By Judge Frank R. McKay and Judge Elizabeth D. Gobeil A man fell 18 feet off a roof, crushing both ankles and suffering a fractured lumbar vertebrae and a dislocated left shoulder. While tragic, the silver lining for this individual was that his employer had workers’ compensation insurance, and the prompt medical treatment provided to this worker facilitated a nearly full ... Continue Reading
Drug-Free Workplace? Medical marijuana and the workers’ compensation system
By Robert Howell, M.D. The marijuana plant contains more than 80 different compounds, collectively referred to as cannabinoids. Among these, the main psychoactive compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It exerts its euphoric effect through activation of the CB1 receptor found within the central nervous system. Another cannabinoid, Cannabidiol (CBD), binds ... Continue Reading
Is a Workers’ Compensation Practice Right for You?
What you need to know to develop a successful and rewarding practice By Snehal Dalal, M.D. Successfully diagnosing, treating and returning workers’ compensation (WC) patients can be a rewarding part of a physician’s practice. However, not all of us are meant to take care of these type of cases. There must be a commitment on the part of the provider to ... Continue Reading
Medical Residency: Keeping Residents in Georgia
By Helen K. Kelley Doctor shortages are critical throughout the country. To address this growing problem in Georgia, educational institutions, health systems, legislators and medical organizations are working to increase the number of residencies offered to medical school graduates. More Opportunity “Georgia is in a ‘world of hurt’ for having enough physicians. ... Continue Reading
Patients Enrolled in HOPES Trial through Emory and Grady Partnership
Some traumatic brain injury patients admitted to Grady Memorial Hospital may be eligible to participate in the Hypothermia for Patients requiring Evacuation of Subdural Hematoma (HOPES) Trial. The trial is a collaboration between Grady and its faculty physicians at Emory University School of Medicine. Faiz Ahmad, MD, MCh, director of spinal neurosurgery and surgical ... Continue Reading
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Announces Two New Appointments
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has appointed René Romero, M.D., Medical Director of Pediatric Liver Transplant, as Chief of Solid Organ Transplant Services. In his new role, effective Jan. 1, 2016, Dr. Romero will oversee Children’s pediatric kidney, liver and heart transplant programs.Since 1999, Dr. Romero has served as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Liver ... Continue Reading
Athens Regional Health System and Piedmont Healthcare to Enter Exclusive Discussions
The Athens Regional Health System’s Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of exploring a partnership with Piedmont Healthcare. Officials with Athens Regional announced they would be seeking a strategic partner to best position the system for the future of healthcare and to create a stronger healthcare network in its region. “Our organizations share a common ... Continue Reading
The Affordable Care Act
By Helen K. Kelley From ATLANTA Medicine, 2014, Vol. 85, No. 3Â The Affordable Care Act (ACA), the national health reform law passed in 2010, was enacted with the purpose of providing new funding for public health and prevention, bolstering the healthcare and public health workforce and infrastructure, and fostering innovation and quality in healthcare. Reasons for ... Continue Reading
Embracing Transparency for the Benefit of Patients with Online Doctor Ratings
Consumers might find online ratings helpful when deciding which products to buy and services to use, but could these ratings also be used find a reputable doctor? It is estimated that 59 percent of patients consider online doctor ratings somewhat or very important, according to a recent study published by The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). And that is ... Continue Reading
Local Docs Speak Out Against the Elimination of the Physicians Advisory Panel from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Dr. Bruce Feinberg, president and CEO of Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) and Dr. Kay Kirkpatrick, co-president of Resurgens Orthopaedics are concerned about the elimination of the physicians advisory panel from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The 15-member panel, known as the Practicing Physicians Advisory Council, met with federal officials quarterly ... Continue Reading
Status Quo on Health Care Is Not the Answer, Say Experts
The consequences of a “no†vote in the halls of Congress and the possible quashing of health care reform will only propel the erosion of health care coverage in the United States, say experts in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Online First. In the NEJM Perspective piece - titled “The Consequences of ‘No’†- authors Arthur L. Kellermann, MD, MPH, ... Continue Reading
Vision 2020
October, 2009 The Technology Association of Georgia's Health Society is hosting an event on November 10 that will explore the future of Georgia's leadership in health technology. Titled "VISION 2020: Georgia leads the country in economic growth through innovation in Health Technology," the event will envision a world where health technology is ubiquitous. Almost all ... Continue Reading
Medical Association of Atlanta Speaks to Universal Health Coverage
June 2009 By Ivey L. Dennard On Thursday, April 23, the Medical Association of Atlanta held its 2009 spring meeting in the form of a spirited debate. The group gathered at Anthony's restaurant over fried green tomatoes, surf n' turf and pecan pie to address a concern that is at the forefront of both medical and public interests alike: Is universal health coverage the ... Continue Reading
Trauma Care Funding: A Matter of Life and Death
March 2009 By John S. Harvey, M.D. According to a 2006 report by the Georgia Senate Research Office, some 700 Georgians lose their life each year because of the state's inadequate trauma care system. Imagine 700 people lined up from end to end. Each year, every year. As a state, we face a multiple-level crisis unless fundamental change takes place. This is especially ... Continue Reading
Study: Economic Impact of Georgia Private Practice Physicians
January/February 2009 The report predicts that by 2020, the economic activity of Georgia private practice physicians will increase to nearly 270,000 jobs, $17.8 billion in wages and more than $32 billion in total economic output. Private-practice physicians' offices in Georgia region will account for more than 180,000 jobs, $10 billion in wages and nearly $20 billion in ... Continue Reading
