Wrestling With The Limitations Of Medicaid Programs

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
12/31/10 | 3501 reads | 2 comments
Medicaid programs have become increasingly difficult to participate in as a podiatric physician in almost every state. The same is true here in Indiana. There are very few podiatrists providing care for Medicaid patients in Indiana. I have debated this problem for my own practice over the past several years. I had made a decision to stop seeing Medicaid patients but I have had to reconsider my decision regarding this. This led me to wonder what others feel about their state programs and if they participate in them. Read More.

How To Attain The Best Results With The Phenol And Alcohol Onychoplasty

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
11/24/10 | 3749 reads | 4 comments
While the phenol and alcohol onychoplasty is the most commonly performed procedure by podiatric physicians, it is also the one that is least written about. This is possibly because it is a relatively simple procedure that even the least surgically inclined podiatrist is comfortable performing. I have discovered three important tips for the partial phenol and alcohol procedure that have made a good procedure even better. For a video of my approach with this procedure, check out the following link ( http://bit.ly/aOpe47 ) at the PodiatryLIVE™ website. Read More.

Orthoses And Basketball Players: What I Have Learned Over The Past 15 Years

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
10/20/10 | 6990 reads | 0 comments
Basketball season has begun and for many podiatric physicians across the country, this will mean players of all ages and skill levels coming in for acute post-injury treatment and preventative care. Read More.

A Practical Approach To Morton’s Neuroma

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
9/20/10 | 4199 reads | 2 comments
I like things that are practical, things that I can take back to my practice and start using right away. I think Morton’s neuromas are underdiagnosed and therefore undertreated. The typical complaint of burning or numbness in the ball of the foot is a relatively easy diagnosis, but neuromas can also cause referred pain. Read More.

Should Courtrooms Bar ‘Hired Guns’ As Expert Witnesses In Malpractice Cases?

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
8/20/10 | 3200 reads | 0 comments
It is something that most of us dread being part of on either side of the courtroom, but more than likely if you have been in practice for any length of time you have been involved with medical malpractice in one form or another. I have certainly been involved in all aspects of the medical malpractice over my 20 years of practice. Read More.

Weighing The Positives And Negatives Of EMR

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
7/23/10 | 3518 reads | 2 comments
Love them or hate them, electronic medical records (EMR) have become an integral component of today’s medical practice. Have you brought them into your practice? What do you think of them if you have? If you have not, why and what are you waiting for? I have been using EMRs of various types for at least the past six years. Prior to incorporating them into my practice, I used dictation for my charting. There was definitely a learning curve with each system I have used but I have gotten very comfortable with using them in my practice. Read More.

Why Treating Equinus Is The Key To Treating Pediatric Flatfoot

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
6/22/10 | 3677 reads | 0 comments
Pediatric flatfoot is a controversial topic on many levels. The decisions on when, how and if treatment is warranted are very much debatable. I have treated several children with pediatric flatfoot and I have learned a lot over the past 20 years from this experience. I would like to share some practical insights that will hopefully facilitate better outcomes if you currently treat or decide to treat this patient group. Read More.

Are The New Rocker Sole Sneakers Worth The Hype?

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
5/24/10 | 9845 reads | 2 comments
If you are like me, you have had patients and nurses ask you about Shape Up shoes (Skechers). My first impression of these shoes was negative since Masai Barefoot Technologies (MBT, Masai Group International) shoes came out. My experience with a rocker sole shoe was singular for my postoperative ankle fusion patients. With increasing numbers of patients asking me about these shoes or wearing them, I thought I would do a little research on them to either confirm my judgment or change it. Read More.

Why Your Hospital Should Be Using A Pre-Op Checklist

Patrick DeHeer DPM FACFAS
4/22/10 | 3245 reads | 0 comments
I drive several hours each week to my various offices each week and use the time to listen to audio books. I just finished listening to an excellent book called The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande, MD. The Checklist Manifesto discusses the use of checklists in several fields such as aviation, construction, financial, the restaurant business and others. Being a general surgeon, Dr. Gawande discusses the use of a checklist in medicine or I should say the lack of use of a checklist in medicine. Read More.