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MGMA Connexion, Sep 2004

Letters, e-mail, dialogue, feedback

letters, e-mail to MGMA

MGMA Connexion welcomes letters and e-mail from readers and publishes selected submissions, subject to editing for length, clarity and style. Unless specified otherwise, we'll assume your correspondence is for publication and that it's OK to use your e-mail address. Send your comments to connexion@mgma.com; or Publications Manager, MGMA Connexion, 104 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, CO 80112-5306. Include your name, city and state, e-mail address and daytime phone number.

Proper processes?

As a soon-to-be first-year medical student and summer intern at a large neurology practice, I have spent some time recently doing a process map analysis and was interested in Dr. Brian Mathwich's article in the July 2004 MGMA Connexion: "Using the process map to improve your bottom line ... and maintain your sanity."

The "improved" process appears to be more, not less complicated - but its only fundamental change is to send patients home if they do not have their co-pay with them, and that ought to create a hole in the schedule and take away a future appointment time to see that patient.

Jon Kropski

Dent Neurologic Institute

Buffalo, N.Y.

jkropski@dentinstitute.com

Recognize, address litigation stress syndrome

After reading the article "Shell-shocked" (July 2004 MGMA Connexion), I'm relieved to see serious recognition of the mental toll exacted on the physician embroiled in a malpractice suit.

Malpractice suits are an ever-present threat today. But ignoring the side effects of stress on the physician, compounded by involvement in the legal processes, and losing skilled and competent physicians because of it, is doubly unfortunate.

Sharon Alley

Denver

slalll9@aol.com