If a bill recently introduced in Delaware passes, state residents who suffer cardiac or brain death will become potential organ donors, whether that’s what they intended or not.

Earlier this year, Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, a Democrat from Rehoboth Beach, co-sponsored legislation in which residents would automatically be enrolled as an organ and tissue donor when applying for or renewing their driver’s license—unless they check a box indicating that they do not wish to participate.

This opt-out model for organ donations, known as Presumed Consent, bucks the spirit of our current voluntary opt-in (Informed Consent) system. Presumed Consent changes the nature of the consumer’s decision. It’s more guilt-inducing—and harder—for consumers to actively choose not to help others in need than to passively let the opportunity to help slip by. Legislating an opt-out approach also implies that donating organs is the sanctioned social norm. continues…

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From Medical Economics magazine, more on informed consent ...

Locum tenens may extend the medical careers of physicians and help them avoid burn-out, according to a survey commissioned in January 2008 by VISTA Staffing Solutions. Physicians surveyed indicated that locum tenens would be most attractive to physicians considering semi-retirement, those making a professional transition from one position to another, and residents completing training who want to try out diverse geographic settings and practice types before settling down.

Locum tenens practice option may extend careers in medicine, help physicians avoid burn-out [Via VISTA Staffing Solutions]

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From Medical Economics magazine, more on locum tenens ...

It’s one thing to get physicians in private practice to adopt electronic solutions for handling their healthcare information. It’s quite another to make it possible for these individual providers to exchange data with one another, as well as with hospitals, labs, and pharmacies. But an initiative announced last week by Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell aims to do just that. The Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange, as it’s known, promises to give health care providers improved access to clinical data. It also promises to lead to safer and more efficient patient-centered care. Learn more about the initiative, which is part of the Governor’s Prescription for Pennsylvania health care reform plan.

Pennsylvania Creates Health Information Exchange [Via Government Technology]

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From Medical Economics magazine, more on technology ...