Protecting victims of domestic violence
It is time to re-look at laws intended to protect victims of domestic violence as they have had unintended consequences
May 02, 2021•5 min
Second Opinion
An examination of medical ethics and the practitioners who define them. Sign up to receive the Second Opinion topics in newsletter form at kcrw.com/newsletters .
Episodes
Hospitalizing someone against their will
Involuntary hospitalization is not an easy decision to make and involves balancing ethical, moral and legal issues while trying to protect a person and society.
Apr 25, 2021•4 min
Overtreatment of common infections with antibiotics
It turns out the number of days providers treat common infections with an antibiotic is simply too long.
Apr 18, 2021•5 min
The conflicts of interest between academic medical centers and medical industries
For years there has been a symbiotic relationship between these two giants but its time for increased transparency and some guiderails governing appropriate behaviors.
Apr 11, 2021•5 min
The complexities in diagnosing mental illness
Making a diagnosis of a mental illness can be difficult and there is a great overlap between normal and illness.
Apr 04, 2021•5 min
The Complexities of Cannabis Use
Like any drug, cannabis has risks and benefits. Unfortunately, we are still limited in our knowledge of both.
Mar 28, 2021•5 min
Unequal access to palliative care
Palliative care has much to offer in wrap-around services but it is being enormously underused particularly for people with illnesses other than cancer.
Mar 21, 2021•4 min
The impact of open medical records
A new law requires all medical records including clinician’s notes to be freely available to patients. Depending on your perspective this is either a long overdue transparency benefit or a hinderance to good medical care.
Mar 12, 2021•5 min
Accuracy of newly approved cancer drugs
Why is that results from drug research studies are so much rosier than the experience using those same drugs in the real world?
Mar 07, 2021•4 min
Unplanned pregnancies and contraceptives
Long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC’s) are under-used and often too expensive for many women – but this significantly restricts a woman’s contraceptive autonomy.
Feb 28, 2021•5 min
The health risks of eating chicken eggs
There as been lots of controversy on the health impact of eating eggs but some recent good studies suggest we may finally be reaching consensus.
Feb 21, 2021•4 min
The impact of stigma on sex workers
Sex workers often experience stigma both related to their occupation as well as to mental health issues they may face.
Feb 14, 2021•5 min
Treatments that just don’t work
While it often seems better to do something, there are times when it may be better to do nothing – such as taking Vitamin D or Homeopathic medicines.
Feb 07, 2021•5 min
Trauma and adversity can lead to resiliency
Sometimes it seems that we risk being overwhelmed by all that is thrown at us. But, resiliency is an important life skill that can be learned from interacting with those who are resilient.
Jan 31, 2021•5 min
Does this treatment really work?
Next time you are being prescribed a drug or offered a procedure, ask the doctor, “what does research suggest is the likely benefit I can expect from this intervention”?
Jan 24, 2021•5 min
The Shkreli Awards for health care dysfunction and greed.
Each year the Lown Institute calls for nominations from health care experts, journalists and others. This year an outstanding panel of judges selected 10 egregious examples of profiteering.
Jan 17, 2021•5 min
Entitlement and COVID
Are some people more deserving than others? Should queues and priorities apply to everyone or should some people be able to jump ahead?
Jan 10, 2021•5 min
For those with chronic pain - does surgery lead to improvement?
While it depends on the pain and the cause, on average surgery for chronic musculoskeletal pain does not result in less pain compared to those who received no surgery.
Jan 03, 2021•5 min
Rationing care in times of COVID
Choices of who gets limited resources in health care are never easy as there are bound to be winners and losers. But, rationing policies need to be open and involve the stakeholders.
Dec 27, 2020•5 min
How are you doing?
This friendly phrase can send the wrong message.
Dec 20, 2020•4 min
The advantages of wastewater epidemiology
Wastewater-based epidemiology is an approach to providing real-time information on our exposure to certain diseases using pooled waste water extraction (aka “sewage”).
Dec 13, 2020•5 min
Crossing your fingers – superstitions in medicine
Superstitions and magical thinking can help protect us from what we know is out ther
Dec 06, 2020•5 min
Domestic Violence in times of COVID
Research shows that DV increases during hard economic times, social isolation, and around the holidays – creating a perfect storm.
Nov 29, 2020•5 min
Gut Feelings
While they may not be scientific, gut feelings can often be right.
Nov 22, 2020•4 min
The benefits of continuity of care
Keeping the same doctor has many benefits but it can also increase the length of your life.
Nov 15, 2020•4 min
Changing the recommendations for colon cancer screening
As the rates of colon cancer shift it may be time to alter the screening recommendations. But there are some unintended consequences.
Nov 08, 2020•5 min
The impact of bullying
We’ve seen bullying taken to new levels. The impact on civil society is profound and will be long lasting.
Nov 01, 2020•5 min
What happens to all that PPE we discard?
While PPE is lifesaving, it is creating environmental damage for the future.
Oct 25, 2020•5 min
Psychiatric hospitalization as a risk factor for premature death
We’ve got a broken mental health care system which seems unable to protect many with great needs.
Oct 18, 2020•5 min
Lessons from the bedside for American policy makers
Dr. Nathan Link explains how the medical science of decision-making has lots to offer America’s leaders.
Oct 11, 2020•5 min
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