I have been thinking about concept of the wicked problem and how it could explain our debate and deep division over COVID’s public health management. What’s a wicked problem? Proposed by University of California professors W.J. Rittel and Melvin M. Webber in a 1973 article in Policy Sciences journal, a wicked problem describes a problem that is difficult ... Continue Reading about Why We Can’t See COVID as a Wicked Problem
Great Barrington Declaration and What It Says About Us
The latest political battle over COVID has taken the form of two dueling petitions: The Great Barrington Declaration and the the John Snow Memorandum. Their conception reflect the dangerously polarized state of COVID-19. But despite dividing the world further into predictable sides, the petitions create the opportunity for a conversation about trade-off and common ... Continue Reading about Great Barrington Declaration and What It Says About Us
Cures Act Final Rule – How It Will Change Medicine
The ONC Cures Act Final Rule (Cures Rule) is the biggest health care law you’ve never heard of. But it’s a law that's going to fundamentally shift the way we see patients and their information. It will change how physicians talk to patients about information. It will shift the way health professionals connect patients to their information. So what is it and what does ... Continue Reading about Cures Act Final Rule – How It Will Change Medicine
Apple Watch Series 6 – Why Watch Your Blood Oxygen?
This week apple released the Apple Watch Series 6. The premier feature is the pulse oximetry sensor on its underbelly that measures peripheral blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). I love Apple products. In fact, in the past I’ve suggested that if Apple released an Apple Hat I would buy it. Despite my blind love for all things Apple I began to wonder this week why we ... Continue Reading about Apple Watch Series 6 – Why Watch Your Blood Oxygen?
Genius Bar for Healthcare – Not Ready for Primetime
A challenge was thrown down on Twitter recently: If we had a Genius Bar for healthcare what would it look like? (paraphrased and originally asked by health designer Nick Dawson) I’ve seen this question before and it reflects a recurring ideal in healthcare: the efficient, service-oriented transactional experience where a problem is identified and fixed. But the ... Continue Reading about Genius Bar for Healthcare – Not Ready for Primetime
The Problem with Policing Doctors on Social Media
We’ve all seen physicians occasionally act out on Twitter but few of us like to recognize it. Because policing doctors on social media is tricky business. The AMA has called peer-to-peer policing our professional responsibility. But when you do you’re often the odd man out. I know because I’ve called out. And I’ve been called out. It goes like this: Some doctor ... Continue Reading about The Problem with Policing Doctors on Social Media