Are you for or against artificial intelligence in medicine? With the rise of machine learning in healthcare this is becoming more common question. When confronted with this question, MIT’s Max Tegmark responds, “Are you for or against fire?” Fire of course can keep us warm but can also be mishandled by arsonists and others with nefarious intent. The problem is our ... Continue Reading about Artificial Intelligence in Medicine – Are You For or Against?
How to Manage Patient Expectations
One of the most important roles I play as a physician is the management of patient expectations. The reason it’s so important stems from the nature of my work. As a gastroenterologist to small people I work in a grey-zone. I live in the space between intestinal pathology and the complicated lives of growing children and families. And if you know anything about ... Continue Reading about How to Manage Patient Expectations
Clinical Interview Question: What Do You Think is Going On?
When I evaluate a new patient, I work to compress data collection and screen time on the front end of the visit so I can free up the remainder of the visit for face-to-face discussion and shared decision making. This intentional visit design is necessary because of the realities of modern clinic schedules. And so the questions I ask and their sequence is important to ... Continue Reading about Clinical Interview Question: What Do You Think is Going On?
Touch | Beyond the Physical Examination
I read recently about a patient who spent 4 hours in an ER but was never experienced touch by a human. Not surprising, really. Technology is doing a lot of what we used to do with our eyes, ears and hands. For better or worse. While physicians often associate touch with the physical exam, it can facilitate more powerful things. Here are a few things the hand can ... Continue Reading about Touch | Beyond the Physical Examination
The Twitter Filibuster | Tension with Medicine’s New Influencers
The Twitter Filibuster as detailed below was suggested by Dr. Asif Qasim during a presentation at the 2018 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference, one of the world’s largest meetings specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine. The slide as represented here drew significant dialog and discussion around the emerging role of social ... Continue Reading about The Twitter Filibuster | Tension with Medicine’s New Influencers
How Doctors are Like Bookstores
I came across this tweet recently. It linked to a blogpost written to promote bookstores and discourage the use of Amazon. WHY YOU SHOULD USE A REAL BOOKSTORE OVER AMAZON It got me thinking how doctors are at risk of becoming like book vendors. Don’t beg like the guy promoting brick and mortar businesses. Of course, supplication will keep you alive in the short ... Continue Reading about How Doctors are Like Bookstores