My first patient of the day has metastatic pancreatic cancer. She's had it, in fact, for two years. Getting chemo for two years. Her hair has fallen out, her pain is becoming uncontrollable and she's been in and out of the hospital.
Her daughters came to the clinic with her. She is tearful. Her daughters pull me aside. "Tell her to focus on the positive," they request. I wonder if there ...
Read more...
A 60-year-old lady came for follow-up after a recent stay in the hospital. She was diabetic — horribly uncontrolled — the result of which was that she had already been on dialysis for four years. She ended up in the emergency room with chest pain. Diabetic patients are at higher risk than the general population of having heart attacks.
She underwent studies to evaluate for blockages in her heart. The cardiologist ...
Read more...
My last clinic patient of the day was a frail, elderly man. I initially found him to be ornery. He had the air of someone who was chronically irritated. He was also incredibly hard of hearing. Due to the awkward set up of the exam room and computer, his wheelchair was positioned in such a way that we sat side-by-side. His wife sat sleeping in her chair, her red lipstick ...
Read more...
I am working hospitalist right now. On Friday, a man in his 80s was admitted with difficulty breathing. He had a complicated history, including a heart attack at age 35 with all the subsequent sequela of heart disease. He had an abnormal heart rhythm and was taking a blood thinner for stroke prevention. In addition, he had scarring of his lungs (cause unknown).
He was transferred to us from another hospital. ...
Read more...
Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.
Past 6 Months
This doctor stopped prescribing opioids. Other physicians should do the same.
Thomas D. Guastavino, MD | MedsA bill to drive physicians out of practice in the state of California
Linda Hertzberg, MD | PolicyHow I saved my daughter from a medical error
Varun Verma, MD | PhysicianPush back on toxic behaviors from other doctors
Todd Rice, MD, MBA | PhysicianNP/PA vs. physician: Why is there a productivity gap?
Tracy Cardin, ACNP | PhysicianPhysicians have become devalued in modern health care
Anonymous | Policy