I’m a small-time doc in a small town, and I work at a small hospital in the Midwest, and I’m proud of it. The huge university hospitals (like Cleveland Clinic) get all the glory (especially in society and in the press), but small hospitals like mine drive this country.
It has been really weird working at a small hospital, where it seems like …
A shout out to small hospitals
“I’ve had 40 years in the air, but in the end, I’m going to be judged by 208 seconds.”
This is a line spoken by Tom Hanks, who played the title role of Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.
I remember being on Twitter on Thursday, January 15, 2009, when I started seeing pictures of a plane in the water and people standing on the wings. I learned that it was US Airways Flight …
How Captain Sully inspired this physician
Even I am not immune to influenza. In Northeastern Ohio, there have been more hospitalizations and school closings this year from influenza. And, let me tell you, as a family physician who also sees patients in the hospital and the office, we have seen a lot more respiratory illnesses versus last year.
No, I’m not one of those Dr. Oz hypocrites who skip the influenza vaccine. …
A doctor’s first-hand account of the flu
Vivek Murthy was recently confirmed to become the surgeon general of the United States. Much of the press in the past few hours have been celebrating the political victory over the GOP objections, particularly the National Rifle Association.
But does this mean anything for the health of America? Supporters cite his medical credentials about being educated at the most prestigious institutions in the U.S. People also site his public health credentials, like …
Vivek Murthy is now surgeon general, but what can he really do?
The Internet was recently atwitter (see what I did there) about the major health care story of Ebola in the United States. However, there was also a interesting rumor announced at the end of last week, to which people should really be paying attention.
As reported by Reuters, Facebook is taking aim at health care, your health care: “The company is exploring creating online ‘support communities’ that would connect Facebook users suffering from …
Facebook should stay out of health care. Here’s why.
“Dr. Sevilla, what do you think about the Ebola virus,” a patient recently asked me. My patient and I talked about the recent news reports stating that over 1,500 people have died because of the virus.
“There’s a vaccine that’s being developed,” I told my patient.
“Well, that’s great. I’m definitely going to get it, if …”
“If?” I asked my patient.
“Well, you know how these things go. If it’s covered …
4 reasons why the Ebola vaccine won’t matter
“Dr. Sevilla, I have a question for you,” a patient asked me this week. “I’m going to tell you something, but I DO NOT want it put in the chart.” Hmm, I asked myself, can I really do that? It’s the patient’s wish, right?
The patient went on to tell me that she heard about this week’s story about a hospital network being hacked and 4.5 million records being stolen. …
The medical chart is coming to an end. Here’s why.
Apple recently previewed a new framework called HealthKit that will be included in their next mobile operating system called iOS 8.
Features mentioned in the video above:
One central app to integrate data from wearable technology like NikeFuel, the Withings blood pressure monitor, and Fitbit.
Working with the Mayo Clinic (for an app to launch in September) to integrate incoming and outgoing health information into HealthKit so that if there is a really high blood pressure, the Mayo …
A doctor is skeptical about Apple’s HealthKit. Here’s why.
Recently, way beneath all the press about Obamacare, there have been articles panning the president’s pick as the next Surgeon General of the United States. Wait a minute. What happened to the last Surgeon General?
Six months ago, family physician Dr. Regina Benjamin stepped down as the first Surgeon General under President Obama. Quick! Name one accomplishment under Dr. Benjamin. I can’t either. What happened?
Dr. Benjamin was a rising star in the …
Why Regina Benjamin was an ineffective Surgeon General
Everywhere in the news these days, you read of stories where physicians are being cancelled from insurance plans, and groups like the American Medical Association, and state based medical societies fighting to reverse these decisions. Does anyone think these actions will really make a difference? I certainly don’t.
Since this is the start of December, this is the time of year where I look at certain expenses and wonder if they are …
A doctor quits the AMA and his state medical society
One of the reasons I love social media is that it keeps me up to date on breaking news stories. Here are two stories that came through my social media channels recently. Both of these have to do with immunizations, which, of course, is a healthcare and social media hot topic, especially among pediatricians.
Fear of disease needs to overcome the fear of vaccines
Recently, another report was released by the Centers For Disease Control saying that antibiotic overuse is creating “so-called superbugs.” In this USA Today article, it states that superbugs “cause at least 2 million infections and 23,000 deaths each year.”
You know who is causing the problem, right? It’s doctors like me. Depending on the report you read, I am the one who is giving antibiotics out like candy. Now, if you …
We lack the will to solve antibiotic resistance
Are electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, good or bad? There have been two huge stories recently, which may be seen as conflicting and confusing.
First, the good news. The Lancet showed that electronic cigarettes are effective in helping adults stop smoking. How effective? About as effective as the nicotine patch. Of course, more research is needed in this area, but this is a positive step, right?
Now, the bad news. A study from the Centers …
E-cigarettes: Good for adults, bad for children?
Are the days numbered for Salem Community Hospital and other community hospitals around the country? Recently, a local story happened that made me think of this.
The announcement was made that the Akron General Health System was being purchased by a joint venture of Cleveland Clinic and Community Health Systems (CHS). CHS is a Tennessee-based hospital operator who also owns three other hospitals in the Northeastern Ohio area where I live.
Six months …
Is the end near for small community hospitals?
I will say this up front: Newtown, Connecticut will not be the last time tragedy strikes. For good or bad, in this age of social media including twitter, it is easier to track the coverage of this story and people’s opinions about it. I have been thinking about this constantly today, and talking with my friends and neighbors about what happened this morning.
Outlining the problems setting up this tragedy …
Newtown, CT will not be the last time tragedy strikes
“You see, Dr. Oz was right, you’re ordering way too many tests for me,” a patient told me today after seeing news reports of today’s press conference in Washington DC by the Choosing Wisely campaign. This campaign, according to news reports (WSJ, PBS, ABC, NBC, NPR, AAFP, and others), points the finger directly at doctors for ordering “worthless” and unnecessary tests (that’s why the press, like patient advocates, love this story, …
A primary care doctor takes issue with Choosing Wisely
Dear United States House of Representatives and Senate:
I really hope that you enjoy your Christmas break going back home to your families. While you’re home, I really hope that you will hear from those constituents who will be affected by the 27.4 percent Medicare physician pay reduction that is schedule to take effect January 1st. I really hope that the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, …
The patient reality of a Medicare payment cut
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