Kevin Pho, MD

A practicing, board-certified internal medicine physician and the founder and editor of KevinMD.

385 articles on KevinMD

About Kevin Pho, MD

Articles, page 8

Patient voices

Many medical decisions require shared decision making

Kevin Pho, MD

April 26, 2012Apr 26, 20126

The following column was published on April 1, 2012 in USA Today. I recently saw a middle-age man in my primary care clinic who asked whether he should continue his cholesterol medication. He was reacting to new Food and Drug…

The following column was published on April 1, 2012 in USA Today.

I recently saw a middle-age man in my primary care clinic who asked whether he should continue his cholesterol medication. He was reacting to new Food and Drug Administration warnings on statins, a class of drugs taken by more than 20 million Americans to lower their cholesterol. Though generally safe, …

Health policy

Patients deserve a medical malpractice early offer

Kevin Pho, MD

April 23, 2012Apr 23, 20129

The following column was published on March 25, 2012 in the Nashua Telegraph. Medical malpractice historically has been a contentious issue. Doctors have argued that the system is broken, promotes multi-million dollar awards disproportionate to the injuries suffered, and encourages…

The following column was published on March 25, 2012 in the Nashua Telegraph.

Medical malpractice historically has been a contentious issue. Doctors have argued that the system is broken, promotes multi-million dollar awards disproportionate to the injuries suffered, and encourages the ordering of unnecessary tests to avoid being sued, a practice known as defensive medicine. Trial attorneys, on the other hand, …

Physician voices

Discussing whether tests actually help patients or cause more harm

Kevin Pho, MD

April 11, 2012Apr 11, 2012

The following column was published on April 11, 2012 in CNN. When you visit the doctor, chances are you are given a prescription for a drug or an order for an X-ray or lab test. Before you leave, it's important…

The following column was published on April 11, 2012 in CNN.

When you visit the doctor, chances are you are given a prescription for a drug or an order for an X-ray or lab test. Before you leave, it’s important to ask whether your doctor’s recommendations are truly necessary.

Even though much of what physicians do is meant to help patients, sometimes it’s not always the case. Drugs may have harmful side …

Patient centered medical malpractice reform in New Hampshire

Kevin Pho, MD

April 8, 2012Apr 8, 20123

My home state of New Hampshire is considering a medical malpractice bill which provides an "early offer" to patients injured by medical mistakes. My column supporting the measure was published in this morning's Nashua Telegraph: NH patients deserve ‘early offer’…

My home state of New Hampshire is considering a medical malpractice bill which provides an “early offer” to patients injured by medical mistakes. My column supporting the measure was published in this morning’s Nashua Telegraph: NH patients deserve ‘early offer’ in malpractice cases.

Under the proposal, injured patients have the option of an early settlement with providers, which …

Health policy

Conservatives should love the Affordable Care Act

Kevin Pho, MD

March 28, 2012Mar 28, 201233

And progressives should want health reform to fail. No, you read that right. Counter-intuitive? Let me explain. As the fate of the Affordable Care Act hangs in the balance in the Supreme Court, both progressive and conservative pundits have been…

And progressives should want health reform to fail.

No, you read that right.

Counter-intuitive? Let me explain. As the fate of the Affordable Care Act hangs in the balance in the Supreme Court, both progressive and conservative pundits have been working overtime to discern the future of health reform.

The traditional thinking is that progressives direly want health reform to move forward, and …

Health policy

The Affordable Care Act needs primary care to be effective

Kevin Pho, MD

March 26, 2012Mar 26, 2012

The following column was published on March 26, 2012 in CNN. With the Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments about the constitutionality of the President Obama's health care law, more patients than ever have been asking for my thoughts…

The following column was published on March 26, 2012 in CNN.

With the Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments about the constitutionality of the President Obama’s health care law, more patients than ever have been asking for my thoughts about health reform.

I practice primary care in southern New Hampshire near the Massachusetts border, which gives me a firsthand look at how health reform has impacted my neighboring state. Despite flaws …

Health policy

Will patients accept focused networks in today’s economy?

Kevin Pho, MD

March 20, 2012Mar 20, 20123

In a bid to save money, health insurers are coming out with what's known as "focused networks," which typically exclude the highest cost hospitals. In the Boston area, one such plan comes from health insurer Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, whose…

In a bid to save money, health insurers are coming out with what’s known as “focused networks,” which typically exclude the highest cost hospitals.

In the Boston area, one such plan comes from health insurer Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, whose plan excludes Partner’s Health Care institutions. That’s significant, since Partners includes the famed Massachusetts General Hospital as well as Brigham and …

Physician finance

Should doctors be forbidden to complain about money?

Kevin Pho, MD

March 16, 2012Mar 16, 201230

The Patient Centered Medical Home is supposed to be the solution to our primary care woes. Endorsed by both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians, this new model of primary care creates a team-based…

The Patient Centered Medical Home is supposed to be the solution to our primary care woes.

Endorsed by both the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians, this new model of primary care creates a team-based approach to patient care, with a cadre of care managers and nurses assisting physicians to manage patients with chronic disease. If …

Health technology

Why electronic medical records may not save money

Kevin Pho, MD

March 13, 2012Mar 13, 201213

A recent study from Health Affairs has been generating some buzz, as well as passionate rebuttals. According to the study, doctors who used electronic medical records actually ordered more tests, compared to those who used paper records. There was a…

A recent study from Health Affairs has been generating some buzz, as well as passionate rebuttals.

According to the study, doctors who used electronic medical records actually ordered more tests, compared to those who used paper records.

There was a 40% increase in ordering imaging tests, a number that increased to a whopping 70% when it came to advanced tests, like …

Health policy

Reducing the emotional impact of medical malpractice

Kevin Pho, MD

February 26, 2012Feb 26, 20129

A version of this op-ed was published on January 17, 2012 in USA Today. Ask doctors about what concerns them the most, and chances are they'll say, "medical malpractice." Indeed, most physicians will be sued sometime during their careers. A…

A version of this op-ed was published on January 17, 2012 in USA Today.

Ask doctors about what concerns them the most, and chances are they’ll say, “medical malpractice.” Indeed, most physicians will be sued sometime during their careers. A recent New England Journal of Medicine study found that 75% of doctors who practice psychiatry, pediatrics or family medicine will be …

Health policy

How patient satisfaction can kill

Kevin Pho, MD

February 14, 2012Feb 14, 201252

Patient satisfaction is all the rage. Medicare is beginning to tie patient satisfaction scores with hospital reimbursement, and doctors across the country are under pressure from administrative executives to raise patient satisfaction scores. High scores are even used by hospitals…

Patient satisfaction is all the rage.

Medicare is beginning to tie patient satisfaction scores with hospital reimbursement, and doctors across the country are under pressure from administrative executives to raise patient satisfaction scores.

High scores are even used by hospitals as a powerful marketing tool.

But, in the end, are patient satisfaction scores hurting patients?

I wrote about the issue previously, saying that patient …

Read more…

How patient satisfaction can kill

Conditions and diseases

How I approach ovarian cancer screening with patients

Kevin Pho, MD

February 7, 2012Feb 7, 20129

Ovarian cancer screening clearly touches a nerve. No one doubts that ovarian cancer is a devastating diagnosis, often found when the disease is at an advanced stage. Tests to look for the disease, such as the transvaginal ultrasound or the…

Ovarian cancer screening clearly touches a nerve.

No one doubts that ovarian cancer is a devastating diagnosis, often found when the disease is at an advanced stage. Tests to look for the disease, such as the transvaginal ultrasound or the CA-125 blood test, are not specific enough. That leads to false positive tests that necessitate more studies that may not be …

Physician voices

Why more primary care doctors are referring patients to specialists

Kevin Pho, MD

January 24, 2012Jan 24, 201233

According to a recent study from the Archives of Internal Medicine, primary care physicians are referring more patients to specialists than ever before. In fact, the rate almost doubled in the 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. This drives up…

According to a recent study from the Archives of Internal Medicine, primary care physicians are referring more patients to specialists than ever before. In fact, the rate almost doubled in the 10-year period between 1999 and 2009.

This drives up the cost of care, as specialist consults tend to be more expensive than primary care visits. Furthermore, specialists tend to …

Medical education

Radiologists who cheat on their board exams: Who’s to blame?

Kevin Pho, MD

January 17, 2012Jan 17, 201210

In a widely circulated CNN article, many radiologists have been found to cheat on their board exams: "Doctors around the country taking an exam to become board certified in radiology have cheated by memorizing test questions, creating sophisticated banks of…

In a widely circulated CNN article, many radiologists have been found to cheat on their board exams: “Doctors around the country taking an exam to become board certified in radiology have cheated by memorizing test questions, creating sophisticated banks of what are known as ‘recalls,’ … The recall exams are meticulously compiled by radiology residents, who write down the questions …

Physician finance

Doctors: Don’t be ashamed about going bankrupt

Kevin Pho, MD

January 5, 2012Jan 5, 201224

Are doctors really going broke? According to this piece from CNN Money, some are: "Doctors list shrinking insurance reimbursements, changing regulations, rising business and drug costs among the factors preventing them from keeping their practices afloat. But some experts counter…

Are doctors really going broke?

According to this piece from CNN Money, some are: “Doctors list shrinking insurance reimbursements, changing regulations, rising business and drug costs among the factors preventing them from keeping their practices afloat. But some experts counter that doctors’ lack of business acumen is also to blame.”

That’s all entirely true.

Pressure on reimbursement, combined with a lack of …

Health policy

Place the frustration of cost uncertainty on health insurers

Kevin Pho, MD

January 3, 2012Jan 3, 201221

As we enter 2012, many patients will be changing to new insurance plans. And for a few, deductibles will be rising. One thing that's emphasized in the Affordable Care Act, however, is that preventive services would remain "free." However, consider…

As we enter 2012, many patients will be changing to new insurance plans.

And for a few, deductibles will be rising.

One thing that’s emphasized in the Affordable Care Act, however, is that preventive services would remain “free.”

However, consider this story of a man, who thought he wouldn’t have to pay for his screening colonoscopy, instead was charged over $1,000 for the …

Patient voices

How much guidance do patients want with their medical decisions?

Kevin Pho, MD

December 25, 2011Dec 25, 20117

The following column was published on November 10, 2011 in Medical Economics. I recently saw two patients in my primary care clinic, each with new-onset hypertension. The first, a middle-aged executive, brought printouts from the Internet and already had researched…

The following column was published on November 10, 2011 in Medical Economics.

I recently saw two patients in my primary care clinic, each with new-onset hypertension.

The first, a middle-aged executive, brought printouts from the Internet and already had researched the various treatment options for high blood pressure. During the visit, we discussed this information, and I gave my thoughts on what …

Health technology

Show doctors the value when it comes to social media and EMRs

Kevin Pho, MD

December 20, 2011Dec 20, 20113

The common perception is that older doctors are more adverse to technology, especially when it comes to electronic medical records. Recent data, however, says that isn't true. According to a study cited in American Medical News, "physicians more than 10…

The common perception is that older doctors are more adverse to technology, especially when it comes to electronic medical records.

Recent data, however, says that isn’t true.

According to a study cited in American Medical News, “physicians more than 10 years out of medical school and those with higher patient volumes were more likely than younger and less busy physicians to …

Physician voices

Why a physician liaison is a short-term career choice

Kevin Pho, MD

December 16, 2011Dec 16, 20114

Times are tough for pharmaceutical reps, with many hospitals and physician offices banning their sales visits. But, there's hope for those out of a job. Consider the physician liaison. Faced with budget cutbacks, hospitals are becoming more aggressive growing their…

Times are tough for pharmaceutical reps, with many hospitals and physician offices banning their sales visits.

But, there’s hope for those out of a job. Consider the physician liaison.

Faced with budget cutbacks, hospitals are becoming more aggressive growing their market share. They are not only buying physician practices, they want more doctors to admit, refer to and use their facilities.

Physician liaisons …