Updated Warning on Whooping Cough

Doctors stress importance of staying up to date on immunizations, seeing medical professionals for array of symptoms.

Pittsburgh Area Doctors Get Funding from Pharmaceutical Companies

Pittsburgh-area doctors received at least $3.5 million from four major pharmaceuticals to teach other health care professionals about medical treatments that include the use of the companies’ products.

A look at doctors’ fitness and medicinal habits

Most doctors exercise regularly, drink moderately, and have better cholesterol levels. They also visit fast food restaurants.

PA medical schools hope they can turn around predicted doctor shortage

Medical school growth is at its fastest since the 1970s.

Be careful relying on the internet to search for a doctor, warns the Post-Gazette

“Two years ago, WellPointe, a huge insurance company with health-care providers all over the country — teamed with survey maven Zagat to establish online physician ratings,” reports the newspaper. “In short, many doctors who ordered fewer tests for patients received higher recommendations from the insurers’ websites.”

Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10069/1041397-114.stm#ixzz0hmhNFvBn

Recently introduced bill would keep malpractice coverage for doctors from becoming too expensive

The bill is a response to the action last fall by Gov. Ed Rendell and lawmakers to divert $100 million from the Mcare fund to help balance the state budget.

As demand for healthcare reform increases, so does demand for primary care doctors

Medical experts say that when more people have health coverage, there will be an increased demand for physicians, and there might not be enough of them to go around.

Did you know…

….that by eating certain foods you can help fight the flu? That’s right, your kitchen can hold the keys to help combat the flu virus.

Advocacy groups say PA’s budget is going to hurt physician retention

By cutting funding to the Health Care Provider and Retention Account (HCPRA) and the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Errors (Mcare) fund, PA is discouraging doctors to practice here, say the groups.

Wall Street Journal examines “tangible and unseen” healthcare costs

The WSJ says that spending by doctors extends beyond insurance as many take steps to protect themselves; patients’ wishes push up bills, too.