three hurricanes we experienced in 2005. We would gather shoes for a period of time and then drive them out to Belle Glade and Lake Okeechobee communities where migrant workers were in need of proper footwear," Reilly said.

This year, Reilly will donate the shoes to children frequenting the Caring Kitchen at 196 NW Eighth Ave. "It's right in our own backyard," Reilly said. "Everyone knows times are tight. It's not about what we can't do, it's about what we can do."

Source: David Dipino, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (FL) [11/12/2008]

Reduced Hours and Counseling Can Helps Doctors Avoid Burnout: Study

A little bit of counseling and a slight cut in hours goes a long way toward reducing burnout and sick leave among overworked doctors and can help to prevent medical errors, Norwegian researchers reported on Wednesday. Previous studies have shown doctors have higher rates of depression and suicide than the general population, and the findings published in the British Medical Journal suggest there may be an easy way to make a big impact.

"The importance of early intervention is underlined by the high prevalence of depression and suicide compared with other groups and by their reluctance to seek help," Karin Roe and colleagues at the Research Institute, Modum Bad in Norway wrote. "Early intervention could ensure that practicing doctors in trouble get help in time, before their problems interfere with care of patients and give rise to medical errors."

The study involved 227 stressed doctors who participated in voluntary counseling lasting either a day or a week. About 70 returned for additional counseling. After a year, the doctors reported less emotional exhaustion and job stress while the number of them on full-time sick leave fell to 6 percent from 35 percent. Reducing the number of work hours after counseling also helped decrease reported burnout among the doctors, the researchers said. "Our findings indicate that seeking a counseling intervention could be conducive to reduction of burnout among doctors," the researchers wrote.

Source: Michael Kahn, Reuters [11/12/08]

Assertive or Aggressive?

You want to be seen as sure and strong. Those traits are associated with leadership skills in the workplace. Still, how do you balance the need to assert yourself with the need to get along with your employees? The difference between being assertive and being aggressive can be small.

• Assertive means putting your ideas forward positively and confidentally, even in the face of opposition.
• Aggressive means introducing your ideas in the combat-ready state.

How can you tell the difference? If you are being aggressive, your listeners will remain silent after you speak or immediately begin arguing with you. When you are being assertive, people respond thoughtfully, ask questions and challenge you - but you will rarely see them square their shoulders or lift their chins.

Source: Adapted from How to Be assertive Without Being Aggressive by Anne Warfield

Query: Workshop on Dermal Fillers?

Are there any classes or workshops available in the use of dermal fillers?

Catherine Brigandi, DPM, Surprise, AZ

Query: Merging Existing Practices

What were the chief concerns of the merging podiatrists and how were they addressed? What if some practices have multiple locations and others do not, how is that handled? How is compensation handled fairly so that the busier practitioner is not penalized? Any info you can share would be helpful.

Name Withheld

RE: CR vs. DR X-ray Systems (Mark K. Johnson, DPM)
From: Eugene A. Batelli, DPM, Larry Kosova, DPM

We have both systems (one for each office) from 20/20, formerly Reina. I like the CR system much better. The images are crystal clear and the software is easy to use. The only drawback is the 2 minutes to process per film.

The DR system, which is about 35k, is a big waste of money. We are very dissatisfied with the system. The pictures are very grainy despite our weekly phone calls to get them to upgrade. We have the system about 10 months now, and even the State of NJ inspector was not happy with it. What 20/20 failed to say, is that as you take more and more films, the system slows. Granted it’s not 2 minutes per picture, but at 35K, this thing better do mach 3. We also had problems losing images and another phone call to 20/20 for them to retrieve it. I don't know why the dental industry has perfected their system and podiatry is so far behind.

Eugene A. Batelli, DPM, Clifton, NJ, EBatelli2001@yahoo.com

From Dr. Johnson’s price point, there are few options. Most companies start at around $25,000 and go up. Most “real” DR systems are in the $60,000-$100,000 range. The Naomi system, which is being resold and repackaged to podiatrists, has software flaws. Several podiatrists have called me, wondering why it won’t work with their X-cell x-ray systems.

I found a company that has a great price-point and more importantly has a better image than most of the digital x-ray systems on the current market, including those in the $30,000-60,000 range. Sigma Digital has a podiatry package just under $20,000. Their per computer license is much cheaper than other units. I use the system, and the imaging and resolution is wonderful. I am having them make angles with normals just for podiatry, with other enhancement coming out very soon. There is no cost for future updates. They also don’t charge for linking to your EMR or billing systems.

Most digital x-ray systems do the same things, like magnify and are able to draw and notate, able to send images as .jpg's through email. Few let you write your note right in the program.

Sigma Digital has multiple ways to magnify the image, which will impress your patients plus improve your diagnostic skills. Patients can see the pathology now and just had one say “shouldn’t we do something about that?” We just had some small digital fractures come in this week that I don’t think these 47 year old eyes would have seen on plain film. Customer service has been great, and when I needed some help, they just jumped on the computer via the Internet and went over what I need help in.

Disclosure: I a medical consultant to Sigma Digital.

Larry Kosova, DPM, Chicago, IL, lkosova@yahoo.com

RE: Termination from Insurance Plan (Name Withheld)
From: Robert Steinberg, DPM

The state department of insurance could be of help. As for possible reasons for termination:

1) He is not boarded by ABPS, and some boarded podiatrists got in there to block anyone not ABPS boarded.
2) A podiatric IPA got the insurance company to create a closed shop.

Robert Steinberg, DPM, Hoffman Estates, IL, doc@footsportsdoc.com

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. Full and part-time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

PODIATRIST NEEDED—SEATTLE, WA

Established podiatric practice in Seattle, WA is looking for licensed podiatrist for part-time leading to full-time position. Need help with Adult Family Homes and Nursing Homes as well as in the office. Flexible schedule and attractive compensation. For all details please call 206-661-9644.

PODIATRIST - JAMES H. QUILLEN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

East Tennessee State University, James H. Quillen College of Medicine is seeking a board eligible/board certified at time of hire podiatrist. The position is clinical and the candidate should be interested in a broad range of podiatry medicine. The position is a non-tenure track position at the Assistant/Associate Professor and contingent upon outside funding. Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae to: William Browder, M.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Box 70575, Johnson City, TN 37614, e-mail – browder@etsu.edu. ETSU is an equal employment opportunity employer.

EQUIPMENT FOR RENT - EXTREMITY MRI

Now you can rent an extremity MRI, have the scan performed, read by a board-certified radiologist and derive all the income. two convenient locations, Manhattan East 60th street between Park and Lexington, and Plainview, Long Island. Conforms to the Stark amendment; call for information (516) 476-1815.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – MASSACHUSETTS

Excellent opportunity for a highly-motivated, entrepreneurial individual to join a very successful, rapidly growing multi-office practice, North of Boston. Seeking a PSR-24/36 trained podiatrist to join our group. We offer a competitive salary/benefit package with the opportunity of partnership after one year, for the right individual. Send CV and letter of interest to drfleishman@nefootankle.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE-MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

Looking for Full-time associate to work in well established practices in midtown Manhattan and Forest Hills. Immediate opening for PSR 24-36 surgically trained Podiatrist. Great opportunity with competitive salary along with malpractice benefits. Please send CV to slurie@papapc.net

POSITION - NORTHERN VIRGINIA/DC SUBURB

Excellent associate practice opportunity leading to partnership for PSR 24-36 foot and ankle surgically-trained physician. Currently 4-doctor/2 office practice in fast-growing area, expanding to 5 doctors. Hard working, personable, highly-motivated individuals needed. Great opportunity with excellent salary and benefits. No nursing homes.Top hospitals. Fax CV with references to 703-491-9994

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CALIFORNIA

Podiatry practice for sale, including all equipment. Doctor has spent 46 years building this successful practice in the wonderful community of Redlands, California. This is an incredible bargain for a young podiatrist. Come continue the legacy that the doctor has spent decades building. Email: syzygydoc1@yahoo.com.

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