Better Health: Smart Health Commentary Better Health (TM): smart health commentary

Latest Posts

Should Hospitals Manage Their Physicians’ Online Reputations?

I spoke to a group of academic physicians recently.  Afterward I was and asked, “Shouldn’t my hospital be responsible for my digital footprint?  I don’t have time to look after that sort of thing.  And wouldn’t it make sense for them to promote my research?”

4 thoughts:

1.  Online reputation management of academic physicians should be an individual, not institutional, responsibility. The question reflects a belief that your reputation is the job of “the marketing people.”  No institution will ever be as invested in your future as you are.  While there are hospitals that do a good job supporting their faculty and staff, you can’t assume it to be the case.  No one looks after you like you.

2.  Dig your well before you’re thirsty. That’s the name of a brilliant pre-digital book written by Harvey Mackey.  He suggested that the time to invest in relationships is before you need them.  Medicine is changing fast and you’ll never know how long you’ll be where you’re at.  Better yet, you never know what opportunities could come your way when people find you.  And if you want to experience the land before time when people used colored pencils, Rolodexes, and rotary phones, read Dig Your Well. Read more »

*This blog post was originally published at 33 Charts*

Photo: Medical Records Before EHR Adoption

I came across this picture of my desk just before we went “all in” with our electronic medical record six years ago:

It was a huge amount of work for our staff to organize and box all those old medical records that were sent off to a site unknown. I remember early on when we tried to get some old records after that happened. People just shrugged – no one had a clue how to retrieve them.

But you know what?

Now that we’re farther away from that time, I can’t say that I miss them.

Still, my current desk looks just as disorganized.

*This blog post was originally published at Dr. Wes*

Free Electron Microscope Images Of Your Cat?

I’ve recently received an e-mail from ASPEX that offers Scienceroll.com readers the opportunity to scan a sample of their choice with an electron microscope (Desktop SEM) for free. Here are a few examples.

What you have to do:

  • Fill out the form and mail it along with the sample you want scanned to:

ASPEX Corporation

Free Sample Submissions
175 Sheffield Dr.
Delmont, PA 15626

  • Once ASPEX has completed the scan, the images and report will be posted on ASPEX’s website here.
  • It should take about 2 weeks for the results to post to the ASPEX website, and submitters will be notified via email. Samples scanned for free will not be returned.

*This blog post was originally published at ScienceRoll*

Scrotal CT Scan Reveals Ghostly Apparition

An awesome case of pareidolia:Mind Hacks:

The case of the haunted scrotum. A 45-year-old man was referred for investigation of an undescended right testis by computed tomography (CT). An ultrasound scan showed a normal testis and epididymis on the left side. The right testis was not visualized in the scrotal sac or in the right inguinal region. On CT scanning of the abdomen and pelvis, the right testis was not identified but the left side of the scrotum seemed to be occupied by a screaming ghostlike apparition (Figure 1). By chance, the distribution of normal anatomical structures within the left side of the scrotum had combined to produce this image. What of the undescended right testis? None was found. If you were a right testis, would you want to share the scrotum with that?J R Harding Consultant Radiologist, Royal Gwent Hospital

And I might add that “The Haunted Scrotum” would be a great name for a punk rock band.

*This blog post was originally published at Movin' Meat*

Picture of the Week: How Genetics Work

(Via Why Evolution is True)

Co-dominance?

*This blog post was originally published at ScienceRoll*

Latest Interviews

The Surprising Economic Burden Of ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

If you can read this you need to download a more recent browser It is estimated that as many as million U.S. adults have ADHD Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder A recent research study publication-pending suggests that the economic burden of ADHD on America could be as high as billion annually. I…

Read more »

Is The Adderall Shortage A Harbinger Of Future Drug Supply Problems?

If you can read this you need to download a more recent browser Today most- if not all- Doctor’s offices are strained by the shortage of some prescription medication or vaccine. A month ago President Obama signed his executive order directing the FDA to take steps to reduce drug shortages…

Read more »

See all interviews »

Latest Cartoon

See all cartoons »

Latest Book Reviews

Book Review: The First Step To Improve Health Care Is A Close Examination Of How It’s Delivered

My friend and former Chair of the CFAH Board of Trustees Doug Kamerow has written a book that I think you will like. Besides being a mensch and witty as heck Doug is a family doctor and a preventive medicine specialist. In his new book Dissecting American Health Care Commentaries…

Read more »

“Your Medical Mind” Explores Factors That Influence A Patient’s Medical Decisions

Recently I had a conversation with Shannon Brownlee the widely respected science journalist and acting director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation about whether men should continue to have access to the PSA test for prostate cancer screening despite the overwhelming evidence that it extends few…

Read more »

Book Review: Food Truths, Food Lies

Food Truths Food Lies written by family physician Eric Marcotte M.D. may be the most refreshingly evidence-based diet book of the decade. You will not find a single mention of super-foods magical berries or supplement must-haves in the entire book. What you will find is the cold hard truth about…

Read more »

See all book reviews »