We assume that technology will improve communication between doctors and patients. But not always. Look at the 2,000 word email. While it isn’t yet the standard means of communication in our clinic (it will be soon) we occasionally take email from patients. My experience has been that they’re sometimes long and unfocused with tangential information irrelevant to the ... Continue Reading about The 2000 Word Patient Email
The Joint Surgeon
A close relative recently underwent hip replacement at the Texas Orthopedic Hospital in Houston’s Texas Medical Center. She raved about her surgeon, Dr Richard Kearns. I had the opportunity to sit by her bed while he made his evening rounds (he didn’t know I was a physician until we were introduced at the end of his visit). These are the qualities seem to make him ... Continue Reading about The Joint Surgeon
Doctors in Social Media Shouldn’t Be Anonymous
I see it from time to time. The doctor with a voice who’s uncomfortable with transparency. They post and comment under the cozy blanket of putative anonymity. But it’s bad policy. Here’s why doctors need to be outed in social media: Anonymity is a fantasy.It’s remarkably difficult to achieve.With small thoughts you can hide – in fact, no one cares who you are.If you ... Continue Reading about Doctors in Social Media Shouldn’t Be Anonymous
The Amateur Physician
Read Seth Godin’s most recent post, The Amateur Scientist. In a way that only Seth can do he tells how our culture has turned us all into authorities. Important stuff. I couldn’t help but think how this applies to the Internet and our health. Unrestrained access to information has got us all thinking we know more than we do. Godin wasn’t writing about the amateur ... Continue Reading about The Amateur Physician
Your Twitter Lists Define You (or why you should call me Gary)
In residency I worked with a pediatric cardiologist who thought my name was Gary. On rounds he would say things like, “Gary, what’s the normal QT interval in a newborn?” Or, “Let’s get a 15-lead EKG, Gary.” He never hesitated. He was so confident. I corrected him initially but ultimately I gave up. To him I was Gary. That was 1992.Fast forward to branding in the 2010 ... Continue Reading about Your Twitter Lists Define You (or why you should call me Gary)
The Reality of Open Source Health Advice
Last week someone posted on Twitter that they had swallowed a plastic toothpick. What to do? So they turned to the hive for help. “What should I do?” I thought as I read my Twitter feed. I was paralyzed in a way. I wanted to share my experience with hundreds of patients had swallowed pins, toothpicks and other pointy things. I specialize in just this sort of ... Continue Reading about The Reality of Open Source Health Advice