I know a health blogger who likes to drop the f-bomb when discussing injustices in healthcare. It’s his way of showcasing his disapproval. Which I understand. There’s lots of discontent to go around these days. Judiciously placed, salty language is shocking. And it gets attention. At first. Then when you see it 50 times, it loses its effect. Manufactured ... Continue Reading about Outrage Extinction
Unsafe Levels of Alcohol and the Crisis of Medical Misinformation
Last week the media made headlines that alcohol is unsafe at any quantity. It was based on a Lancet study that drew that conclusion. Aaron Carroll publicsplained it in the New York Times. It’s worth a read to understand how we might begin to put headlines and research conclusions into the proper context Medical research is complicated. Few among us are in a ... Continue Reading about Unsafe Levels of Alcohol and the Crisis of Medical Misinformation
Goop Effect – How Outrage Drives Bad Health Information
Recently the New York Times unpacked Gwyneth Paltrow’s blockbuster lifestyle brand, Goop. Brilliantly written by Taffy Brodesser-Anker it shows how calculated controversy (generated in part by vagina steaming and coffee enemas) is part of the strategic plan for this 250 million dollar media company. Check out The Guardian follow-up that captures how Goop has built its ... Continue Reading about Goop Effect – How Outrage Drives Bad Health Information
How a Language Barrier Creates Opportunity
As a physician in one of the most diverse cities in the United States I often communicate with families with the help of an interpreter. Some see the language barrier as a compromise and a challenge. But it’s really an opportunity. What we fail to achieve with use of words we can bridge with non-verbal communication. Expression, touch, tone, and animation will ... Continue Reading about How a Language Barrier Creates Opportunity
The Twitter Education of Dr. Milton Packer
Last week cardiologist Dr. Milton Packer offered a skewed perspective on Twitter. His piece, Do You Practice Twitter-Based Medicine, published in MedPage Today called into question the value of Twitter and drew harsh blowback from physicians. What stood out was Packer’s misunderstanding of not only Twitter as a platform but the broader role of public dialog among ... Continue Reading about The Twitter Education of Dr. Milton Packer
Voalte Phones and the Fantasy of Real-Time Physician Communication
I have a friend who’s a hospitalist. His team carries Voalte phones for communication within the hospital. The Voalte phone is an enterprise mobile device that allows communication by voice and text. For those trying to reach the doctor there is no waiting for a call back after a page. You just call directly. On the surface this seems like it would improve ... Continue Reading about Voalte Phones and the Fantasy of Real-Time Physician Communication