MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'dr john'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:26:35 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181897&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F09%2F01%2Fsxsw-2012-psychology-picks-need-your-vote%2F Time is running out to vote for some of your favorite SXSW 2012 Interactive panel ideas through the SXSW panel picker (Friday at midnight is the deadline). Yes, you need to register a free account in order to vote, but it takes only a minute to do so. I’ve organized a panel again for consideration, as have some other psychologists and professionals. I’ve highlighted three panels I’d like you to vote a big thumbs-up on, if you have a minute today. While people’s votes only constitute 30 percent of how a panel idea is chosen to present at SXSW Interactive, it’s an important part of the process that helps the organizers make the tough decisions. The panel I’ve proposed is about online therapy. But not your everyday kind of online therapy… Click on th... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181897 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:14:46 +0100 5181897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575055&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Funiversal-cardiac-screening-for-all-young-athletes%2F2011.03.11 It’s heart wrenching when young athletes die of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Last week the death of Wes Leonard, a Michigan high school star athlete, was especially poignant since he collapsed right after making the game-winning shot. This sort of tragedy occurs about one hundred times each year in America. That’s a lot of sadness. The obvious question is: Could these deaths be prevented? Let’s start with what actually happens. Most cases of sudden death in young people occur as a result of either hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an abnormal thickening of heart muscle, or long QT syndrome (LQTS), a mostly inherited disease of the heart’s electrical system. Both HCM and LQTS predispose the heart to ventricular fibrillation — electrical chaos of the pumping chamber of the he... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575055 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 22:00:35 +0100 4575055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4552058&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fis-turbulence-good-for-the-heart%2F2011.03.05 It’s hard to believe that turbulence could be a good thing for the heart. Consider how the word turbulent is defined: “Characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not controlled or calm.” Those traits don’t sound very heart-healthy. But when it comes to heart rhythm, it turns out that a turbulent response — to a premature beat — is better than a blunted one. The more turbulent the better. No, you haven’t missed anything, and turbulence isn’t another of my typos. Until [recently], heart rate turbulence was an obscure phenomenon buried in the bowels of heart rhythm journals. What Is Heart Rate Turbulence (HRT)? When you listen to the heart of a young physically-fit patient, you are struck not just by the slowness of the heartbeat, but also by the variability... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4552058 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:27 +0100 4552058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522106&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-thank-you-a-day%2F2011.02.25 This is a guest post by Dr. John Schumann. ********** I just read the book “365 Thank Yous” by John Kralik. I heard an interview with the author on NPR and it caught my attention. Kralik had been down on his luck in 2007: Divorced twice, overweight, with a struggling law firm that he’d started, he was also failing in a new romantic relationship. He was worried about losing his seven-year-old daughter, too, in a custody dispute. He made a momentous decision: Instead of feeling sorry for himself (easy to do given his predicaments), he decided to be grateful for what he had. To show it, he vowed to write a thank-you note every day for the next year. What do you think happened? His life changed for the better. His relationship improved. His clients started paying their bills... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522106 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:00:00 +0100 4522106 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4512394&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-are-sponges%2F2011.02.23 I am a doctor. Go ahead, call me what you may. Group me into a neatly, prejudged category: “All you doctors.” Just don’t label me a sponge. That’s right. Recently in the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Andy Kessler, famous author and former hedge fund manager smart enough to turn $100 million into $1 billion, grouped doctors into a sub-category of the service economy which he labeled as “sponges.” We could have done worse: His other categories included “sloppers” (DMV workers), “slimers” (financial planners), and “thieves” (cable companies). It seems that doctors — along with cosmetologists, lawyers, and real estate brokers — offend him because of the tests and licenses that we deem necessary: Sponges are those who earned t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4512394 Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:00:37 +0100 4512394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501588&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdiet-soda-and-your-risk-for-heart-attack-or-stroke%2F2011.02.20 It tastes sweet. It’s pleasurably fizzy. And free of calories. What’s more, the FDA says NutraSweet (aspartame) is safe. So what’s not to like about diet soft drinks? A bunch. The ongoing debate about the healthiness of diet soft drinks reminds me of the old adage, “If something sounds to be true, it probably is.” Artificially-sweetened “diet” drinks get touted as healthy alternatives to sugary drinks because they contain no calories or carbohydrates. On paper it seems plausible to think they are inert, no more dangerous than water. The Coca-Cola Company sublimely strengthens this assertion by putting a big red heart on Diet Coke cans. But diet-cola news (Los Angeles Times) presented at the International Stroke Conference 2011 suggests otherwise. This widely-publ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501588 Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:00:45 +0100 4501588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464497&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftickle-liposuction%2F2011.02.11 Liposuction (aka “lipo”) is plastic surgery’s “gimmick procedure” having had more angles applied to it than a child’s toy. But there’s money to be made in fat reduction, so the gimmicks will just keep coming. Enter “tickle” lipo, a new technology superimposed on the liposuction game. In this newer version of the basic liposuction technique, the cannula — the instrument used to remove the fat — vibrates like a whip inside your fatty layers. This supposedly helps remove the fat more evenly and with less pain. Tickle lipo looks like a hybrid between two other forms of lipo already on the market: Power-assisted liposuction (PALS) in which a motorized cannula breaks up the fat, and ultrasonic liposuction in which sound waves do it. Will tickle l... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464497 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:00:59 +0100 4464497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424234&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-and-aging-5-things-to-help-good-doctors-stay-good-longer%2F2011.02.01 I asked my age-matched colleague the other day: “Do you think we’ll know when it happens to us?” He responded: “I know. I worry about that, too…a lot. I’m getting out before it happens to me.” We were talking about our fears of being labeled as an “old” doctor.  Not just old in years — our children and bifocals remind of us of that — but old in our mindset. We fear becoming one of the dinosaur doctors who get known for their excessive attachment to old dogma, premature dismissiveness of novel new approaches, fear of social media, and of course the tell-tail (pathognomonic) sign of agedness, ranting mindlessly in front of Fox news about healthcare reform in the doctor’s lounge. This transition can happen fast. One moment a doctor might be in their s... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424234 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:00:27 +0100 4424234 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405777&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbreast-implants-and-lymphoma-new-safety-alert-from-the-fda%2F2011.01.27 From the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety alert yesterday: ISSUE: The FDA announced a possible association between saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a very rare type of cancer. Data reviewed by the FDA suggest that patients with breast implants may have a very small but significant risk of ALCL in the scar capsule adjacent to the implant. BACKGROUND: In total, the agency is aware of about 60 cases of ALCL in women with breast implants worldwide. This number is difficult to verify because not all cases were published in the scientific literature and some may be duplicate reports. An estimated 5 million to 10 million women worldwide have breast implants. According to the National Cancer Institute, ALCL appears in different pa... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405777 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:00:36 +0100 4405777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4389182&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbaby-boomers-2011-a-new-frontier-with-few-guideposts%2F2011.01.23 This is a guest post by Dr. John Schumann. ********** In 2011, the first wave of baby boomers will turn 65 years old. Sixty-five still has currency because that’s the age at which non-disabled Americans are eligible to be covered under the Medicare program (now itself having reached middle age). As our economy continues to recover (hopefully) from the Great Recession, the entrance of millions of Americans to the Medicare rolls over the next decade and a half will be a formidable planning challenge. Look at this chart to see how the baby boomers population has surged: So is the promise of healthcare reform (the “PPACA“), which will enlarge Medicaid by an additional 16 million Americans — about half of the projected growth in coverage for those currently uninsured.... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4389182 Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4389182 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314008&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fliposuction-related-death-and-finding-a-safe-doctor%2F2011.01.05 From the Chicago Tribune: A 35-year-old woman who wanted to resculpt herself for the new year with liposuction and a buttocks enhancement is dead from apparent complications of plastic surgery, her husband and lawyer said Thursday. Miami customer service representative Lidvian Zelaya died Monday, hours after the operation began at Strax Rejuvenation and Aesthetics Institute, a busy cosmetic surgery practice in Lauderhill. Zelaya went to Strax to have fat suctioned from her back and belly, and to have the material injected into her backside, family representatives said. She chose Strax because she got a good deal. Aronfeld said the operation was to be done by Dr. Roger L. Gordon. He was disciplined by the state in connection with two plastic surgery deaths in 2004. This is getting ridiculou... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314008 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:00:26 +0100 4314008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300551&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fremembering-gene-goldwasser-discoverer-of-epo-a-cure-for-anemia%2F2010.12.30 Gene Goldwasser died last week. He was 88, and he was my friend. I wrote previously about a series of conversations I conducted with Gene and Rabbi A.J. Wolf a few years ago. I met Gene one spring day after calling to invite him to sit in on a class I was teaching to a small group of medical students about social issues in healthcare. I’d read about him in a book called “The $800 Million Pill,” by Merrill Goozner. In the book, Goozner writes the story of Gene’s two-decade hunt to isolate the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). Part of the story relates how Gene tried to interest traditional big pharma companies in his discovery, only to be brushed aside. Instead, Gene wound up sharing his discovery with what became Amgen. The company went on to make a windfall from recomb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300551 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4300551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4294633&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fabout-scar-prevention-and-treatment%2F2010.12.27 I saw a Scarguard product on sale at a drugstore locally. The claims on the packaging were over the top as usual: 1. “Guards against new scars forming” – Difficult to prove. 2. “Flattens and shrinks old scars” – Not really. 3. “Scarguard is the #1 choice of plastic surgeons” – Really? Nobody asked me. Scar treatment is pretty simple. Avoid wounding if you can. If you have plastic surgery, seek a skilled surgeon who will spend the time to do the best. After surgery avoid sunlight and smoking, and consider scar massage as directed by your surgeon. This “Scarguard” product is not going to make a bad scar much better unless it is applied early, and even then the results are debatable. - John Di Saia, M.D. *This blog post was originally published at Trut... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4294633 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 15:00:30 +0100 4294633 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4281315&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-morning-exercise-is-best%2F2010.12.22 It’s the time of the year when dietary temptations lurk around every corner of the hospital. And since completely abstaining is not always possible, the best antidote for this holiday deluge of inflammation is obvious: Exercise. No doubt, within the boundaries of common sense, all exercise is good. But is there a best time of day to exercise? Tara Parker-Pope’s New York Times piece suggests that the most “productive” time of day to exercise is before breakfast. In concisely reviewing a Belgian exercise physiology study, Ms. Parker-Pope points out that, in blunting the undesirable effects of a high fat and sugar diet, pre-breakast (fasting) exercise was metabolically more efficient than was exercise later in the day. That’s really good news for the overweight... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4281315 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0100 4281315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265733&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmilitary-plastic-surgery-using-liposuction-to-make-the-weight-cut%2F2010.12.18 The Orange County Register blog posted on military plastic surgery and mentioned liposuction: Army Times reports that soldiers are turning to liposuction to remove fat if extreme dieting, laxatives and other methods fail to get them under the Army’s weight limit for their height, age and gender. “Liposuction saved my career. Laxatives and starvation before an [Army Physical Fitness Test] sustains my career,” a soldier told the periodical. “Soldiers are using liposuction, laxatives and starvation to meet height and weight standards. I did, do and still do.” I am well aware of the military patient looking to stay within military parameters to stay in the service as my San Clemente office is quite close to Camp Pendleton, and I give military discounts. I have seen several of these p... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265733 Sat, 18 Dec 2010 17:00:47 +0100 4265733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265742&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fintegrative-medicine-as-the-butt-of-a-hoax%2F2010.12.16 In 1996, Alan Sokal got a bogus paper published in the journal Social Text. It was a parody full of meaningless statements in the jargon of postmodern philosophy and cultural studies. The editors couldn’t tell the difference between Sokal’s nonsense and the usual articles they publish. Now a British professor of medical education, Dr. John McLachlan, has perpetrated a similar hoax on supporters of so-called “integrative” medicine. He reports his prank in an article in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). After receiving an invitation to submit papers to an International Conference on Integrative Medicine, he invented a ridiculous story about a new form of reflexology and acupuncture with points represented by a homunculus map on the buttocks. He claimed to have done studies showing ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265742 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:20 +0100 4265742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4253138&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-heart-and-the-holidays%2F2010.12.12 The human heart resides in a lighltless 98.6-degree chest cavity. Its contracting muscles are further cushioned by the well-lubricated glistening smooth pericardial sac. One wouldn’t think that the heart could sense the time of year. The heart’s rhythm should remain independent of the holiday season. But then there is December in the EP lab. They are as busy as the malls. Is it the depressing weather? Or the short days? Or a post-Thanksgiving hangover? It’s hard to say, but every year for as many as I can remember, the EP lab rocks in November and December. And with the advent of deductible health plans, this holiday phenomenon has only intensified. The I-90 of the heart, the AV node, seems to give out more in the holidays. I’ll never forget the Saturday in Decembe... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4253138 Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4253138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249058&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbreast-implants-under-local-anesthesia%2F2010.12.10 Reader question: A surgeon I’m thinking about seeing said on his website that breast implants were able to be done under local + intravenous anesthetic (like twilight). Can this really be done? I always thought it was too invasive for just twilight, especially if it is under the muscle. Is there an advantage to using twilight? After looking it up, there are lots of differing opinions out there, but I think that this may just be a way for the surgeon to cut costs. What is the cosmetic surgery truth here, Dr. D? I am not a fan of local anesthesia or twilight sleep for breast implant surgery except in rare cases (simple redos and such). The reasons are patient comfort and practicality. I place most of my breast implants under the pectoral muscles, and these muscles need to be relaxed for th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249058 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:00:25 +0100 4249058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4237943&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F12%2F07%2Fbest-of-our-blogs-december-7-2010%2F When my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more than 10 years ago, I thought my family would fall apart. My mom and her siblings had a few years earlier, lost their father. And now they would inevitably lose their mother in spirit. At that time, I was in my early twenties and had the luxury of never really knowing the woman my family was afraid of losing. I took that opportunity to really be with her, get to know her and listen to what she had to say when she could say it. Those moments would prove valuable to me. After she was unable to live by herself, my family moved her to a care home. Although she couldn’t remember who I was when I visited, she would always remember my name. She would often count me as one of her daughters instead of her granddaughter. Her ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4237943 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:38:28 +0100 4237943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4203160&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Flots-of-thanksgiving%2F2010.11.25 A mom who took care of us kids far better than she did herself, always. A Dad whose advice grew better with years, although it was good then. Two brothers and a sister to share a driveway basketball court with, rain or shine. The infinite love of grandparents, who lived within hollering distance over an old Connecticut stone wall. A high school guidance counselor who said I wasn’t smart enough to go to medical school. A college biology professor who rolled out a cart of beers on that first Friday evening research conference. That I watched the movie “Hoosiers” and thought to look at Indiana University for residency, and while there met so many dedicated cardiology teachers. That I have so many great colleagues to work with now. Immersing oneself in a sea of committed peo... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4203160 Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:00:00 +0100 4203160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197063&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-doctors-should-be-less-like-chuck-yeager-and-more-like-captain-sullenberger%2F2010.11.24 A recent medical error of a wrong-site surgery that occurred in one of the country’s best hospitals, Massachusetts General, reminded me why doctors need to be less like Chuck Yeager and more like Captain Sullenberger. Growing up, I always wanted to be a fighter pilot, years before the movie “Top Gun” became a part of the American lexicon. My hero was World War II pilot Chuck Yeager, who later became one of the country’s premier test pilots flying experimental jet and rocket propelled planes in a time when they were dangerous, unpredictable, and unreliable. Much like the astronauts in the movie “The Right Stuff,” Yeager and his colleagues literally flew by the seat of their pants, made it up as they went along, and never really knew if their maiden flight... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197063 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:00:00 +0100 4197063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183294&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-twinkie-diet%2F2010.11.19 “Hey…where did those cupcakes go?” Like a never-ending western North Carolina climb where each switchback reveals another uphill, and the finish is shielded by tall pines, the struggle to lose weight and to stay lean is incessant. In wrestling weight gain, competitive cyclists share the same mat as “regular” Americans. Like jockeys, all competitive bike racers strive for maximal leanness. It’s physics: Weigh less and the same number of watts push you farther and faster, especially when going uphill or accelerating from a slow speed. Remember those velocity problems in Physics 101? But is it conceivable that losing weight — even if accompanied by lower cholesterol levels — could be detrimental to long-term wellness? Obviously, the question answers itself... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183294 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4183294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175692&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-doctors-make-mistakes-about-humanness-and-perfection%2F2010.11.17 The best part of doctoring is its humanness. Machines can’t do it — not even Apple products. But that’s the worst part, too. Since humans practice medicine, there will be “medical errors.” And when doctors err, people — not spreadsheets or profits — are hurt. That’s the rub. Like any endeavor, the greater the reward the greater the risk.  Those cards were put on the table in medical school. “Don’t want mistakes? Don’t do anything. Don’t make any decisions. Don’t do any procedures. Then, there will be no errors,”  the grey-haired, Swiss-born cardiac surgeon counseled me many years ago after an imperfect ablation. The headline was about a doctor’s error. It was a doozy. But for me, the story belies t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175692 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:00:00 +0100 4175692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4172060&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcaregivers%2F2010.11.16 It was a straightforward phone message (names changed): “Hey Dr. S., this is Bobbie Jones, April Dixon’s granddaughter. I was calling to inform you that April passed away today at City Hospital. They said she was bleeding in her stomach or something. I’m not quite what sure what happened, but she got real sick. But she’s gone, so, thanks so much. You’ve been a real neat doctor, and it’s been good working with you through the years taking care of my grandmother. Take care. Bye.” Bobbie Jones is a saint. Pure and simple. She took care of her 88-year-old grandmother with tender, loving care. I am certain if left to the vagaries of the “healthcare system” that her grandmother would have died at least three years ago, maybe earlier. Ms. Jone... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4172060 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:00:00 +0100 4172060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159239&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fis-the-young-pharmaceutical-rep-right%2F2010.11.12 I loved my old status. Perhaps, reveled in it would be a better description. I was a crotchety, generic medicine-only doctor.** Sadly, my status changed today. Dabigatran (brand name Pradaxa) was the culprit. It was a little nerve racking. I wrote the order, looked at it, thought it out again, talking to myself: “John, are you sure you don’t want to do it the old way? [pause to think] No, I am embracing the new.”  And then, I closed the chart and handed it to the nurse. “What’s that? Pradaxa?” asked the nurse. “Stop the Lovenox? You sure?” My face must have told the story. Eight days had passed since dabigatran’s approval. “That’s plenty of time to mourn warfarin’s demise,” I thought. Enough studies, enough bl... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159239 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4159239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4142749&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-the-elderly-benefit-from-the-fury-of-american-medicine%2F2010.11.07 I don’t consider myself a right-wing healthcare fear monger, but if I were this study would be worthy of amplification. As reported concisely in the New York Times, from the journal Demography (not previously known to me), population researchers reported that even though elderly Americans have more medical problems than their peers in Britain, older Americans live longer once they make it to 70. Why would this be? Is it because Americans who reach 70 are “heartier” than Britons, as Columbia University PhD (but now on leave and working at HHS) Sherry Giled says. Or is better survival of the American elderly one of the benefits of the “fury of American medicine?” (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Dr John M* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4142749 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4142749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133834&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F11%2F02%2Fthomas-bornemann-ed-d-on-the-26th-annual-carter-symposium-on-mental-health-policy%2F Psych Central will again be partnering with The Carter Center to bring you media coverage of the 26th Annual Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy. This year’s symposium focuses on the unique challenges for mental health care and community reintegration faced by National Guard and reserve veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The event will also be webcast live on The Carter Center’s website. Recently, I had the pleasure to sit down with Thomas H. Bornemann, Ed.D., the Director of the Carter Center Mental Health Program to talk to him about this year’s symposium agenda. John M. Grohol, Psy.D.:  So talk to me a little bit about the theme of this year’s symposium. I understand it has to do with policy surrounding helping vets gets access to mental health c... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133834 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:03:05 +0100 4133834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118933&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysician-referrals-be-daring-and-ask-for-a-special-order%2F2010.10.28 As a specialist, one of the saddest truisms about practicing medicine in the private world has always been how little one’s clinical skills determines referrals. Unfortunately, as our present healthcare climate pushes “providers” to consolidate along the lines of major hospital networks this injustice will only worsen. A decade or so ago when I started private practice it was obvious that referrals came to me because of my association with an established group. This association was essential, as one could have been the next Michael Jordan of electrophysiology, but referrals would still have gone along historic lines, to the favored group. It would have taken a Herculean effort, over years, to encroach upon such long-established referral patterns, etched over the bonds of ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118933 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:00:00 +0100 4118933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097940&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwaiting-for-the-doctor-can-be-a-blessing%2F2010.10.22 I have an easy solution to a vexing problem in today’s healthcare crisis. A problem so widespread that it’s worth hundreds of words in the Wall Street Journal: Long wait times at the doctor’s office. But first, before I give my simple, pragmatic, master-of-the-obvious solution, let me say something truthful: I try. I try really hard — to run on time, that is. I’ve been there myself — a patient in a gown, in a cold room with only big pharma-sponsored propaganda on the walls to stare at. At the risk of a sounding like a…blogger, let it be said that practicing quality medicine in the current luxury of technology is much more complicated than it used to be. Such complexity devours our most precious treasure: Time with the patient. (more…) *Th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097940 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:00:00 +0100 4097940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4098058&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F21%2Fbefore-you-burn-out-%25e2%2580%2593-cbt-for-the-therapist-a-conversation-with-dr-john-ludgate%2F Do you ever wonder about how your therapist does it? If you are a therapist, do you ever have a day when it takes everything in you not to reach over and slap your patient silly? Or raise a white flag in defeat? Occasionally people ask me, “How do you listen to peoples’ problems all day long without becoming depressed yourself?” The answer is the same for whatever the job is: we need to pay attention to balance. I do my best to balance the hours I dedicate to work, for family time, and for just plain old time off and play. But to be perfectly honest, there are those days when I find myself severely stressed out. It could be I’ve over-booked myself too many days in a row, or had a series of challenging sessions or maybe just one person I wonder if I’m really he... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4098058 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:46:51 +0100 4098058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4077244&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpublic-health-should-be-apolitical%2F2010.10.18 You can be for freedom. You can be for smaller government that intrudes less. You can be for lower taxes. You can be for most anything, but if you’re interested in improving the sagging health of American citizens, get on Michael Bloomberg’s wheel. As reported in the Wall Street Journal, NYC mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bar city residents from using food stamps to buy sugary soft drinks. It turns out that last year $135 million in food stamp money was used for the consumption of these obesity-fostering beverages in NYC alone. Mr Bloomberg is morphing into a real-world public health super star. Previously, he was a pioneer in banning smoking in restaurants and bars. They said it could not be done, or that it wouldn’t work. Well,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4077244 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4077244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074147&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F16%2Finterview-with-samhsa-administrator-pamela-hyde-jd%2F While at the Voice Awards, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat for a few minutes with the head of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Administrator Pamela Hyde, JD. Ms. Hyde is an attorney and comes to SAMHSA with more than 30 years experience in management and consulting for public healthcare and human services agencies. She has served as a state mental health director, state human services director, city housing and human services director, as well as CEO of a private non-profit managed behavioral healthcare firm. You can learn more about Ms. Hyde here. Dr. John Grohol: So I wanted to understand a little bit better how the Voice Awards originated. What was the motivation behind coming up with this novel sort of way of recognizing both consumers ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074147 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 15:09:01 +0100 4074147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053288&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsnorin-in-the-usa%2F2010.10.10 Guest post by Dr. John Henning Schumann I’m not a drum banger for the latest “epidemics” to come to media attention, whether it’s H1N1, Vitamin D, or getting your kids CAT-scanned routinely. But there comes a time in every blogger’s life when he must comment on something that does bubble up into consciousness a tad, shall we say, often. I’m talking here about an epidemic that we are learning more about each passing day. Something that you or someone you know or sleep with may be diagnosed with, and ultimately treated for (an interesting national problem in its own right): Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). What is it, you ask? A new national scourge? Stop the presses! Can I catch it? (more…) *This blog post was originally published at ACP Hospi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053288 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0100 4053288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4053292&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-the-body-rights-itself%2F2010.10.09 It’s been a very busy few weeks. Medicine is like that — seldom is “business” steady. Like rainy weeks in the southeast when you think it will never be sunny again, there are weeks when you think everyone’s atria are fibrillating. So there were shocks, and burns, and wires installed. The heart rhythm was rocking, and so were we. But in all this fury two cases stand out as a reminder that in spite of, not always because of, what we doctors do, the human body can right itself — like it did before their were drugs, procedures, and surgery. (Keep this quiet, though.) Case 1: A semi-emergent consultation for atrial flutter (AF’s crazy sister) came in. “Something has to be done, Dr. M,” was the message. She was symptomatic and scared (not nec... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4053292 Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4053292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027158&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-ppaca-does-it-pass-the-playground-test%2F2010.10.03 Could understanding the tacit rules which govern play on a neighborhood playground help us explain why some aspects of implementing healthcare reform are unlikely to succeed? Recent news involving McDonald’s Corporation suggests so. On the playground, there are some simple precepts — like the fact that older and stronger kids get to make up the game, and the rules. That’s understood and mostly okay. As if these leaders are considered modestly benevolent and the rules are workable, the game is good and all benefit. And all players on the playground know this basic tenet of fairness: That the rules of the game shouldn’t change in the midst of the competition, and, taking it one step further, if the rules have to be changed they weren’t very good in the first pla... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027158 Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4027158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4002882&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fin-front-of-the-mirror-of-middle-age%2F2010.09.26 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” An intermission, the curtain has closed on youth, but the next act awaits. Caring for hiccups of the heart, like atrial fibrillation for example, often throws me in front of the mirror, of middle age that is, and sadly the reflections show imperfections. Since I am middle aged myself, there are my own experiences. But everyday at work, on my job site, I see the effects of these same middle-age experiences on the atrium of my patients. The results are often profound. So must be the pressures. I read a passage in the wee hours of the quiet morning, in the dark, with a flickering book light. It grabbed me. It is from Elisabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, Olive Kitteridge. (more…) *This blog post was... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4002882 Sun, 26 Sep 2010 21:00:00 +0100 4002882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3957912&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fletting-doctors-care-for-their-patients%2F2010.09.10 “Ouch! That really hurts! You win, please stop torquing my arm behind my back. “Uncle! I said, Uncle!!” Yes, the threshold has been reached. We docs no longer need a tennis court or a Mercedes, our kids are fine in public schools, and we will happily buy our own damn pens. But, please, just give us some modicum of autonomy. Throw us a measly scrap and let us take care of our patients as we see best. Like Dr. Saul Greenfield so beautifully said today in the Wall Street Journal. The paragraph that stood out the most for me is as follows: Physician autonomy is a major defense against those who comfortably sit in remote offices and make calculations based on concerns other than an individual patient’s welfare. Uniformity of practice is a nonsensical goal that fails to a... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3957912 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 22:00:00 +0100 3957912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858153&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ffixing-up-primary-care-is-anyone-home%2F2010.08.11 By John Henning Schumann, M.D. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka “Health Care Reform”) signed by President Obama in March will revolutionize primary care in the United States. By 2014 tens of millions of uninsured people will “enter” the system by being granted insurance, either through expansion of the Medicaid program or through mandated purchasing of insurance via state pools or the private market. This alone will have a profound impact, straining the capacity of our already frayed system. Therefore, embedded in the law are funds to encourage growth and improvement in primary care: Incentives to encourage graduates to enter primary care fields (family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics) and practice in underserved areas (through scholar... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858153 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:00:00 +0100 3858153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3588842&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F5-supplement-prescription-interactions-you-want-to-avoid-from-our-hunky-naturopath%2F All you supplement-takers and prescription-users, listen up: We’re all for tapping into your inner mixologist, but keep it to the cocktails. Blisstree’s resident hot naturopathic doctor, John Dempster, gave us the heads up about some dangerous supplement-prescription drug mixes that you may want to avoid. Check out the top five risky mixtures: 1. Milk Thistle and Birth Control Pills Milk Thistle, a powerful liver tonifier and popular detox supplement, may actually flush external hormones through the body along with last night’s cocktail. It has the potential to increase the clearance of external hormones – like the trusty Pill. While the risk is small, it still exists. Thus, a quick reminder for those self-prescribing liver cleanses to consult with a health care profess... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3588842 Fri, 21 May 2010 15:09:52 +0100 3588842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585562&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2F5-supplement-prescription-interactions-you-want-to-avoid-from-our-hunky-naturopath%2F All you supplement-takers and prescription-users, listen up: We’re all for tapping into your inner mixologist, but keep it to the cocktails. Blisstree’s resident hot naturopath, Dr. John Dempster, gave us the heads up about some dangerous supplement-prescription drug mixes that you should probably avoid. Check out the top five risky mixtures: 1. Milk Thistle and Birth Control Pills Milk Thistle, a powerful liver tonifier and popular detox supplement, may actually flush external hormones through the body along with last night’s cocktail.  has the potential to increase the clearance of external hormones – like the trusty Pill. While the risk is small, it still exists. Thus  a quick reminder for those self-prescribing liver cleanses to consult with a healthcare profe... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585562 Fri, 21 May 2010 15:09:52 +0100 3585562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3566660&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F05%2F15%2Ftherapists-why-are-you-using-social-networking%2F The debate around the problems associated with social networking for therapists has been heated and complex (see Google and Facebook, Therapists and Clients by Dr. John Grohol).  Regardless of this ongoing dialogue, the reality is many therapists are engaged in social networking and that’s likely not going to change any time soon. What I’m curious to know is not the problems with social networking — there are loads of comments on Dr. Grohol’s article listed above if you’d like to sound off there — but why you are networking in this way in the first place? Whether you’re active on Twitter, Facebook, Google Buzz or any other of the growing list of networking spots sprouting up all over the online landscape, what are your goals in doing so? Here are a few reasons that c... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3566660 Sat, 15 May 2010 10:05:43 +0100 3566660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3524111&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2F4-super-healthy-foods%2F2010.05.02 Raise your hand if you want to eat healthy. Healthy eating isn’t just good for cinching your waistline — it’s great for overall health. From glowing skin, to heart health, to maintaining healthy teeth and bones; eating foods packed with certain nutrients can also protect your immune system and fight infections.  It can boost your libido and decrease that lousy (LDL) cholesterol and boost your good (HDL) cholesterol. Healthy eating shouldn’t be a struggle. It’s easy to get sucked into the marketing trap when you’re food shopping and you encounter all those in-store specials. Sometimes, those specials are just bad for your health. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Health in 30* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3524111 Sun, 02 May 2010 12:00:50 +0100 3524111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429227&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F01%2Fmental-illness-cured%2F After working on these issues for the past 150 years, Psych Central is pleased to announce a final, simple cure for mental illness. “Yes, it’s been a long-time in the making, but we finally figured out how to cure mental illness,” said Founder and CEO of Psych Central, Dr. John Grohol. “The final push came 6 months ago, when we realized we had not only discovered the single mental illness gene, but how to deactivate it with simple products found in most people’s homes.” The cure comes on the heels of over 150 years of mental illness being recognized as something needing treatment. Serious mental disorders — things such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety and panic, ADHD — have long had a significant, negative impact in peo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429227 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:55:36 +0100 3429227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967424&cid=t_251526_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fcranham-on-patient-education-explaining-oral-health-function-and-beauty%2F I tell patients that there are three things to focus on. The first is biological issues that cause cavities or gum disease. Our first thing is to diagnose these issues. We know we can’t eliminate bacteria, but we can control it. We can create an environment that can be cleaned by the patient – smooth fillings, no deep periodontal pockets. This helps patients take care of their teeth, so they’re more likely to keep natural teeth for life. Secondly, we must control stress or forces on teeth. There has to be harmony with jaw, muscles, and teeth to distribute forces evenly. As we move the jaws, we want no damaging lateral forces on back teeth. We must establish balance with jaw movement. Lastly, we keep teeth looking natural for “invisible” dentistry. If a patient is unhappy with the... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967424 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:10:00 +0100 2967424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943954&cid=t_251526_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fcranham-on-swine-flu-and-infection-control%2F This is a personal interest for me since my son was premature and is at high risk for flu and illness. We’re always on top of these things. The Swine Flu has been a little blown out of proportion by the media in my opinion, but whatever strain of flu exists, it’s good for professionals to think at a high level for infection control – from how we wash hands to always wearing gloves to covering surfaces to sterilizing handpieces and lasers. It’s a great time to review these procedures that prevent disease transmission. We don’t need to go crazy, but we need to prioritize infection control. I think staff vaccinations should be a personal decision for each individual, not mandated by the government. For me, I get the vaccine, but I haven’t yet gotten the H1N1 vaccine because it’s... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943954 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:27:17 +0100 2943954 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912345&cid=t_251526_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fcranham%2Fcranham-on-case-presentation-patient-education%2F The primary patient education system that we have used and continue to utilize is GURU by Henry Schein. It’s interesting because it uses a combination of nice animations, with some video, but I like that it does not have a lot of audio. I retain the freedom to use the scrubber brush to go to certain parts of the animations and discuss it with the patient. With any patient education package, you have to retain the human touch. Not sure that the systems that you turn on and leave the patient to watch – I just don’t think they’re effective. I often use some photography in my discussion with a patient. At my office, we try to make the education unique to the patient. We also use Bite FX, which is oriented more to TMD issues. It’s not quite as well known, but it i... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912345 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:00:32 +0100 2912345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2871780&cid=t_251526_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fra4FPYhIx8k%2F You may never have heard of Dr. John J. Wild, but chances are very high that you’ve been affected by his work. Dr. Wild helped develop ultrasound for use in humans, with a focus on using it for diagnosing cancer. Dr. Wild was 95 years old when he died on September 18, in Edina, Minnesota. Born in Kent, United Kingdom, in 1914, Dr. Wild was a surgeon during World War II. His work in the war peaked his interest in finding ways to see inside the body without having to open it up. After immigrating to the United States in 1946, Dr. Wild continued his research. He and his colleagues developed a method to scan breast tumors, as well as vaginal and bowel tumors, and the technology took off from there. Another one of Dr. Wild’s inventions very likely has an impact on your life every da... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2871780 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:59:51 +0100 2871780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772500&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fhave-you-heard-of-the-hip-hop-docs%2F Meet the Hip Hop Docs They are doctors aiming to get the message to kids through hip hop. There’s Rani G Whitfield, a board certified family doctor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana who wants to  empower young people to change unhealthly lifestyles. By hip hop…     And then there’s Dr John Clarke from New York City who does the medical rap, writing his own lyrics about ssthma, diabetes, and HIV. Dr Clarke has just entered the 2009 Flu Prevention PSA Contest with his song about Swine  H1N1 Flu. You can vote for Dr Clarke’s entry or any of the other 9 entries at the flu.gov contest site.   Post from: Healthbolt (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772500 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:34:56 +0100 2772500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757948&cid=t_251526_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fcranham%2Fcranham-on-important-planning-for-new-and-seasoned-dentists%2F The most important thing young dentists can think about, beyond gaining clinical expertise and good business practices, is a long term financial plan. I use Cain Watters & Associates, which helped my wife and me establish goals for retirement, as well as life insurance and disability insurance. Security for your family must be worked into your budget, as should disability planning. Having a fixed point in time when you can retire or only work because you want to, not because you have to, gives great peace of mind. These things are possible for dentists, and the earlier you start, the better. I began at 34 and just turned 48, and despite highs and lows, I’m still on course to retire or choose at 55. But I can’t imagine quitting at 55! When a seasoned dentist like myself looks toward... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757948 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:41:24 +0100 2757948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737893&cid=t_251526_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fcranham-on-dentistry-in-the-recession%2F As dentists, we must consider how we act in diagnosis and treatment planning. It’s very important that we don’t stop doing comprehensive examinations. In my practice, we’ve still been seeing the same number of new patients. What’s changed is the speed at which patients want to complete treatment. Only after thorough diagnosis can you create a solid treatment plan. You must do X-Rays, photos, workups, etc. Many dentists have stopped doing thorough evaluations and exams, but this will lead to not creating good treatment plans. In this situation, you could actually create your own recession in your practice! Hold your patients’ hands now, and keep them stable and healthy. Some will do major dentistry now, but many phase their treatment to accommodate a reduced personal budget. My te... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737893 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:51:31 +0100 2737893 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2716102&cid=t_251526_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fcranham%2Fcranham-on-bruxism%2F No question, during these tough economic times, patients are prone to fiddling with their teeth. Bad oral habits, like chewing on ice or pens, teeth grinding, and biting, increase with stress. It is incumbent on us as dentists to realize that there are two main categories for dental problems – bacterial (gum disease and tooth decay) and functional. A patient may have normal occlusal function or the more underrated parafunctional activity, which often occurs during mundane activities while awake or sleep. During exams, dentists must look for signs such as tooth wear, mobility, and movement and instability that causes diastemas. Symptoms may include muscle pain, like temporal headaches, and excess force can also create TMJ problems. A through functional exam is key. If we see the problem, ... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2716102 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:59:52 +0100 2716102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2670961&cid=t_251526_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fcranham%2Fdr-cranham-on-amalgams%2F I have never believed that amalgam creates a major health issue, but that’s not to say some patients may be more sensitive than others, and for them, amalgam can be a problem. My practice has been amalgam free for 10 years because now we simply have better materials. There are benefits in terms of sealing and strenghtening the tooth with composite, as well as the estheitc issue. None of my patients want black or silver fillings, given the alternative. I will say, amalgam is the most forgiving material for fillings. If it’s impossible to isolate a tooth, amalgam is better than composite. In fact, a poor amalgam is better than a poor composite. When composite fillings fail, they fail big. Dentists have more room for error with silver filling materials. So there is still a time... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2670961 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:00:17 +0100 2670961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2667483&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F04%2Fcoalition-for-patients-rights-interview-with-dr-katherine-nordal%2F I recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Dr. Katherine Nordal from the Coalition for Patients’ Rights. She has also been the Executive Director for Professional Practice at the American Psychological Association (APA) since April 2008. She talked with me as a spokesperson for the Coalition for Patients’ Rights. Dr. John Grohol: To get started today, can you tell me a little bit about your professional background? Dr. Katherine Nordal: I came to the APA from Mississippi where I had been in independent practice for 28 years. I owned my own clinic. It was a small group practice. We had a rather diverse practice, everything from individual patient services to business consultation to working with the fire department and police departments and sheriff’s departm... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2667483 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:07:24 +0100 2667483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657772&cid=t_251526_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fcranham%2Fdr-john-cranhams-new-state-of-the-art-dental-office-training-facility-opens-in-virginia%2F Five weeks away from moving into our new office. The practice is building onto Bayview Dental Lab, where Mid-Atlantic Center for Advanced Dental Studies is located. Our new location will allow us to offer Dawson courses in Virginia, on site with our lab and my dental practice. We’ll have five operatories, and those will be used for the practice, as well as teaching hands-on Dawson courses. Course topics have a wide range, including dental records, treatment planing, restoration of anterior teeth, occlusal equilibration, and electives, like implants and advanced esthetics. Go towww.DawsonAcademy.com for full listing of courses and curriculum. You can see where the courses are going to be held and when. Dawson is also holding courses in the UK in England, in addition to Florida, and no... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657772 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:02:10 +0100 2657772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452703&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F06%2F05%2Fhow-do-you-find-a-good-therapist-an-interview-with-dr-john-grohol%2F Today I have the great pleasure of interviewing a hero of mine, the brilliant mind behind PsychCentral.com, the Internet’s largest and oldest mental health network … Dr. John Grohol. John is the CEO and founder of Psych Central and has been writing about mental health and psychology issues online since 1992. He lives with his wife and six cats north of Boston. I wanted tot interview him about therapy, since many of his blog posts deal with the relationship between therapist and patient, and I don’t think anyone else writes about it as candidly and intelligently as John. Question: In your very popular post “The 12 Most Annoying Bad Habits of Therapists,” you mention some red flags to watch out for. For folks who are currently shopping for the right shrink, ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452703 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:00:25 +0100 2452703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2258169&cid=t_251526_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F03%2F10%2Fsocial-networking-in-health-e-patients-data-privacy%2F Join Dr. John Grohol in a SXSW Core Conversation this Sunday in Austin, Texas. With the rise of social networking in health, the inevitable questions arise about patient’s data and privacy. But such networks also allow for aggregating data which can help people spot trends and changes in their own health. This discussion panel will discuss the pros and cons of such networking tools. This conversation couldn’t be more timely, with Google’s recent data leak just the latest in a long history of companies being unable to keep private data they promised they would. Questions to ask yourself — With Twitter and Facebook becoming so prevalent, does privacy even matter anymore? Should I be more or less concerned about the privacy of my health records? What about my mental he... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2258169 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:00:36 +0100 2258169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543087&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fhas-dr-john-briffa-taken-leave-of-his.html The British Diabetic Association, or Diabetes UK as it is now called, is one of the longest established and most respected medical charities in the country. I routinely advise all my diabetic patients to join it.Dr John Briffa is a qualified doctor and a purveyor of various concoctions of vitamins and minerals, some of which he has "designed" himself. A couple of days ago, we looked at BioCare SucroGuard (Blood Glucose Support). Sucroguard® is specially formulated by John Briffa. Dr Briffa trys to flog this patent medicine to treat patients who need “blood glucose support”. I have yet to find a reputable doctor who would endorse this product. If there is one, do email me.Dr Briffa has today moved on from flogging his pills to mounting a savage attack on Diabetes UK. Take a look at thi... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543087 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:15:00 +0100 1543087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543088&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fdr-john-briffa-and-quacktitioner-royal.html Dr John Briffa & the Quacktitioner RoyalStill reeling from Dr John Briffa’s attack on Diabetes UK, I was trying to work out exactly what Dr Briffa means when he describes himself as an “integrated” physician. As opposed to the rest of us, I suppose, who are presumably disintegrating.Finally, I have found an authority for “integrated” physicians. A Royal authority no less. Prince Charles, the Quacktitioner Royal, a man devoted to medical wibble, has his own website entitled “The Princes Foundation for Integrated Health” Factors like fulfilling work, strong communities, the buildings we live in, our relationship with the natural world and the food we eat directly affect our wellbeing. So the first step in integrated health is helping people to make choices that keep them w... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543088 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:50:00 +0100 1543088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1537879&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fdr-john-briffa-is-safe.html Dr Crippen in a quandaryThank God. Dr John Briffa is safe and so it his blog. For most of yesterday I was unable to access it. I assumed that meant it had gone but a little research with the help of those nice people at Holford Watch showed that it was only Dr Crippen who was unable to access “Dr Briffa : A good look at health”.Today, as if by magic, my access has been restored. Which has enabled me to read Dr Briffa’s latest post.Go to any medical educational meeting, and you’ll usually find individuals giving Powerpoint presentations that, when you boil down to it, sell the merits of a drug or device. Such presentations are usually delivered by doctors who are sometimes known as ‘key opinion leaders’ or ‘KOLs’. Being doctors, one might imagine that these doctors give thei... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1537879 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:28:00 +0100 1537879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1536434&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fdr-john-briffa-is-missing.html It seems only yesterday that I was saying I was worried about Dr John Briffa.I hope he did not take umbrage for now it seems that Dr John Briffa has gone missing. Well, he may not have (he is still here promoting vitamin and mineral pills) but his blog has. Maybe he felt weighed down by the furore that greeted his extraordinary post on MMR. Those missing him can always refresh their memories by popping over to this wide-ranging Briffa round up where some of his finest writing is preserved. (Source: NHS Blog Doctor) NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1536434 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:21:00 +0100 1536434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1501265&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fdr-john-briffa.html I am worried about Dr John Briffa.I have been aware of his website for some time but have been ignoring it, hoping it might go away. It has not. Most conventional doctors start to become uneasy when they hear the word “nutritionist”. Most so called “nutritionists” are not medically qualified and although many of them have a string of letters after their name, most of these "qualifications" are bogus. Available on a mail-order basis (please send an S.A.E) or awarded by institutions that they themselves have set up.There is nothing wrong with dietary advice and anyone out there wanting sound dietary advice need look no further than the British Dietetic Association which I frequently recommend to patients. There is nothing wrong with good nutrition either. Where most doctors part comp... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1501265 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:21:00 +0100 1501265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1353929&cid=t_251526_87_f&fid=34595&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnhsblogdoc.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fpatients-guide-to-medical-careers-find.html Is there a doctor in the house?Just caught up with the normally excellent Aphra Behn'sPatients' guide to Modernising Medical Careers.A couple of weeks ago there was a mass lobby of MPs organised by Remedy but sadly the turn out was not good. It is hard being last year's news. MTAS and MMC did reach public consciousness during the days of the blessed Patricia but I fear there is now a general perception that the problems have been solved. Tooke has been ignored. Polymath Darzi is casting an eye over the problem, therefore all is perceived to be well so let's move on.All is not well, and for many hospital doctors the only way of moving on is by leaving the profession or the country. We are all relieved that the Duke of Edinburgh has recovered from his bad cold but do you really think that,... NHS Blog Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1353929 Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:07:00 +0100 1353929