Clinician's Roundtable

Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Guest: Dale MaGee, MD

What is it like for a physician to be profiled inaccurately by claims data? Is the data verified? Validated? What if a physician is rated poorly for a test they omitted but with valid reason? These are concerns that could impact a physician’s career. Are physicians overconcerned? Join host Dr. Bill Rutenberg in discussing physician ranking systems with Dr. Dale Magee, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

Host: Bill Rutenberg, MD

Guest: Dale MaGee, MD

Many physicians are outraged and the thought of being ranked by insurance companies altogether, let alone via an analysis of claims data. Can claims data accurately provide a picture of the quality of a physician? What part of the story does claims data fail to show? Can a physician benefit from ranking systems? Is there opportunity for doctors to get involved to improve the process? Join host Dr. Bill Rutenberg and our guest, Dr. Dale Magee, President of the Massachusetts Medical Society discuss the controversial topic of physician profiling.

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Guest: Pedro Moreno, MD

What are the best imaging techniques for detecting sub-clinical coronary artery disease and how do you interpret and act on the results? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel speaking with world renowned expert in high-risk atherosclerosis, Dr. Pedro Mereno.

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Guest: Pedro Moreno, MD

In this segment, host, Dr. Larry Kaskel speaks with Dr. Pedro Mereno about the lesser known causes of athlersclerosis. For heart attack prevention learn why physicians need to start focusing on the vaso vasorum rather than the endothelium.

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Guest: Ron Waksman, MD

How is a bio degradeable stent superior to a polymer stent and how specifically do the differ in their ability to support the vessel in which they are implanted? Host Larry Kaskel talks with Dr. Ron Waksman about different types of stents and about what evidence exists that stenting is the better solution than non-stent alternatives to treat vulnerable plaque.

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Guest: Ron Waksman, MD

In this segment, Dr. Ron Waksman talks with host Larry Kaskel about the use of intravascular MRI to detect vulnerable plaques in the heart or carotid artery. He compares the type of information and reliability between angiograms and other imaging techniques and he also discusses how an internist can stablize vulnerable plaque.

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD

Guest: David Bailey, PhD

More than 40 drugs have been demonstrated to interact with grapefruit juice, primarily drugs that are first-pass metabolized. Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel and guest Dr. David Baily to discuss the serious nature of potential grapefruit juice/drug interactions and how best to communicate the required cautions to patients. Then learn of current research working to identify other natural foods that may modulate the absorbtion of drugs.

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Guest: Carol Haraden, PhD

Institute for Healthcare Improvement Vice President and patient safety expert, Carol Haraden, PhD, comments on the state of quality improvement and patient safety in the U.S. and abroad, and discusses the necessary tools and processes that can improve flow in the hospital setting and reduce harm.

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD

Guest: Carol Haraden, PhD

Institute for Healthcare Improvement Vice President and patient safety expert, Carol Haraden, PhD, comments on some of the priority initiatives of the organization such as the introduction of "change packages" for healthcare insitutions to evaluate and improve care quality. While the allure of this tool is undeniable, says Haraden, quality teams should resist the impulse to label any list of good changes a package or bundle. She clarifies what a bundle is and is not, and suggests tips for using bundles most effectively to get results.

Host: Michael Benson, MD

Guest: Scott Finlay

How can you get your own .md top-level domain, and what are the benefits of a .md? Host Dr. Michael Benson discusses the services provided through a .md web address with Mr. Scott Finlay, CEO of MaxMD, provider of .md domain names in the United States and worldwide.