Blogs
Doctor Groups Unite Against Unnecessary Tests And Procedures
February 22, 2013 9:29 am | by Richard Knox | CommentsDoctors do stuff — tests, procedures, drug regimens, and operations. It’s what they’re trained to do, what they’re paid to do and often what they fear not doing. So it’s pretty significant that a broad array of medical specialty groups is issuing an expanding list of don’ts for physicians.
Breaking News! Operations Take Longer When Residents Are Involved
February 20, 2013 9:16 am | by The Skeptical Scalpel | CommentsA study concludes, “Additional work must be undertaken to identify strategies to optimize operating room efficiency and to develop alternate strategies to prepare participants for the performance of the procedure.” And what would those “alternate strategies” be? You can pick up beads on a simulator all you want, but it’s not the same as doing an operation. And assuming open surgery is still being done somewhere, there is no simulator for open surgery.
The EMR Template: I Want To Believe
February 19, 2013 11:15 am | by Betsy Nicoletti | CommentsThe X-Files fans will remember the poster that Agent Mulder had on his bulletin board with a picture of a flying saucer and the words, “I want to believe.” That’s how I feel reading EMR notes sometimes. I want to believe, but I doubt.
Five Ways To Adapt To An Evolving Healthcare Workforce
February 15, 2013 8:49 am | by Linda Brodsky, M.D. | CommentsExperimentation in one’s career path has become a natural process. Learning new skills is a constant; adapting to new environments is mandatory. But is the healthcare workplace environment ready to adapt? Probably not as well as it could or should. Here are five critical ways the modern healthcare workplace can adapt to this rapidly evolving healthcare workforce.
Afraid To Speak Up To Medical Power
February 14, 2013 1:37 pm | by Pauline Chen, M.D. | CommentsMemories of a past conversation I had came flooding back last week when I read an essay on the problems posed by hierarchies within the medical profession.
Why We Need EMR 3.0
February 13, 2013 10:24 am | by David Nash, M.D., MBA | CommentsEMRs are essentially electronic charts, but what we need going forward is a tool to promote accountability and measurement of quality and safety.
The Drawn Out Process of the Medical Lawsuit
February 12, 2013 10:45 am | by Pauline Chen, MD. | CommentsOne afternoon my colleague revealed that she had been named in a lawsuit, accused of overlooking an irregularity on a scan several years earlier. The plaintiff suing believed my colleague had missed the first sign of a now rampant cancer. While other radiologists tried to assure her that the “irregularity” was well within what might be considered normal, my colleague became consumed by the what-if’s.
Out-Of-Pocket
February 11, 2013 10:32 am | by Dr. Bruce Campbell, M.D. | CommentsWe will continue to worry whether the healthcare system upon which we depend will eventually make it impossible for us to feel safe and secure as they approach the end of our lives.
Why It Isn’t A Good Time To Become A Nurse
February 8, 2013 9:25 am | by David Williams | CommentsFor years we’ve read that the US faces a looming shortage of nurses. Yet somehow 43 percent of newly-licensed RNs can’t find jobs within 18 months. Some hospitals and other employers openly discourage new RNs from applying for jobs. That doesn’t sound like a huge shortage, then does it?
What Are The Different Types Of Anesthesia?
February 6, 2013 9:53 am | by Shirie Leng. MD | CommentsFor most people, anesthesia is one of the more mysterious branches of medicine. What we do for patients is done, generally, when they are asleep. We have done our job right if our patients don’t remember most of what we did.
The Ethics Of EMR: How Unproven Technology Affects Patients
February 5, 2013 9:35 am | by Wes Fisher, MD | CommentsWe should acknowledge that there might be cause, ethically, to deploy a technology that truly benefits patients at some cost. After all, you have to break a few eggs to make a good omelet. If interoperability of EMR systems between facilities were commonplace and clinical data were shared with ease while patient privacy was vigorously upheld flawlessly, the cost of these systems might be ethically justified.
The Successful Physician Of 2015: Five Essential Traits
February 4, 2013 9:48 am | by Linda Ireland | CommentsThe healthcare scene is evolving. Rapidly. We all know that. Thanks to legislation, changing patient expectations and physician shortages, we are all in for a roller coaster of changes over the next few years. But what does this mean for physicians? Plenty. Most importantly, it means physician’s roles in the healthcare system will change. Drastically. And that means the traits and skills you’ll need to be successful will change, too.
Cancelling Surgery: When The Show Can’t Go On
February 1, 2013 1:16 pm | by Kate O'Reilly, M.D. | CommentsIt’s showtime. No need to worry. This is just another routine performance. I can do this. All I need to do is get on stage, do my dance, and wait for the curtain to fall. Then move on to the next stage and do it all again.
When Should Physicians Hire An IT Consultant?
January 30, 2013 9:49 am | by Rosemarie Nelson | CommentsAccording to recent Medical Group Management Association surveys more than 50% of physicians used the services of a healthcare consultant or firm at least once in the previous 3 years. But did they have to? Was it a smart move?
Just 'Cause It's New And At Mayo Doesn't Mean It's Better
January 29, 2013 11:49 am | by Gary Schwitzer | CommentsI’m a big fan of Minnesota Public Radio and usually a big fan of their healthcare news coverage. They’ve done some bold and innovative coverage in recent years. But when I heard (on the radio) and saw (online) MPR’s story, “Prostate cancer scan advance helps Mayo doctors with early detection,” I saw some red flags immediately.
