Andrew Griffith's Blog, page 17

Love: A word that medicine fears

Nice piece on the human side of medicine, whether one uses the term love, warmth, empathy or caring. I do feel this kind of support and care both at my Blood and Marrow Transplant clinic and with our family doctor; even if time is limited, there is always a minute to connect on the personal [...]

Who’s fighting for private health insurance in Canada? – The Globe and Mail

In light of some upcoming court cases in Canada on access to private health care and the question of ‘reasonable’ waiting times, the usual trenchant commentary of André Picard on the issues: The fundamental issue, however, is whether individual rights trump those of the collectivity. A single-payer system like Canada’s ensures “free” care to all, [...]

Obésité des enfants : l’activité physique à l’école porte ses fruits

Some nice examples of increased emphasis on physical activity for kids in French schools, recognizing that it is often kids from poorer neighbourhoods that have fewer opportunities. While there is only so much schools can do given the primary influence of home life, nevertheless one way to chip away at the problem of childhood obesity. [...]

Chocolate consumption and Nobel Prizes: A bizarre juxtaposition if there ever was one | Scientific American Blog Network

Fun yet serious commentary on the chocolate/Nobel prize study in the New England Journal of Medicine (disclosure: I like chocolate but do not pretend it does me much good, intellectually or otherwise). Quote: What other factor might possibly be related to the number of Nobel Laureates? I think the graph provides a strong suggestion and [...]

Evidence-based medicine: More than a “coin flip” – Respectful Insolence

Another good, detailed piece, taking down some of the boosters of unproven alternative approaches medical approaches, and how they misunderstand (to be polite) or misuse some of the limitations of current scientific and research methods, including evidence-based medicine. A bit of a rant, but well ranted (and argued). Quote: One characteristic of cranks, quacks, and [...]

Enjoying ourselves is far harder than it sounds

Some good observations of the challenges and balance between living in the now and the future, and the mental tricks we can use to help us focus. Quote: Enjoying our present moments may seem like something that should happen naturally and require no effort, but in fact it’s often quite difficult. People who meditate know [...]

When the Patient Is ‘Noncompliant’ – NYTimes.com

Good piece on non-compliance, where patients don’t follow their meds or other advice: “Be compassionate,” Dr. Steiner advises doctors. “Understand what a complicated balancing act it is for patients.” Doctors and patients need to work together to figure out what is reasonable and realistic, prioritizing which measures are most important. For one patient, taking the [...]

Do patients bond best with doctors who misinform them with optimism?

Good commentary on the recent study (When Treating Cancer Is Not an Option) showing that many terminally ill cancer patients believed chemo could still cure them. In addition to other factors such as the optimum bias, one additional possible reason: One final worrisome finding is that the patients who reported better scores for how well [...]

To save our careers, (nay, our souls!) we need to step away from our keyboards – The Globe and Mail

A funny piece, by Elizabeth Renzetti of the Globe on our addition to our keyboards and and smart phones, in the context of the Petraeus story. Quite funny, but captures a serious point about some of the risks of cyberspace. I know you don’t have problems with pills or booze. Your problems are much worse, [...]

When a medical student sees you, consider it your lucky day

On getting a medical student at a clinic or hospital, and the benefits of time. Having had many an intern, resident or fellow (various stages on the way to becoming a doctor), a large element is true, as they tend to be more thorough and comprehensive in their examinations and questions. I have also had [...]