Author: Gene

(Snippets from the frontline) The corporate practice of medicine California law explicitly does not allow hospitals to employ doctors.  Understandably, if hospital administrators control physician salaries, then medical decision-making could … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Abe It was a panicked phone call to the office:  “My father has an appointment this morning, and he is going to ask for….viagra!” Abe was … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) On being a housecall doctor For over 30 years I have visited patients in their home, mostly elder seniors. None of them drive, while 40% are … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Know your Medicare rights Hospitals generally treat Medicare patients like herding cattle:  “get ‘em in, get ‘em out.”  A patient is admitted, diagnosis made, treatment started, … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline)   Loss of the TCU The most detrimental loss to elder seniors in our community was the hospital closing the Transitional Care Unit (TCU).  It served … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) “Patient-centered” healthcare  Several years ago, our hospital celebrated it’s 40th anniversary.  On Medical Staff were 10 founding physicians, but none were invited. About the same time, … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Intentional confusion As a senior on Medicare, I received my first EOB (Explanation of Benefits) for a doctor visit.  It was like attempting to make sense … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Shortage? We have a shortage of doctors and nurses in our country, but some of these professionals are siphoned off by hospitals, insurance, and pharmaceutical companies … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Defining your doctor Doctors reach their level of education through intellectual mastery, raising to the top of the class with superior grades.  They score well on … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) What happens in the hospital, stays in the hospital A medical record is a legal document, but who owns it?  The doctor or hospital claims the … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Coconut custard pie A yearly challenge for some medical students is paying for tuition, books, and housing.  This worsened midway through my second year with dwindling … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The suicidal elder senior It is devastating and sad: -intentional drug overdose; -using firearms; -stopping prescribed medication; -hanging; -jumping off a bridge, or in front of … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Scrutinizing a new hospital doctor Hospitals are a buffer between life and death. In the past, you chose your doctor based on trust and confidence in … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Escaping profiteers In almost four decades of practicing medicine, I’ve never had a patient say “Please doctor, send me to a nursing home!” Is it the … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The homeless senior Think about it.  What would you do if you can no longer afford your home, and must move out onto the street?  What … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) An American right Hospitals compete against each other for your healthcare.  Full page ads tout their newest, cleanest, safest facility with the best doctors, latest technology, … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) One question too many It was 1980, and as I entered the ER in a West Los Angeles hospital for my medical student shift, the waiting … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Crime scene Hospitals should do no harm.  But when administrators intentionally and maliciously create a dangerous environment, the hospital is a crime scene. I’ve been on … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Losing sleep…and experience Several years ago, I realized getting up in the middle of the night to answer phone calls or going into the hospital to … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) “Overutilization” monicker I am a geriatric doctor caring for elderly and bedridden patients.  Keeping them out of the hospital is a challenge as they face problems … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) We are born equal, but… When crimes are alleged, those who are poor, of color, undereducated, and legally ill-represented find themselves in prison.  Those who are wealthy … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Permission denied I received a phone call from a hospital case manager that my patient did not meet criteria for further admission and should be discharged.  … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Seeing, chewing, hearing Medicare does not pay for glasses, dental work, nor hearing aids. If you are a senior and can’t see, chew, or hear, what … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Recognizing death I know when someone is sick and might die.  Whether a person is in the emergency room, hospitalized, or on the street, recognizing imminent … Continue Reading →