Years ago, as a medical student, I volunteered for select medical experiments. These included vaccine trials for hepatitis B. and meningococcus. I even participated in a vaccine trial for “turista”, traveler’s diarrhea. For the capstone of that trial, I spent the weekend in a clinical research facility and swallowed a solution containing E. coli, the … Read more
A practice recently called us. They asked if they had to see a patient who just tried to schedule an appointment. The rub: the last time they saw this patient was five years ago. They wanted to know if enough time had lapsed to declare the doctor-patient relationship legally terminated. But there’s more to this … Read more
In America, we seem operate to under two modes – complacency or crisis. Not much in between. Everything’s OK until it’s not. Then we convene after the fact commissions to point fingers and prevent the same problem we missed. Remember the Rogers Commission to analyze the Challenger accident? The 9/11 Commission? Is the COVID-19 Commission … Read more
As I write this, we are reading in the news about potential quarantines and lockdowns. In addition, there’s talk about canceling all elective surgical cases, leaving hospital operating rooms empty so beds will be available to take care of those affected by COVID-19.Have all elective cases been canceled across the US? Well, no. Weirdly enough, … Read more
There are reportedly 1082 atoms in the universe. I have no idea how that estimate was made. To me, there are an equal number of stories of people/entities who try to do the right thing, only to later get burned. Like CVS Pharmacy. “A federal judge has approved a $15 million settlement in a class … Read more
visit our booking page to schedule a consultation – or use the tool shared below. The Bible provides sage advice on honoring the elderly. Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. Do not rebuke an older man, but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers. And, of … Read more
It is not uncommon for patients to develop romantic feelings for their doctors. Managing these emotions is critical. When these emotions are mismanaged, bad outcomes often result. A family practice doctor was treating a husband and his wife for an assortment of challenges. To make a long story short – the patient’s wife (who was also … Read more
We continue with our series of general educational articles penned by one attorney, an MD, JD, giving you a view of the world through a malpractice plaintiff attorney’s eyes. This attorney is a seasoned veteran. The series includes a number of pearls on how to stay out of harm’s way. While I do not necessarily … Read more
Most Boards of Medicine take a draconian view towards sex with patients. If a complaint is filed, and the sexual relationship began in the middle of a doctor-patient relationship, discipline likely will ensue. The interpretation is absolute. With most crimes, guilt/innocence and the penalty are defined by the defendant’s state of mind. Very few things in the … Read more
A patient’s autonomy to make decisions regarding their health is a bedrock axiom of medical ethics. A doctor may disagree with a patient’s course of action, but, it’s their life. Of course, the doctor does not have to be a willing participant in that patient’s case if he disagrees with the patient’s choices. The … Read more
