Eddie Fatakhov is an internal medicine physician.

The hidden consequences of portal message fees

Physician
March 3, 2023

As the health care industry continues to evolve, many practices and hospitals have turned to electronic portals to communicate between patients and their providers. However, some practices have begun charging patients a fee for responding to messages sent through these portals. While this may seem like a viable solution for increasing revenue, it could ultimately have negative implications for the care of patients.

One major issue with charging patients for portal …

Read more…

The hidden consequences of portal message fees

A thank you to those who take care of us

Physician
February 9, 2023

As patients, we often think of our health care providers as infallible beings who can easily handle their profession’s emotional and physical tolls. However, the reality is that health care professionals are human too, and they are not immune to the effects of burnout, depression, and even suicide.

One forgotten fact about our health care system is that providers are constantly exposed to the suffering of others and are faced with …

Read more…

A thank you to those who take care of us

Is starting a private practice a dying art?

Physician
May 3, 2015

Going into my final few months of residency, I am somewhat puzzled, knowing that so many of my colleagues are signing contracts with hospital-owned outpatient practices, going into subspecialist fellowship training, or having plans to work as a hospitalist. As someone who plans to go into solo private practice, I feel like an outlier.

Yes, I know what you might be thinking. Who goes into solo practice these days when hospitals …

Read more…

Is starting a private practice a dying art?