Morbidity & Mortality Conference, a post mortem

When things go wrong in medicine, as they invariably do, we try to figure out what went wrong, and why.  We try to learn if there’s anything we could have done better and what we should do next time. It used to be, in the days of the Giants, that the physician responsible for the patient … Continue reading

My post on Bronchial Thermoplasty is up on KevinMD today

My post on Bronchial Thermoplasty, a new treatment for asthma, and evidence in medicine is up at KevinMD.com today. http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2014/04/bronchial-thermoplasty-asthma-widely.html

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

Dr. Robert C. Moellering, Jr.

On February 24, 2014 Dr. Robert C. Moellering, Jr. passed away.  And then the class emails and Facebook comments flew.  We couldn’t believe it.  We were all saddened.  We had such great memories of him.  We knew him so well.  And he us!  Every one of us.  Dr. Moellering was the physician-in-chief and chair of … 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