Shannon Brownlee, the author of Overtreated, manages to rearrange my perspective from time to time. She takes the facts I have learned, or the concepts I study, and makes me see them in an entirely different light. I may not always agree with her! But I never fail to learn plenty. This recent article penned […]
Healthcare Dysfunction Spawns Its Own Myths Read More »
One important theme in the information I share with patients, is to help them better understand their frustrations with healthcare as a basis for understanding how to get past those frustrations. Point-of-view is always a good place to begin. Understanding the point of view of whatever it is that stands in your way can help
Frustrated by a Hospital Stay? Doctors Are Frustrated, Too Read More »
From time to time I’ll read an article written by a doctor about his or her experience as a patient. Several have written books about their experiences, and what they learned from them. Often their own patient-hood causes some sort of epiphany. That “aha!” moment that helps them GET IT. Their work is no longer
Doctors as Patients – Maybe This Should be Part of Med School? Read More »
I don’t usually write about local or state news because my work is really more broad than that — however — an article in my local newspaper about a local hospital and wrong-site surgery just begged for some additional information! Wrong site surgery — a “never event” that takes place an estimated 100 – 200
Wrong Site Surgery — What Happens Next? Read More »
Beginning October 1, 2008, Medicare, and many health insurance companies, will no longer pay hospitals for the additional services needed for patients who suffer from “never events.” Never Events, as defined by the National Quality Forum, are those events which should never happen to a patient. There are 28 errors on the list ranging from
Never Events — Shooting the Messenger Read More »
[To catch up on previous chapters of Heather’s story, link here (post #1) and here (post#2.)] Heather had her first oncology appointment today. She was lucky to get in so quickly after her primary care physician ditched her (that still makes me shudder) and she was prepared. Last week, after my post about her diagnosis
Heather, SPTCL, the Next Chapter – Hang on to Your Hat! Read More »
Here’s the good news: Heather does not have SPTCL. Here’s the bad news: Heather does have another type of T-cell lymphoma called CGD-TCL, cutaneous gamma-delta t-cell lymphoma. Also written with Greek letters: cutaneous ?/? T-cell lymphoma To say that both Heather and I were shocked is an understatement. If you read my post a few
Heather, SPTCL, Another Misdiagnosis and Doctors Who Should Not Practice Medicine Read More »
I’ve been reminded twice in the last two days about the oncologist who was a part of my misdiagnosis story. He’s a big part of it; if he hadn’t been such an arrogant SOB, then I probably would not have changed careers to help other patients help themselves. But most days I don’t even think
When Egos Transcend Common Sense and Doing the Right Thing Read More »
