Category: Editorials

(Snippets from the frontline) Time The body talks to us.  Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may be a reaction to food poisoning.  Chills and shakes could be the onset of … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline)  Rough draft of a new US healthcare plan -Everyone will be insured. -Coverage throughout the US. -Freedom to choose your doctor and hospital. -No pre-existing condition … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Healthcare Millions of Americans do not have access to healthcare. This is detrimental to the economy, society, and hinders our ability to progress as a nation. … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Elder suicide – the shrouded game plan Often we hear, “He died peacefully in his sleep.”  Or, “Their love was so great, they died together.”  For … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Smudge pot After lunch one day at the senior center, we sat outside and discussed bodily function (yes, this is what seniors do).  Two complained of … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Hospice abuse Hospice is end-of-life care, and as a separate governmental paying entity is vital to  Medicare patients seeking relief. Can anyone really predict how long … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Finding a doctor you can trust Seniors have always trusted doctors to be their advocate.  Now as a senior, I must critically look at my profession. … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Frailty At some point in life we begin to age.  Individually, this depends on genetics, environment, social status, and personal health habits. Toward the end of … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Discharge home:  Lost in translation As an admitting physician, discharge orders written in the hospital are translated into instructions brought home by the patient.  These are … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Voting and healthcare The epitome of democracy is the right to vote.  This singular action empowers all eligible citizens a role in society.  But over the … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Medicare open enrollment Every year we are inundated with advertisements touting “Medicare open enrollment” where eligible seniors opt into a healthcare plan.  Factors involved in this … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Evidence-based medicine Ignaz Semmelweis, an Austrian physician, observed in the mid-1800s hand washing prevented complications following childbirth saving thousands of women.  Later in the century, research … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Caregiver burnout Your in-need elder senior may be a spouse, family member, or friend.  They might be physically or mentally challenged, yet still require trips to … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) The second Civil War Twelve score and two years ago, our fathers and mothers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty and … Continue Reading →

(Snippets from the frontline) Lesson learned As medical professionals, we are expected to care for all patients no matter their gender, race, religion, or economic status.  Sometimes there are lessons … Continue Reading →

(Snippet from the frontline) The tortuous healthcare highway Horror stories in healthcare persist:  Loss of medical coverage during treatment for cancer; denial of a surgical procedure after a mass is … Continue Reading →

(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 →