Setting limits, asking for help, delegating, or even saying “no” are important assertiveness skills. Health care professionals should be proficient in assertiveness because of the potential impact on patient safety, patient experience, work…
Category: Conditions
Unveiling alcohol’s health paradox: heart benefits and detrimental effects
Tons of ink have been expended on the health effects, both positive and negative, of alcohol consumption. Beneficial effects on the heart were discussed in the 1990s based on the “French paradox.” A paper published in 1995 noted that there …
Rising longevity and cognitive health: Navigating dementia and treatment
The comedian George Burns once quipped, “By the time you’re eighty years old, you’ve learned everything. You only have to remember it.” With the average life expectancy in the United States up from 54 a century ago to 74 today, …
Is a PSA test right for me? A urologist answers.
“Should I get a PSA?” It depends. Who is asking, and why? If the question is being asked by a 45-year-old man, the answer is going to be different than if it’s being asked by a 75-year-old. If a primary care clinician is asking, he/sh…
Caring for the cognitively declined individual
An excerpt from A Caregiver’s Love Story. My husband was diagnosed with cognitive decline in the last three years of his life. I was desperate for understanding and help and referred to the following source. Here are ten tips for communicating wi…
Essential postpartum care: lessons from 30 years in OB/GYN
Almost 30 years ago, as an OB/GYN intern at a large urban medical center, I was privileged to learn from exemplary doctors and midwives. After 4:30 a.m. postpartum rounds one day, a midwife said, “I saw your note. You listened for bowel sounds an…
Terminal illness: Navigating the struggles of acceptance
Reality knocked me for a loop one evening when my father-in-law called from his home in another state and asked for help. This kind of request was very uncharacteristic for him. We responded immediately and drove to his home. After much conversation an…
For orthopedic surgeons, an all-of-the-above approach lowers liability risks
During a total hip replacement, a patient experienced a brisk bleed and a drop in blood pressure that required intervention from the anesthesiologist. There was a discrepancy in the documented estimated blood loss, with the surgeon noting 30 0cc while …
Explore the rise in facelift options and embrace the trending popularity
The facelift procedure was first described in 1901 by Eugene Hollander and in 1916 by Erich Lexer. Over the last century, the facelift has become the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and continues to grow in popularity. One of the reasons we can a…
Pericardiocentesis saves a life
An excerpt from The Healing Connection: A Partnership for Your Health. The blood spurt was alarming though because it therefore indicated that the pressure in the venous system had to be sky high in order to shoot a column of blood in such a continuous…
