Docs To Disclose Monies From Pharma

We knew this was coming. Two years ago, Senators Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and Herb Kohl, D-Wis introduced the bill. To some physicians, this may seem like sunlight shining into a dark alley. For others, it may feel like the sun is melting everything away.

The Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires companies to begin recording any physician payments that are worth more than $10 in 2012 and to report them on March 31, 2013. That includes stock options, research grants, knickknacks, consulting fees and travel to medical conferences at chi-chi hotels. The details will be posted in a searchable database starting Sept. 30, 2013.

To learn, read the full story here on NPR.

NPR: Young Doctors Weigh In On Health Care

I want to thank my friend Roland for pointing me to this link. There's an interesting NPR segment titled, "Young Doctors Weigh In On Health Care." Here's the description of the clip:

"Two young doctors, just finishing up their residencies, discuss the decisions behind their career choices. Nicole Loeding is going into primary care, while Brian Southern, after becoming disillusioned with primary care, has chosen pulmonary critical care."

How do medical students choose their specialties? Why do some decide to pursue a career in primary care? As we go through healthcare reform, will the interest in primary care increase or decrease? Will more physicians choose to leave clinical practice to pursue non-clinical careers?

The 8 minute NPR segment is interesting, but perhaps what's more interesting are the 12 comments that discuss physician salaries. So how much do primary care doctors make? It really depends on your geography and your patient volume. To access the NPR segment, click here.