Emotional Support Animals
Certain rules assure that people can live with emotional support animals, but they are different rules than protect service animals.
Aug 20, 2023•4 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
Medical Research Volunteers are often poorly informed
The FDA has dropped the ball on requiring that studies are properly evaluated for ethical violations
Aug 13, 2023•5 min
The White Coat Ceremony – only a partial celebration.
Perhaps the white coat is no longer a fitting symbol for a patient-focused modern medical profession.
Aug 06, 2023•4 min
Religion and Medicine often make strange partners
Is our life’s path already written, or can we control behaviors and impact our health?
Jul 30, 2023•5 min
Ordering drug tests without permission
Drug testing for elicit substances should require explicit permission from the patient
Jul 23, 2023•5 min
The new heavily promoted weight loss drugs
Like with all new drugs, – things are never quite what they first seem.
Jul 16, 2023•5 min
The doctor and allocating scarce resources
Should limited resources go to those with the greatest expected benefit?
Jul 09, 2023•5 min
De-prescribing medications
Too many people use too many medications, negatively affecting their health.
Jul 02, 2023•5 min
One factor in picking the best surgeon
Data over many years suggests that surgeons who do more surgeries have better outcomes.
Jun 25, 2023•5 min
What we know about fathers
Being a father isn’t easy, and the expectations have changed remarkably over the years.
Jun 18, 2023•5 min
Cannabis for sleep
A good night’s sleep is vital to well-being, but it isn’t always easy
Jun 11, 2023•5 min
Meat consumption and human health (part 2)
While consuming meat can negatively impact our health, it also affects meat processing workers and those living near these processing plants.
Jun 04, 2023•5 min
The impact of meat consumption on human health
The relationship between meat consumption and human health is complicated.
May 28, 2023•5 min
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Artificial intelligence has suddenly burst onto the world stage, but now is the time to ensure that the use of AI is transparent, confidential, and enhances health care and not just institutional profits.
May 21, 2023•5 min
Is there a good time to stop screening for disease?
We spend lots of time figuring out at what age to start screening for cancer. But when do we stop screening?
May 14, 2023•5 min
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
You can easily order genetic tests online, but should you?
May 07, 2023•5 min
Screen for prostate cancer (PSA)
While the death rate for prostate cancer has fallen over the past two decades, little of this is related to routine testing of older men.
Apr 30, 2023•5 min
Reducing added sugar in our diet
Simply providing information such as clear warning labels on restaurant menus can reduce added sugar consumption.
Apr 23, 2023•5 min
Artificial Intelligence in End of Life Decisions
Can artificial intelligence, based on machine learning, predict more accurately the care a loved one would want at the end of life compared to next of kin?
Apr 16, 2023•5 min
Unnecessary Pre-operative testing
The thinking goes that testing before elective surgery can reduce risks and complications. But, it turns out it may do the opposite.
Apr 09, 2023•5 min
Implied Consent
Touch during a visit to the doctor has many benefits, but it can also negatively impact the provider-patient relationship.
Apr 02, 2023•4 min
Video recordings of surgical procedures
While video offers some advantages to patients and providers, it also has some significant downsides.
Mar 26, 2023•5 min
A rising demand for medical imaging tests
There are several reasons for the increasing use of medical imaging tests buy they may not always benefit the patient
Mar 19, 2023•5 min
Unacceptable COVID vaccine profits
When is it simply avarice to profit at the expense of public health?
Mar 12, 2023•5 min
The continued overuse of antibiotics
Sick people play a large role in driving antibiotic overuse.
Mar 05, 2023•5 min
Medical issues following a disaster
First comes the disaster. What follows is predictable, but equally worrisome.
Feb 26, 2023•5 min
Organ donations by prisoners
Should prisoners be allowed to donate organs in exchange for a reduced sentence?
Feb 19, 2023•5 min
The Need for New Antibiotics
Changes are needed to ready ourselves to treat new emerging infections
Feb 12, 2023•5 min
The problems with direct-to-consumer drug advertising
For good reason, other than the US, only one other country in the world allows drugs to be advertised directly to the public.
Feb 05, 2023•5 min
Making three wishes at the end of life
Small acts of kindness make a huge difference to patients and families
Jan 29, 2023•5 min
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