We sometimes forget that public transparency can be scary. I’ve found this particularly true for doctors. And they tell me so. This tweet from MD Anderson’s Dr. Garcia-Manero hints that the daily digital repartee that I take for granted isn’t so easy for the newbie. This 33 charts comment came in today from a rheumatologist, Dr. Irwin Lim of BJC Health. It ... Continue Reading about Does Fear Keep Doctors from Social Media?
Connecting When the Patient Doesn’t Speak Your Language
I can’t say that I enjoy the patient encounter as much when it involves a translator. There’s just something about communicating through a third party that changes the experience. But there are some things you can do as a provider to bridge the gap when the patient doesn't speak your language. Look. Even thought the translator is doing the talking, look at the ... Continue Reading about Connecting When the Patient Doesn’t Speak Your Language
Physician Online Reputation Management – 2 Realities
This KevinMD post by Tobin Arthur on online reputation management is well done. After some thought, I feel a simple approach would be to boil physician online reputation management down to two realities: 1. You have no control over what people say Discouraging. But think of it this way: While you can’t control what people say, you can influence what people say ... Continue Reading about Physician Online Reputation Management – 2 Realities
Dr. V’s 5 Clinical Resolutions for 2011
Jenni Prokopy (aka Chronicbabe) put us to the challenge for this week’s Grand Rounds by asking for our 2011 clinical resolutions. I have to admit that I’m not one for resolutions because I can never take them seriously. But admittedly there are things that I need to tighten up. So here goes: 1. Clear my chart rack every afternoon. This is key because my ... Continue Reading about Dr. V’s 5 Clinical Resolutions for 2011
Book Notes – The Rational Optimist
I just finished The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley. And here’s the good news: The world apparently isn’t screwed. Listening to the pessimists who have hijacked the public discourse I would have thought otherwise. This book is powerful. In a work that covers the sweep of human history from the Stone Age to the Internet, Ridley offers up a rich assessment of ... Continue Reading about Book Notes – The Rational Optimist
How Doctor-Patients Make an Introduction
I treat lots of doctor’s kids. For some of them it’s really important that I know they’re a physician. Usually it comes clear in the introduction. I had one dad show up on his day off in shorts with his medical staff badge affixed to his t-shirt. When I visit a doctor for my self or with a family member I never disclose my profession unless it comes up in the ... Continue Reading about How Doctor-Patients Make an Introduction