Clinician's Roundtable

Host: Maurice Pickard, MD Guest: Robert Brzyski, MD, PhD When a mother was granted legal permission to collect her 21 year old deceased son's sperm in April 2009, questions were raised about posthumous reproductive rights. Although the mother declared that her son always wanted to have children, does this meet the criteria of informed consent, or is it an example of substituted judgment? Can this situation be compared to a spouse or girlfriend having an in depth discussion about having a posthumous child? How should we consider the welfare of the child in such a situation? Host Dr. Maurice Pickard discusses these ethical questions with guest Dr. Robert Brzyski, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and chair of the ethics committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Host: Mark Nolan Hill, MD Guest: Anthony Miniaci, MD Early arthritis of the knee is a frustrating and painful condition, especially for our more active patients. Some will begrudgingly accept the end of their adult sports league careers, others will be less inclined to hang up their sneakers. In this case, depending on the severity of the condition, there could be several procedural options, including a new arthroscopic resurfacing technique for those with less severe arthritis: could this be the quickest route back to the playing field? Dr. Anthony Miniaci, executive director of Cleveland Clinic Sports Health and one of the developers of this new procedure, explains why this procedure could be the answer for patients who have failed all biologic procedures, but are not yet ready for a total knee replacement. Which of your patients might be a candidate? Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.

Host: Bruce Japsen Guest: Eric Elliott What if prescription costs were tied to outcomes and how patients do on their prescriptions? It's already happening. Eric Elliott, president of CignaPharmacy Management, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about new ways health benefits companies are working to provide more effective treatments.

Host: Bruce Japsen Guest: Michael King The burgeoning number of emergency patients who do not speak English because our nation has become so diverse is creating a greater imperative to bridge the language gap in the hospital. Live video interpretation and translation could be the answer, says Michael King, director of business development for the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council, in an interview with host Bruce Japsen of the Chicago Tribune.

Host: Lisa Dandrea Lenell, PA-C, MPAS, MBA Guest: Ed Lopez What's it like to be a hospitalist? Many PAs are turning to this growing field. Ed Lopez, founder and president of La Palma Medicine and Surgical Associates in Tacoma, Washington, talks with host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell about the ins and outs of working in a hospital. They cover a typical day, and the type of personality best suited for this growing specialty.

Host: Lisa Dandrea Lenell, PA-C, MPAS, MBA Guest: Ed Lopez With the growing shortage of healthcare professionals, the need is growing for PAs to become part of a hospitalist team. Ed Lopez founder and president of La Palma Medicine and Surgical Associates in Tacoma, Washington, joins host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to discuss this growing field, including how to get a job in a hospital setting and the challenges and future for this specialty track within the PA profession.

Host: Lisa Dandrea Lenell, PA-C, MPAS, MBA Guest: Andrew Faucett How does a PA handle a patient who comes in following genetic testing, and how do they counsel that patient on their results? PA educators are realizing this scenario is becoming commonplace. Since 2008, genetics is now a required course for all PA students. Andrew Faucett, an assistant professor in the department of human genetics at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta joins host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to discuss the importance of genetic medicine in your daily practice.

Host: Lisa Dandrea Lenell, PA-C, MPAS, MBA Guest: Ann Davis Guest: Beth Grivett Each state has its own laws and regulations on what physician assistants may and may not do within their practice. Host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell is joined by two guests for her discussion on state law. PA Ann Davis, director of state government advocacy and outreach with the American Academy of Physician Assistants discusses six key elements that help determine good state law for the PA practice. PA Beth Grivett, legislative chair for the California Academy of Physician Assistants, talks about how she lobbied and succeeded in removing restrictions on PAs when it comes to performing and signing physicals for the division of motor vehicles in California.

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD Guest: Owen J. Dahl, MBA Thinking about adding an ancillary service to your practice? It's a move that certainly has the potential to be an additional source of revenue, but in order to make that happen, you'll need to do your due diligence research to ensure that it makes sense for your patients and your practice. Host Dr. Larry Kaskel gets some helpful guidance from Owen Dahl, nationally recognized medical practice management expert, on what you need to know to make your new toy a moneymaker: finding the necessary space within your facility, accruing needed sources of funding, and juxtaposing these items and much more with your patients' clinical needs.

Host: Larry Kaskel, MD Guest: William Hutton, MD Decisions on practice philosophy, finances, marketing, and much more are yours to make when starting your own medical practice. That's the good news. But it can also make the prospect of setting up your own shop seem extremely daunting. From picking a location, to creating a business plan, to seeking expert advice on accounting, credentialing and legal issues, how can you put it all together to create a successful private practice? Host Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Dr. William Hutton, founder and chairman of the board of MedSynergies, a medical practice management firm based in Irving, Texas, who provides pointers you can use when launching your own practice.