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 'heard'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:21:33 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118573&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fnow-mainstream-notion-profit-seeking.html We have been writing - some might say wailing Cassandra-like - about health care dysfunction since I published about it in the European Journal of Internal Medicine in 2003.(1) However, while our dismal warnings were inspired by fears of  health care professionals who saw bad things happening in their local health care environments, the notion that things were really bad in health care really did not get a lot of traction. After all, we were in the second decade of a prolonged economic "great moderation," the good times were rolling, so who was really worried by a few whiners and complainers in health care?However, after the fall of Lehman Brothers ushered in the global financial collapse, or great recession, this complacency was disturbed, and it began to appear that our pr... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118573 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:17:00 +0100 5118573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096111&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fyou-saw-it-here-first-uk-nhs-pulls-plug.html You saw it here first. Or, at least well before the pundits admitted this.I've been predicting this event for quite awhile at this blog (e.g., see posts about the UK NPfIT at this blog query link). From the Independent:The Independent (UK)NHS pulls the plug on its £11bn IT systemAfter nine years and with billions already spent, doomed computer system is abandonedBy Oliver Wright, Whitehall EditorWednesday, 3 August 2011A plan to create the world's largest single civilian computer system linking all parts of the National Health Service is to be abandoned by the Government after running up billions of pounds in bills. Ministers are expected to announce next month that they are scrapping a central part of the much-delayed and hugely controversial 10-year National Programme for IT.Instead, lo... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096111 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 21:20:00 +0100 5096111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086118&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2F10-years-of-pfizer-leadership-saga-of.html A remarkable story about mismanagement of health care has appeared in the mainstream media, and most remarkable is that this article in Fortune chronicled 10 years of poor leadership by three CEOs at Pfizer Inc, the world's biggest drug companyThe CEO Who Would Not LeaveIn 2001, William C Steere Jr retired as CEO, but did not really leave, muddying the chain of command:In January 2001, Steere, by then 64 and a company legend, retired as CEO. He handed the job to his handpicked No. 2, Hank McKinnell. Steere stepped aside -- but not out. He received a consulting contract, with an office and secretary at Pfizer headquarters. Most important, Steere was granted the title of chairman emeritus and retained his seat on the Pfizer board. Governance experts widely regard such lingering as a rec... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086118 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:32:00 +0100 5086118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975792&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fgoogle-is-shutting-down-its-cloud-based.html , by the end of the year.I wrote:"Who'da thunk it? -- Personal Health Record project with big corporate sponsors not working out so well ..." and"Label me skeptical: Personal Health Records as healthcare panacea?" both in 2007.Considering the education and expertise one needs to really manage (and comprehend) health records robustly, let me state that I consider the entire concept of the "personal heath record" inane.You heard it here first.-- SS (Source: Health Care Renewal) Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975792 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:28:00 +0100 4975792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852824&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fquest-diagnostics-settles-version-2.html And the latest entrant in the parade of legal settlements is a medical laboratory company, as reported by the Los Angeles Times:Quest Diagnostics Inc., the biggest provider of medical lab services in California, has agreed to pay $241 million to settle a whistle-blower's lawsuit that accused it of overcharging the state Medi-Cal program.This was not only about financial misbehavior, but about paying physicians and health care providers to influence their decisions in favor of the payer, but not necessarily their patients:The lawsuit also alleged that the Madison, N.J., company paid illegal kickbacks to doctors, hospitals and clinics that sent patients their way.As usual, despite the allegations above, the company issued the de rigeur denials:Quest acknowledged the settlement in a statement... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852824 Mon, 23 May 2011 19:51:00 +0100 4852824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4828883&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-family-medicine-needs-social-media%2F2011.05.16 I wasn’t able to attend the Annual Leadership Forum (ALF) and the National Conference of Special Constituencies (NCSC) meetings in person this year. This is an annual meeting in Kansas City put on by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). I know that it can be hard to believe that someone actually likes going to a meeting. However, for me, these meetings always re-energize me and connect me with people with a passion for Family Medicine. In 2010, there were only a few of us utilizing social media tools like twitter and facebook (including my blog posts from Thursday & Friday). However, just a year later, there seems to have been an explosion of people utilizing these platforms to a point yesterday when I saw a bunch of people signing up for the first time during the me... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4828883 Mon, 16 May 2011 18:00:18 +0100 4828883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592328&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwhy-current-nature-of-healthcare-it.html Apparently Holland is now veering away from a national project for health information exchange. From a researcher at Erasmus University Rotterdam:While failures of IT implementation in the UK and more recently the Cerner implementation in Australia has been dissected by [U. Sydney Professor] Jon Patrick, the Dutch initiative for a national health IT infrastructure for exchanging patient data that would start with a medication record and a summary record is about to be voted down in the upper house (Senate) of the Dutch parliament. It means that the trajectory to get this infrastructure and which lasted thirteen years will grind to a halt. Unfortunately this implementation has been poorly documented in scientific journals (to my knowledge only one paper describing the infrastructure was pub... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592328 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:01:00 +0100 4592328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575027&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fis-microsoft-slowly-edging-towards-exit.html Interesting item seen here:From Dabney: “Re: former Sentillion exec departures from Microsoft. Microsoft transferred their 800 Health Solutions Group people into the small-to-medium commercial sector group (Microsoft Business Solutions) last Monday. Peter Neupert and his whole organization have been pushed out of the incubation group in Microsoft Research with the guys who sell Microsoft Axapta ERP and CRM for small commercial customers. That will mark the end of acquisitions and spending of Microsoft on health because they haven’t had any significant sales of Amalga UIS in the past year after already withdrawing Amalga HIS and Amalga RIS/PACS from the market. Microsoft is slowly edging towards an exit stage left in health IT.Why would this not surprise me if true?Because I predicted i... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575027 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:04:00 +0100 4575027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816400&cid=t_137451_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fkiller-grand-rounds-from-down-under%2F2010.08.03 Better Health’s Grand Rounds this week is hosted by the ever-so-crafty Life in the Fast Lane team of Australian physicians at the Utopian College of Emergency for Medicine. These docs “take great pleasure in sharing their medical experiences, clinical knowledge and insights into waiting-room medicine with health-conscious technophiles to facilitate the learning process by providing diverse and hopefully entertaining reading material.” It’s always worth a read (and a chuckle), no doubt. With the theme of ”Killer Posts” (just a hint — hate to blow the surprise), this edition of Grand Rounds is sure to educate in more ways than one! Experience it HERE. (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816400 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:00:19 +0100 3816400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538277&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricsnow.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F05%2Fshow-21-preview-moms-who-rock%2F%3Futm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dshow-21-preview-moms-who-rock Show 21 Preview: Spring Break Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms in the world! Join me this week as I welcome onto the show author and parenting expert Jen Singer from www.MommasSaid.net to discuss all things moms and give you some “momspiration”! To learn more about Jen, click here. Show Time: 11 am ET Show Date: Friday May 7, 2010 SHOW NUTS AND BOLTS Listening To The Show Live: You have 2 ways to listen to the show live 1. From my show site. On the day of the show, you’ll see the “play/chat” button when it’s show time. Click the “play/chat” button and you’ll hear the show live. If you don’t see it, just refresh the browser. 2. From any phone (land, cell or skype) by calling 347-237-5194 Listening as a Registered Blog Talk Radio use Reg... Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538277 Thu, 06 May 2010 11:00:02 +0100 3538277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092822&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fdose-of-dr-gwenn-podcast-returns.html Show 16, The Return of Dr. Gwenn and Healthy Holidays 09, airs tomorrow night at 8pm ET. Wondering how to have happy, healthy and sane holidays with your kids? Any linger questions about H1N1, especially with some breaking news about the H1N1 vaccine and kids this week? And, what was up with Dr. Gwenn being off air for so long? How did that 3 month summer hiatus become the entire fall? Tune in tomorrow, Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 8pm ET and Dr. Gwenn will catch you up news you can use, news you’ve been wondering about, and get you ready for a healthy holiday season! In case you’re rusty at this, when show time arrives, you can listen in a number of ways: 1. From my show page here 2. From any phone at: (347) 237-5194 3. By clicking this button when show time arrives: Listen... Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092822 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:41:00 +0100 3092822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084894&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fdevelopmental-tracking-industry-do-we.html   With our world becoming high tech, it’s not surprising that gizmos and programs or our computers, iPhones and Smartphones are emerging to help us track everything from our infant’s cry to our child’s development. But, are these necessary? I was called by a reporter from Wired.com to weigh in on this with a colleague as was a colleague of mine. As members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council of Communications and Media, and Spokespersons for the AAP, we had a few opinions on this very important topic that I want to share with you that you can find here. Before you download or buy any computer program or cell phone application just ask yourself one question: can this program do anything more that I can do myself? More times than not, the answer will be no! Honest, you ... Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084894 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:56:00 +0100 3084894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989289&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fswine-flu-h1n1-update.html   Do you really have to worry about H1N1, Swine Flu? Where is the infamous H1N1 vaccine and do you really need to get it for you and your kids? Is the H1N1 illness really “mild”? Despite how long we’ve been talking about this year’s flu season and H1N1 there are still many questions and a great deal of confusion. I’m going on WBUR Radio’s Radio Boston hosted by Jane Clayson, David Boeri at Noon ET today with a panel of incredible health experts to help sort out the issues and bring up the latest information. Tune in…and call in! This is a live show and we want to help you get your questions answered. (Image) ©2009 Pediatrics Now. All rights reserved. PEDIATRICS NOW® is a registered trademark of Pediatrics Now. (Source: Dr. Gwenn Is In) Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989289 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:44:00 +0100 2989289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943952&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fh1n1-swine-fludispelling-myths.html Yesterday, New England Cable News hosted a 2 hour prime time special on H1N1. I was honored to be invited on air as the pediatric health expert along with the area's top health professionals in emergency medicine, OB/GYN, public health and infectious disease. We covered a great deal of ground in the 2 hours including clearing up the popular myths circulating around: Vitamins, Diet and the H1N1: NECN: H1N1 What you Need to Know Resource Page Flu Update©2009 Pediatrics Now. All rights reserved. PEDIATRICS NOW® is a registered trademark of Pediatrics Now. (Source: Dr. Gwenn Is In) Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943952 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:46:00 +0100 2943952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865810&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fwhat-new-autism-study-means-for-you.html This week's new Autism study in Pediatrics has created a great deal of conversation...and confusion! I discussed the study today on Fox Boston to help shed some light on what this study is really about...and what we can learn about it's implications for the future of Autism: For more information, check out 33 Charts AAP's Autism Study Parenting Handout The New Autism Study: why the fine print matters©2009 Pediatrics Now. All rights reserved. PEDIATRICS NOW® is a registered trademark of Pediatrics Now. (Source: Dr. Gwenn Is In) Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865810 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:08:00 +0100 2865810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774741&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fjuggling-back-to-school-schedules.html Feeling frantic with the back to school frenzy already? You are in good company!I just returned from My Fox Boston where Kim Carrigan and I talked about a potpourri of topics on all of our minds this week from juggling schedules to finding time for family meals to how to keep our kids active and eating healthy with such crazy schedules. We're both in this with you and are facing these exact issues with our families this week, too. Not easy stuff!Check out what we talked about:The key to sanity really is the family meal. If you don't have time to gather around your dinner table each and every night, you're all doing too much - parents and kids. The benefits of the family meal will pay forward for all of you in health, sanity and family life so give it a try - and make it a priority. BTW, if... Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774741 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:20:00 +0100 2774741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2757947&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fswine-flu-and-back-to-school-focus-on.html It used to be that we'd get all our kids settled back to school and then enjoy a bit of a pause before the other shoe fell with the inevitable concern over another flu season. With Swine Flu, Influenza H1N1 not taking a summer vacation and showing no signs of letting up, we didn't have that luxury this year. I went onto My Fox Boston this morning and talked with Keba Arnold about this very unique flu season with 2 influenza strains traveling among us and offered some practical tips to not only prevent the flu but be ready should it impact your town's schools:Don't try and absorb everything at once. Focus on prevention today and I'll help keep you informed as we learn more about the flu shots your family will need, when they will be available, and any breaking CDC alerts that are important ... Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2757947 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:59:00 +0100 2757947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2649140&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fblogher-09-healthcare-by-committee-wrap.html While at BlogHer 09, I had the wonderful experience to moderate the "Healthcare by Committee" panel on Saturday July 25, 2009. All the events were "Live Blogged". I'll share my insights on the session later this week but let me share with you the transcript of the session to catch you up on the amazing conversation we had with the participants:More than ever parents are turning to the Internet to help take care of their family and there are a wealth of resources out there, including medblogs. How can we all do a better job of assessing the credibility and usability of the medical information we find online?(Pictured: Dr. Gwenn, Kim McAllister, Caryn Dubelko, Dr. Jennifer Shu)Caryn Dubelko, Community Director at iVillage, Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe, a pediatrics physician who helps families find re... Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2649140 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:28:00 +0100 2649140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458262&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fcaffeine-plus-technology-equals-tired.html If you have a teen, a new study in this month's Pediatrics on teen sleep, caffeine and technology will sound like a familiar song. What does this study really mean and how can you help your teen have healthier sleep habits? I answered all those questions earlier today with Fox25 Morning News' Gene Lavanchy: Teens and Sleep©2009 Pediatrics Now. All rights reserved. PEDIATRICS NOW® is a registered trademark of Pediatrics Now. (Source: Dr. Gwenn Is In) Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458262 Wed, 27 May 2009 14:16:00 +0100 2458262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458269&cid=t_137451_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drgwennisin.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fnew-horizons-for-dose-of-dr-gwenn.html TGIF! I have some exciting announcements for you about my podcast on Blog Talk Radio, A Dose of Dr. Gwenn.A Dose of Dr. Gwenn podcast always runs live initially but in our fast paced society having a back up option to listen to our favorite shows when we it works best in our lives is really what podcasts are all about. Now you have that option with A Dose of Dr. Gwenn on iTunes!You'll find the entire podcast series in the iTunes store under "Alternative Health". You can also just search for "Dr. Gwenn" or "A Dose of Dr. Gwenn" to get to the iTunes main show index page. There are two ways to subscribe to A Dose of Dr. Gwenn from iTunes:1. from the iTunes store: click the "subscribe" button once you are on the A Dose of Dr. Gwenn page.2. from my BlogTalkRadio page - click the iTunes button o... Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458269 Fri, 15 May 2009 13:16:00 +0100 2458269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2241252&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FM2dOSI7HupQ%2F Since I began writing here at A Dozen Steps one of the more controversial posts I’ve made was about a “Functional Alcoholic.” I feel I am able to speak on the topic because I was more than happy, as a newly sober person, to make claim that I had been influenced by alcohol in a “dysfunctional family” which had a lot to do with my drinking. That is until an oldtimer refused to cosign my bs and interrupted my sharing one night to inform me, in no uncertain terms, that the reason my family was dysfunctional was because I was in it. I know we’ll continue to hear this in meetings - ““I was a functioning alcoholic - I had a job, went to work, made money,” etc. etc. And I know those folks will hold fast to that belief. So be it. Dr. Bob knew… Pag... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2241252 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:34:20 +0100 2241252 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2116027&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FT282z3n0UL8%2F God, keep me from thinking I must share in every meeting, no matter the topic. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details and give me wings to get to the point. Remind me to guard confidences and to keep still when I feel it is necessary to speak up for someone’s own good. Release me from the need to straighten out everybody else’s thinking and program. God, I ask for the grace to listen to newcomers. Please help me to remember the patience with which others listened to me when I was new. Please seal my lips to giving advice, and help me to remember to share only my experience, strength, and hope. Remind me that my purpose is to fit myself to be of maximum service to You and to the people around me. Help me to remain teachable. Teach me (again) the lesson that, occa... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2116027 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:23:48 +0100 2116027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074613&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FnDmBWu9I-Ys%2F From “That Ain’t In The Book,” “We must change playmates, playgrounds, and playthings” Page 100-101: “Assuming we are spiritually fit, we can do all sorts of things alcoholics are not supposed to do. People have said we must not go where liquor is served; we must not have it in our homes; we must shun friends who drink; we must avoid moving pictures which show drinking scenes; we must not go into bars; our friends must hide their bottles if we go to their houses; we mustn’t think or be reminded about alcohol at all. Our experience shows that this is not necessarily so. We meet these conditions every day. An alcoholic who cannot meet them, still has an alcoholic mind; there is something the matter with his spiritual status. His only chance for sobr... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074613 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:15:21 +0100 2074613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074615&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FIqMaLxYK-8U%2F One day at a time… Sure, its nice to make all those wonderful plans, goals and resolutions - isn’t it? You sure sound good! Um Hmmm - until roomie brings the meeting back to reality. :) Okay, my God doesn’t have a problem with me making plans. That’s because He reserves the right to change them when He feels it is necessary for the reason He feels it is necessary, because He loves me. Understand? Got it? LOL Yeah, I know, it sounds nice to romanticize all those good things we’re aiming for this coming year. Heck, I hope we all achieve every last ounce of happiness we can. It’s just not reality to give the impression that all you have to do is stay sober and do a lot of praying and it will all come your way. It just doesn’t happen that way. HAPPY NE... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074615 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:57:33 +0100 2074615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1876357&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2Fp9JvuxwXRH0%2F Newcomers will always be an interesting lot… So, my roommate, with twelve years of passionate sobriety, isn’t in touch with newcomers eh? That’s a hoot! And - he kept his share strictly in the first person! I guess in a way he answered your challenge or somehow explained to you that your whining about your troubles wouldn’t be solved by your brain but rather by working the Twelve Steps and changing your thinking. You took offense. Too bad. You know why you took offense? He told you the truth. He told you what worked for him in a similar situation. You didn’t like the fact that you’d have to work at changing. You want everything to go your way without having to put in the effort. Sorry, recovery isn’t at all like Burger King. You can’t have it... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1876357 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:57:06 +0100 1876357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1873156&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2FBKY0-16_I6w%2F Ladies and gentlemen - if you’re new to recovery and have been told to pray your troubles away, take heed, please. God is not a puppeteer. God doesn’t pull our strings and automatically extract us from the situations we place ourselves in. God does not do for us what we can do for ourselves! When we were drinking (or using or whatever) and we prayed, how often were our prayers answered to our satisfaction? Now that we’re early into recovery, without having practiced the Twelve Steps, how much do you think our praying has changed? So, if you’re feeling disconnected after a few months, or feeling restless, irritable, and discontented, and think that prayer is the answer, think again. Oh no! I said prayer isn’t the answer… Well, not right now because of the... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1873156 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:57:44 +0100 1873156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734232&cid=t_137451_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F375291610%2Fode_to_facilitation.html When asked how he’s shaking things up at Ford Model’s, John Caplan said, "I’m more like the conductor of an orchestra, than an old-fashioned executive.” Does that describe your approach? Caplan's orchestra metaphor reminds us that wherever you spot insights or innovations at a deeper level you’ll also see a maestro conductor, or facilitator. So why does it rarely happen?Instead of the fine interchanges found in peak-performance orchestras, you often find potentially good discussions truncated instead, because:- one voice dominates - strong demands for one-sided view- a few people diminishing other voices- anger rising whenever  topics heat upWhile topnotch catalyst skills can be mastered by most … they rarely show up at firms, that la... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734232 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:55:57 +0100 1734232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1596657&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F329549903%2F Delivered at the first international conference of Alcoholics Anonymous at Cleveland, Ohio in July, 1950 “My good friends in AA and of AA. I feel I would be very remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to welcome you here to Cleveland not only to this meeting but those that have already transpired. I hope very much that the presence of so many people and the words that you have heard will prove an inspiration to you - not only to you, but may you be able to impart that inspiration to the boys and girls back home who were not fortunate enough to be able to come. In other words, we hope that your visit here has been both enjoyable and profitable. I get a big thrill out of looking over a vast sea of faces like this with a feeling that possibly some small thing that I did a numbe... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1596657 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:15:57 +0100 1596657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1500098&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F125221372%2F This post is worthy of repetition. It recently came to the attention of a number of us that a gal in New York with 19 years clean in NA is “back out there.” She is loved by many, and knowing that she’s killing herself is being felt by those she helped. As yet, none of them have followed her, thank God. Please, these stories are real and true. Take them to heart. Alcoholism, addiction, kills people. [Originally posted June 15th, 2007] **************************************** I’m paying attention. To Mary Christine. To dAAve. To a host of others. And I have to re-tell this story. A story I had the absolute pleasure of repeating to an “oldtimer” sitting on his time at a meeting here a few years back. Many AA groups on Long Island have group anniversaries e... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1500098 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:08:38 +0100 1500098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1446563&cid=t_137451_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F15%2Flucy-in-the-sky-illusion-1%2F To read more about what you’re seeing and why, go to Arthur Shapiro’s Illusion Sciences Blog. (Source: The Situationist) The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446563 Thu, 15 May 2008 16:00:07 +0100 1446563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1221329&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F232982124%2F Because there is “One who has all power,” I can look back today and believe that on the day I came strolling in to Alcoholics Anonymous God had opened the gates of hell and LET ME OUT!!! A free man… a free child of His… and I will be forever grateful. This picture was taken a “number” of years ago lol. You’d never know, unless you’re here, how well I clean up :) but I have. Nope, don’t quite look like that anymore. Can you believe that, until recently, I was wearing some really nice Hart Schaffner and Marx suits to work? Miracles. God works miracles… Oh, btw, I’m the one waaaaay in the back by the tree (haha). Oh, and this is St. Patrick’s Day, 2002 in Savannah. My best friend and I had gotten new ink the day before. ... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1221329 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:49:35 +0100 1221329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1207814&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F229193122%2F I’ve heard it said “If you pray, don’t worry. If you worry, don’t pray.” Now I don’t know about that but… Once again, from Came to Believe; Heard At Meetings “Many people pray as though to overcome the will of a reluctant God, instead of taking hold of the willingness of a loving God.” Wow - oh heck yeah… “It is wise to pray for the future, but not to worry about it, because we can’t live it until it becomes the present. The depth of our anxiety measures the distance we are from God.” And I was taught that if God seemed farther away, I ought to check who really moved. “If we have the opportunity to help in some practical way when our loved ones or other people we are concerned about are in trouble - let&#82... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207814 Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:07:29 +0100 1207814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1174994&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F222346502%2F Do you remember an oldtimer telling you “we’ll love you until you can love yourself?” I do. Have you ever been told to “come down off the cross - we need the wood?” Or… “it’s about time you stopped being the victim?” How about “leave the Louisville Slugger at the door?” The over-riding mindset I’ve been plagued with since childhood has always been a version of the title “WTF is wrong with me?” There has to be something! I don’t get what I want. Nobody loves me… Whenever (even now) I make a mistake my first thought is some form of self-deprecation. “You idiot.” “WTF is the matter with you?” “Are you that stupid?” Yeah, it is what I think about myself. Thank Go... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1174994 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:32:38 +0100 1174994 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1129454&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F210871155%2F Heard it at a meeting tonight… perception deception - defect. From page 129; “If the family cooperates, dad will soon see that he is suffering from a distortion of values.” A Distortion of Values Distortion is a misrepresentation of the truth. That certainly works for me! “He will perceive that his spiritual growth is lopsided, that for an average man like himself, a spiritual life which does not include his family obligations may not be so perfect after all.” True - so true… “If the family will appreciate that dad’s current behavior is but a phase of his development, all will be well.” Possibly, unless, through him, the disease has sickened them badly enough they’re also suffering from perception deception and don’t have/w... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1129454 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 02:52:35 +0100 1129454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1067726&cid=t_137451_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2007%2F12%2F03%2Fthe-next-adhd-sensory-processing-disorder%2F Have you heard about sensory processing disorder (SPD)? Neither had I until I read this article in the most recent issue of Time Magazine. It’s no wonder… In PsycINFO, the psychological research database, only 29 citations were noted for this disorder, while MEDLINE found 8 articles for “sensory integration dysfunction” (another common term to reference this concern). Not all of the citations were studies (some were book chapters, book reviews, dissertations and foreign-language journal articles). One of the studies in PsycINFO was a review paper published in the Journal of Optometric Vision Development, suggesting that “delayed vestibular maturation correlates significantly with sensory integration dysfunctions” (Solan, 2007). So there may be at least ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1067726 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:47:37 +0100 1067726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1021351&cid=t_137451_151_f&fid=36047&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FADozenSteps%2F%7E3%2F183686456%2F I’m Not Here Tonight To Help You! My best friend, who has a deep passion for recovery, went to his treatment facility commitment this past week and heard these words spew from the “chairperson’s” mouth. Lonnie raised his a** up off his chair, felt tempted to spew back, didn’t, then found something else to do elsewhere in the world away from this extreme self-centeredness. I imagine the tone had been set earlier as the “meeting” had been re-designated another type of recovery meeting rather than an AA meeting by a small number of AA “members” who apparently decided to take ownership of this meeting. Because the treatment committee had attempted to help their group out by spreading the commitment amongst other groups, placing it on the tr... A Dozen Steps blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1021351 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:25:42 +0100 1021351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=941834&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Freason-im-doing-bsc.html "In getting you to do a BSc, we are trying to reverse the effects of the frontal lobotomies that you were all subjected to in your first three yearsof medical school." - lecturer today, when we were all staring in complete confusion at a diagram that actually turned out to be quite simple. (Source: Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes) Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=941834 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:23:00 +0100 941834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=907135&cid=t_137451_109_f&fid=35677&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainBasedBusiness%2F%7E3%2F161816030%2Ftone_boosts_business.html Tone starts with each of us … how we wake up … what we say to family before we leave for work … and how we interact with others during the day. Yet tone also ripples into entire teams. It’s the body language of words, the force that pulls opposite views together like iron filings to a magnet, and the glue in successful business deals. How so? Simply put, tone boosts business when people …-- feel free to express alternative ideas without an avalanche attack -- expect excellence at the end, but accept imperfections along the way-- contribute differences because they feel valued by team members-- can see issues as others describe them when conflicts strike-- facilitate different voices to engage opposing responses-- show positive attitudes to others... BrainBasedBusiness blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=907135 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:51:32 +0100 907135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=821343&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fwedding-bells-are-ringing.html ... but they're not mine, so don't worry!A good friend in my year is going to be married tomorrow. That's such a strange thing to type out. I still cannot believe that a person in my year and who is my age (more or less) is going to be married, though I'm really happy for her.One of the weirdest things I remember was the fact that my consultant surgeon at my last hospital actually told me to get married and have children during medical school."Trust me," she said, in an all-knowing manner, "it's the best time to just get it over and done with, because as a surgeon, you won't have any time for those sorts of things after you graduate." And she wrinkled her nose when she said "those sorts of things," as though marriage and starting a family were mere folly; an exercise in frivolity.I was mo... Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=821343 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:12:00 +0100 821343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=587927&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fmmcmtas-take-two.html "This new system - MMC - is actually a great thing, and you will find that there are plenty of doctors of this opinion throughout the entire country, but we do not voice our feelings because of political correctness.At the end of the day, the fact is we are producing far too many mediocre doctors. Why should a doctor be allowed to become a surgeon if he's not good enough? What makes doctors think that it's their birthright to enter training for, say, cardiothoracic surgery? It's not.The problem is, is that medicine lacks competition, and what this system does is that it forces some kind of competition amongst doctors. It's making the field more competitive - which is jolly well what it should be. It's going to produce better doctors."- Consultant K, on MTAS and MMC.I am sure there are some... Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=587927 Thu, 03 May 2007 20:01:00 +0100 587927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=583569&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fon-inherited-tendencies.html Fellow medic: ...But I bet your mother would disapprove of me.Me: No, not really. My mother's quite easy-going, actually.Fellow medic: Really? Interesting. What about your father?Me: My father's the strict one. Quite old-school.Fellow medic: Oh! So that's where you get your aggressive 'future surgeon' streak from!Eh??Aggressive surgical streak?? (Source: Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes) Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=583569 Tue, 01 May 2007 21:53:00 +0100 583569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479373&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fbleak.html "This is all very... uhm... USSR..."- fellow surgical student, as we stared in dismay at the drab, spartan, bleak, dark and quite frankly filthy-looking Operating Theatre corridor.**********This sums up how we pretty much feel about the entire hospital.The hospital looks like an abandoned factory. It cuts an ugly, grey, stark figure across an already drab skyline.Inside, it feels dirty and is charged with static electric everywhere. You touch a staircase rail and jump back with the sudden shock, you press a button in the elevator and feel a buzz surge in your finger, you open a door and there's a current just waiting to leap into your hand. It's bizarre.Our consultant has a very common accent. I don't mind this, but it's just a little weird to hear things like, "Well, we're just gonna have... Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479373 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 22:40:00 +0100 479373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479383&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fwherein-my-ego-takes-cruising.html I am late for a ward round, and I have only just dumped my stuff into a locker. I grab my stethoscope and pull it around my neck, and rush out of the doors of my medical faculty into the main hospital.A teacher is coming through the same door in the opposite direction right towards me with about twenty young students behind her, all in blue uniform and clutching clipboards with worksheets. Obviously a school trip of some sort."Ok, class," the teacher shouts. "Move to the side and let the doctor here through." She holds the door open and smiles at me. "Go on, doctor," she says politely, and gestures for me to go through first. All twenty students stare at me whilst obediently and hurriedly shuffling into single file to let me through."Oh no, I'm not..." I'm not a doctor, I was supposed to s... Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479383 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 18:15:00 +0100 479383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479385&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fencouragement.html "You're doing well. Although... you are holding the needle holders incorrectly, remember, it's your ring finger into the handle, not your middle finger... and your sutures are a little too tight over here... Can you see this one here? (tugs at stubborn suture with forceps) Now that's a little too tight there - the skin beneath may necrose... and remember you want your knots all along the same side, so just move this hand - no, no, your other hand stays there, I meant this one - right over... here, there, that's the way, and then the knot pulls here, you see? But you've done it well... Er, but over here, you may just want make sure that you've actually penetrated the skin by equal amounts on both sides of the wound... because look here, this suture you've done has not got everted edges... ... Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479385 Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:08:00 +0100 479385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479391&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fin-style-of-dr-crippen.html "It's very sad, because the PCT here refuse to refer him to the diabetes clinic at this hospital. And you saw him. He's an intelligent and articulate gentleman with longstanding diabetes. He won't have an eye-screen for a long time now.And when something goes wrong, when we fail to pick up a complication of his diabetes, when he goes blind as a result of diabetec retinopathy, he will turn around and sue us for failing to pick it up. And he'll raise an awful lot of questions about this system that is just not working." - My Consultant in clinic today.*******As I listened to my Consultant talk about the messy politics surrounding the NHS today, I honestly thought I had rumbled Dr. Crippen; that in fact, Dr. Crippen was not a GP as he pretends to be on his blog, but an Elderly Medicine consul... Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479391 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 22:53:00 +0100 479391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=479393&cid=t_137451_93_f&fid=34891&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshortwhitecoats.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fon-surgeons-and-stereotypes.html Two bite sized chunks of hilarity (and indeed reality), from our friend Hospital Phoenix, that I felt just had to be shared. He phrases it all so well:"I know some lovely orthopods. And most general surgeons are lovely too. Vascular surgeons are changeable and unpredictable, cardiothoracic surgeons are nicer than you think they'd be, paediatric surgeons are really lovely, plastic surgeons are nice people with a slightly autistic affect, ENT surgeons keep themselves to themselves, and urologists are scary. Who've I missed out? Maxfax. They're dentists." And something on stereotypes:"I fucking hate stereotypes. They earn their reputation, and the worst offenders are those who enter a specialty as a normal person, and morph into the stereotype they promised they'd never become."Wise words ind... Of Short White Coats and Stethoscopes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=479393 Sat, 03 Feb 2007 21:28:00 +0100 479393