Kevin Pho, MD

The KevinMD toolkit: Speaking

April 8, 2013Apr 8, 20133

Part of the KevinMD toolkit series. A lot of people ask me, “What tools do you use for blogging, speaking, when you’re on the road, seeing patients etc. ...” So I decided to start a series that describe what tools…

Part of the KevinMD toolkit series.

A lot of people ask me, “What tools do you use for blogging, speaking, when you’re on the road, seeing patients etc. …” So I decided to start a series that describe what tools I use, and why.

First in this series are tools I use for my social media keynote presentations. My …

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Social media in medicine

How a doctor’s online reputation survived a front page newspaper story

April 5, 2013Apr 5, 201327

The Boston Globe recently had a front page story on how a neurosurgeon sued a patient’s husband for a blog critical of the physician. According to the story, the patient underwent a complicated back operation as a result of her…

The Boston Globe recently had a front page story on how a neurosurgeon sued a patient’s husband for a blog critical of the physician.

According to the story, the patient underwent a complicated back operation as a result of her bone cancer. She tragically had a stroke post-operatively, and that’s where the situation between the family and doctor deteriorated. On the advice of his psychiatrist, the patient’s husband wrote a …

Physician voices

Solving the issue of tired doctors: My radical idea

March 29, 2013Mar 29, 201329

The problem of medical resident work-hours has vexed medical educators for decades. The traditional model of sleep-deprived residents led to highly publicized medical mistakes, most famously the Libby Zion case in 1984. Nobody wants tired doctors caring for them. In…

Nobody wants tired doctors caring for them.

In response, various restrictions have been placed on how many hours medical residents are allowed to work. Since 2011, for instance, medical residents were …

Social media in medicine

Doctor ratings need to be physician driven

March 19, 2013Mar 19, 20138

In the new book, Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation, physician ratings are highlighted. This is a topic that gives many physicians some pause, and for some, causes tremendous anxiety. Whether doctors know it or not, they already have…

In the new book, Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation, physician ratings are highlighted. This is a topic that gives many physicians some pause, and for some, causes tremendous anxiety.

Whether doctors know it or not, they already have online profiles. Third-party rating sites, like Vitals or Healthgrades, already have web pages of most physicians, and they …

Health reformers fail to hold patients accountable for health costs

March 15, 2013Mar 15, 201347

To cut costs in our health system, reformers target the massive of waste. One way to reduce waste is to change the way doctors are paid. The fee for service payment system, they say, encourages doctors to prescribe more expensive…

To combat this trend, reformers often have providers in their crosshairs, …

Drugs and prescribing

Why energy drinks should be considered stimulant drugs

March 2, 2013Mar 2, 20132

USA Today. I’m seeing more patients than ever consume so-called “energy drinks,” a rapidly emerging class of beverage which promise to increase energy, improve alertness, and boost attention span. The energy drink business is booming, with more than $12 billion…

A version of this column was published on February 3, 2013 in USA Today.

I’m seeing more patients than ever consume so-called “energy drinks,” a rapidly emerging class of beverage which promise to increase energy, improve alertness, and boost attention span. The energy drink business is booming, with more than $12 billion sold last year, eclipsing established beverage categories like iced tea …

Health technology

A virtual office visit for your cold is not a good idea

February 10, 2013Feb 10, 20132

USA Today. Like many other primary care doctors across the country, I’m seeing my fair share of patients with runny noses during this winter season. I recently saw a patient for a sinus infection whom asked, “Why did I have…

A version of this column was published on January 13, 2013 in USA Today.

Like many other primary care doctors across the country, I’m seeing my fair share of patients with runny noses during this winter season.

I recently saw a patient for a sinus infection whom asked, “Why did I have to come in to see you? Couldn’t you have given me an …

What you can learn from the flu epidemic: Get vaccinated earlier

February 2, 2013Feb 2, 20134

CNN. During the past few months, I have gently suggested to my patients that they receive the flu vaccine. Many said yes, but some declined. Today, as I look up Google's national flu trend map, I see nearly the entire…

The following column was published on January 11, 2013 in CNN.

During the past few months, I have gently suggested to my patients that they receive the flu vaccine. Many said yes, but some declined.

Today, as I look up Google’s national flu trend map, I see nearly the entire country painted in an alarming red, signifying “intense” flu activity. According to the Centers …

Online reputation for doctors: A comprehensive social media guide

January 30, 2013Jan 30, 20133

I'm proud to announce my new book, co-written with Susan Gay: Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices. The Foreword is written by Robert Wachter, MD, with endorsements from Eric Topol,…

I’m proud to announce my new book, co-written with Susan Gay: Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices.

The Foreword is written by Robert Wachter, MD, with endorsements from Eric Topol, MD, Abraham Verghese, MD, Jerome Groopman, …

Drugs and prescribing

Why you should avoid the temptation of drug coupons

December 10, 2012Dec 10, 20126

October 24th, 2012 in USA Today. As the cost of prescription drugs soar, more patients are turning to online coupons or discount cards from drug companies or promotional offers in magazines. In the past year, it is estimated that 19…

A version of this column was published on October 24th, 2012 in USA Today.

As the cost of prescription drugs soar, more patients are turning to online coupons or discount cards from drug companies or promotional offers in magazines. In the past year, it is estimated that 19 million Americans whom took prescription drugs used such incentives to save money. The healthcare industry …

Patient voices

Test results without physician guidance will cause patient anxiety

August 23, 2012Aug 23, 20123

The following column was published on August 5th, 2012 in USA Today. A patient once blamed me for causing him considerable anxiety because he had to wait several weeks before receiving the results of a lab test, which I had…

The following column was published on August 5th, 2012 in USA Today.

A patient once blamed me for causing him considerable anxiety because he had to wait several weeks before receiving the results of a lab test, which I had ordered. Many patients commonly have to wait days, if not weeks, before getting lab results from their doctor. The delay can affect patients’ health negatively.

For instance, one study looked at women who underwent …

Localized prostate cancer treatment: Is surgery no longer an option?

July 19, 2012Jul 19, 20125

Prostate cancer is in the news again, thanks to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study looked at surgery versus observation for localized prostate cancer. According to MedPage Today, "Neither overall mortality nor cancer-specific mortality…

Prostate cancer is in the news again, thanks to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study looked at surgery versus observation for localized prostate cancer. According to MedPage Today, “Neither overall mortality nor cancer-specific mortality differed significantly between men who had surgery and those who were prospectively followed. The absolute difference was less than 3% …

The New York medical malpractice crisis: Who’s to blame?

July 16, 2012Jul 16, 20126

Is this the endgame for the medical malpractice crisis? A recent cover story in the New York Times describes how some financially struggling hospitals are "going bare," meaning they are partially or completely forgoing malpractice coverage. From an economic standpoint,…

Is this the endgame for the medical malpractice crisis?

A recent cover story in the New York Times describes how some financially struggling hospitals are “going bare,” meaning they are partially or completely forgoing malpractice coverage.

From an economic standpoint, it’s a rational thing to do. Malpractice insurance costs are skyrocketing, forcing these hospitals into uncomfortable choices.

As one administrator bluntly puts …

The Supreme Court on health reform: Everybody wins!

June 28, 2012Jun 28, 201233

The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act. I'll leave the detailed legal analysis to other commentators that you'll no doubt find elsewhere. Although some may not feel this way, this is an outcome everybody should be happy with. Most…

The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act.

I’ll leave the detailed legal analysis to other commentators that you’ll no doubt find elsewhere.

Although some may not feel this way, this is an outcome everybody should be happy with.

Most important, patients should be happy. As I wrote in the New York Times Room for Debate recently, the ACA has already …

If the individual mandate is struck down, what happens next?

June 18, 2012Jun 18, 20122

The following column was published on June 17th, 2012 in the New York Times’ Room for Debate blog. In this election year, the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Affordable Care Act will be interpreted through a political lens. But the…

The following column was published on June 17th, 2012 in the New York Times’ Room for Debate blog.

In this election year, the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Affordable Care Act will be interpreted through a political lens. But the decision will have real-life consequences on patients, whose voice won’t be heard through the ensuing partisan din.

If the individual mandate …

Health technology

Robots for surgery aren’t ready for widespread use in hospitals

June 17, 2012Jun 17, 2012

The following column was published on June 5th, 2012 in USA Today. I recently had the opportunity to try out a surgical robot, a medical device that has excited doctors, patients and hospital marketing departments. During the demonstration, I was…

The following column was published on June 5th, 2012 in USA Today.

I recently had the opportunity to try out a surgical robot, a medical device that has excited doctors, patients and hospital marketing departments. During the demonstration, I was able to precisely manipulate the robotic arms using joysticks. The experience felt right out of a Hollywood movie, as I was able …

Physician voices

Why Priscilla Chan may become the country’s most influential doctor

May 22, 2012May 22, 20128

Who has the potential to be the most influential physician of our generation? It's Priscilla Chan, who not only recently graduated from medical school, but also married Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. When I brought this up on Twitter, someone responded…

Who has the potential to be the most influential physician of our generation?

It’s Priscilla Chan, who not only recently graduated from medical school, but also married Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

When I brought this up on Twitter, someone responded that it was “disappointing at the same time. I’m certain her own merits and studies would have made waves alone.”

But her influence …

Confused about prostate cancer screening? Make a shared decision

May 22, 2012May 22, 20127

In a widely anticipated move, the USPSTF officially recommended against prostate cancer screening in healthy men. Case closed, right? Hardly. The prostate cancer screening debate has been raging for the past decade. Increasing amounts of evidence show that screening does…

In a widely anticipated move, the USPSTF officially recommended against prostate cancer screening in healthy men.

Case closed, right?

Hardly.

The prostate cancer screening debate has been raging for the past decade. Increasing amounts of evidence show that screening does not save lives, and increase the risk of complications like impotence and urinary incontinence that stem from invasive diagnostic tests and treatments.

Regular …

Warren Buffett’s prostate cancer choices aren’t right for every man