I wonder how many patients Elizabeth Agnvall has sent to an early grave today? The latest AARP Bulletin screams the headline- Doctors say: Skip These Tests! “Doctors warn that some of the common medical tests routinely taken by Americans do more harm than good, waste billions of dollars and could endanger your health or even your life…” Are you kidding me? On page 12 she … Continue reading AARP Bulletin Advises Members Against Medical Tests
The debate rages on in the media about the benefits and complications of legalizing medical marijuana. We have seen the long lines in Colorado already for those buying for recreational use. I have never used medically or recreationally but many of my friends and acquaintances have done so. I recently lost my sister-in-law to stage IV breast cancer and I tried to convince her to … Continue reading The Medical Marijuana Debate or Do You Need a Reefer?
Why is it that I believe certain truisms? Did I learn them as a child or was I taught by the television ad? We are much more likely to believe an anecdote or story than we are to believe the scientific evidence. Mothers that believe they know the cause of a child’s illness are unlikely to be swayed by hundreds of scientific studies that say … Continue reading Influences and Perceptions: How our intuitions deceive us
The media is finally addressing one of the most important and interesting societal changes happening in our country today. When we are not reading about the violence our society has encountered, the whole world is changing its mind about marijuana. Just last month Dr Sanjay Gupta, medical expert for CNN, broadcast his special about “Why I Changed My Mind on Weed”. Conservative Senator John McCain … Continue reading Marijuana Laws Collide
In the last few weeks the online and print communities have been touting neuroimaging research. Every disease of the brain, as well as some normal functions, are finding their way through the newest and greatest of fMRI, MRI, and PET. Recent studies for depression, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, autism, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s are reporting findings that help identify different parts of the brain where the disease resides … Continue reading Can Brain Scans Become the new EKGs for Mental Illness?
If you have been a patient in any health care situation recently, you have experienced a denial of some type of medical care. It could have been a procedure that was not approved, a diagnostic test that someone determined was not necessary, or more likely a medication that was not on your approved list. Health care is changing rapidly and even though you have not … Continue reading The Patient’s Rights and the 5 ”Rights” of Imaging
The aftermath of Angelina Jolie’s announcement on May 14 has sent the telephones at genetic, cancer and breast centers ringing off the wall. FORCE, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, reported calls to their hotline quadrupled within 36 hours. Multiple Genetic Centers from around the country said they could not answer all the phone calls. … Continue reading Genetic Counselors and Breast Centers Overwhelmed with Phone Calls after Jolie’s Announcement
