Medical Rants

I became a bobble head

May 19, 2012

At our regional medical campus graduation, the graduating students gave me this present.  So now I am a Bobble Head.  What an honor!

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Happy 10th blogiversary to me #10yrsblog

May 19, 2012

Ten years, even though I have been typing this blog for the entire time, it really seems incredible.  I did not imagine 10 years ago that I would still be ranting and people would be reading.  My counter tells me that I have had 2.8 million visitors.  This does not include those who follow on [...]

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Has blogging helped my patients? #10yrsblog

May 17, 2012

How has blogging helped your patients? As I struggled to imagine an answer to this question, I had to consider doctoring then and now.  This answer is all opinion, as I could not do a randomized trial of blogging versus not blogging. I guess blogging has helped, because I believe blogging has made me more [...]

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The biggest therapeutic advance in the last 10 yrs – #10yrsblog

May 16, 2012

A faithful reader writes: What drug or therapy released in the last 10 years has had the greatest positive impact? This question stumped me for several days.  I tried to think of a new drug that I use a great deal.  Most new drugs now have important niches.  I considered rifaxamin for hepatic encephalopathy, ceftaroline [...]

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What performance measures have wraught

May 15, 2012

A reader sent this to me anonymously: Healthcare-acquired pneumonia has been ruled out based on the following reasons.  The first is that the patient's respiratory status has not worsened over the past month while he has been on treatment.  Secondly, the patient is afebrile.  Thirdly, the patient has normal WBC count of 8.2 and normal [...]

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How blogging has helped me academically #10yrsblog

May 15, 2012

A colleague wrote: Has blogging been an interesting side note to your career as an academic professor in medicine or has it been a more integral part of your own professional development? I was already quite successful in my academic career, but I still believe that blogging has enhanced my effectiveness.  So what has blogging [...]

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No influences allowed on my blog #10yrsblog

May 14, 2012

I got asked this question: How can pharma companies work collaboratively with health bloggers? What's needed? On this blog it is not happening.  No pharma, no device companies, no requested guest blogs.  No collaborations! In my opinion, one must take blogging seriously or just forget about having the blog mean anything. I have written extensively [...]

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What explains blogging longevity? #10yrsblog

May 13, 2012

I started this blog May 19th, 2002.  Explaining longevity is subjective.  Mostly, I like blogging.  I find it fun to put my ideas into words.  Some have asked me how I get so many ideas.  I read other blogs, some journals, the NY Times Health section and I see patients.  Ideas come from all those [...]

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Day 1 reflections #sgim2012

May 11, 2012

Yesterday was a long day.  I spent much time mentoring and talking.  Viewed many posters, both research and clinical vignettes.  Had some meetings, both formal and informal. Participated in a tweetup. Went to a nice Presidential reception.  Back to my room I crashed. Meetings are fun and tiring. While going around the posters, several residents [...]

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Teaching attending poster #SGIM2012 #meded

May 10, 2012

During my poster perusal, I saw a couple of excellent posters on teaching attendings.  The best attendings go to the bedside and interact with the patient, doing history or physical components as necessary, and making certain that the patient knows the plan for the day.  The attending has residents and students with them. I discussed [...]

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