My physician-guru, Dr. Jerome Groopman, was on the Today Show this morning to highlight some of the excellent points he made in his book, How Doctors Think. (My editorial opinion — it’s a must-read for anyone who is having trouble getting diagnosed correctly.) But I’m beginning to swerve from my usual train of thought surrounding […]
How Doctors DON’T Think: Groopman on the Today Show Read More »
My physician-guru, Dr. Jerome Groopman, was on the Today Show this morning to highlight some of the excellent points he made in his book, How Doctors Think. (My editorial opinion — it’s a must-read for anyone who is having trouble getting diagnosed correctly.) But I’m beginning to swerve from my usual train of thought surrounding
How Doctors DON’T Think: Groopman on the Today Show Read More »
The first line of defense against hospital infections is clean hands. Seems simple, right? Yet millions of Americans are infected in hospitals every year. 100,000 Americans die from them. Read that carefully — yes — 100,000 Americans go to the hospital because they are sick, or they need surgery. They die — NOT because they
Hospital Infection Prevention Week Read More »
Sometimes my best contribution to the topic of the dysfunction of the American health care system has more to do with asking questions that can’t be answered than providing answers. Remember — I’m not a medical professional. I’m simply an empowered patient who reflects on this dysfunction daily. This week there was a sudden flurry
Kids, Colds and Bad Assumptions Read More »
You know I’m a fan of Jerome Groopman, the author of How Doctors Think. In his incredibly eye-opening book, he tells of trying to get a correct diagnosis for his own health problem, and the fact that four doctors had four different diagnoses for him, and four differing ideas of how to treat it. As
One Woman, 6 Missed Diagnoses, A Lesson for Us All Read More »
Heard again today from my friend Tom. Previously, I shared the saga of his need for specialized heart surgery, his battle with his health insurance company for permission, and the need for prayers as he finally underwent his surgery in Cleveland. Good news! Tom’s home, and doing so well that he’s arguing with his neighbor!
Tom – Another Update Read More »
I’ve been asked for weeks to weigh in on the SCHIP bill (State Children’s Health Insurance Program.) I had to give it some thought because I just couldn’t fathom that there could be any opposition without some good reason. So I’ve read commentary by President Bush, commentary by John McCain, coverage by CNN, Fox and
Bush, Congress and SCHIP: Remember, Children Will Vote Someday Read More »
I’ve talked before about blamers and fixers. Here’s a way of looking at that concept that may make you a wiser patient. One of the big questions about medical mistakes is whether practitioners should own up to them. Until recently, doctors were highly discouraged from admitting any kinds of problems had taken place, whether it
How Apologies Lead to Fixing Read More »
