Why board certification is important to this physician

Physician
May 6, 2015

Recently there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), and its board certification requirements. Currently, the board require physicians to take an exam and recertify every ten years in a process termed MOC, or maintenance of certification. The process is time-consuming and costly, and many physicians claim it does not improve their day-to-day practice. Doctors have become more vocal in their grievances …

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Why board certification is important to this physician

The problem with obesity counseling

Conditions
March 15, 2012

Recently I have become interested in the obesity epidemic plaguing our country. I’ve actually been interested in obesity and co-morbid psychiatric illness since residency, but recently my interest has been revived. I read that Medicare is going to be reimbursing health care practitioners for obesity counseling and screening. My initial thought was that this is a positive step in the right direction. But the cynic in …

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The problem with obesity counseling

Who benefits most from psychological therapy?

Patient
September 12, 2011

There is a saying in psychiatry, “even bad therapy is good therapy.”

I always thought this was a terrible thing to say, but really, there’s some truth to it. The basic tenet of therapy is that a person is able to vent their feelings with an objective third party. Depending on how good the therapist is, he or she will be able to help that person process their feelings in …

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Who benefits most from psychological therapy?

Medical marijuana in psychiatric illness

Meds
July 9, 2011

Recently, 16 states and Washington DC have legalized medical cannabis.

An additional 10 states have pending legislation. With all the attention legalized medical marijuana has been receiving, patients have started asking if they are candidates for a prescription. Well, my answer is easy.  Right now it is not legal in Illinois, although it is one of the states that is pending. Even if it does become legalized, I …

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Medical marijuana in psychiatric illness

Doctor Kevorkian dead, but not by suicide

Physician
June 20, 2011

Recently it was announced that Dr. Jack Kevorkian (also known as Dr. Death) died — ironically, not by suicide.

As a psychiatrist, one of the things I consider part of my job description is suicide prevention.  Although many consider Dr. Kevorkian a civil rights activist for assisted suicide, I believe that there was a severe lack of ethics in his medical practice.

From everything I’ve read in the media (and I …

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Doctor Kevorkian dead, but not by suicide