News from Around the Web
> BMJ uncovers the real reason behind all the old magazines in doctors' waiting rooms. Abstract
> Board certification requirements have become a waste of doctors' time, according to an op-ed in the New York Times. Column
Provider News
> The past year brought with it 'unprecedented' healthcare challenges, including Ebola, Enterovirus D-68 and antibiotic resistance, making the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's mission critical, the agency noted in a report that reviewed the public health threats that ensued this year. Article
> In an effort to improve its patient access, the University Hospitals of Cleveland overhauled its process and upgraded its phsyician referral system. In an exclusive interview with FierceHealthcare, Michael Nochomovitz, M.D., explains what the organization did to improve the scheduling process, efficiency and the patient experience. Article
Health Insurance News
> Humana's Medicare Advantage ACO has reduced costs by 19 percent. The insurer analyzed data of nearly one million MA members from 2013 and found a number of measurable improvements. Article
Health IT News
> Most veterans are not taking advantage of the personal health record and patient portal available to them, according to a new study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research. Article
And Finally…No matching tattoos for pets and their owners in New York. Article