Neil H. Baum, MD

Neil H. Baum, MD

Tulane University School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical School, Vanguard Communications Group

New Orleans, Louisiana

Neil H. Baum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a retired urologic surgeon. Additionally, Dr. Baum serves as the Medical Advisor to Vanguard Communications Group. Dr. Baum is the author of Marketing Your Clinical Practice - Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which is in its 4th edition, has sold over 175,000 copies, and has been translated into Spanish. He also wrote The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice, which was published in 2015. Dr. Baum was the columnist for American Medical News for more than 25 years. Dr. Baum also wrote the popular column, “The Bottom Line,” for Urology Times for more than 20 years. He is a requested speaker each year to the Practice Management Seminar for the American Urological Association (AUA), where he discusses techniques for making urology practices more efficient and more productive. He has written more than 9 books on practice management and over 250 peer-reviewed articles on various urologic topics. Dr. Baum is also the medical advisor to Vanguard Communications Group.

Disclosures:

Talks by Neil H. Baum, MD

Building Your Urologic Castle: Barriers to Exit (Part 2 of 2)

Building Your Urologic Castle: Barriers to Exit (Part 2 of 2)

Posted by | Feb 2021

In the second part of this two-part series, Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, gives suggestions on how urologists who have already successfully attracted patients by removing barriers to entry can then keep those patients in their practice by building barriers to exit. He explains that the goal is for each patient to have a stellar experience and then share their feedback with others. Dr. Baum emphasizes the importance of a robust, regularly updated website and active social media pages. He also highlights the importance of practice accessibility, from having online scheduling and communication via email and text, to having same-day appointments available, keeping office wait times as short as possible, and supplying accessible, validated parking. He suggests that doctors call patients at home after they have had a procedure, both to demonstrate care and to reduce incoming calls from patients. Dr. Baum also notes the importance of having transparent pricing and insurance assistance, and of providing translators for patients who do not speak English. He concludes by encouraging urologists to make their USP (unique service proposition) visible and obvious to patients, by noting that there are riches in the niches, and by reiterating the importance of eliminating negative barriers and fortifying positive ones in a medical practice.

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Building Your Urologic Castle: Barriers to Entry (Part 1 of 2)

Building Your Urologic Castle: Barriers to Entry (Part 1 of 2)

Posted by | Feb 2021

Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses barriers to potential patients coming to a urologic practice. He suggests ensuring patients have a good initial contact with the receptionist, keeping appointment slots open for emergencies, and being transparent with finances on the practice website. Dr. Baum also suggests having between four- and five-star ratings online, obvious signage to get to the clinic, convenient parking, making the practice handicap-accessible, and having a welcoming reception area and clean bathrooms. He recommends making sure all patients’ questions have been answered at the end of an appointment, returning all calls and emails within 24 hours, and having the option of scheduling appointments online. In summary, he encourages making it easy for a patient to enter a practice.

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Improving Your Urology Practice: Addressing Financial Toxicity

Posted by | Feb 2021

Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana, discusses financial toxicity and how urologists can help their patients navigate the stress associated with medical expenses. An estimated 40% of newly-diagnosed cancer patients will deplete their assets within two years after diagnosis. The compounding stress over direct and indirect costs of cancer treatment can ultimately lead to financial toxicity. Patients at higher risk of financial toxicity include those with advanced stage cancer, minorities, low-income patients, and patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy, among others. Similarly, other factors in a patient’s life, such as whether cancer will impact their ability to continue working, whether they are the primary breadwinner, and their level of health insurance coverage, can increase financial stress. Dr. Baum advises urologists to ask their patients if the costs will be a burden and direct them to a financial navigator, such as a hospital social worker. Urologists can also help patients by offering pricing transparency, connecting them to cancer support groups, and even asking pharmaceutical companies for reduced cost medications.

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The Future of Medicine: At-Home Testing

Posted by | Jan 2021

Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, examines the burgeoning field of at-home testing, outlining its pros and cons and discussing its urologic application. At-home testing has become increasingly attractive during the pandemic as patients are able to minimize their possible exposure to COVID-19. It is also more convenient for patients and less expensive than lab testing, the latter being particularly important for uninsured Americans. Dr. Baum notes that some test providers offer telemedicine support to review test results, but also cautions that it is important not to over-promise, as not all at-home tests are FDA-approved and not all types of tests can be run with a small blood sample. Additionally, some home tests require patient history or necessitate a doctor to explain the results. The most familiar types of at-home tests include those for pregnancy or genetics, but there are now a number of new tests available such as IBS or celiac testing, BRCA-focused genetic testing, and fructose and lactose intolerance. For urologists, at-home testing for hematuria workup, semen analysis for infertility evaluation, UTI diagnosis, urine biopsy for PSA, screening for bladder cancer, and follow-up hormone testing are all on the horizon. Dr. Baum concludes that at-home testing is a proactive approach to patient care that further improves telemedicine.

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The Myth of Multitasking

Posted by | Jan 2021

Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, discusses the pitfalls of multitasking. He outlines the illusory thinking behind multitasking and its impact on productivity, and then offers solutions. Dr. Baum notes that multitasking often causes people to feel as though they are accomplishing more in a shorter period of time, but the opposite is actually true. Not only does multitasking decrease the quality of work performed, it also creates a vicious cycle: stress levels increase, which increases cortisol levels leading to impeded cognitive functioning, thereby further increasing stress. Dr. Baum notes that it takes approximately 25 minutes to refocus after an interruption, meaning doctors can lose up to two hours a day by multitasking. This ultimately creates unnecessary financial cost and contributes to feelings of burnout. Dr. Baum advises that physicians practice “unitasking,” or working on a single task at a time, take short breaks between tasks, and reduce distractions, especially during patient visits. He concludes by sharing several technology solutions, such as wearable sensors and free apps, that can help block out disruptions.

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