Physicians, hospitals and other providers are being misled by industry pundits claiming that more health information technology (as in EMRs, PHRs, smartphone apps, and web portals) is the key to greater patient engagement. It’s not.
If health information technology were all that was needed to “engage” patients then patient and member adoption rates of provider and payer web portals offering personal health records (PHRs) and electronic health records (EHRs) would not ...
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I was curious why Lahey Clinic, a nonprofit group practice outside of Boston, started asking patients, “Are you safe at home?” during intake. Trying to find this out turned into an exploration of the inconsistent state of intimate partner violence screening in the US.
“Are you safe at home?”
The first time I was asked “Are you safe at home?” during patient intake at Lahey Clinic, I was surprised that such a ...
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Over the past few years, I have had more than my share of navigating my way through the emotional and practical aspects of my treatment for mantle cell lymphoma. While at the back of my mind the broader questions – why me?, how long will I live? – remain, once I got over the initial anger and depression after the initial diagnosis (and after my relapse), I found these practical ...
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Today's healthcare consumers are increasingly asked to take a more participatory role in their care. For many this is a daunting task - even if the patient desires being in the driver's seat. There are a myriad of issues undermining patient-physician communication - such as time constraints, lack of comfort with the subject matter, lack of shared language, or even fear - that can make the ...
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We’re a disgruntled bunch these days. We think there must be a better way to experience health care.
Doctors say they’re pressed for time, don’t make enough money, have to hassle with insurance companies and typically feel generally burned out about medicine.
Patients feel they wait too long in the waiting room, don’t get much time in the examining room to ask questions or share concerns, want to be more involved in ...
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One of the hardest things after a cancer diagnosis is telling others: family, friends and colleagues. I preferred to a more open approach for a number of reasons.
Keeping everything inside was harder, talking and writing was a form of release. People close to you need to know to help them support you. Letting people know avoids awkward questions, providing an invitation for support. Previous experience with others who did not share ...
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Have you ever sat on your bed after being discharged from a hospital stay and suddenly felt – along with the relief of being home – overwhelmed by what you have just been told that you and your loved ones must now do? Similarly, have you ever walked out of an appointment with your clinician and said, “HUH? Exactly what did we agree I am going to do about this ...
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Earlier this year, I made an announcement that may have made a few people think I was half a bubble off level. I’m leaving CCU.
I’ve worked in CCU (and CVICU) for 14 years. 5 years ago I had a baby, and reduced my hours to one day per week.
It took me just about all of those 5 years to fully comprehend that one just can’t keep up with all there ...
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Planning a lengthy hospital stay is like planning any extended vacation or business trip, with the difference that transitioning to hospital life means transitioning to no longer being in control, where choice is limited, and where one is dependent on others.
Given my lengthy hospital stays as part of my stem cell transplants - some planned, some as a result of complications - the following may be helpful should you find ...
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Years ago, I attended college near the home of a favorite great aunt. Aunt Lucy lived alone in a tidy apartment with a tiny courtyard balcony, overlooking a busy Pasadena street. Sometimes, I would make the short, chaotic drive through the tangle of LA freeways in order to spend a few days visiting my aunt in her neatly arranged home.
I visited Aunt Lucy when I was in need of a ...
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"A comprehensive and extremely useful roadmap for doctors."
-Eric Topol, MD, author of The Creative Destruction of Medicine
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Past 6 Months
Dear lawmakers: This is what it’s like to be a doctor today
Matthew Moeller, MD | PhysicianA gun owner responds to Sandy Hook
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Claire McCarthy, MD | PhysicianPrimary care doctors may no longer be needed
Doug Olson, MD | PhysicianWalgreens moves into primary care, and it’s our own damn fault
Kevin Pho, MD | Kevin's Take