In November 2010, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) ended one of the largest clinical trials ever conducted, the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), after annual CT screenings of heavy smokers showed a 20 percent reduction in mortality compared with conventional x-ray screening. One year later, dozens of U.S. cancer centers have begun to offer screening for the nations deadliest cancer, but few Americans are lining up for a chance at early detection.

Two million neurons die per every minute that a stroke goes untreated, making rapid diagnosis and treatment crucial for the best outcomes. However, 45 percent of Americans live more than 60 minutes away from a primary stroke center. Enter telemedicine: telestroke networks have sprung up across the U.S., and are rapidly expanding, delivering revenue gains and improving patient outcomes.

We all go to the grocery store. We all buy the same things. Milk, bread, orange juice, vegetables, meat, fish and so on. What I find fascinating about grocery stores is that some are just better than others. Some are simply transactional.

LAS VEGASThe U.S. physician workforce will continue to fall, especially for specialists like surgeons; thus, providers should begin evaluating staffing alternatives now, according to an Oct. 25 presentation at the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 2011 annual conference.

LAS VEGASAccountable care organizations (ACOs) cannot be achieved without cultural changes and clinical integration, which requires structured collaboration between physicians and the varied provider settings, and will be necessary to reducing the current waste in the healthcare system, according to a presentation Oct. 25 at the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 2011 annual conference.

An expert panel reviews the business basics of radiology, outlines the value-added services of hospital radiology groups and offers pointers for developing and maintaining successful radiologist-hospital relations.

Several practices with rich meaningful use experience share their approaches, discuss challenges and provide strategies to participate in the meaningful use process with the hospital or multi-specialty practice.

The session explores how the aging population, consumerism of healthcare, the accontable care organization model and health IT adoption will impact imaging.