Second Opinion

Ignoring monkeypox at our own peril 10.07.2022 4:57 ↓

Public trust in expert opinions on infectious diseases is low, but that’s no reason to ignore what is potentially a large public health problem.

The harms of too much and too little care 03.07.2022 4:55 ↓

There are great disparities in health care and at both extremes – too much and too little – great harm can result.

Ageism and its impact on health 26.06.2022 4:58 ↓

Ageism - the negative attitudes directed toward older persons simply because of their age – can impact an older person’s health.   

Disappointment 19.06.2022 4:41 ↓

If we are not careful, disappointment can have devastating long-term consequences.

A new kind of first responder 12.06.2022 4:36 ↓

To reduce over utilization of emergency responders, fire departments are experimenting with a new, more comprehensive approach to home visits.

The Black Box Around Determining Physician Fees 05.06.2022 4:59 ↓

Determining the fees physicians get paid is anything but transparent and only serves to drive up health care costs.

Sharing information against a family’s wish 29.05.2022 4:58 ↓

Conflicts arise when a family does not wish to tell a sick person their diagnosis.

The heavy use of antidepressants in women 22.05.2022 4:58 ↓

Women are the dominant users of antidepressants and there are many possible reasons why.

Friday the 13th 15.05.2022 4:49 ↓

Superstitions impact many aspects of our lives, but they can have a profound effect in health care.

The importance of non-emergency transportation in health care 08.05.2022 4:36 ↓

Not traditionally considered a part of health care, transportation plays an oversized role in the management of chronic disease.

A One Health approach to tick borne diseases 01.05.2022 4:45 ↓

Veterinarians and Human health providers often deal similar diseases and that would stand a better chance of treatment with improved communication between the two professions.

Why do we still use the ineffective drug ivermectin for COVID-19? 24.04.2022 4:57 ↓

Armed with good science that shows the drug is ineffective and dangerous people are still using it and often skipping their vaccines that are proven safe and effective. Go figure.

Messages to reach the heart and mind 17.04.2022 5:00 ↓

Health messages are often ignored or easily forgotten. Enter a novel approach using Hip Hop Music.

What do hospital rankings really tell us? 10.04.2022 4:32 ↓

Hospital rankings use metrics that just aren’t very relevant to most of us.

Challenging cholesterol statin use 03.04.2022 4:57 ↓

Skeptics are a bit like the grains of sand in an oyster.

Those with intellectual disabilities 27.03.2022 5:19 ↓

Special Olympics is working to protect those inside Ukraine and those fleeing to neighboring countries.

The care of animals in times of war 20.03.2022 4:53 ↓

Human are of paramount importance, but the health of animals is important as a part of human health.

The power of the health lobby 13.03.2022 4:58 ↓

The most powerful lobbying groups rarely have our best interests at heart.

A re-emergence of polio 06.03.2022 4:53 ↓

 Just as we were on the cusp of eradicating polio from the globe we have a new outbreak.

The impact of a changing mental health diagnosis 27.02.2022 4:48 ↓

The name of a disease often has greater implications than the disease itself.

Learning and Practicing Medicine on Real Patients 20.02.2022 4:36 ↓

Despite lots of advances in simulation, at some point trainees still need to learn on sick patients.

Psilocybin: a treatment for depression 13.02.2022 4:57 ↓

A new treatment with some unusual effects we need to understand before we agree to treatment.

Medical prior authorizations for drugs and devices 06.02.2022 4:57 ↓

Medical prior authorizations are intended to deter prescribing and save insurance companies money.  Their real impact is to decrease the quality of care for people with chronic diseases.

Orphan drugs to treat rare disease 30.01.2022 4:50 ↓

Orphan drugs are often exceedingly expensive which beg the question of how much should we pay for a drug and how do we measure effectiveness?

Can the treatment of serious mental illness be futile? 23.01.2022 4:56 ↓

Can we reach a point when there is nothing left to offer a person with serious mental illness?  Can they refuse treatment at this point?