This post was inspired by a brilliant 2018 SXSW panel discussion on default options in health among Karen DeSalvo, Thomas Goetz, Andy Chim, and Ryan Panchadsaram Increasingly the market share of options available to us are poor options when it comes to our health. Our default options too often push us further from health. An example of a default option is the ... Continue Reading about Default Options in Health
Do Your Patients Think You’re an Amazing Doctor?
A friend had asked me to see one of her neighbors. A young child with some elimination issues, the family had been to a couple of other doctors with no success. A fairly routine problem that needed the right evaluation and a consistent approach, it was sorted out in 2-3 visits. When I ran into my friend a month later, I was met with hugs and thanks for ... Continue Reading about Do Your Patients Think You’re an Amazing Doctor?
String as the Technology That Connects
This tweet from a pediatric play therapist found its way into my feed. And it stopped me in my tracks. Children isolated during XRT therapy remain connected to their parents by a spool of string. Child holds one end and the parent holds the other. Magic string. Beyond appealing to the concrete developmental place where kids are at it serves to remind us that the ... Continue Reading about String as the Technology That Connects
The Waiting Room
In clinic I do my best to run on time. I bend every which way to see on time patients on time. It drives my staff crazy. Consequently, I prefer that my patients arrive in a reception area rather than a waiting room. The space is the same but the intent is different. Language is powerful in healthcare. Image via Donald West on Flickr ... Continue Reading about The Waiting Room
Should We Consider Patient Bias?
There's lots of talk about physician bias. Confirmation bias, attribution error, etc. Jerry Groopman's How Doctors Think provides a great primer on how patterns of physician thinking impact care. Unfortunately there's less talk about patient bias. Google 'patient bias' and you'll find only links to physician bias. Patients bring their own biases to the exam ... Continue Reading about Should We Consider Patient Bias?
The Illusion of Empowerment
As reported by Politico, Epic CEO Judy Faulkner found herself in hot water when she told Joe Biden that, irrespective of access, he wouldn't understand his medical record. The social health infosphere was outraged. My take: Judy was wrong to imply that Joe shouldn't have access to his stuff. Judy was right to suggest that a chunk of Joe's stuff is beyond what he can ... Continue Reading about The Illusion of Empowerment