Advanced Practice Nurses Are NOT "Doctors"

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Advanced Practice Nurses Are NOT "Doctors"

I try not to get on the soapbox too often - the last one being 38 CFR Part 17.415 - Short for "VA Doesn't Care About Veterans" from more than a year ago.  Let's face it, there are plenty of media outlets for you to get your political discussion on and the last thing you want to read about on a medical finance blog is another Trump headline.  But today's topic is something I want to address - advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, or nurse midwives) may have a doctorate degree, but they are not "doctors."

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PMD: One Often Forgotten Cause of Healthcare Fraud...

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PMD: One Often Forgotten Cause of Healthcare Fraud...

Welcome to another installment of Future Proof posts on Physician's Money Digest (PMD).  Today we will take a detour from personal finance and talk about finance on a grander scale.  Here is one often forgotten cause of healthcare fraud.  As usual, read the full post at PMD.  An excerpt is provided below.

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PMD: Birth Tourism - Should Physicians be Disciplined?

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PMD: Birth Tourism - Should Physicians be Disciplined?

Welcome to this week's Future Proof post on Physician's Money Digest (PMD).  I was recently introduced to the world of "birth tourism" by a Chinese relative.  While I quickly turned down her request, it got me thinking about doctors and our roles in such a controversial issue.  As usual, read the full post at PMD.  An excerpt is provided below. 

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The Curious Case of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes

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The Curious Case of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes

For the last few years, Silicon Valley biotech startup Theranos has been a darling of investors on the promise of revolutionizing the future of laboratory testing.  At one point, Theranos was valued at $9 billion.  However, recent revelations suggest that Theranos' technology may not be as revolutionary as the company claims.  The latest blow came when Theranos' founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes was banned from running a lab for at least 2 years.  Let's review the rise and fall of Theranos and its charming founder.

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38 CFR Part 17.415 - Short for "VA Doesn't Care About Veterans"

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38 CFR Part 17.415 - Short for "VA Doesn't Care About Veterans"

Unless you live under a rock, you've probably caught wind of VA's proposed rule to expand the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN).  It's generated 66,978 comments as of this writing.  I have heard a lot about the rule in the last month but until now, I have not read the original document myself.  Well, I read it and my blood is boiling...

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PMD: Minnesota, Baton Rouge, Dallas - We Have a Part to Play as Well

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PMD: Minnesota, Baton Rouge, Dallas - We Have a Part to Play as Well

Recent events in Minnesota, Baton Rouge and Dallas have once again shocked our collective consciousness.  As we find out more over the coming days, I couldn't help but draw some parallels between law enforcement and those of us in the medical community.  Read the full post at Physician's Money Digest (PMD).  An excerpt is provided below.

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Future Proof Shares - 6/28/16

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Future Proof Shares - 6/28/16

We live in an amazing world of constant information, sometimes it can get overwhelming.  "Future Proof Shares" is a weekly series with the goal of selecting a few interesting pieces of media on money and medicine from around the Interwebs.  They may be old or new but will always be new to me.  This series is inspired by "The Sunday Best" by my fellow physician money blogger Physician on FIRE (PoF).  Enjoy!

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John Oliver on Marketing To Doctors

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John Oliver on Marketing To Doctors

English Comedian John Oliver of HBO's Last Week Tonight has given his satirical treatment to many topics.  I especially enjoyed this piece on pharmaceutical companies marketing drugs to doctors.  Industry-physician relationship has always been a topic of heated debate and I really don't know what the right answer is.  I have definitely benefited from the "free" drug rep lunches as a medical student.  Here is some food for thought if you haven't seen it already (17 min video). 

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