Medical deserts is our topic today. We’ve all heard about “food deserts,” parts of the country, usually in urban areas (but not exclusively), lacking full, proper grocery stores that result in poor nutrition options for its citizens. But what about “medical deserts?” What are those? Medical deserts are becoming a growing problem, particularly in rural […]

The way the citizens (yes, citizens –not doctors) of Geel, Belgium take care of the mentally ill in this town will warm your heart and blow your mind. The small town has a long, rich history of taking care of the mentally ill. The citizens of Geel “foster” mentally ill patients in their homes. But, […]

Hey, let’s do a series talking about new and innovative ways people/towns/organizations are thinking outside-of-the-box to better meet the needs of specific populations. Today let’s talk about community paramedic programs that are popping up more and more across the country and are aimed at reducing the number of visits chronic 911 callers make to the […]

The physician-patient relationship is a complex weave of expectation, communication and trust. When a patient corrupts that relationship by repeatedly arriving late for appointments, failing to pay for services rendered or menacing you or your staff, you have the right to terminate that relationship. When a patient refuses to follow their treatment plan or exhibits […]

Lies. Let’s talk about them. I recently read a great essay in the New York Times by a physician talking about all of the different kinds of lies that are told in health care. Of course, it’s easy to think about the lies that patients tell their physicians. Often these lies are told out of […]

Caring for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia is very challenging for many reasons, but probably most of all, because of the patients’ urge to roam. It has been estimated by the Alzheimer’s Association that 1 in 3 seniors die with dementia. Often, finding care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is a struggle, and the facilities […]

Here are 26 reasons you’re probably paying too much for your med mal insurance: 1. You went directly to an insurance company. You thought that going directly to an insurance company would be more efficient and save you money. The opposite is true. You limited your options and didn’t shop the market. More than likely, […]

A recent article on MedPage Today detailed new actions that the NFL is taking to better protect football players from concussions and brain injuries. So, what’s new? 1. Concussed players are being kept off of the field for longer periods of time. In the past, it was common for players to be sent back into […]

Electronic health records are frustrating already overwhelmed healthcare professionals nationwide. EHRs are expensive and time consuming; often decrease efficiency and, in many cases, are counterintuitive in their function. They also open a completely new, 21st Century set of patient safety and privacy risks. A recent survey conducted by the American College of Physicians shows that […]