Quashing PTSD
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The government VA is trying to cut costs by influencing diagnosis:A psychologist who helps lead the post-traumatic stress disorder program at a medical facility for veterans in Texas told staff members to refrain from diagnosing PTSD because so many veterans were seeking government disability payments for the condition."Given that we are having more and more compensation seeking veterans, I'd like to suggest that you refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out," Norma Perez wrote in a March 20 e-mail to mental-health specialists and social workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs' Olin E. Teague Veterans' Cen...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 16, 2008
"Good doctors are the ones who don't take insurance"
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Really?The theory is that if a doctor is skilled enough, he or she can fill up their practice with private-pay patients without having to rely on an insurance panel.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 16, 2008
Physician ratings
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Like 'em or not, they're here to stay. Reviews of these sites are being index by Google, so physicians should pay attention to them:The “electronic medical grapevine,” to coin a term, is growing in importance. In 2001, the American Medical Association issued a press release suggesting that patients make a New Year’s resolution to “trust your physician, not a chat room.” As with much other New Year’s advice, this proffered piece of wisdom went unheeded. Today, online doctor ratings have become an integral part of an effort to intensify the interactivity of health care sites and thereby make them more attractive ...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 16, 2008
Local shots 11
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Originally uploaded by baggas
This is in one of the better parks in Rockingham, with plenty for the kids to do - but I have no idea what the point is of these totem pole things. Is it some weird new age thing? Do they hold occult fertility rituals or sacrifices here in the dead of the night? Certainly doesn’t look indigenous to here.. strange.
Speaking of parks, keep your eye on this blog for some upcoming video of “The Best Playground I Have Ever Seen” and it’s right here in WA. I’ll post it up here over the next few days.
Anyway I’m off to dance around the totem poles.. :p
Source: Baggas' Blog - May 16, 2008 Authors: baggas Tags: Local flickr rockingha
Twitter
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In case you're looking for other ways to keep up with Kevin, M.D., my posts are now broadcast on Twitter.Of course, you can always subscribe using a variety of newsreaders.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 16, 2008
Insidermedicine: In the Clinic - Radioembolization
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In the Clinic - Dr. John Louie, MD, discusses radioembolization
Thanks to Insidermedicine for their continuing sponsorship at Kevin, M.D.
Insidermedicine (www.insidermedicine.com) is a physician-led news organization that brings daily evidence-based updates to patients, doctors and medical students. Also available in Chinese and Spanish.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 16, 2008
Housekeeping for MyBlogLog
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Undergoing MyBlogLog VerificationNothing to see here, people. Move on along, now.
Source: Fat Doctor - May 15, 2008 Tags: blogging
My take: Night float, free medical school, triage and disease management
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1) After the resident work-hour restrictions were implemented in 2002, there has been more supervision during night float.My take: Good for patient safety, bad for training. Being independent on the overnight cross-coverage team provided one of the best learning opportunities during residency.2) The Cleveland Clinic's medical school is going tuition free.My take: Brilliant. These students will have substantially less debt burden than the average medical student. Hopefully their choice of specialty will have less of a financial motive, increasingly the likelihood they would choose a generalist field.If this trend spreads, t...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Want my take?
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This is a periodic open thread to solicit issues people want me to blog about, or to simply ask me a question. Suggest topics and links in the comments of this post, or you can e-mail me.I'll choose a few to put into my regular "My take" feature.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Congrats to Dr. Rich
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The Covert Rationing Blog turns one year old. See some of his best posts.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
"Trial and error is part of the healing process"
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People sometimes forget to realize that medicine is an inexact science.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
John Ritter defendants: "They just lost less"
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EM News: "In the Ritter case, the jury agreed with the defendant physicians and exonerated them of any liability. They were lucky. How lucky? They were able to spend four years with attorneys worrying about their future, including the potential that they would be ordered to pay tens of millions of dollars and be left penniless.So, they didn't really win. They just lost less."(via Dr. RW)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
MedBlog Power 8
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5/13/2008 - 5/20/2008Next revision: 5/20/2008(Key: Rank, Blog name, Last week's rank, Post of note)1) Health Beat (3), Health Care Reform Via Focus Group2) WSJ Health Blog (2), Doctor Shortage is ‘Coming On Like A Freight Train’3) The Happy Hospitalist (1), Doctoring From The Back Seat4) Musings of a Dinosaur (7), Managing Risk5) DB's Medical Rants (4), Reasons to become a doctor6) Dr. Wes (5), MacGyver Moments in Medicine7) Buckeye Surgeon (-), Surgeon Tryouts8) Not Totally Rad (-), The Radiologic Appearance of Acute Kindle-itisThe MedBlog Power 8 is a list of medical blogs that have had an exceptional week of bloggi...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
A disease that needs advertising
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How generic Requip may lead to the extinction of restless legs syndrome:Last week, the drug agency approved the first generic versions of ropinirole tablets for four manufacturers. The move is likely to send Requip sales and advertising plummeting, industry experts predicted.At least one sleep disorder specialist expects the focus on restless legs syndrome to fade as rapidly as the Requip television commercials — which have already been pulled from the airwaves.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Why is the government continuing to fund chelation trials?
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Dr. RW: "This tops any example you can trot out about the corrupting influence of Big Pharma. What I didn’t cover in my posts was the extent of the pseudoscientific agenda and conflicts of interest that prevailed throughout the planning and implementation of the study. If you think government funding is the answer to Pharma involvement in research this article will give you pause."
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Dr. Anonymous Show, LIVE tonight at 9pm EST
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Dr. A takes your calls and talks about his recent Vegas trip.Here's how to listen.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Sword swallowing fluoroscopy
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(via Not Totally Rad)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Surgeons operating on more than one patient at a time
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Should they?
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Cool LEGO heart
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(via Street Anatomy)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Eavesdropping
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A drug-seeker listens in on a physician conversation. Mayhem ensues.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
CBO: Prevention does not save money
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Merrill Goozner: "On a down note, he added his voice to the growing conventional wisdom that prevention measures will not generate savings for the health care system. All candidates for president have made prevention promotion a central motif in their health care plans, claiming that it will save the health care system money in the long run by promoting healthier lifestyles and arresting ill-health before it progresses to chronic disease."
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
The candidates aren't addressing the physician shortage
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Well, it's actually the generalist physician shortage.That's a profoundly troubling oversight, as any attempt to cover the uninsured will stretch the already strained primary care system.This survey suggests that some physicians may quit if universal coverage is enacted:Some 20 percent of doctors say they will quit practicing medicine if universal health-care insurance coverage is implemented under the next president . . .. . . Among nearly 1,400 doctors who answered the survey, 63 percent said they would 'continue practicing like they do today,' 11 percent would change occupations and 9 percent said they would retire.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Quick Blogs for 2008-05-15
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Just had my Thunderbird bass guitar arrive that I picked up cheap on eBay. Can’t wait to get it home and plug in #
John Edwards has finally come out and endorsed Obama. Surely this should be close to game over now for the Democratic nomination? #
Source: Baggas' Blog - May 15, 2008 Authors: baggas Tags: Twitter
Maybe lawyers need some anti-kickback rules
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Lawyers apparently receive referral fees, and can be a third of the award that is won during a case.Pete Stark needs to look into that.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Should hospitals be fully staffed 24 hours a day?
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Joe Wright: "The hospital is a constant production process. But it's in transition: it inherits many of the features of its pre-industrial roots. A truly efficient production process never stops, but the hospital slows down considerably at night. I think there would be a lot to be said for a truly 24-hour hospital. But that would require more health care workers, more money to pay people extra to work overnight, and a completely different way of arranging care."
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
"Compared to working in the fields, it was easy"
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An illegal immigrant becomes a neurosurgeon.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Placebo Television
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Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
Blogging For Human Rights
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I’m afraid I have allowed May 15 to come without being fully prepared. I was hoping to post something about the human violations in the Philippines that has continued to proliferate, like the case of missing and killed journalists and other people who have campaigned against the government, the unfortunate children being trafficked by greedy men and women, sold to slavery and prostitution, for money, the untold tales of women being sexually abused, even in their own homes, and are forced to keep quiet in fear of being killed or their loved ones being harmed, and of OFWs being continually abused by their employers...
Source: Prudence and Madness - May 15, 2008 Authors: Prudence Tags: News And Social Issues bloggers unite for human rights
Dear Angry Pharmacist
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I really like your blog. In fact, I rarely comment because I almost always agree with you. Unfortunately, this means I can't remember which form of my Username I used to create an account to allow me to comment; either that, or my new computer has cookie issues. In any event, although your recent post about your hellacious Friday was heartrending -- and didn't actually say anything about me at all -- someone was kind enough (no sarcasm; traffic has been through the roof) to link to me in your comments. Many (many!) others have since come here and commented as well, so I'd like to address those folks directly.I'd just like ...
Source: Musings of a Dinosaur - May 15, 2008
The Googler-in-chief on The Internets
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Came across a video similar to this one on cnn.com today and thought I’d go on The Google and see if I could find a YouTube version to post for y’all. This is not exactly the same but it’s essentially the same basic story - classic Bushims! Ain’t the internets a wonderful thing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_is9YqLj8Mo
Source: Baggas' Blog - May 15, 2008 Authors: baggas Tags: Humour Internet Video bush youtube
Quirky
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Inspired by Sterkworks, I stole her meme.Do you read Sterkworks, the ex-mormon lesbian blogger? If not, you should. She's very raw with her feelings. Her responses to this meme absolutely cracked me up.So, even though I wasn't tagged, I stole it.Six Quirky Things About FDI lay out "fire clothes and shoes" by my bed and then sleep naked.I compulsively pick Big Dog's eye boogers and will dig out his ears with my fingers if I can't find a cotton swab.Whenever I see a police car on the road, I turn onto a side street and my pulse speeds up while I check my rearview mirror to see if it is following me. I'm afraid of live fish a...
Source: Fat Doctor - May 15, 2008 Tags: memes family blogging animals
Insidermedicine
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I would like to thank Insidermedicine for their continuing sponsorship at Kevin, M.D.Insidermedicine (www.insidermedicine.com) is a physician-led news organization that allows you to keep on top of the latest medical information by watching unique videos that are created each and every weekday by Insidermedicine's team of medical experts. Their goal is to reach patients, medical doctors and students around the world to ensure that each is receiving a daily 'evidence based' health and medical update.Given their wide and diverse audience, Insidermedicine offers health and medical content that is unique for their viewers. Her...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 15, 2008
The Punisher and the “Coast Guard Cocktail”
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scene from Punisher: Force of Nature (By Swierczynski and Lacombe)
The “Coast Guard Cocktail” is a sea-sickness remedy of legendary fame. Like many legends, it’s not entirely clear how much is truth, and how much is myth. I’ve seen many references to the cocktail, but I’ve never met anyone who’s actually taken it. Was it actually dispensed, or at least condoned, by the Coast Guard, or is the name supposed to be a slur against them (as in “they need sea-sickness pills”)?
The medicine behind the cocktail is sound, if a bit excessive. Two separate pills make up the treatment. Th...
Source: Polite Dissent - May 15, 2008 Authors: Scott Tags: newtag
links for 2008-05-15
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Results for '+series:"national ambulatory medical care survey series", -availability:restricted'
National Ambulatory Medical Survey
Source: Family Medicine Notes - May 15, 2008 Authors: Jacob
Change of Shift, Vol. 2, No. 23
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Welcome to Change of Shift, a regular rounds of the best posts in the Nursing blogosphere! It is an honor to be the third physician moderator of this grand gathering. This carnival of posts comes to you live from Asia, in the Philippines!I have always held nurses in high esteem even when I was a medical student. Sure, doctors do all the critical medical decision-making, but the nurses play critical roles in making sure that all the important clinical decisions happen. Without nurses, a doctor's life would be empty and crippled.So, on with the show......EDITOR's Choice Post - Do you have anything there to wipe off my tears?...
Source: .PARALLEL UNIVERSES. - May 15, 2008 Authors: Dr. Emer
MedBlog Power 8
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5/13/2008 - 5/20/2008Next revision: 5/20/2008(Key: Rank, Blog name, Last week's rank, Post of note)1) Health Beat (3), Health Care Reform Via Focus Group2) WSJ Health Blog (2), Doctor Shortage is ‘Coming On Like A Freight Train’3) The Happy Hospitalist (1), Doctoring From The Back Seat4) Musings of a Dinosaur (7), Managing Risk5) DB's Medical Rants (4), Reasons to become a doctor6) Dr. Wes (5), MacGyver Moments in Medicine7) Buckeye Surgeon (-), Surgeon Tryouts8) Not Totally Rad (-), The Radiologic Appearance of Acute Kindle-itisThe MedBlog Power 8 is a list of medical blogs that have had an exceptional week of bloggi...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
Fast Break Up
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Source: Tundra Medicine Dreams - May 14, 2008 Tags: Tundra Life
What Is a Kuspuk?
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Source: Tundra Medicine Dreams - May 14, 2008 Tags: Tundra Life
"Isn't it time we had a health system run by doctors?"
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Ezra Klein makes some sense in analyzing a potentially politically feasible approach to reform.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
Cathole
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(via The Happy Hospitalist)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
The bias against physicians leading health IT
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Health Care Renewal: "I believe this and related stereotypes about physicians are a driver and an enabler (either through genuine belief or through disingenuous opportunism) of much that ails medicine today through the interference of non-medical outsiders. The fundamental message is that physicians are children who cannot do anything more than medicine, and require 'a village' of paternalistic non-medical outsiders to manage their affairs."
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
One click
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Cool ad.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
99233
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Coding clinic continues.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
What do emergency physicians do?
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Here's a taste.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
The public's confusion
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This makes some sense as to why reform is so difficult in America:Lake is not interested in explaining reform; her goal is to market reform. And how do you market a product? By appealing to prejudices, and playing on the ignorance of your audience. If they think a yellow box make it a friendlier product, then put it in a yellow box.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
Cigarette Smoke Ruminations
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I thought of this post while I was smoking a precious cigarette at the back of the clinic when there was a lull in the onslaught of patients for the day. It felt good to be having that moment, no matter how brief it was. I kind of miss being with myself, mulling over things, from the most mundane to the weirdest shit.
There are times when I wanted to speed up the days and the nights, so I might come to those most anticipated times, skipping over the stale ones. It is as if there are just so many things to do and I want it all finished in a snap and see the results…so that I could move to doing some more things,...
Source: Prudence and Madness - May 14, 2008 Authors: Prudence Tags: Lifelogs ruminations
iFluoroscope
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Pretty funny. (via Dr. Wes)
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
Amazon Kindle and radiology
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How's the screen for viewing plain films?The results? Not too shabby. Although it wouldn't fly for diagnostic purposes, the lace-like pattern of sarcoid in the distal phalanx can still be seen well enough for educational purposes. Of the two dithering modes, I think I prefer the Atkinson algorithm. Also, I have found that an image looks a lot better when it is sized large enough to completely fill the Kindle screen.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 14, 2008
What I’ve Been Doing Today - 2008-05-14
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I’ve finally achieved my century of eBay feedback - currently 104 not out with a blue star, though I really need to stay away from eBay… #
looking at the Federal budget - our family loses a fair bit on this one. First time I can remember actually being worse off after a budget #
Source: Baggas' Blog - May 14, 2008 Tags: Twitter
Grace 4 U2
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This is a re-post from several years ago, to quell the restless masses until time permits me to write something afresh.
After seemingly endless weeks recently of watching Tom Cruise air-box, jump on chairs, pontificate on depression, and talk about the idiocy of Scientology, it’s definitely refreshing — yea, one might even say a veritable antidepressant — to have some sanity expressed by another celebrity who appears to have a more rational cerebrum (although, granted, not as much of a pretty boy). Swiftly and with Style (HT: In the Agora) finds an intriguing quote from Bono, of U2 fame, in his boo...
Source: The Doctor Is In - May 14, 2008 Authors: Dr Bob Tags: Politics & Culture Faith & Religion
