Practice Management

Practice management involves overseeing all business aspects of a medical practice including financials, human resources, information technology, compliance, marketing and operations.

Radiotherapy use during 1st phase of cancer treatment declining across US

Fewer Americans are receiving radiotherapy during their first course of cancer treatment than a decade ago, a trio of researchers reported in the Journal of the American College of Radiology this month—and more are turning to systemic therapy as an alternative.

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Breast shape can shift by 4mm during radiation therapy

Partial breast irradiation, though an attractive alternative to whole-breast radiotherapy, is prone to movement changes of around 4 millimeters during imaging, according to research out of the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam. That finding suggests physicians might want to take extra steps to ensure image quality and avoid unnecessary radiation.

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‘We will save lives’: Donors gift $175K for colorectal cancer screenings in West Virginia

The money could make a big difference in West Virginia, where the uninsured rate has reached 6 percent, Goldberg said. The funding will cover not only initial screenings but follow-up diagnostic colonoscopies when appropriate.

Radiologists find 13-button mouse useful for everyday tasks

When one institution gave radiologists a programmable 13-button mouse over a two-day period, many preferred the non-conventional device over the traditional three-button variety, according to a study published in the Journal of Digital Imaging.

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Toon in: Animated projections help calm kids during CT scans

Adults have spent plenty of time worrying about how easily children can lose focus—what with so many distractions thrown at them throughout the day. But one imaging center is hoping such a distraction could help children get through CT scans without excessive anxiety or claustrophobia.

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More frequent PSA screenings offer no benefit over yearly exams for prostate cancer

Results of a study presented early this month at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual conference in Chicago suggest men who have undergone treatment for prostate cancer can rest easy knowing annual screenings are sufficient to monitor the disease.

Abnormal imaging results don't necessarily mean patients need follow-up exams, treatment

Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, and internist at Bellevue Hospital and the New York University School of Medicine, along with her colleagues, believe a false-positive or abnormal result in an imaging test doesn’t necessarily mean patients need to worry or follow-up with their physician.

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Rise in routine imaging goes hand-in-hand with increased patient anxiety

As imaging exams become more routine components of clinical practice, doctors and patients alike may benefit from reframing the medical definition of “normal,” the Washington Post reported this week.