Perhaps the most basic of patient empowerment skills is the ability of patients to ask questions of their doctors. The AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) recognizes that an informed patient will be a healthier patient — and has put together a video they plan to run (and already have in some places) on […]
Do You Ask Your Doctor Questions? Read More »
Last September, a gentleman and professor from Carnegie Mellon (Carnegie Tech) made headlines when he announced he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, then stood before a lecture hall of students and gave his “lecture of a lifetime.” It’s about achieving one’s childhood dreams. I watched it again this morning. As I said when I
Update on Randy Pausch, Known for His Lecture of a Lifetime Read More »
Regular readers of this blog know that I encourage patients to step up when they notice that a healthcare worker is getting ready to touch them and has not washed his/her hands. Why? To protect oneself from MRSA and other possible deadly superbug infections, that’s why! It could mean the difference between life and death,
Making Handwashing Part of the Routine Read More »
I’ve watched and heard plenty of controversy from those who are either upset, or elated, that ABC will be airing an episode of its new TV show, Eli Stone, tomorrow night. Eli Stone is a lawyer who defends a lawsuit imposed by a family who believes that a vaccination caused their child to develop autism.
Eli Stone, ABC, Autism, and My Take on the Controversy Read More »
Regular readers of this blog know that my mother suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. That means our entire family suffers from the “long good-bye.” My dad, in particular, has been a saint of a caregiver, but he has watched the love of his life descend into the hell that strips them both of their quality of
A Reversal for Alzheimer’s Disease? Maybe. Read Behind the Headline. Read More »
Regular readers of this blog know that my mother suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. That means our entire family suffers from the “long good-bye.” My dad, in particular, has been a saint of a caregiver, but he has watched the love of his life descend into the hell that strips them both of their quality of
A Reversal for Alzheimer’s Disease? Maybe. Read Behind the Headline. Read More »
From 2002 to 2003, about 101,000 Americans died from preventable causes ranging from diabetes to bacterial infections and surgical complications, so says a study releases this week. The reports are based on results from a study undertaken by the Commonwealth Fund, a private New York City based health policy foundation. The study took place among
Why Does the US Have the Worst Rate of Preventable Deaths Among Industrialized Nations? Read More »
Yesterday’s post, where I told the stories of three (+2) victims of MRSA infections, raised ire, blame and excuses from commentators and emailers alike. Never mind that they were stories of five people who are infected with MRSA, one of whom has basically been left to die. Never mind that the frustration levels of these
MRSA: Victimization and Shooting the Messenger Read More »
