The Error In Our Ways

I have been following Dr. Wes for sometime now, I really enjoy his perspective and wanted to repost a blog he wrote today. None of the words from below are my own!

It seems doctors can never do enough. Not only must we diagnose and treat medical illness, this morning in the Chicago Tribune we learn from a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine that used actors posing as patients that seventy-eight percent of doctors make medical errors because we obtain no “contextual history” (another word for “social history?”) and adjust our treatment strategies accordingly:

“A lot of doctors are going to say, ‘God almighty, it’s not enough to be a brilliant clinician? You’re telling me I’ve got to be a financial counselor or social worker on top of that or I’m doing something wrong? Give me a break!’” said John Banja, a medical errors expert at Emory University.

Of course, the lack of social history (or many other aspects of the patient’s history) is the predictable consequence of shortened office visits, increased administrative burdens, shift-style medical care, and the push to see more patients in less time. It’s hard to cover all the bases in seven minutes.

One thing I’m sure of, however, is a doctor’s time with a patient is finite. For every click on a computerized quality check-box, we’re stealing from the face-to-face time with the patient. Instead of appreciating this fact, our governmental overlords have consistently swollen the number of “quality measures” from 74 in 2007, 119 in 2008, 153 in 2009, to a whopping 179 in 2010. I figure at this rate, using linear regression, we will have about 319 measures by 2014, the same year another 30 million uninsured will be joining our new health care system.

And the government will be proud we’re providing such “quality care.”

Click. Click. Click.

Never mind these “quality” clicks might just be doing more harm than good.

-Wes

Barone Rocks

In February 2009, I posted a video my roommates & I made during our basic science’s Kaplan 5th Semester of medical school. Just recently, Dr. John Barone launched his own website www.baronerocks.com. As he travels the country teaching pathology to medical students preparing to take the USMLE Step 1, he has been sharing our video with all of his students. We really appreciate all he did to help us as prepare and I encourage you to check out his website. Thanks for watching our video! Barone Rocks!!!

Original Blog Post link: Whose Got Your Back?

Be The Beat

Let me just start by saying, a campaign encouraging the public to educate themselves about their heart is an excellent idea. Consequently, good ideas don’t always develop into solid content or product. In this case, the American Heart Association has started a campaign, “Be The Beat” here people can explore games, videos, music, and other interactive tools to educate the public on how to keep the heart healthy. There are really great things on the site but there is at least one down right horrible contribution and I’m shocked a large organization such as the American Heart Association couldn’t come up with a better product then the following video. Great idea, but just an all out fail on multiple levels. Enough of my opinion, I’ll let you decide for yourself.

Technically Medical Episode 004

Hey Everyone!

Check out the latest Podcast @ www.techmedpodcast.com
We talk about some pretty interesting stuff.
This podcast has our new theme music which was written and produced by Donvovan Coley, from sonicspecialists.com

Enjoy!

Posted via email from doctordreamweaver’s posterous

Music iStudy to..

Just wanted to point your attention to two albums I have been playing consistently while studying this week.

1. Mat Kearney: City of Black and White

12 City Of Black And White

2. The Crystal Method: Divided by the Night

I suggest you buy them on iTunes or your favorite music store. Both have more then just the typical one or two good songs. Especially if you like rhythmic/melodic music (Mat Kearney) or  more of an electronica vibe (The Crystal Method).

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