October 2010

All Stories

EMR ROI depends on workflow improvements

by | in Tech | 12 responses

Some of the toughest obstacles to EMR are the physician doubters.These people say, “My charts are going to be on a computer.  So what?  All I know for sure is that it will take longer for me to finish my charts every day and we will have another component in fixed overhead.  Why this is a good idea?”The concerns are valid.  When my practice chose to get EMR 6 years ...

Few health benefits from genomic discovery

in Conditions | 3 responses

by W. Gregory Feero, MD, PhDRecent high-profile articles in the lay press have criticized the lack of immediately tangible health benefits from genomics research investment.Expectations for immediate clinical benefit from genomic discovery, fueled by both scientists and the media, have outstripped even the blistering pace of genomic discovery. The gap between discovery and application is particularly notable in general medical practice, where only a ...

Religious coping in dying patients

by | in Patient | 5 responses

In downtown Los Angeles recently, two very different celebrations went on within walking distance of each other.On West Temple Street, at the beautiful and contemporary Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels—a structure with no right angles in its adobe-colored walls—Catholic Mass was offered throughout the morning, in both English and Spanish. Five blocks south, at the stunningly refurbished Millenium Biltmore Hotel on Grand Avenue, the Council for Secular Humanism, ...

Continuity of care starts with caring

by | in Patient | 2 responses

We often speak of the importance of continuity of care, but there is confusion about what this really means.When I first joined our small clinic twenty-five years ago, continuity was the reason every medical group in the five town area had its own night-call roster. This way, patients who called after hours could reach a doctor from their own doctor’s office. Even if the covering physician didn’t know the patient, ...

Facebook, narcissism and low self esteem

in Social media | 4 responses

by Walter van den Broek, MD, PhDIn normal every day life with face to face contact, the physical characteristics and knowledge about social background form the identity of your contact.It’s stable and three dimensional. You know that person, it’s therefor very difficult for the other to claim another identity or create impressions inconsistent with how you know him or her. Online identity is a different ...

Arimidex price markup at major pharmacy chains

by | in Meds | 8 responses

The commonly prescribed breast cancer drug, Arimidex, was released as a generic in June 2010. The generic name is anastrozole. I called several local pharmacies last week to find out how much this medicine would cost for a one-month supply. I found some very surprising results:Costco: $27Walgreens (with Saver Card): $325 (without Card): $380CVS: $361Walmart: $347Target: $340These are not typos. Costco is selling a one-month supply of generic Arimidex for $27, ...

Doctors need to be aware of their office staff behavior

in Physician | 5 responses

by June Parker BeckAt age 73 I have definitely seen the evolution of the whole "doctor" experience, from Ob/Gyn, to pediatrician (have 5 children) to specialist, to internist.I've learned to accept the fact that in this high tech age, we aren't going to be chatting with our doctor about the grade school bake sale.  The biggest lesson learned, however, was that if you are treated ...

Medical resident superstition and black clouds

in Education | 3 responses

by Elizabeth Breuer, MDThis month of my intern year, I am covering night float for the private hospital.  Compared to the massive county hospital teeming with laboring patients, churning at all hours of the day and night, the private practice pace is meant to be a luxury for interns seeking respite.  And for the most part, life has been pretty nice.This week however, has been ...

Using the internet for health information is not the exception

by | in Patient | 10 responses

New concepts need gimmicks. Proven concepts do not.The phenomenon of using the internet to gather and share health information is now mainstream. It’s time to change how we talk about it, revising and maybe even retiring certain terms.Some history to build our case:In 1998, only about one-third of American adults had access to the internet. Harris Interactive published pioneering research about how internet users gather health information online, ...

AMA makes physician health a priority

by | in Physician | no responses

A guest column by the American Medical Association, exclusive to KevinMD.com.As physicians, we prioritize the health of others often at the expense of our own health. Our patients’ health is our priority and why we chose the profession of medicine. The International Conference on Physician Health, held earlier this month in Chicago, gave physicians the opportunity to make their health a priority and provided them with tools to ...

How Percy Harvin struggles with chronic migraines

in Patient | 3 responses

by Diana E. LeeMinnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin has been struggling with chronic migraines.If you don't follow football you may not have heard of him. But let me assure you he is a high profile player in the National Football League and an important component of the Minnesota Vikings' offense. Harvin has dealt with migraines since childhood (like me), but almost ...

Public health fears will not sway parent opinion on vaccines

by | in Pho | 12 responses

Dr. Robert Sears' The Vaccine Book, is, as Rahul Parikh puts it, "a nightmare for pediatricians like me."In a piece from Salon, Dr. Parikh brings his issues to the author.  The controversy of the book is the so-called "alternative vaccine schedule," which, as vaccine developer Paul Offit puts it,

is "misrepresentation of vaccine science" that "misinforms parents trying to make the right decision for their children" in the Journal of ...

How pharmacists address the healthcare needs of patients

by | in Patient | one response

In addition to outlining patient’s medications, and teaching them what times of day to take the drugs that will help control their specific disease, pharmacists are now taking on a new role to address the growing healthcare needs and demands of Americans, according to a recent article in the New York Times.For example, at Barney’s Pharmacy in Augusta, Ga., the pharmacy offers classes at the store for patients ...

How can doctors successfully engage their patients?

in Physician | 11 responses

by Thomas GoetzEnough about patients: What is a doctor to do?In the past few months, since The Decision Tree book came out, I’ve had the privilege to talk with many doctors about the opportunity and challenge of engaging patients in their own health. Some physicians, not surprisingly, have been suspicious, and even hostile to the idea that patients have a role to ...

How to meet the primary care demand in the next decade

in Physician | 22 responses

by Travis G. Bias, DOThroughout my involvement in organized medicine, I’ve met friends who I hold in high regard, and colleagues for whom I hope to one day work.  One of my favorites, a neurosurgery resident buddy of mine, claims specialists should be paid more than primary care physicians.  But, I am a third-year family medicine resident, preparing to enter the practicing world.  And ...

The White Coat Ceremony and its effect on medical students

in Education | 3 responses

by Timothy Dempsey and Pamela SavitzLast month, the National Football League inducted seven of its all-time great players into its Hall of Fame in a ceremony filled with nostalgia and memories of legendary careers long-finished.While this was going on, there was another type of induction ceremony taking place around the country. Yet, these celebrations lacked recollections of past achievements by retired legends finally receiving ...

Page 3 of 812345678

Kevin Pho, MD

See all in: Pho

Physician

See all in: Physician

Patient

See all in: Patient

Policy

See all in: Policy

Tech

See all in: Tech

Social Media

See all in: Social media

Meds

See all in: Meds

Conditions

See all in: Conditions

Education

See all in: Education