October 29th, 2009 by RamonaBatesMD in Better Health Network, Health Tips
1 Comment »
Flipping through the 1908 textbook, A Text-Book of Minor Surgery by Edward Milton Foote, MD I found at an antique store last month, I came across the section on ingrown toenails. The causes of ingrown toenails were much the same as one hundred years.
This is a condition in which the edge of the nail, usually of the great toe, by its too close contact with the flesh beneath causes irritation, ulceration, or suppuration. There has been much discussion as to whether the nail or the flesh is the more at fault. This discussion is without profit. It is much better to study the normal conditions, and see what can be done to restore them. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Suture for a Living*
October 28th, 2009 by DrRob in Better Health Network, Opinion
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They say that breaking up is hard to do
Now I know, I know that it’s true
Don’t say that this is the end
Instead of breaking up I wish that we were making up again
There are times that relationships need to end. Usually something happens to undermine trust; it’s hard to build trust, but it’s very easy to destroy it.
I had a discussion today with the other physicians in my practice as to when patients should be “discharged” from our practice. I have always found it somewhat ironic that we use the term “discharge” when we are basically telling patients we don’t want them to be our patients anymore. Doctors deal with discharges of various sorts – most of which are not pleasant. Here is a dictionary definition of discharge: the emission of pus, mucus, or other liquid from an orifice or from diseased tissue. True, there are other definitions of discharge that don’t cary that connotation (we discharge patients from the hospital), but if I see an appointment on my schedule with the word discharge as part of the reason for visit, I am not excited. I am praying for a no-show. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind*
October 26th, 2009 by EvanFalchukJD in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion
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In my post yesterday about lessons we can learn from Israel’s health care system I wrote:
So, yes, the focus on health insurance reform will lead to many changes, and more complexity. And some day, years from now, someone will be explaining the American system to an audience, and people will wonder, how did anyone ever create a system such as this?
In response, a friend of mine challenged me: if the system is too complicated, how should we simplify it?
I wish more policy-makers were asking this question.
For me, the answer is clear: Primary care. Time was, your primary care doctor was able to serve as the hub of your medical activity. He or she could spend all the time needed to figure out what was wrong and to coordinate with your specialists. It’s not true anymore. Patients are left on their own trying to navigate the system. In many ways they end up acting almost as their own primary care doctors. Patients try to pick their specialists, find out what to do about their condition, decide on good treatment choices. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at See First Blog*
October 23rd, 2009 by DrRob in Better Health Network, Opinion
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It was a legitimate challenge.
When I mentioned to a fellow blogger that I was appearing on NPR, and he raised a very important question: ”Is that really a good thing? I thought that the point of blogging was to pose a challenge to the mainstream media, but it seems like bloggers feel like they have made it when that same media pays attention to them.”
This hits at the core of what I do as a blogger (and a podcaster). Why do I spend so much of my time doing something on that takes a bunch of time and energy, when I already have a very busy life? Why blog? Why podcast? Why do interviews? Why llamas? Why spend a weekend in Las Vegas? OK, the last question has any of a number of answers, and I have no idea about the llamas. But you get my drift: given the busyness of my life, why should I do all of this? Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind*
October 14th, 2009 by DrRob in Better Health Network, Opinion
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There’s a big buzz about primary care being a great thing; and there are a lot of people touting it as a lynchpin of financial reform. I believe this is true. But there is a condition that must be met for any of this true. It must be primary care done well.
The idea of good primary care is an assumption that may not be valid for many PCPs. There are many good PCPs out there, and I believe they constitute the majority, but there are also those who have frustrated and discouraged patients. I think this is mostly due to a payment system that has discouraged everything that primary care should be, but as the discussion goes on there needs to be more than just warm bodies labeled as PCPs.
Here is what I see as the essentials for good primary care: Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind*
