MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a commonly used form of imaging to help diagnose conditions that might not be visible in an X-ray. The MRI scanner is a large cylindrical tube-shaped machine that creates a strong magnetic force and radio waves to capture images of the interior areas of the human body. Out of the numerous magnets in an MRI scanner, there is one main magnet, and the magnetic …
Despite a growing body of research and clinical guidelines, a significant evidence-practice gap persists in the management of concussions. This gap represents a challenge that health care professionals and researchers are working diligently to bridge. Here are the basics of how the gap plays out in concussion care and how telemedicine is providing a promising solution to the problem.
What is the evidence-practice gap?
The evidence-practice gap refers to the disparity between …
In 1990, Ronald Melzack published a paper in Scientific American titled “The Tragedy of Needless Pain.” Many would regard Melzack as the “father” of pain science and the treatment of pain. In that paper, he described the science behind several observations that many clinicians and public health policy decision-makers would find startling in today’s hostile and fraught regulatory environment surrounding the U.S. opioid crisis.
… the fact is …
There are those who believe acupuncture to be a bunch of mumbo jumbo. I’m convinced it works, though. Acupuncture was first performed thousands of years ago, and it’s still being done today. That alone should tell you there’s something to it. Early practitioners believed they were balancing life force and rhythm. Modern science has proven that acupuncture may alter brain circuitry, change brain cell anatomy, and improve brain blood flow.
Way …
It was my first week in the radiation oncology department as a resident. The day had been busy, and most of the consultants and staff had already left the outpatient department (OPD). I was exhausted and famished, with thoughts of dinner dominating my mind.
Just as I was beginning to wind down, the physician assistant (PA) rushed in and informed my consultant that a patient from a local hospital required immediate …
In September 2023, President Biden announced health care provider training, allocating over $8 million through 18 awards to train primary care medical students, physician assistant students, and medical residents in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate care for individuals with limited English proficiency, as well as those with physical or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Individuals with severe and profound autism deserve special consideration when it comes to accommodating their health care needs, …
High incidences of burnout, quiet quitting, suicide, workplace violence, excessive and relentless stress, and chronic staffing shortages reveal a huge need for resilience among health care workers. Resilience is a complex competency involving flexibility of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to adversity. Adversity, especially when it comes to working in health care, involves individuals and the cultures they work in. We must keep the culture in mind because, as …
An excerpt from Mars Hospital: A Doctor’s Novel.
“Patient’s ready. This one will be interesting,” Sally said with a smirk. “Mom brought her nineteen-year-old son in, and she says he’s the devil.” I rolled my eyes.
Terrific. I entered the room with trepidation and saw the patient sitting quietly on the exam …
“Fine lines” in medicine often refer to situations where decisions are not clear-cut and require careful judgment. Perhaps the most tenuous of lines is the one between “real” childhood illnesses and those caused by Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), also known as factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), refers to a specific form of child abuse in which a caregiver, typically a parent or guardian, fabricates, exaggerates, …
Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to be in pain? Or why someone can receive a prescription for a minor procedure and immediately feel drawn to drug use?
Scientists may have recently figured out one of the reasons for these behaviors, and they may start early in life. The developing neuron is remarkably similar to a tree. The branches are the dendrites that receive electrochemical signals from the …
In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in global awareness surrounding the subject of mental health. As it becomes increasingly evident that mental well-being is just as crucial as physical health, community interventions such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) have gained prominence. Originally conceived in Australia in 2000, MHFA has since been adopted in various countries and tailored to meet the specific mental health needs of different …
October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people in the United States are physically abused by an intimate partner per minute.
It is important to remember the vital role that health care practitioners can play in raising awareness about this issue and contributing to efforts to prevent it and care for patients impacted by intimate partner …
I much prefer to be called “doctor,” to be on the side listening and examining, and hopefully to help find a solution. Finding myself on the converse side; trying to explain my perspective and trying to find an explanation and solution to my own medical issue has been an illuminating experience.
Recently, I crossed over to the other side as a patient. As I waited for my health issue to go …
The recent coverage of ECMO by the Wall Street Journal has shone a spotlight on a therapy that, despite its decades-long existence, remains relatively obscure and underutilized. While the article thoughtfully delved into the ethical considerations surrounding the extended use of this life-saving therapy, it’s important to recognize that many hospitals have yet to offer ECMO as an available treatment option. The priority focus should be on expanding access to …
In 2009, the famed NPR radio series This American Life aired an episode that would forever change how we looked at college life. “#1 Party School” featured Penn State University and shed light on the rampant alcohol abuse in higher education. Over a decade later, this issue remains a persistent challenge on college campuses. This article delves into the legacy of the “#1 Party School” episode …
An excerpt from 2060.
Willis murmured, “Not again.” He approached his mother, who was lying in bed with an uneaten tray of food on the bedside table. A stream of drool collected on her gown as she slumped to the right. “Mom.” Willis gently shook her, and she attempted to open …
It’s a busy day in the emergency department. The waiting room is full, and we are short-staffed. I just read an email from administration that morning about how our treat and release times are “slipping,” and in the same breath, they remind us of the importance of patient satisfaction. There are many patients in the department with chronic medical problems or chief complaints that could be interpreted as non-emergent. I …
Twenty years ago, the headlines were grim. It was common for studies to warn: “Rising childhood obesity will decrease life expectancy.” In large part, those predictions came true. The rise in obesity – both in children and adults – has correlated to a catastrophic rise in chronic disease that continues to affect life expectancy, cost of care, and quality of life.
But take a look at the health news headlines now, …
An excerpt from The Committee Will Kill You Now.
“You couldn’t get her niece to budge on the hemodialysis decision?” Harper sank into the resident lounge’s threadbare couch and kicked up her feet.
“Nope.” Noah slumped in the chair across from her. It was late afternoon, and he’d almost finished checking off …
We are in the midst of an alarming global mental health crisis. Its impact is felt most acutely by our youth. Nearly 20 percent of children ages 3-17 in the U.S. have a mental health issue, and suicidal behaviors among high school students increased more than 40 percent in the decade before 2019. As for 2020 and beyond, the isolation and sudden changes brought on by COVID exacerbated …
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