I’ve received a number of calls from doctors whose offices have slowed down. Elective cases have been cancelled. But these same doctors have years of experience. They want to help screen and inform patients about COVID-19. There’s a tsunami of misinformation circulating online about COVID-19. These same doctors have asked how to help and not … Read more
Before we begin, a special offer to all podcast listeners: The OJM Group has published multiple books that address wealth creation and asset protection strategies for doctors. All of their publications are diamonds. Their most recent publication – Wealth Planning for the Modern Physician – Residency to Retirement – provides doctors with indispensable wealth management strategies. It … Read more
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
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
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
On this episode of the Medical Liability Minute, Medical Justice Founder and CEO, Jeff Segal, MD, JD, and neurosurgeon Joseph Stern, MD, FACS, discuss the critical role of empathy in neurosurgery and patient care. Neurosurgeons (and surgeons in general) have a reputation for being cold. Deserved or not, the stereotype has stuck. Dr. Joseph Stern argues embracing … Read more
In the US, we have never had so many college graduates. Presumably, they can read. And I get that consent forms used by physicians and hospitals need to be readable for all patients. So, a recent study grabbed my attention. The key finding: In this nationwide survey study and readability analysis, only 9 (8%) of 113 cancer radiotherapy clinical … Read more
We have all heard of some doctors refusing to care for the sickest patients because embracing such a risk could impact their outcome statistics. Colloquially known as cherry-picking. Risk adjustment should address that concern. Yet, it still happens. Here’s a new one. Keeping a patient alive much longer than the family would accept to keep … Read more
When I was a resident, one attending asserted he’d rather have a resident at bedside making the evaluation than Harvey Cushing (the father of neurosurgery) at home. Technology has improved and, today, diagnoses can often be made remotely. Still, when a nurse beckons, and says she’s worried, you should listen. A recent paper supports that … Read more
Physician-patient relationships end for numerous reasons. The reality is often a mundane affair. Objectives change. The patient’s care develops. Sometimes a change of scenery is necessary. Still – physicians are human, and humans are bound by limitations. We have a limited amount of time. We have limited resources. Limited patience. Some relationships can be salvaged. … Read more
