I was reading this interview with an MIT scientist who developed a machine learning tool to assess pain. At the end of the interview he remarked in a reassuring tone that his technology will not replace doctors. More and more we are apologizing for technology. I am seeing this more frequently in the context of medical technology. Developers are quick to to reassure ... Continue Reading about Apologizing for Technology
Cureus Redefines Medical Publishing
For several hundred years the barrier to publication for doctors was remarkably high. If you had something to say it was in a journal. All of this was permission-based and limited by the space allocated to the pages of a magazine. The web changed this. With the democratization of media every physician has grown accustomed to having a voice. But medical publishing ... Continue Reading about Cureus Redefines Medical Publishing
LinkedIn Introduces Video Creation
I've long believed that LinkedIn is powerful core platform for physicians building a public presence. It offers a strong, searchable public facing profile, a blogging platform and the ability to post presentations. Mashable reports this morning that LinkedIn will roll out video capability over the coming months. "Some stories are better shown than told. Video ... Continue Reading about LinkedIn Introduces Video Creation
Physician Access and Time Creep
With the birth of Twitter some years ago physician activist Wes Fisher first described time creep (I'll add the link or the Tweet if someone can find it). That's the evolving ability to be reached that comes with new communication platforms. Time creep impacts everyone according to Jennifer Close in the New York Times: The new normal in work culture is for everyone ... Continue Reading about Physician Access and Time Creep
EHR and the Failure to Communicate
I once had a clinic nurse who wouldn’t talk to me. First a little history. Clinical workflow in my early career included the ritual of phone messages. Every day, at least once and usually in the afternoon, I would sit with my clinic nurse and a pile of manilla folders to discuss phone calls. Details were discussed, recommendations were made, triage assessments ... Continue Reading about EHR and the Failure to Communicate
Fax Machines: Why Doctors Use Them
Yesterday Twitter carried a query from a Vox journalist about doctors and fax machines. Why do we use them? The response by the health infosphere was predictable: Why can't doctors just get with the program? And why are they so behind the times? It's not that complicated. And it's not because we don't read Wired. Just the fax EHRs don't talk to one another. We ... Continue Reading about Fax Machines: Why Doctors Use Them