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 robert'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:43:32 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5077692&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysician-shows-gratitude-for-his-often-unappreciated-colleagues%2F2011.07.28 Today I would like to say thanks to a group of colleagues that too often go un-thanked. These would be my hospital-based internal medicine friends: hospitalists are what they are called. This idea came to me after reading Dr Robert Centor’s post on KevinMD. In his usual concise manner, he laments the lack of respect that many sub-specialists show hospitalists. I feel differently about my hard-working colleagues. As a sub, sub-specialist who works primarily in the hospital, I would like to say how grateful I am to have knowledgeable, hospital-based internists available. I believe, and write frequently about the importance of seeing the forest through the trees. A good doctor must see the big picture: a little atrial fib, for instance, isn’t a major problem if you can’t move, eat or ha... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5077692 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:00:54 +0100 5077692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4517169&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbook-review-tabloid-medicine-how-the-internet-is-being-used-to-hijack-medical-science-for-fear-and-profit%2F2011.02.24 This was the Guest Blog at Scientific American on February 23rd, 2011.  In his new book, “Tabloid Medicine: How The Internet Is Being Used to Hijack Medical Science for Fear and Profit,” Robert Goldberg, PhD, explains why the Internet is a double-edged sword when it comes to health information. On the one hand, the Web can empower people with quality medical information that can help them make informed decisions. On the other hand, the Web is an unfiltered breeding ground for urban legends, fear-mongering and snake oil salesmen. Goldberg uses case studies to expose the sinister side of health misinformation. Perhaps the most compelling example of a medical “manufactroversy” (defined as a manufactured controversy that is motivated by profit or extreme ideology to in... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4517169 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:00:01 +0100 4517169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372044&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhow-good-is-your-doctor-at-diagnosing-you%2F2011.01.19 We’ve all been there. It often starts with some kind of recurring pain or dull ache. We don’t know what’s causing the pain or ache. During the light of day we tell ourselves that it’s nothing. But at 3:00am when the pain wakes you, worry sets in: “Maybe I have cancer or heart disease or some other life-ending ailment.” The next day you make an appointment to see your doctor. So now you’re sitting in the exam room explaining this scenario to your doctor. Based on your previous experience, what’s the first thing your doctor would do? A. Order a battery of tests and schedule a follow-up appointment. B. Put you in a patient gown and conduct a thorough physical examination, including asking you detailed questions about your complaint before ordering any test... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372044 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:00:07 +0100 4372044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322510&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Faverage-hourly-earnings-of-primary-care-relative-to-other-specialists-graph%2F2011.01.07 Here’s an interesting article, talking about stuff that’s not new to anyone who has read my blog for the last three years. The current relative value unit (RVU) system is a scam, perpetuated by a super-secretive group of subspecialists each  inflating their own worth for the benefit of themselves, at the expense of primary care. If you don’t understand what I’m talking about, first read about RVUs explained. Then come back and read this article put out by the National Institute for Health Care Management. It’s titled “Out of Whack: Pricing Distortions in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.“ In his essay, Dr. Robert Berenson shows how distorted primary care specialties are paid, relative to other specialties, in an all Medicare practice with t... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322510 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4322510 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4233186&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fgetting-quality-and-profit-out-of-medicine%2F2010.12.06 Looking for a great story about the state of hospital care in America? Look no further. The Health Care Blog has a great article by hospitalist Dr. Robert Wachter that sums it up nicely. It’s about money. Thats how hospitals get paid. That’s how everyone gets paid. It will always be about money. We don’t pay doctors, nurses, or administrators with smiley faces and candy canes. We pay them with cold hard cash. For example: One of the physicians, an invasive cardiologist, stopped me in my tracks. “Actually, our hospital already provides a tremendous amount of support and feedback,” he said. “When I perform a catheterization or angioplasty, a hospital staff member watches the entire procedure, she sometimes suggests mid-course corrections, and as soon as I’m do... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4233186 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0100 4233186 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3854521&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fschizophrenia-caused-by-the-cat%2F2010.08.10 From the front page of [the August 1st] Baltimore Sun: Researchers Explore Link Between Schizophrenia, Cat Parasite. Frank D. Roylance writes: Johns Hopkins University scientists trying to determine why people develop serious mental illness are focusing on an unlikely factor: a common parasite spread by cats. The researchers say the microbes, called Toxoplasma gondii, invade the human brain and appear to upset its chemistry — creating, in some people, the psychotic behaviors recognized as schizophrenia. If tackling the parasite can help solve the mystery of schizophrenia, “it’s a pretty good opportunity … to relieve a pretty large burden of disease,” said Dr. Robert H. Yolken, director of developmental neurobiology at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. (more... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3854521 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:00:00 +0100 3854521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648495&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-return-of-mumps%2F2010.06.10 I write this post with a great deal of trepidation. The last time I perused the Medical Voices website I found nine questions that needed answering. So I answered them. One of the consequences of that blog entry was the promise that Medical Voices was poised to “tear my arguments to shreds.” Tear to shreds! Such a painful metaphor. They specified that the shred tearing would be accomplished during a live debate, rather than a written response. While Dr. Gorski gave excellent reasons why such a debate is counterproductive, I am disinclined for more practical reasons. I am a slow thinker and a lousy debater and have never, ever, won a debate at home. If I cannot win pitted against my wife, what chance would I have against the combined might of the doctors and scientists at Medical Voices... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648495 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:00:03 +0100 3648495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648497&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fphysician-burnout-isnt-new%2F2010.06.09 Dr. Wes and Kevin, M.D. have both written reviews of the documentary film “The Vanishing Oath.” I started the process rolling of trying to get the film shown locally. No date yet, but looks like it will happen before the year is out.  This is not a new phenomenon in medicine (or any profession). Dr. Robert Goldwyn wrote a nice essay on the some of the issues that can lead to burnout, though not once did he mention burnout specifically. The title says much: “I Bargained on Working Hard as a Surgeon, Not Working Hard to Be Able to Work Hard as a Surgeon” The preceding title is a quote from a letter written by a resident in the last year of his training (S. A. Teitlebaum, August 20, 1994). It reflects the gloom besetting the young in particular but certainly not them exclusivel... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648497 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:00:00 +0100 3648497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2904927&cid=t_271851_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F19%2Ften-more-ways-to-lower-anxiety%2F This article was originally published on Explore What’s Next. For more on anxiety read: 10 Steps to Lower Anxiety and Find Empowerment What Is Anxiety? Understanding the Anxious Mind (Source: World of Psychology) World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2904927 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:57:02 +0100 2904927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2834239&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fbook-review-guide-to-raising-fit-kids%2F Raising kids is never easy, especially in this age of junk food, technology, and information overload. We are constantly bombarded by the media with news of rising childhood obesity rates, inactivity, and poor eating habits. What’s a parent to do? Well, one thing that might help is reading Dr Rob’s Guide to Raising Fit Kids. While he doesn’t have all the answers, his expertise as a physician, coach, and parent allows him to provide a general blueprint on how to raise a healthy child Dr Rob is actually Dr Robert S Gotlin, Director of Orthopaedic and Sports Rehabilitation in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. He’s also the team physician for the Harlem Wizards basketball team, a member of the medical team for women’s rugby, U.S. nationa... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2834239 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:35:20 +0100 2834239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2705354&cid=t_271851_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fexit-interview-with-outgoing-cma.html SASKATOON -- At this week's Canadian Medical Association annual meeting, in Saskatoon, the organization's presidency will pass from Montreal radiologist and entrepreneur Robert Ouellet (right) to Saskatoon family physician Anne Doig.I spoke to Robert Ouellet about his experience as president and what he thinks is next for the Canadian healthcare system.SAM SOLOMON: Do you see your presidency as a success? Were you successful in accomplishing what you set out to do? And obviously I realize you can't fix the whole healthcare system in one year.ROBERT OUELLET: [Laughs] I said that in my inaugural speech that I would try. I still have one week!It'll be a busy week, I guess.I know. But I think we have succeeded in trying to change the attitude in Canada of only looking at the US system -- and i... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2705354 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2705354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691786&cid=t_271851_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadianmedicinenews.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fvacation-denied-29-of-mds-cant-find.html The Canadian Medical Association has reported some new numbers on locum use from the 2007 National Physician Survey.According to the survey, 29% of doctors wanted to get a locum to come in and cover their practices for a time but were unable to find someone willing to do so. Unsurprisingly, therefore, nearly half of physicians said they were dissatisfied with the availability of locums."As a profession we should be worried about that," said CMA president Dr Robert Ouellet.One solution, proposed by the CMA in 2003 but still not achieved, is to create a licence to practise for locums that would enable them to move from province to province without regulatory hassles.You can read the CMA's full release here.Want to know where to look to try to track down one of those elusive locums? Earlier t... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691786 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2691786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634379&cid=t_271851_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fthe-keeler-migrane-method-qa%2F Most of us have suffered from them at one time or another - a mind-numbing pain, or a sharp one right between the eyes, or the throbbing of your occipital lobe - the dreaded migrane. Some of us are lucky enough only to have had one or two. Others have them with extreme regularity. Either way,  a migraine can turn any good day sour very quickly. Dr Robert Cowan, who with team of specialists  at the Keeler Center for the Study of Headaches, has conducted some of the most cutting-edge research in the field.  From the research as come a  book The Keeler Migrane Method, a step-by-step guide to individualized migrane management. Find out what he has to say about migranes and migrane management with this informative Q&A: It seems like migraine treatments are like diets. What works fo... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634379 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:00:55 +0100 2634379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630175&cid=t_271851_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2F22%2Foops-did-i-have-those-cho-records%2F You may remember the Virginia Tech tragedy more than two years ago, when a student at the university, Seung-Hui Cho, opened fire one day on his classmates, killing 32 people and himself on April 16, 2007. What you may not have known is that Cho’s mental health records from when he was seen at the university’s counseling center went missing and were never located. Until now. Mental health records for Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho that were missing for more than two years have been discovered in the home of the university clinic’s former director, according to a state memo shared with victims’ family members. Cho killed 32 people on April 16, 2007, then committed suicide as police closed in. His mental health treatment has been a major issue in the vast investig... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630175 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:50:19 +0100 2630175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2233882&cid=t_271851_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fpro-medicare-doc-nominated-to-be-cma.html The candidate for Canadian Medical Association president preferred by the pro-medicare contingent of the medical community has won the Ontario Medical Association's nomination.Dr Jeffrey Turnbull's election points to what may be a major change to come in the CMA's influential political lobbying, potentially moving away from what has been a voice on behalf of reforming the restrictions on privately funded healthcare delivery embodied by the Canada Health Act. That effort has been particularly strong over the last two years, with outspoken private clinic owners Brian Day and Robert Ouellet holding the CMA's top job.Dr Turnbull, on the other hand, made it clear in his campaign position statement that his politics differed from those of Day and Ouellet. "Through new partnerships, a clear visio... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2233882 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:31:00 +0100 2233882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2110833&cid=t_271851_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fontario-begins-voting-for-2010-11-cma.html This report further emphasized the need for physician human resources as a top health system priority. A multifaceted, balanced, coordinated and creative approach is required in addressing recruitment and retention needs. Canada should strive to be self sufficient. As a Board member of the OMA and CMA, addressing physician shortages have been my priority. I chaired the OHRC and was CoChair of the Physician Human Resources Committee. In those capacities, I called for an independent and permanent Office for Physicians Workforce Policy and Planning in Ontario to coordinate system planning. I have championed the introduction of Physician Assistants provincially and nationally, promoting interprofessional solutions to the physician shortage, that do not compromise patient safety. I will not sup... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2110833 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:45:00 +0100 2110833