Category: Conditions

New York City’s COVID-19 outbreak from the eyes of a pulmonary and critical care team’s biostatistician

December 15, 2018. My coworker is moving to California. She’s a statistician for a group of pulmonary and critical care physicians at our New York City hospital, and I’m a statistician who’s trying not to do too many things wrong, only three months int…

I’ll reward businesses that are seriously implementing recommended COVID-19 precautionary guidelines

As stores, restaurants, airlines and offices try to lure clients back, this is what they need to do to earn my business: Make me feel safe — no, make me be as safe as possible. As I’ve begun to explore old haunts, some are doing a fabulous job. Others …

The science of compassion

As more and more human lives get sadly sucked into this viral rabbit hole, devoured by this haughty virus, in a physically and socially distanced world, the internet seems more than a soul connection, and one cannot ignore the human cacophony around. H…

Infertility: Where uncertainty is the only thing that is certain

Physicians love to feel in control. We thrive in environments where we feel we can predict the outcome. Do well in medical school and on boards—you will get into a residency. Take the statin—it will improve your cholesterol. Do the screening colonoscop…

The role of physician assitants during the pandemic

As the world battles COVID-19, summer has turned to autumn, and a new chill is in the air. With this change, even in a pandemic, comes the flu season. As a physician assistant (PA), one concern for my patients’ health is the possibility that many will …

President Trump received dexamethasone and had 2 episodes of low oxygen saturation levels

President Trump was administered dexamethasone therapy for COVID-19 treatment, and had two episodes of low oxygen saturation levels that required supplemental oxygen, said doctors at Walter Reed Medical Center at a press conference on Sunday. “In…

Clinical diagnosis in the age of COVID-19

A guest column by the American College of Physicians, exclusive to KevinMD. Making an accurate clinical diagnosis is one of the most important things physicians can do for their patients. But being able to do so is not an easy process to begin with.  I…

Physicians sometimes need to deviate from established policies

Some time ago, I performed a colonoscopy on a patient who was having serious internal bleeding.  He had already received multiple transfusions since he was admitted to the hospital.  After obtaining informed consent for the procedure, I performed the c…

The Trump health update that raises more questions

A brief press conference at Walter Reed Medical Center on Saturday sought to provide answers, but may only have raised more questions about President Trump’s clinical status since his COVID-19 diagnosis. The main point of contention between White…

The mysterious White House testing scheme that did not protect Trump

President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis is raising fresh questions about the White House’s strategy for testing and containing the virus for a president whose cavalier attitude about the coronavirus has persisted since it landed on American shores….