A New Therapy for Asthma
I first met Carol* (name and identifying details have been changed) when she came to my clinic after a severe asthma attack had sent her to the Intensive Care Unit. After a few days, she had been extubated and had acquired a new diagnosis, asthma. When she saw me in clinic, she felt better than … Continue reading
The Best Rejections
“You have gotten the best rejections this week,” my friend says. True that. Editor 1 not only wrote back, but thanked me for submitting and said my piece is “very well written,” but, alas it was “not quite right.” Editor 1 then suggested another major outlet for which it would be a “good match.” [Said … Continue reading
“Are you getting your period?”
“I get annoyed with [my husband] when I overreact to something and he retorts: ‘are you getting your period?’” my friend says. Just imagine what it would be like if we treated men the same way. “You’re only mad because you have blood dripping from your penis. Not because of what I did.” “You always … Continue reading
What I Learned at the ATP Reunion Conference February 2014
I. Capitation is coming Although Brent was careful to stress that despite this being gospel among those who “have drunk the kool-aid” it is not universally accepted. Still, the alternative narrative is just more of the same – more efficient fee for service – or aspirations for competing as one of a handful of fee-for-service … Continue reading
Five Lessons From “Scandal,” The TV Show
1. Never Be The Mistress Yes I know you love him, and he loves you, and aren’t you the star-crossed lovers with everyone trying to keep you apart. But if he’s unavailable move on. Don’t live on hold. Do you want children? Do you want a partner in life? Don’t allow yourself to believe that … Continue reading
ANYTHING HELPS
“Why is he standing by the road? What does the sign say?” one of our 5 year old asks sweetly from the back while we’re at the stoplight. “Homeless and hungry. ANYTHING HELPS,” the sign reads. I wait a beat and weigh my words. “It says he doesn’t have a house,” I say. The peanut … Continue reading
Physician Compensation up at KevinMD
My post on physician compensation up at KevinMD http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/11/society-reflected-doctors-paid.html
Physician Compensation
Doctors are burned out and they don’t enjoy their job as much as they used to. But looking broadly, physicians are still spared the economic difficulties and loss of autonomy that are present in most other sectors where people are still lucky enough to be employed. There are issues that doctors rarely face: unemployment, inability … Continue reading
The State Fair
“I got run over by a golf cart at the State Fair,” my five-year-old cheerfully says to the Emergency Department technician who is checking us in. A utility cart knocked him down – he is a five-year-old running along the grass by the path, and some asshole wasn’t looking as he turned into my kid … Continue reading
