“When will I go home?” asked the patient. “Hopefully, by the end of the week, if everything goes well,” said the doctor. “What do you mean by ‘if’?” Uncertainty. It’s the one thing that is common am…
Category: primary care
Some health issues should not be evaluated in the office
I received a phone call from an elderly gentleman who was closer to ninety years of age than 80, was taking an aspirin, and had just suffered a fall and hit his head. He did not know why or how he fell. He asked for an appointment the same day to “chec…
A story of a physician photojournalist [PODCAST]
“Her face is decorated in colors of the earth. With events on Earth Day and throughout the week, New York City celebrates sustainability and ways to live in harmony with the planet. Scheduled festivities include a march down Broadway with a mix o…
Why storytelling is critical in medicine
I love stories, either told, written, or listened to. Songs tell stories, as does art. Blogs such as the rich content open so many doors for rich conversations. Telling stories is part of who I am. My father loved to tell them, as did my grandfather, w…
Patients should never underestimate the self-flagellation of the physician
Patients die. This is a tragic truism in the world of medicine. Usually, the patients who die are elderly. Patients die from diabetes and kidney disease, or from alcohol abuse and liver failure, or from heavy smoking and lung disease. Or patients die f…
Can medicine transcend beyond the clinic walls? I’d like to see us try.
Nothing like a tragic global pandemic to make everyone rethink their careers. This past year and a half have brought a lot of changes to the workplace. Many of us don’t want to go back to the way things were. According to a Pew Research Center survey f…
Physicians and the importance of servant leadership [PODCAST]
“Dear resident physicians: Soon you’ll finish residency, and you may be wondering what’s next. Some of you will start fellowships, but most of you will practice your specialty. You may be looking for opportunities that are a good match with your …
From a patient to health care workers: Always remember your humanity [PODCAST]
“Always remember your humanity. You are not super-human. Make connections to your heart, to your mind, to others. Look closely at the situation that lies before you, listen carefully to all that is around you, and calm the pounding heart. Dig dee…
Humane health care outcomes by creating therapeutic alliances [PODCAST]
“In fully-humanized health care, I envision patients as clients, with doctors as part of the health care team in a role more akin to expert consultants and skilled proceduralists. The consumer is empowered in the network to drive his or her own h…
To the patient who left a negative physician review
Greetings. I write briefly to inform you I am aware of your Google Review placed nearly a week ago. I’m not upset, but I must say that I am rather surprised by some of the statements. It is germane to the situation when a patient expresses disple…
