Doctor, take that patient ’s call
As rheumatologists, we pride ourselves on spending time with our patients, listening to their problems and their family’s problems, and answering all of their questions. Whenever my husband and I run into a patient of mine on the street, they always tell him that I am the best doctor ever. In spite of these accolades, I realized recently I was guilty of doing something with a handful of my patients that made me feel somewhat ashamed. It took my recent stint as a patient to make me realize how important such a small thing can be. That small thing being the call from the patient.
A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with sclero...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - September 25, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: < a href="http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/madelaine-feldman" rel="tag" > Madelaine Feldman, MD < /a > Tags: Physician Cancer Source Type: blogs
Futura Genetics Analyzed my Genome – Genetic Test Review
Through the rise of personalized medicine, carrying out genome tests at home became feasible. With a PhD in genomics, I’m always curious and excited to try out novelties in my field. This time, Futura Genetics offered me a genetic test, and I was happy to give it a try.
Genome Testing is Sexy
Genome tests have been in the spotlight for years. Patients have been able to order such tests online with 23andme, Navigenics or Pathway Genomics since 2005, 2006 and 2007. The basic assumption is that anyone can order a test from home and learn about their risks for certain medical conditions, and what lifestyle choices they sho...
Source: The Medical Futurist - September 20, 2016 Category: Information Technology Authors: nora Tags: Genomics Futura Genetics future gc3 Genetic testing Genome Innovation Source Type: blogs
A Woman with M üllerian Carcinoma and Fever via Now@NEJM
Posted oninfosnack. (Source: Kidney Notes)
Source: Kidney Notes - September 7, 2016 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Joshua Schwimmer Source Type: blogs
Embracing Optimism Even When Life Seems Unfair
About a year ago, I entered trauma therapy. For the first time I was honest with myself about the sexual abuse I experienced as a child. It opened a floodgate and shame, disgust, resentment, and depression rushed in. I’m happy to say that today those feelings are lessened or absent completely.
I started working out a lot and traded a lot of fat for muscle. Every inch of me is now shaped differently. I’m the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been in my life. And yet I’m also sick. The stress of the past year did a number on my body. I was recently diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN II)...
Source: World of Psychology - August 6, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Sarah Newman, MA Tags: Health-related Mental Health and Wellness Personal PTSD Sexuality Stress Trauma Cancer Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Child molestation Child Sexual Abuse CIN II Depersonalization Dissociation dysplasia Exercise HPV vac Source Type: blogs
Palliative Chemotherapy: An Oxymoron
By Rebecca Gagne HendersonI was inspired to write this after reading the series of posts on Pallimed titled “Against Euphemisms” by Drew Rosielle. At its very best, the term “Palliative Chemotherapy” is an oxymoron. At its worst, it is a treatment that robs the patient and family of quality of life and valuable time may have been spent doing the things that are important to them.As a palliative consultant on a campus which does not house a cancer center my referrals typically come from hospitalist attending physicians rather than oncologists. I cannot begin to tell you the number of conversations I have had through...
Source: Pallimed: A Hospice and Palliative Medicine Blog - August 1, 2016 Category: Palliative Care Tags: cancer chemotherapy euphamisms gagne henderson palliative rebecca Source Type: blogs
Protect Your Skin This Summer
By Kirsten Bannan, System Communications Intern
As the summer progresses the initial sunburn has faded and it’s time to think about protecting your skin. Everyone wants that bronze glow that comes with a summer tan, but most people are not aware of the damage the sun can cause to your skin and your health. Here are some facts and tips that will help you protect your skin this summer.
Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) rays. The sun emits these rays and you can get extra exposure from using tanning beds or sun lamps. “People who use t...
Source: Life in a Medical Center - July 14, 2016 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Chris Lindsley Tags: Cancer Community Outreach Health Tips Kids Uncategorized Safety skin cancer summer sun Source Type: blogs
We need to stop sugarcoating our cancer prognoses
Mrs. Liu, who was only 58 years old, had metastatic ovarian cancer. Despite radical surgery and chemotherapy, her disease persisted. Worse yet, her PET scan from a few months ago revealed that she had carcinomatosis — numerous deposits of cancer showered throughout her abdomen. This particular night, she starting having more nausea and couldn’t eat or drink anything without vomiting. So, she came to the ED. I was called into consult, and after talking with her, I laid hands on her abdomen: it was firm, unmistakably full of tumor. The subsequent CT scan confirmed that she had a malignant bowel obstruction. And now ...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - June 21, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: James Wu, MD Tags: Physician Emergency Surgery Source Type: blogs
Making Hepatitis C A Rare Disease In The United States
New breakthrough medicines for Hepatitis C present an important choice about setting goals and taking systemic action to achieve public health advances in the United States. Despite appearing to offer cure rates greater than 90 percent, high-priced Hepatitis C drugs have driven treatment rationing since their approval over two years ago. Gaps in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of Hepatitis C pose significant public health consequences.
In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified Hepatitis C as the leading infectious killer in the United States in 2014—the first year in which new me...
Source: Health Affairs Blog - June 15, 2016 Category: Health Management Authors: Victor Roy, Dave Chokshi, Stephen Kissler and Prabhjot Singh Tags: Costs and Spending Drugs and Medical Technology Equity and Disparities Featured Global Health Population Health Public Health Gilead hepatitis C Sovaldi Source Type: blogs
MKSAP: 54-year-old man with fatigue
Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians.
A 54-year-old man is evaluated because of fatigue. He also notes constipation and cold intolerance. Medical history is significant for tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiation 3 years ago. There is no family history of thyroid disorders.
On physical examination, the skin is dry. Mild periorbital edema is present. The thyroid is of normal size and without nodules. Reflexes are delayed.
Laboratory studies show a hemoglobin level of 11 g/dL (110 g/L), a serum sodium level of 129 mEq/L (129 mmol/L), ...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - June 11, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: mksap Tags: Conditions Endocrinology Source Type: blogs
Wisdom…
…the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
I read today a collection of words that exude wisdom. I share it with you because the purpose of this blog is to do create value through education.
Peggy Girshman was an award-winning health journalist. When ill with a life-limiting illness, she wrote her own eulogy. NPR published it today after her death.
Must-read is an overused phrase, but it modifies perfectly her words. Here are a few excerpts, with my thoughts.
Work-Life Balance: Though Girshman wished she could have worked longer, “to convince someone I was right,” she also wished she...
Source: Dr John M - May 9, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr John Source Type: blogs
Are we practicing medical misogyny?
When it comes to cancer, I’m neither physician nor patient, nor even a policy expert. But being both a critical thinker and a feminist, I’m struck by what the juxtaposition of two seemingly unrelated new oncology studies, published in highly respected medical journals a month apart, can tell us about how gender shapes the way we perceive (or misperceive) illness, and the impact that has on patients’ well-being.
On April 14, JAMA Oncology published “Nomenclature Revision for Encapsulated Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.” Although the title may be nearly impenetrable to the...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - May 6, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Lois Leveen, PhD Tags: Conditions Cancer Source Type: blogs
Interview with Thomas London
A major new feature of the fourth edition of Principles of Virology is the inclusion of 26 video interviews with leading scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of virology. These in-depth interviews provide the background and thinking that went into the discoveries or observations connected to the concepts being taught in this text. Students will discover the personal stories and twists of fate that led the scientists to work with viruses and make their seminal discoveries.
For the chapter on Infections of Populations, Vincent spoke with Thomas London, MD, of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, about h...
Source: virology blog - April 18, 2016 Category: Virology Authors: Vincent Racaniello Tags: Basic virology Information Fox Chase Cancer Center hepadnavirus hepatitis b virus hepatocellular carcinoma Principles of Virology textbook Thomas London video viral viruses Source Type: blogs
the latest
I wrote this in the form of a letter a few days ago. Doing so has been a huge relief to me. I know that it's not the same for everyone but expressing myself in this way has been both calming and freeing.I have sent it already to family and to friends with whom I have been speaking. It helps a lot because we can start the discussion from here and I don't need to explain from the beginning each time. Or not talk about this stuff at all, in the knowledge that they know. It works for me.You should also know that I learned all this on March 4th (and suspected before because of the symptoms I was having). The news was worse...
Source: Not just about cancer - March 23, 2016 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: brain metastasis breast cancer cancer blog chronic illness cyber knife radiation travel Source Type: blogs
Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 138
Just when you thought your brain could unwind on a Friday, you realise that it would rather be challenged with some good old fashioned medical trivia…introducing Funtabulously Frivolous Friday Five 138
Question 1
Which tyre company invented the surgical glove?
+ Reveal the Funtabulous Answer
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Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1890.
With the publication of germ theory, William Halsted was using carbolic acid (introduced by Joseph Lister), to sterilize his hands and his nurse’s hands. She was sensitive to th...
Source: Life in the Fast Lane - March 18, 2016 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Neil Long Tags: Frivolous Friday Five gonorrhoea Keraunoparalysis lethologica lightening seat of the devil signal node surgical gloves virchow's node William Halsted Source Type: blogs
MKSAP: 53-year-old woman with a skin lesion
Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians.
A 53-year-old woman is evaluated for a slowly enlarging, telangiectatic, pearly, ulcerated 1-cm plaque on the left temple. It bleeds periodically when traumatized. Medical history is significant for atrial fibrillation. She takes warfarin daily. She is otherwise in good health.
On physical examination, vital signs are normal. Cardiac examination shows an irregular heart rate but is otherwise normal. The remainder of the examination is unremarkable.
Biopsy of the lesion reveals a basal cell carcinoma with microno...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - March 5, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Authors: mksap Tags: Conditions Dermatology Source Type: blogs
