BVS ‘disappearing’ stent walks fine line between progress and safety
A doctor argues that bioresorbable stents value is questionable now despite the marketing and the hype.
Medical journal data sharing is seriously disruptive
Medical science is in the midst of a confidence crisis. One problem is replication. More and more, one group's discoveries cannot be replicated by another group. Another problem with medical science is that negative studies get published less often than positive studies.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Overdiagnosis via data and greed: One doctor’s view of a malevolent downside in medical technology
Remember that the most likely outcome of a medical intervention in a person without complaints is harm.
Why this week (more than others) you should show patients we’re truly working for them
A story of broken trust reminds us how valuable our role is to healthcare's consumers.
Funny – but a lesson: Medical evidence matters
These two guys read conclusions of medical studies for humor. That’s a good one.
Does health tech fail because good health is kindergarten simple?
Social media is awash in news about digital health. I am a skeptic. Health is much simpler.
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A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
What triggers trust issues with health and science? It only takes one slip up
Why do doctors lose credibility? Consider the few public doctors out there with millions of followers. The majority of the stuff they recommend is perfect: eat good food, exercise, be nice. and sleep. Check. No problem. Everyone is good with that until they shatter the sense with nonsense. One miracle cure or stupid supplement or […]
Never forget: People are not diseases
Research now indicates 50% of middle–aged people live with one chronic disease. Translation: half of middle-aged people are not healthy. (You don’t need a reference there. Just walk out into the world and look around.) This new normal creates a challenge for caregivers. How will we care for the onslaught of chronic disease? Surely not […]
3 words guaranteed to infuriate a physician: maintenance of certification
This is a story about a new medical intervention. It’s an important one because it affects all doctors—and therefore all patients. 1. It’s expensive. Of course. 2. There is no credible evidence that it works. But its marketing is aggressive. 3. The overwhelming majority of physicians disapprove of it. 4. Cheaper alternatives exist. 5. The […]
Vaccine anxiety shows that doctors need to find a more helpful tone
I’ve read and re-read Dr. Paul Offit’s WSJ opinion piece, The Anti-Vaccination Epidemic. Dr. Offit is a professor of Pediatrics at a leading hospital in the United States. He is also an author, a scientist, and a vaccine-developer. In short, he is a major physician leader. I’ll come back to that point in just a […]
Maximize Revenue and Patient Care with Strategic Weight Loss Management
We will highlight Build My Health's revenue practice management tools, which could help physician practices add up to $250,000 to their practices.
Dr Emanuel’s death wish harms rather than helps with end-of-life issues
You know the story on US healthcare and the elderly: Our current default is an American tragedy. It’s devoid of truth and candor; it’s inhumane and it’s wasteful. Recent gains in longevity have come by extending the period of disability right before death. Aggressive care treatment is often hoisted onto the frail because caregivers lack […]
Blaming the patient . . . and the philospophy of caring for atrial fibrillation
More than a few commenters recently noted something disturbing in my writing. They said my words are increasingly taking a blame-the-patient tone. That bothers me. Of all people, I know about making imperfect health choices. These comments got me thinking about striking the right balance in writing about health, say, between apathy and defeatism, (oh […]
How do doctors feel about the new ABIM board certification requirements?
I received an interesting email this week from the American College of Cardiology. The purpose of the note was to relay the results of a survey regarding member’s views and concerns of the new changes in board certification. Before I tell you about the survey’s striking results and clear message, it’s worth reviewing the contentious […]
Medical decisions: Patients and doctors only think they have control
Medical errors are part of medical practice. No matter how hard the healthcare system tries, no treatment will be free of risk. We need to accept that and start making better decisions.
Good doctoring is not rocket science — it is also not digital
Sometimes I worry about where technology is leading the healthcare profession. It is not just the distraction of white screens and electronic health records. These are bad, terrible, in fact. The concern I have runs deeper than just monopolistic EHRs. We, and I mean we as in the caregivers, are losing touch with the basics. […]