Author: Gene

(Snippets from the frontline) Futile Care? He smoked his entire life, developed lung cancer and was demented with paralysis.  Hospitalized, his discomfort was controlled, “futile care” discussed with family, and … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Start the clock The timer starts as the doctor walks through the exam room door. Do they greet you, or even sit down? How many questions … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Seniors aging in place Everyday, elders are jettisoned into nursing homes because our profiteering healthcare system dictates seniors have become expendable. Technology though can allow them … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Muzzling the best and brightest Some of the best and brightest have become doctors. In the realm of medical advancement, physicians have voiced opinions continually raising … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Bedpan attitude Much of my early training was reliant on good nurses providing expert knowledge in patient care tasks.  This was on surgical floors in large … Continue Reading →

(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 →