Welcome to the new digital version of Physicians' Financial News (www.pfnlive.com), the business connection for doctors.

Economic times are very challenging for America's physicians. That's no secret. Now more than ever, hard-working doctors struggle to make ends met. Therefore, you're probably looking for a source of business information—one with true relevance for physicians—that you can quickly and conveniently put to use without being too complicated. Now you have it.

Doctors—like all Americans—are gravitating to the Internet for information needs. Since no media property currently satisfies their unique needs as busy professionals, our fundamental mission will be to serve as the business education, news, and advocacy domain for the medical profession.

Financial Fatigue
Although the media like to portray it otherwise, most of today's physicians don't live the "mansion-living, Mercedes-driving" life. While it's true that doctors are generally well compensated, that income today is, at best, stagnant and too many are unprepared to deal with the repercussions.

Taking an active role in the financial planning process doesn't mean a doctor has to become a financial expert. Physicians should be experts about their own financial situation, objectives, feelings, and attitudes. Awareness of your own economic situation is the key to success.

Today's physicians face drastic changes in their personal and professional economic lives (i.e., declining reimbursement, malpractice insurance and judgment increases, mounting expenses and debts, technology hurdles).

It's a harsh, but true, fact—many doctors are clinically literate but financially illiterate. During their 7+ years of medical education (medical school, internship and residency), physicians receive little or no business instruction. And once a doctor gets minted, a hectic professional life makes it difficult to manage the excess of financial information.

To the Rescue
Clearly, there's a need for a fast-paced, relevant, and practical business resource.

According to a recent Physicians' Financial News online survey of doctors:

• 86% go online "every day or week" for business information.
• 85% are "interested" in a new business web site for themselves.
• 70% are "worried" about their medical business.

While many physicians admit that they are very concerned about their business future, many more told us they are taking steps to correct their problems—thus the need for a business web site. That's where the new digital version of Physicians' Financial News comes into play. A keen combination of education and energy will shape an appealing and desirable web site.

Two valued business advocates for America's Doctors—Physicians' Financial News and editorial director Greg Kelly—are back to help you. With a plethora of financial publications, web sites, and investment products on the market, it's impossible for a busy doctor to do all of the necessary research. Our editors will do the legwork for you, culling the most important information on all aspects of business and delivering it in an "easy-to-understand," "how-to" editorial format.

Our new web site will help you to build financial literacy, avoid common business mistakes, improve money-management skills, and be current on the latest business news impacting the medical profession.

Physician Comments about the Internet and Medical Practice:

Are you interested in a new business web site for doctors?

"Physicians need all the help they can get."
"We need business information short and to the point."
"I check the internet more than the newspaper."
"I want something I can trust."
"I'll be able to keep up with business matters more easily with one site."
"There is no comprehensive site currently assembling business news for docs."
"It's essential for us physicians to stay on top of business developments."
"I get too much paper mail."
"Skimping on business research is suicidal."
"We don't get enough training in the business side of medicine."

Are you worried about your medical practice?

"Expenses are up and reimbursements are down—doctors are caught in the middle."
"Medicine is a very unstable environment."
"Every day I face the pressures of managed care and risk of lawsuits."
"I'm going down hill."
"Medicine is circling the drain."
"Physicians are not well organized."
"I work and work and work and make less and less and less."
"It gets more complicated every day."
"I'm getting squeezed unfairly by insurance companies, government, and patients."
"It's hard to make a living these days doing what I love to do."

Source: Physicians' Financial News online survey of 650 doctors, 2007

Physicians' Financial News (www.pfnlive.com) offers general news and information only for managing personal and professional business and finance matters and does not advocate or recommend specific financial actions or practices. For financial advice and recommendations tailored to your situation and needs, please contact an expert and accredited financial professional.