a little tidbit

[Guest guest]

Found this on the MAine medical assocaition weekly news thingamabob:

Physicians' Foundation Sending Survey to Every Primary Care Doctor in

America

The Physicians' Foundation for Health Systems Excellence (PFHSE), a

not-for-profit group composed of medical societies and physician leaders, is

seeking answers to these questions by undertaking one of most ambitious

physician surveys ever attempted. Beginning in May, 2008, PFHSE will send

over 300,000 surveys to primary care physicians and selected medical

specialists throughout the country. The survey will be sent to virtually

every active primary care physician nationwide, and to specialists in small,

independent practices.

" We have heard from the pundits about the state of medical care in

the United States, " notes Louis Goodman, Ph.D. president of PFHSE and

executive vice president of the Texas Medical Association. " It's time we

heard what physicians have to say. "

According to Dr. Goodman, the survey asks primary care physicians

about the state of their practices and whether or not they can maintain

patient care services in light of regulatory and financial burdens. The

key question posed by the survey, Dr. Goodman observes, is can doctors meet

the needs of patients under current practice conditions?

" If the survey indicates that medical practice itself is in

jeopardy, that urgent message needs to be heard by policy makers and the

public, " states Ray, M.D., vice president of PFHSE and former

president of the Medical Association of Georgia.

PFHSE has partnered with national physician search and consulting

firm Merritt, Hawkins & Associates to develop and mail the survey. Tim

Norbeck, executive director of PFHSE and longtime former executive director

of the Connecticut State Medical Society, notes that physicians around the

country will soon be receiving the survey and he urges them to participate.

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