The Wall Street Journal looks at strategies being used to make physicians' offices more efficient, detailing programs that seek to apply lessons learned in other industries and other techniques to healthcare. One strategy uses demand calculations used by airlines to predict and control patient flow. The newspaper studies the Ideal Micro Practice, an approach which reduces the emphasis on support staff and relies heavily on electronic medical records and practice-management systems. Other practices have adopted a simpler solution: Offering forms and other paperwork for download on their Web sites in advance of patient visits.
- see this article from The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)
PLUS: On Monday, The Wall Street Journal examined insurers increasing acceptance of telemedicine programs in the broadband era, looking at a number of technologies that allow physicians to monitor patients remotely. New video capable monitors developed by Honeywell and Philips are examined. Despite growing enthusiasm on the part of providers, some insurers remain unconvinced. Article (sub. req.)