On September 30, a week from today as I write this, the US government will release the long-anticipated Sunshine Act Open Payments data to the general public. Or at least some of it, maybe two thirds. It’s not clear. What is clear is that Open Payments has gotten off to a rocky start, reminiscent of… Continue reading The Approaching Sunshine Apocalypse
Category: Medicine
Don’t Turn Your Back on Your Patient
One of the most important “tricks of the trade” that I learned in Medical School was what some might have considered a little “throw-away” bit of advice. During my psychiatry clinical rotation the preceptor advised that, when applying the stethoscope to the patient’s back, one should rest the other hand gently on his or her… Continue reading Don’t Turn Your Back on Your Patient
What Motivates Doctors?
As a recently retired physician, I still maintain an interest in medical research, though I have to ask myself: Why? Surely not just from the point of view of a potential future patient. But not from the point of view of a practicing physician either. Perhaps I keep up just from a lifetime of habit?… Continue reading What Motivates Doctors?
Doctors Concerned About Possible Brain Injury From the Ice Bucket Challenge
Well, not really. But it does seem ironic to me that the ALS Foundation has embraced what is essentially a blow to the head with ice cubes and water as a fund-raising activity, in order to treat a disease which may in part be related to head trauma. A large number of football players have… Continue reading Doctors Concerned About Possible Brain Injury From the Ice Bucket Challenge
A New Treatment for Chronic Health Syndrome
The XYZ Drug Company Internal Memo August 29, 2014 CONFIDENTIAL For internal use only AntiRobustium™ Marketing Strategy Introduction With the anticipated FDA approval of AntiRobustium™ (arsenic trioxide), the first and so far only treatment for CHS (Chronic Health Syndrome) will soon be available to the general public (prescription only). As with the introduction of drugs for other… Continue reading A New Treatment for Chronic Health Syndrome
Is a Mobile Electronic Health Record Possible?
It’s been a while since my last rant about Electronic Health Records (EHRs), so let’s remedy that right now. EHRs in their current iteration are — how to put this delicately? — an unmitigated disaster. Nevertheless, much of the criticism of EHRs, including mine, has been in the destructive category. What about some constructive criticism?… Continue reading Is a Mobile Electronic Health Record Possible?
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ambulance Ride
(Another American health care fable) The ambulance siren wailed loudly and the madly rushing vehicle careered through the narrow streets. Time was of the essence, as is always the case when a life is in danger. The occupant, the center of attention of the concerned paramedics, grasped the side-bars of the stretcher. The violent gyrations… Continue reading Mr. Toad’s Wild Ambulance Ride
Dark Clouds for the Sunshine Act
I finally decided to review my Sunshine Act data. We are in the period of time when the data can be reviewed by physicians and disputed if necessary. On September 30 the data will be released to the general public. The data in question is a list of payments (whether food and drink, honoraria, travel… Continue reading Dark Clouds for the Sunshine Act
Maintaining Order in the Midst of Chaos
There are few jobs more chaotic than that of physician, at least based on my own experience. Yes there is a schedule of sorts: hospital rounds, procedures, office patients. Unfortunately things rarely go as planned. There is a particularly sick patient on rounds who needs a temporary pacing wire placed. There are more consults than expected.… Continue reading Maintaining Order in the Midst of Chaos
Let the Sunshine In
Yesterday I received an email from Medtronic. It was an early release version of the Sunshine Act data that they had sent to the government. The Sunshine Act, passed in 2010 but implemented in 2013, demands the collection and publication of data on payments to physicians in the form of food, travel, or other goods.… Continue reading Let the Sunshine In