MRI abuse can be dangerous and expensive for patients

Conditions
June 7, 2010

What is “MRI Abuse”? This is when the health care provider orders MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in excess or for the wrong reasons. There are many causes of MRI abusive behavior but most evolve out of a significant misunderstanding of how to properly utilize this diagnostic tool. MRI imaging has a high sensitivity to detect anatomic abnormalities, does not expose the patient to high doses of radiation like a CAT …

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MRI abuse can be dangerous and expensive for patients

Patients who attempt suicide and withdrawal of medical care

Conditions
June 2, 2010

If a person tries to commit suicide, could that be considered as a statement that this person wishes to die and does not want aggressive treatment to save his or her life?

Not from a legal standpoint, and not if you are living in the United States.

A middle-aged man with a long standing history of depression decides to end his life. He puts a large caliber gun straight to his forehead …

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Patients who attempt suicide and withdrawal of medical care

How the oil shortage will affect hospitals and healthcare

Physician
May 31, 2010

I believe in the peak oil theory.

Think about it, in a closed system nothing is infinite. Since oil is a product of millions of years of decay, unless we use it at the same rate that is it produced, we will run out. I do not have a crystal ball any more than anyone else I know, so I will not hang my hat on when, but will commit to …

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How the oil shortage will affect hospitals and healthcare

Your asthma or COPD inhaler is not available, and what to do

Meds
May 28, 2010

As reported in MedPage Today, the FDA announced the end for CFC-propelled inhalers. Of the seven inhalers with deadlines for removal, only three are still being made:

Flunisolide (Aerobid Inhaler System) on June 30, 2011
Albuterol and ipratropium combination (Combivent Inhalation Aerosol) on Dec. 31, 2013
Pirbuterol (Maxair Autohaler) on Dec. 31, 2013

The reason for this is because CFC’s are harmful for the environment, and the newer inhalers have to be replaced with …

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Your asthma or COPD inhaler is not available, and what to do

How doctors choose which specialists they refer to

Physician
May 28, 2010

There is an aspect of professional sports that I greatly admire. This transcends the athleticism and skill of the athletes, the work ethic, coaching expertise, teamwork and the thrill of the game. This is one of the only institutions that is a pure meritocracy. The philosophy is simple and not blurred by arguments for diversity or massaging the qualifications for admission to serve another agenda. Coaches, managers and owners want …

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How doctors choose which specialists they refer to

A medical student chooses dermatology because of family

Education
May 25, 2010

by an anonymous medical student

As of today, I am one month from adding those long sought-after and hard-earned initials to my name, M.D.. I matched at my number one choice in a very competitive “lifestyle specialty,” have a fabulous husband who has helped me through the emotional turmoil that is medical school, and two young boys who make me laugh and smile every day. I sit here, where …

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A medical student chooses dermatology because of family

Allergy drug recommendations for patients on a budget

Conditions
May 21, 2010

Ahhh spring.

The lovely blooms unfurling. The trees budding.

It’s enough to make a girl get tears in her eyes.

And sneezes in her nose.

And itching on her face.

Yes, it’s allergy season again — but what can you do to make yourself more comfortable without emptying your wallet?

1. Avoidance. Close the windows. Make someone else cut the grass. Stay inside. (Yes, I hate this one too- let’s move on.)

2. Neti pot or other nasal saline rinsing. LOVE …

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Allergy drug recommendations for patients on a budget

House, M.D. physician technical advisor interview

Social media
May 21, 2010

by Ryan DuBosar

“House, M.D.,” is the least realistic medical drama on television. That doesn’t bother Lisa Sanders, ACP Member, one of the show’s technical advisors.

The lead character, Gregory House, MD, verbally abuses patients, goes overboard ordering tests and above all, he’s “a jerk,” Dr. Sanders said. But after all, it’s television, and the former CBS news producer turned med student turned Yale professor understands the difference between reality and good …

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House, M.D. physician technical advisor interview

Physician assistant not associate: Reasons against a name change

Policy
May 17, 2010

In reference to the seemingly “simple” name change being proposed for Physician Assistants to Physician Associates, I take great exception to the commentary offered by Dr. Zilberberg in her recent article entitled, Physician assistant name change rubs doctors the wrong way.

She states: “Physicians have been only too successful at becoming the final word in health, at the exclusion of all others.”

Physicians are the highest and most extensively trained group …

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Physician assistant not associate: Reasons against a name change

Patient wants an apology, not money, after medical malpractice

Physician
May 16, 2010

by Tricia Pil, MD

This is the true story of a hospitalization as told from three points of view: first, the recollections of the patient (who happens to be a physician); second, events as recorded in the medical charts by doctors and nurses; and third, the version put forth by the hospital.

FRIDAY

Patient:
It is fall 2005, and I am nine months pregnant. A healthy 33-year-old pediatrician, I am a longtime patient of …

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Patient wants an apology, not money, after medical malpractice

Bartering and whether doctors should be paid with chickens

Potpourri
May 13, 2010

Generally, I find my practice works best when I get paid in dollars. They’re convenient. They can be transmitted electronically between bank accounts. Mary and Annie like them. I can spend them by swiping a credit card.

But, in a remarkable effort to win the “Let’s See How Stupid I Can Sound” award, a Nevada candidate for U.S. Senate has proposed ditching the idea of paying doctors in money, and going …

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Bartering and whether doctors should be paid with chickens

Declining autopsy rate, and how that impacts doctors

Conditions
May 12, 2010

The role of autopsy in the medical profession is difficult to overestimate. Western medicine takes its roots from comparative studies between patient’s symptoms and the findings on autopsy.

Participation in an autopsy was one of the most valuable lessons from medical school and residency. If you participated in the patient’s care, there is no greater educational tool than witnessing the postmortem exam. It is especially true if the cause of death …

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Declining autopsy rate, and how that impacts doctors

False patient contact information worsens emergency care

Physician
May 10, 2010

One of the biggest emergency room problems is contacting patients after they leave.

Patients sometimes leave false contact information — which makes it difficult for the emergency room staff should problems arise after the visit.

The issue was illustrated in a piece from msnbc.com. Many times, results like blood cultures or x-ray findings take time to return. And if there’s something that needs to be acted upon, contacting the …

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False patient contact information worsens emergency care

Medical malpractice deposition survival tips for doctors

Physician
May 9, 2010

An excerpt from How to Survive a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit: The Physician’s Roadmap for Success.

by Ilene R. Brenner, MD

The most important part of your case is upon you: the pretrial deposition. If you do a poor job, you can ruin your case and make a defensible lawsuit become indefensible.

So what is a deposition? It is the sworn testimony of a witness taken before trial, in a location …

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Medical malpractice deposition survival tips for doctors

Hiatal hernia in women can present with heartburn

Conditions
May 8, 2010

by David Edelman, MD

Heartburn and acid reflux disease are common problems affecting women of all ages. The problem develops when acid in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. There is a muscle known as the diaphragm that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity. When you eat or drink, the food goes from the mouth down the esophagus, through the diaphragm and into the stomach. …

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Hiatal hernia in women can present with heartburn

A pre-medical student writes to her gross anatomy cadaver

Education
May 7, 2010

A letter from a pre-medical student honoring her gross anatomy cadaver.

Letter to the other side
by Hana Low

Thank you for donating your body to science and medical education. It’s so generous to give yourself to those you will never meet. I hope you’re having a good time, up there or wherever you are.

Working with your body has made me acutely conscious of the dangers in my everyday environment. I have to …

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A pre-medical student writes to her gross anatomy cadaver

China medical school and residency training

Education
May 6, 2010

My husband and I recently traveled to Wuhan Medical School in the Hubei Province in central China.

Our medical school has partnered with Wuhan to help inform their curricular reform efforts. We spent 4 days touring the hospitals and teaching facilities, meeting students and faculty, going on rounds, and giving talks. Although the language barrier was challenging, we had incredible translators who worked to translate every slide we spoke …

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China medical school and residency training

Problem list problems with electronic medical records

Tech
May 4, 2010

In family medicine it has been common to keep a “Problem List” in patients’ paper charts. Usually placed on the left hand side, on top of the Medication List, it has given doctors like me an instant thumbnail sketch before considering the specifics of each patient’s visit for that day.

A typical Problem List would include diagnoses like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or rheumatoid arthritis. It would list prior surgeries, like …

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Problem list problems with electronic medical records

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