News From Around the Web
> Maine's Mayo Regional Hospital last week announced it will acquire a medical practice, Corinth Family Medicine, the Bangor Daily News reported. Article
> California lawmakers are considering allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to practice independently, in anticipation of an influx of newly insured Americans next year, KPBS reported. Report
> Dealing with a shortage of family physicians, South Dakota educators are considering reducing medical school training from four years to three, the Argus Leader reported. Article
> More employers are encouraging or requiring their employees to use second-opinion programs before seeking pricey medical treatment. They say doing so has helped identify misdiagnosis, The Wall Street Journal reported. Article
Health IT News
> Using eHealth, including Skype, for home healthcare of premature infants could decrease the need for home doctor visits, according to a small study published this week in BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making. Article
Provider News
> Help employees find the passion in healthcare by focusing on being "in the moment" and less on New Year resolutions and goals, Anthony Cirillo wrote in Hospital Impact. Blog Post
And Finally… TV prank warns of zombie attack. Article