Second Opinion

Do Not Sit Silently

Sometimes it is difficult to be low person on the totem pole and see something being done wrong...

Is Being Tired an Illness?

Doctors are using a new medicine, Provigil, to help people stay awake longer. Is this a case of disease mongering?...

Disease Mongering

When is a disease not really a disease?

Reassurance

Even after the doctor tells us that everything is all right , we still continue to worry and wonder.

Oxycontin

The pharmacuetical executives who plead guilty this week to illegally pushing prescription narcotics on unsuspecting doctors may have done far more harm than just killing people.

Feeding Tubes

Dealing with Alzheimer? Disease is complex, but nothing is worse than deciding on issues such as the placement of feeding tubes.

Blaming the Victim

Why is it that the news media and the public always need to blame the victim for their illness?

Treating Cholesterol

Patients should be told the magnitude of benefit about drugs to treat diseases so they can make personal informed decisions...

Genetic Discrimination

Many people are at high risk for genetic diseases but fear the discrimination that would result from being tested for the condition. New legislation aims to protect the public...

Banking Cord Blood

Companies promote banking of umbilical cord blood as life-saving and the ultimate gift to a your new born but the data suggests otherwise. Further, doctors often promote the expensive procedure to parents without disclosing that they are receiving a referral fee from the companies...

Religion in Medicine

A surgeon invites a patient to pray with him prior to beginning surgery. Have those who suggest doctors bring religion to their practice of medicine gone to far?

Emergency Room Overuse

Why do emergency rooms seem so overcrowded? Is there a way to unload busy ERs?

Tackling Obesity

It is easy for us doctors to point fingers and tell overweight people to lose weight. But this approach isn't working and it's time for some mandatory social interventions that will benefit us all.

Case Managers

Caring for people with dementia is complicated and the traditional medical system can offer little in the way of support. In one study case managers, a relatively new member of the health care team, seem to provide dramatic results.

A Request for an MRI

While technology can offer significant advancements in health, it is not always needed and often only serves to drive up health care costs.

The Electronic Medical Record

The President and major hospital groups are pushing to move toward electronic medical records (EMRs). Will these improve the quality of health care?

Keeping Up Appearances

Behind the Curtain

Genetic Screening in Teens

Compassionate Care for the Elderly

Drug Overdose

Saying 'I'm Sorry'

Social Determinants of Disease

Difficulty Sleeping

Disease and Illness

Susan, a 56 year old nurse, suffers from difuse body pains. She's no longer able to work as a visiting nurse and she's unable to play the violin. At first her docors had hunches over the cause of her symptoms and over the course of many visits tried hard to diagnose the problem. She feels like she's had nearly every single medical test possible to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. Yet, she's still in pain and doctors aren't quite sure why. Perhaps worse then a disabling physical pain, is...

Prison Research

Avoiding Kidney Surgery

Going Abroad

Screening for Dementia

Beliefs