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In a recent editorial in the Annals, 2 members of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) stated their case for physician participation in maintenance of certification (MOC).1 They wrote, “There are growing expectations by those outside the medical profession for professional ac- countability and transparency. Focusing solely on the physician side of the physician-patient equation in opposing the MOC process risks the perception that these opinions (opposing MOC) are self-serving.”

Physicians function in an evidence-based medicine (EBM) environment. Alleged failure to adequately adhere to evidence -based best practices is a fundamental justification for MOC cited by James and…

Indexing Works

Many investors think active managers can shift out of stocks in time to stem losses in bear markets. Not true.

By Temma Ehrenfeld May 1, 2011

Even fans of index funds often believe they do worse than funds with active managers during bear markets. The idea is that a savvy manager can shift money out of a crashing asset class in time to improve overall performance. As it turns out, “most events that result in major changes in market direction are unanticipated,” says Christopher B. Philips, CFA, a senior analyst in Vanguard’s Investment Strategy Group.

The facts,…

When Doctors Are Called to the Rescue in Midflight

By KATIE HAFNER,   The New York Times

Dr. Matthew Rhoa is still haunted by one of his lowest moments as a physician. Several years ago, on the first leg of an international flight, he was just settling in for a nap when a flight attendant came on the public address system to ask, “Is there a doctor on the plane?”

Dr. Rhoa, who lives in San Francisco, didn’t push his call button. “As a gynecologist, I always waited for another doctor,” he said. “There’s never a need for a Pap smear…

The Investment Answer

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WASHINGTON – Many hospitals run emergency rooms just for children. Now a few are opening ERs specially designed for seniors, without all the confusion and clamor and with a little more comfort.

It’s a fledgling trend, but expected to increase as the population rapidly grays. The question is whether they’ll truly improve care.

“Older people are not just wrinkly adults. They have totally different needs,” says Dr. David John, who chairs the geriatric medicine division of the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Modern ERs are best equipped to handle crises like gunshot wounds or car crashes, not the…

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Shaquille O’Neal swears by them. The Power Balance bracelet, he says, gives him a competitive edge on the court. It’s no gimmick, he says. It’s for real. It may be for him, but Australian authorities say the California-based company behind the wildly popular wristbands and pendants has no business claiming that they improve balance, strength and flexibility.

And they even got Power Balance to admit it.

The company wrote: “We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims.” It also agreed to give refunds to customers who believe they were cheated.

The…

WASHINGTON – Make Grandma spill the beans: Uncovering all the diseases that lurk in your family tree can trump costly genetic testing in predicting what illnesses you and your children are likely to face.

It may sound old-fashioned, but a Cleveland Clinic study comparing which method best uncovered an increased risk of cancer helps confirm the value of what’s called a family health history.

All it costs is a little time questioning your relatives, yet good family health trees are rare. A government survey estimated less than a third of families have one – and time-crunched doctors seldom push their…

Each of us has our own set of values and beliefs. One way that we express values is through financial decisions. Think of it this way: when financial decisions align with values, we experience a very real sense of satisfaction and contentment. However, when we struggle, worry, experience buyer’s remorse or suffer over money, it’s very likely that our financial choices are inconsistent with our inner value system.

This is why  no matter what financial decision you are facing, the first step is to define your values. Discovering your True Purpose for Money can pave the way for long-lasting satisfaction…