Author: Gene

(Snippets from the frontline) Patient have patience Physicians see patients in the office, hospital, and sometimes on housecalls. Doctors attempt to stay on schedule, but many factors slow us down:  … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) To protect and to serve Keeping a medical practice afloat is not easy as every day there is more paperwork and hoops to jump through.  Many … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Home Health Care vs. Home Care:  Aging in place You break your hip.  After hospitalization, Medicare provides 20 days of Home Health Care including nursing with … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Public trust When those in responsible positions take money for personal benefit, public trust is threatened: – Votes of elected politicians swayed by special interest dollars: … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Dodging bullets He fell and couldn’t get up, requiring hospitalization. A surgical procedure corrected the problem. On discharge, medications were changed including stopping a water pill … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Advice to new doctors Learning the art of medicine for 40 years allowed me to accumulate an abundance of clinical experience while being of service to … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Dissecting Life Expectancy statistics Life Expectancy for Americans is decreasing. This is a trend. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) publishes data annually along with interpretation … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline)   The indignity of getting old   Eventually, we all get there.  Some say it starts at 40; most hope not until 80:   We see … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Embarrassed Gradually over 6 weeks, her symptoms worsened. Being a diabetic two decades, this 70 year old was sensitive to bodily changes. Now with progressive and … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Gatekeepers My senior neighbor, an avid walker, developed a knee problem with pain, swelling, locking, and popping.  She went to an HMO primary care doctor who … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The business takeover of medicine For centuries, American doctors were guided by the Hippocratic Oath caring for their patients.  About 30 years ago though, business saw … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Because they can… Raise drug prices Increase rent Boost gasoline costs Inflate health insurance including premiums and deductibles Kick you out of the hospital after 4 … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) In the nick of time She is an 88-year old diabetic discharged from the hospital two days earlier after a three-day stay. Her admitting sugar was … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The simple path of life Stewart had a green thumb growing seasonal flowers bringing color and sweet aromas to his home.  “When I was in the … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Doctors as lie detectors His story was perfect, right out of a medical textbook. He needed pain medication for his unremitting migraine headache, but it was … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Too-big-to-fail should go to jail Thousands and thousands died. Many suffered along with their families. Homicide charges were never filed, and only a slap of the … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The “glitch” He was ill requiring a stay in the ICU for sepsis. Still weak, yet recovering enough to eat, the “four-day rule” of hospitalization was … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Let’s put grandma in a nursing home! Older adults abhor the thought they might be forced into a nursing home. Yet, they might not have a … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Be a corporation, avoid jail time If a person commits a crime, they can be arrested, go to court, and even face prison time.  If a … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Doctor statistics She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and statistically the chance of survival was good.  It meant involvement of medical professionals to help beat the … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Two problems, one solution Government is rapidly attempting to rectify the homelessness problem by building permanent housing for those in need.  As a geriatric doctor, I … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Practicing evidence-based medicine Evidence-based medicine is the foundation for decision-making when you seek care from a medical professional.  It has evolved over centuries from the scientific … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Paramedic on the frontline She’s a paramedic being treated for Valley Fever, a fungal lung infection common in our area.  Obsessively, she followed symptoms while monitoring … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Looming on the horizon Older adults have always feared being forced into nursing homes.  Now their greatest fear is homelessness. I have provided housecalls to patients … Continue Reading →