e-Patients, Dr. Google, Your Doctor, and You
A recent article by NPR confirmed what many patients and doctors already know. The internet is leveling the playing field and allows individuals to access information easier and more quickly. Research by Pew Internet and American Life Project found:61 percent of adults say they look online for health information - known as e-patients20 percent of e-patients go to Internet and social-networking sites where they can talk to medical experts and other patients39 percent of e-patients already use a social-networking site like FacebookYet

Breast Cancer Screening with Mammograms at age 40? 50? Who is the USPSTF?
When the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated their recommendations and were against routine mammography for women aged 40 to 49, it certainly got a lot of attention. These guidelines are far different than those advocated by the American Cancer Society (ACS) which recommends screening starting at age 40 with annual mammograms.Who is the USPSTF?What does their recommendations mean for women?Why is there conflicting recommendations?Who is the USPSTF?The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is an independent committee of primary care and preventive physicians that periodically reviews the latest

Secrets To Weight Loss - Part One
It's disturbing that in the United States, two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese. As a doctor, it is one of the most common problems I address, even if a patient doesn't ask me to. Got a cold? Feeling stressed? Want a physical? Rolled your ankle?Has anyone ever discussed your weight? Are you concerned about your weight? What have you tried for weight loss? What did you find successful?In this series, I'll reviewed my discussions with patients so you understand what it will take to lose weight and keep it off.Losing weight is hard work and frankly can be a difficult and lonely experience since the majority of Americans are overweig

Union Behavior Might Be Obstacles in Transforming American Healthcare
Some interesting articles in USA Today regarding union positions about the H1N1 vaccine which suggest that transforming American medicine so that it is higher quality, improved access, and even more affordable will be extremely difficult if not impossible.Some hospitals, healthcare organizations, and the state of New York attempted to have staff required to get the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines. Even though, Infectious Diseases Society of America recommended all healthcare workers get flu shots, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) opposed this and won. Although

An Epidemic of Fear: How Panicked Parents Skipping Shots Endangers Us All
A fascinating article and equally disturbing is a fantastic article from Wired magazine. An Epidemic of Fear: How Panicked Parents Skipping Shots Endangers Us All is an objective look at the two different camps regarding vaccinations and the concern whether they are the cause of autism.Both camps want to keep children safe. Both have very different ideas on what that means. For doctors and the medical profession, the science has been drowned out by a very effective media savvy campaign which has resulted in significant decreases in immunization rates resulting in the return