Don’t look at the internet. No matter how few doctors tell their patients this, we talk like it’s everyone. We love the story. It fulfills the narrative of the stereotypical controlling doctor. But don’t look at the internet is a hangover from the early days of the Information Age. It marked the transition from physician as sole arbiter of information to patient ... Continue Reading about Don’t Look at the Internet
Diagnosticians and Paper Towels
This Tweet from Dr. Zachary Berger about diagnosticians was one of the first things I saw this morning: I'll never get an award as a great diagnostician bc I'm not any better than any one else in catching the rare stuff. But I am good at history taking, and that's guaranteed to pick up half a dozen ignored common things. I'm like the guy at the party who ... Continue Reading about Diagnosticians and Paper Towels
New Literacy for the 21st century – The Art of Microstyle
If you want to show that you’re peeved on Twitter, starting with Ummm appears to be your best bet. Consider it part of the new literacy for the 21st century. Consider a recent Twitter exchange over a cardiology publication where one doctor wasn’t happy with how his position was represented. Let’s roll the clip.... Ummm... i listed false benefits attributed to ... Continue Reading about New Literacy for the 21st century – The Art of Microstyle
Doctors and the Media: Why Can’t Physicians See Their Role?
This tweet about doctors and the media from Dr. Aaron Carroll made me think: Just spent 15 minutes talking on background to a reporter who was thinking of writing a story in an area I'd written on previously, and I don't understand why researchers and physicians are so reticent to talk to the media. This is how knowledge gets out there. The problem is that ... Continue Reading about Doctors and the Media: Why Can’t Physicians See Their Role?
Methodical Medicine: Things That Should be Done Slowly
Tom Peters inspired me this with The Speed Trap: When Taking Your Time (Really) Matters. So much of his thinking in management can be translated to medicine. So it got me thinking ...what are the things in medicine that should be methodical? What should be done slowly? To the uniformed reader, the answer will seem obvious: everything. But in medicine there is ... Continue Reading about Methodical Medicine: Things That Should be Done Slowly
Afib and Apple Watch – The Physician’s Emerging Role
Consumer-directed health technology is allowing people to be more involved their own health care. This week Apple turned on the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4. So many who have never seen a rhythm strip now can generate one on their wrist. Apple watch can help identify afib,the most common form of irregular heart rhythm. As one of the first diseases screened with a ... Continue Reading about Afib and Apple Watch – The Physician’s Emerging Role