“Three Fleet enemas?” I ask the nurse. She isn’t much interested in a conversation with me about anything. She is busy. “This man, so far as I understand it, does not have a colon.” It looks to me like they want to reconne…
Category: Conditions
From the COVID-19 front lines: the present and future impact on nephrology
In anticipation of the strain on resources and staff in New York City, part of the battling strategy included deployment calling for providers from all areas to directly devote their efforts in the care of COVID-19 patients. Despite being relieved tem…
The impact of COVID-19 on Africa
Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, Africans have been told to stay put and “prepare for the worst.” Even though Africa is at a less advanced stage, WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus indicates Afri…
Introducing smartphone users thumb
Until about 50 to 100 years ago, the tradition was to name diseases after the doctors who used to describe them for the first time. Such diseases are called eponymous diseases. There are numerous examples, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Marfan̵…
Traumatic grief during COVID-19
I don’t presume to know the individual experiences and feelings of providers and frontline workers right now during this crisis, but, as someone who has specialized in psychological trauma and traumatic grief for many years, here are some thought…
Rural psychiatric care in the time of COVID-19
In writing this, I feel a bit strange to contribute my thoughts on a pandemic I’ve had mostly a peripheral experience with dealing first hand. In my brief month on the medicine ward, I did interact with a patient who then was tested positive for SARS-C…
In the Zoom era, an unprecedented view into the lives of our colleagues and children’s classmates
Whatever method you have been using for video conferences these days, we have had an unprecedented look into the lives of our colleagues, children’s schoolmates, teachers, professors, and even famous folks. While this pandemic has allowed the opportuni…
What’s worse than a doctor getting cancer behind prison walls? Try COVID.
He could hear the football game playing on a radio outside his room, so he knew someone was there, and he knew he was dying. He screamed and screamed as the paralysis from what he was sure was sepsis took over more and more of his body. No one answere…
The social worker and a patient’s homicidal thoughts
“Howard wants to go to the hospital. He knows he isn’t doing that great. He says he is having homicidal thoughts.” This from my supervisor, Linda. Homicidal thoughts on the part of any client get our attention, especially so with Howa…
We will soon see a mental health pandemic that will cause unnecessary deaths
Consents have become a prominent part of health care. We sign consents for visits, procedures, medication, privacy, release of information, care of minors … the list goes on and on. We must acknowledge and respect the patient’s autonomy in their care. …
