KevinMD.com

July 21, 2011Jul 21, 20118

The nature of an average child’s free time has changed. For the past 25 years kids have been spending decreasing amounts of time outdoors. The time that our kids do spend outdoors is frequently a part of an organized sports activity. Other activities taking up our children’s time include indoor lessons and organized events such as music, art and dance lessons. Another big indoor activity, taking up to 7.5 …

Physician voices

How the landscape of physician hiring is changing

Jocelyn Clarke

July 21, 2011Jul 21, 2011

The majority of new job openings for physicians are now as hospital employees, not in private practice. This is the new reality for both residents facing the employment landscape and seasoned physicians looking for better opportunities. In their 2011 Review…

The majority of new job openings for physicians are now as hospital employees, not in private practice.

This is the new reality for both residents facing the employment landscape and seasoned physicians looking for better opportunities. In their 2011 Review of Physician Recruiting Incentives, Texas-based national physician search firm Merritt Hawkins confirmed that private practice scenarios are giving way to doctors being directly employed by hospitals, large health systems, and medical groups.

As …

Medical education

Advice to new interns from a nurse turned medical student

Albinoblackbear

July 21, 2011Jul 21, 20118

If you’re a new intern you are hopefully a little afraid of the new found responsibility in your life. I say "hopefully" because there is nothing more frightening in healthcare than someone who is "unconsciously incompetent." That is, someone that…

If you’re a new intern you are hopefully a little afraid of the new found responsibility in your life. I say “hopefully” because there is nothing more frightening in healthcare than someone who is “unconsciously incompetent.” That is, someone that doesn’t even realizethey have no idea what they are doing.

Before starting medical school I was an emergency nurse. As an RN, I had the opportunity to see many medical …

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Medical education

A medical student with anxiety and depression

Action Potential

July 21, 2011Jul 21, 20115

A strange thing happens on your first day of med school. Yesterday, you may have joked with old friends about upping your Paxil dose, but starting today, you are expected to be professional. And professional is suddenly a word that prevents you from being open with your new friends, a word that hints admitting to any real struggle could be a career-ending mistake.

I want to tell you that it isn’t, but the truth is, I’m …

Physician voices

Clinical competence, and whether a doctor is good, or not

Richard A. Foullon, MD

July 20, 2011Jul 20, 20117

Is Dr. X a good doctor? Being a doctor, I often hear this question being asked. More often than not, the response that I hear is a rather clear cut one, "oh yes, Dr. X is a great doctor," or…

Is Dr. X a good doctor?

Being a doctor, I often hear this question being asked. More often than not, the response that I hear is a rather clear cut one, “oh yes, Dr. X is a great doctor,” or “oh no, Dr. X is not a good doctor,” making me wonder what such a definite response is based upon. Is it based on actual facts? Is it based on …

Health policy

The confusion surrounding comparative effectiveness research (CER)

Richard Gliklich, MD

July 20, 2011Jul 20, 20112

We all know, broadly speaking, the mission of comparative effectiveness research (CER), now sometimes called patient-centered outcomes research. Such studies should inform clinical and health policy decisions made by physicians, payers, and regulators to help determine treatment guidelines, coverage policies,…

But dive deeper, and it’s clear there remains an uncomfortable level of confusion as to what CER

…

Physician voices

Implications when technology catches up with medical practice

Dr. Martin Young

July 20, 2011Jul 20, 20114

In 2009 I posted a blog here on videotaping of surgeries and the issues and challenges this would present. I did not say I am in favor of this as a means of policing medical practice, but for documenting surgeries the technology can be very useful. I do video as many of my surgeries as I can, and I offer to show these recordings when appropriate to my patients. …

Patient voices

A TV should not be allowed in a child’s bedroom

Wendy Sue Swanson, MD

July 20, 2011Jul 20, 201116

I was getting ready for the day, my 2 1/2 year old was watching Sesame Street. In the show, the segments change every few minutes or so and seem to weave old-school 1970′s content (familiar to me) with newly created vignettes that have a modern feel and construction. I like it nearly as much as the boys. One of the stories this morning was about tooth fairies. An animated group …

Patient voices

Grocery store tips to avoid poor dietary and financial decisions

James Haddad

July 19, 2011Jul 19, 20112

Taking a trip to the grocery store can be more dangerous than you’d think. Waiting for you in each and every aisle are marketing ploys aimed at suppressing your better reasoning, the ultimate result being you making poor dietary or…

Taking a trip to the grocery store can be more dangerous than you’d think.

Waiting for you in each and every aisle are marketing ploys aimed at suppressing your better reasoning, the ultimate result being you making poor dietary or financial decisions – whether you know it or not (enter the 100 calorie pack, my arch nemesis, right behind diet soda). But it doesn’t have to be that way – …

Drugs and prescribing

Vaccines on the horizon and vaccine economics

Stephen C. Schimpff, MD

July 19, 2011Jul 19, 2011

What else is on the horizon? There is progress to develop vaccines to control addiction to both nicotine and to opioids. Vaccination may be the best route to get control of the bacteria having a major impact on methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other highly pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria that have become endemic in hospital ICUs.

A vaccine for dengue is likely within the next five years. The World Health Organization …

Health technology

Using technology to completely rethink the patient encounter

Gary Patterson

July 19, 2011Jul 19, 201145

It’s time that we rethink the doctor's office encounter. It’s inefficient for doctor and patient, and doesn't optimize care for those that need it most. Everyone is treated the same, even though not every illness or medical need has the…

It’s time that we rethink the doctor’s office encounter. It’s inefficient for doctor and patient, and doesn’t optimize care for those that need it most. Everyone is treated the same, even though not every illness or medical need has the same urgency.

To get to see a doctor I have to make an appointment days or even weeks in advance. I have to drive over to the complex, find parking or …

Patient voices

Why patients should change their doctor

Steve Wilkins, MPH

July 19, 2011Jul 19, 201110

Sure you are comfortable with your current doctor, after all you are still alive and kicking. Besides it has taken you years to figure out what you can safely tell your doctor and when it’s ok to speak up. Yes,…

Yes, the fact that your doctor is often late and never seems to listen to you bothers you just a little. You aren’t displeased enough to stop giving your doctor high …

Read more…

Why patients should change their doctor

Conditions and diseases

The best defense against skin cancer is prevention

Joshua Zeichner, MD

July 19, 2011Jul 19, 20112

Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States, affecting more than 2 million Americans every year. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop a skin cancer in their lifetime. There are three…

There are three main types of skin cancer. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, which can be fatal if not treated early. While melanoma accounts for a very small percentage …

Patient voices

Domestic medical tourism saving employers money and improving outcomes

Dave Chase

July 19, 2011Jul 19, 20112

Over 1.5 million Americans travel abroad each year for medical procedures. Services typically sought by travelers include elective procedures as well as complex specialized surgeries such as cardiac surgery, dental surgery, joint replacement, and cosmetic surgeries. However, virtually every type…

Over 1.5 million Americans travel abroad each year for medical procedures.

Services typically sought by travelers include elective procedures as well as complex specialized surgeries such as cardiac surgery, dental surgery, joint replacement, and cosmetic surgeries. However, virtually every type of health care, including alternative treatments, psychiatry, convalescent care and even burial services are available.

U.S. based healthcare providers have taken notice as have self-funded employers and health plans. The …

Health policy

ACOs and the modern day leper

Stewart Segal, MD

July 19, 2011Jul 19, 201110

In the Chicago Tribune recently, Bruce Japsen has an excellent article addressing Accountable Care Organizations, quality of care issues, and the change in how physicians will be paid in the future. Clearly, the government and insurers have decided that physicians…

In the Chicago Tribune recently, Bruce Japsen has an excellent article addressing Accountable Care Organizations, quality of care issues, and the change in how physicians will be paid in the future.

Clearly, the government and insurers have decided that physicians will not be paid for services rendered. Physicians will be paid based on patient outcomes and will share in any losses insurers sustain due to poor patient outcomes. There are …

Read more…

ACOs and the modern day leper

Medical education

7 tips for students applying to medical school

Jennifer Adaeze Anyaegbunam

July 18, 2011Jul 18, 20112

Applying to medical school is really annoying, expensive, and hard for no reason. I’d like to share some wisdom I picked up along the interview trail. Become an expert stalker. You have had plenty of practice stalking your friends on…

Applying to medical school is really annoying, expensive, and hard for no reason. I’d like to share some wisdom I picked up along the interview trail.

Become an expert stalker. You have had plenty of practice stalking your friends on Facebook. Use those skills to find out everything you can about the school. Admissions officers tend to ask you why you would like to attend their institution. In order to …

Physician voices

Eric Appelt and his extraordinary commitment to medicine

Sunjay Devarajan

July 18, 2011Jul 18, 2011

Dr. Eric Appelt was born to be a superstar. During his career, he has redefined what it means to be committed to medicine, and he embodies the practice of perseverance on a daily basis. I am proud to say that…

As a young man growing up in Brenham, TX, Appelt was the kind of son every parent …

Physician voices

5 ways to succeed as a new provider, guaranteed

Adam Alpers, DO

July 18, 2011Jul 18, 20118

Being a physician is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling profession. I’ve been a physician for over 20 years and I still find joy in my work because I’ve learned to adapt to the changes we are experiencing in the medical field. And, I’ve use the tips I’m sharing with you to operate the best medical practice and provide the best health care possible.

Know the “99” codes like the back of …

Health policy

Our growing ability to prolong life and our shrinking ability to pay for it

Eric Marcotte, MD

July 18, 2011Jul 18, 201116

There have been scores of recent articles about Congresswoman-elect Kathy Hochul's upset win in New York's 26th Congressional District special election. They all seem to share a thread of incredulity, followed either by chortling or spin depending on the source.…

There have been scores of recent articles about Congresswoman-elect Kathy Hochul’s upset win in New York’s 26th Congressional District special election. They all seem to share a thread of incredulity, followed either by chortling or spin depending on the source. These stories also share the sense that her victory was truly an underdog performance destined to become legend.

According to The New York Times, “Two months ago, the Democrat … was …

Patient voices

The side effects of cancer treatment go beyond losing your hair

Jessica Gold

July 18, 2011Jul 18, 201110

If someone asked me at this point in the year, which happens to be nearly the end of my first one, what I liked most about medical school, it would have to be the patient's stories. I could do without…

If someone asked me at this point in the year, which happens to be nearly the end of my first one, what I liked most about medical school, it would have to be the patient’s stories.

I could do without the hours of science classes and my utter lack of motivation to learn any subject that I am told is important. I could also do without the people who need …

Real physician voices, twice a week

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