The Scope

Sixty million Americans act as caregivers to loved ones in their family or community who are not able to function on their own. Dr. Kirtly Jones talks candidly with Kathleen Ivey , a primary caregiver whose husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s nine years ago. In this touching interview, Kathleen tells of her experiences and coping mechanisms for full-time caregiving.

Did you know you can look at your medical records when you’re traveling in case of an emergency? Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. Mike Strong bring us up-to-date on how records are shared and what government mandates will do to unify everyone’s medical information. From smart phone apps to digital X-rays and beyond, Drs. Miller and Strong examine the worldwide transformation of medical informatics.

Black children are less likely to be diagnosed with and less likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics for ear infections than white children are, a new study has found. But the discrepancy in prescribing fewer broad-spectrum antibiotics means black children actually are more likely to receive care that aligns with the recommended guidelines for treating ear infections. Adam Hersh, MD, assistan...

If a fire started in your workplace, would you know how to react and escape? Annette Matherly from the University of Utah Health Care Burn Center offers tips that could save your life. She talks strategies, studies and the most important thing to do if you get trapped.

Most women have periods in their lives, however brief or lengthy, where they do not wish to get pregnant. Dr. Kirtly Jones gives a brief history of contraceptive methods over the years and the continuing progress of birth control. Whether you’re considering starting birth control or switching methods, curious about the side effects or cost, or just want to know more about female contraception, Dr....

We know it’s wrong, but domestic abuse still happens on a daily basis and leads to the deaths of 4,000 women each year. Why is this violence so prevalent? Social worker Wendy James discusses learned behaviors of abuser and abused, the vicious cycle of domestic violence and what victims can do to seek help.

Medicine has evolved from a guessing game to diagnoses, procedures and treatments that work. Dr. Bob Pendleton believes hospitalization is a high stakes venture. Not unlike a space launch, procedures must be the same every time. He and Dr. Tom Miller discuss how developing checklists to ensure safe, quality outcomes is at the core of improving care.

Food allergies in children are becoming increasingly common—and often misunderstood. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , breaks down the difference between an allergy and an intolerance, the most common triggers, and why some kids are more at risk. Learn how to recognize allergic reactions, what to do in an emergency, and how to safely manage allergies both at home and at school.

Willard H. Dere, MD, brings 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry to his new role as executive director of the Program in Personalized Health at the University of Utah. He is leading a team of researchers in transforming genetic discoveries into customized diagnostics, therapeutics, and tools for screening and prevention. He discusses the goals of the program and how he expects...

Severe grief or disruption can cause anyone to cry, and that’s normal. Prolonged crying that persists without reason is not normal and may indicate a serious condition requiring treatment. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones talks about tears, crying, and emotions that are uniquely human.

Once considered instructions only for the terminally ill or elderly, advance directives are for everyone who wants to ensure their medical treatment wishes are honored, even if they can’t communicate with providers or family. The state of Utah has an easy-to-use website where you can simply fill out any advance directive forms. Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. Nate Wanner walk you through the process of com...

Choosing to enter recovery for alcohol addiction is a difficult decision that requires a lot of support. Psychiatrist Dr. Jason Hunziker discusses how to support a friend or family member without accidentally causing offense.

From the fear of needles to government conspiracy theories, some people are opposed to getting a flu shot. Dr. Susan Terry explains why the thoroughly tested flu vaccine is safe, virtually painless and very effective in controlling the spread of influenza.

As a baby’s digestive system develops, transitioning to table food is the eventual goal. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner walks through a baby’s feeding progression from newborn to age one. She goes over some dos and don'ts, recommended quantities and breast vs. bottle feeding.

The human brain is still making major developmental changes until around age 25. Adolescent decision making processes continue to develop as well. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones examines the latest facts regarding alcohol’s effects during adolescence. She gives some tips to help parents prevent their children from drinking alcohol and placing themselves in unsafe situations.

Cancer is an unwanted experiment in progress. As the disease advances, tumor cells accumulate mutations, eventually arriving at ones that give them the insidious power to grow uncontrollably and spread. A study led by Jared Rutter, Ph. D., professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah, reports that cancers select against a protein complex called the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), and...

Many eye injuries occur in the home. From chemicals to weed trimmers, eye protection is an important consideration. Dr. Bill Barlow from Moran Eye Center discusses home eye safety and what to do if an accident does occur.

Once thought to only help digest food, the microbiome plays a role in a host of processes. Dr. Kathleen Boynton specializes in research to discover how these microorganisms that inhabit our bodies affect other systems. She discusses probiotics, immune response, and what can happen when our microbiome is disrupted or leaks into other parts of our body.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a heartbreaking occurrence that affects too many families. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD , sheds light on the risk factors associated with SIDS and provides insights into its prevention. Discover what science has unraveled about SIDS and the practical steps you can take to safeguard your child from this tragic condition.

Imagine knowing whether your child is at risk for developing cancer. There would be the chance to stop the disease before it even starts. Joshua Schiffman, MD, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah, and pediatric oncologist at Primary Children’s Hospital, is part of the first initiative of its kind – the Primary Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cancer Program - that promises to...

What do the strong female leads of many television shows have in common? At the end of the day they're often shown with a large glass of wine. Dr. Kirtly Jones says that heavy alcohol consumption often has worse consequences for women than for men. She presents the case for limiting your intake and thinking before drinking.

Frequent recurring heartburn can lead to serious, even life-threatening complications. Gastroenterologist Dr. Kathleen Boynton talks with Dr. Tom Miller about the warning signs, diagnosis and treatment for chronic heartburn. They discuss screenings, endoscopies, and prescription medication for heartburn treatment.

When toddlers start to discover, and in some cases, share and display their private parts, many parents get nervous. Dr. Cindy Gellner says this curiosity is all part of normal development. She gives tips for approaching the issue with your child and reminds parents of the one thing to never do when teaching kids about private parts.

Secondhand cribs may seem like a budget-friendly option, but they often come with serious safety risks that parents may not be aware of. Many older models no longer meet current requirements, and features like drop-side rails and non-breathable bumpers can put infants at real risk of injury or suffocation. Nathan Bexfield, MD, talks about why pediatricians recommend avoiding used cribs and what to...

Life with diabetes is hard enough but those who take medicine to control their symptoms can experience hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, that if left untreated can lead to, seizures, coma or even death. While most diabetics experience warning symptoms, such as shakiness or hunger, 20% of type 1 diabetics do not, meaning they don’t know that they need to take action to raise their blood sugar to sa...