By now everyone has heard of the Heartbleed bug. Prior to that Apple had its “Goto Fail” bug. Magic tricks seem obvious once they have been explained. In the case of Heartbleed, the programmer forgot to put a limit on the amount of information that could be requested in a packet, thus exposing information that… Continue reading Software is Fragile
Author: mannd
I am a retired cardiac electrophysiologist who has worked both in private practice in Louisville, Kentucky and as a Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado in Denver. I am interested not only in medicine, but also in computer programming, music, science fiction, fantasy, 30s pulp literature, and a whole lot more.
The Root of All Evil
Imprecise language may not be the root of all evil, but it runs a close second. The ability to communicate may be the most basic characteristic that makes us human. If we lose that capability, all sorts of unintended consequences ensue, à la the Tower of Babel. Which brings us to the recent US Supreme… Continue reading The Root of All Evil
Thematic Unity in Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto
Rachmaninoff’s second piano concerto (1901) was written after a course of psychotherapy for depression that the composer suffered following the disastrous premier of his first symphony. Apparently this treatment worked, for the concerto is one of the most popular ever written for the instrument. Its popularity stems not only from its lyrical themes but also… Continue reading Thematic Unity in Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto
The Rent is Too Damn High. Why Does Medical Software Cost So Much?
In an era when Apple gives away its Mavericks OS X operating system for free, when completely free open-source operating systems like Linux and BSD are available, when even Microsoft is considering giving away its Windows operating system for free, one has to ask the question, why is medical software, in particular EHR (Electronic Health… Continue reading The Rent is Too Damn High. Why Does Medical Software Cost So Much?
Making a MOCkery of Medicine
I thought I’d weigh in on the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) recertification process after reading an excellent article on it today. After all, I’ve been through the process several times, most recently enduring it in 2012. I was lucky enough to be “grandfathered” with regard to my Internal Medicine and Cardiology board certifications.… Continue reading Making a MOCkery of Medicine
Fair Use Justification of CPT® Codes in EP Coding
The following is a formal justification for use of a limited number of CPT® codes under the US Copyright law fair use exemption in the soon-to-be-released mobile app EP Coding. Introduction As CPT® codes are copyrighted by the American Medical Association, it is important to make the case that use of a very small… Continue reading Fair Use Justification of CPT® Codes in EP Coding
Device Reps and Patient Care — An Inconvenient Truth
Most people who don’t deal with the Health Care System on the inside are likely unaware of the exact role that industry representatives play in the care of patients. As a cardiologist who implants pacemakers and defibrillators, I have worked with the representatives of the companies that manufacture these devices for many years. I will… Continue reading Device Reps and Patient Care — An Inconvenient Truth
Paris Update #2
We are starting our third week in Paris. Here’s a quick update. Weather Continued cold and rainy. No snow. Apparently not as cold as back in the US. Maybe the Gulf Stream protects us from Polar Vortices. Entertainment We went to two museums this weekend. The Museé des Arts et Métiers (Museum of Arts and… Continue reading Paris Update #2
Paris Update
We’ve been in Paris (France, not Kentucky) a week now. We have moved into the apartment that will be our living space for the next six months. Gretchen and I have spent the week settling in, figuring out where to shop for food, how to get around the city, how to work the washing… Continue reading Paris Update
At Sea and Offline
Captain’s log, Wednesday, January 8, 2014, 2300 hours, some unknown Atlantic time-zone. At sail in the North Atlantic. Completing the fifth full day of sailing, with one full day to go. Have had up to 7 meter swells, but in general the rocking is very soothing. Lots of food, lots of naps. Good entertainment. Definitely… Continue reading At Sea and Offline