In a roundabout way to explore good conscience in the practice of medicine, I was intrigued by the article by Dr. Phil titled, Stop Spoiling Your Kids.[i] As a physician caregiver, I often question how I might be spoiling my patients. “Over-indulgence is one of the most insidious forms of child abuse,” as quoted by Dr. Phil. I have long felt that … [Read more...] about CAREGIVERS RAISE GOOD CONSCIENCE
TO BE OR NOT TO BE RIGHTEOUS
With considerable angst, I cared for an elderly gentleman who had Multiple Myeloma, recurrent pneumonia and was not responding to treatment. He was also receiving dialysis and experiencing insufferable bone pain. He arrived by EMS gasping for breath and his blood pressure was low. It was clear he was not long for this world. In fact, he repeatedly … [Read more...] about TO BE OR NOT TO BE RIGHTEOUS
APRIL FOOLS: MAKING WISE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS
Life lessons include choose your own battles, fight the good fight and never allow others to fight your own battles. As an emergency physician, I often care for patients who are beside themselves rather than on top of their medical conditions. Patients’ capacity to make wise decisions is generally dependent on how well they understand the disease … [Read more...] about APRIL FOOLS: MAKING WISE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS
I AM TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE YOU DO LOVE
I have been eager to obtain endorsements and reviews in support of WISHES TO DIE FOR. I recently met someone who knows the CEO of General Electric, Jeffrey Immelt. My new acquaintance tells the story of how Mr. Immelt toured an extended-care facility, commented that many of the patients appeared catatonic and was surprised to learn that many of … [Read more...] about I AM TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE YOU DO LOVE
A MATCH TO DIE FOR
Personally, life and love have always felt like obligations. Becoming Big Brother was simply my choice. Abandoned by his father and described as a sensitive child who cried a lot and had few friends, Daniel was instantly recognized as my Little Brother. I was matched with Daniel shortly after his eighth birthday in September of 1998 through the Big … [Read more...] about A MATCH TO DIE FOR
WHY WISH?
Perhaps a trip to Cartegena and Bogota, Colombia is not the wisest use of time while preparing to launch my book, WISHES TO DIE FOR. However, I was dying to take this trip when Mark, a travel agent friend, invited me to accompany him and share his travel perks. Why have wishes to travel if there is no intention to follow through and make good on … [Read more...] about WHY WISH?
DANGER OF TAKING TOO MANY PRECRIPTION MEDICATIONS
It has become an unwritten rule that most patients who visit the Emergency department are to leave with a prescription. That is how emergency physicians practice defensive medicine. For instance, physicians rarely incur a lawsuits from prescribing antibiotics. Omission of any medication appears negligent. Therefore, temptation exists in treating … [Read more...] about DANGER OF TAKING TOO MANY PRECRIPTION MEDICATIONS
All I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS INDIFFERENCE
T’is the season to reflect on vitality, seemingly igniting the skies during these darkest days that commence a new era. Vitality equals dignity and is relative to the notion that we matter even when we do not measure up. The most captivating illustration of this is the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. We stand in awe of annual Christmas trees at … [Read more...] about All I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS INDIFFERENCE