When a patient makes an appointment with his or her primary care physician, the tension level at that visit is usually lower than on visits to a specialist, a surgeon or a hospital facility. After all, primary care physicians are most often associated with...
patient safety
When being a ‘good’ patient is a bad idea
In 2009, the New York Times bestseller list featured a book entitled "Curse of the Good Girl." The premise of this book holds that by insisting that young females conform to an idea of "goodness" characterized by politeness, selflessness and niceness, they tend to...
Sleep deprivation among physicians affects patient care: Part II
Earlier this week, we began a discussion about the ways in which physicians' lack of sleep is impacting patient safety and the quality of patient care in America. We noted specifically that sleep deprivation is frequently a contributor to the kinds of medical errors...
Sleep deprivation among physicians affects patient care: Part I
In recent years, the federal government has invested an extraordinary amount of time and resources to address the issue of trucker fatigue. When commercial truck drivers fail to obtain adequate rest, their judgment, ability to react quickly and ability to perform...
FDA Cautions against too much Radiation in Kids’ X-rays and CT Scans
The use of radiological medical imaging such as X-rays and CT scans has become an important tool for diagnosis and treatment. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned about exposing children to too much radiation. Experts explain that children...