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
From the Urban Dictionary: an employer of a particularly evil nature, completely devoid of empathy or concern for anyone else, the deadly hybrid of boss and asshole. In this enlightened time, when we speak fervently about leadership skills and innovation, it is improbable that bossholes still exist. We do know that this is not a genetic trait but learned. No MRI or research is going … Continue reading You May Know One, You May Work For One or You May Be One: The Bosshole!
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
Diagnosis: Breast cancer, Colorectal cancer, Endometrial cancer RX: Physical Exercise: Get yourself a dog Many of the latest studies show a direct relationship between physical exercise and the prevention or reduction of risk with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer and other cancers. One study in 2011 showed that 3-4% of all bowel, breast and uterine cancers are linked to physical inactivity. The correlation … Continue reading Walking Beneficial in Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction
Can You Believe it? A Hospital Has Said Only Thin People Can Work Here! It is NOT illegal. Just as smoking has become a condition for not hiring, a Texas hospital has said that it is not going to hire anybody –doctors, healthcare staff, nurses—who are overweight. If your BMI is over 35 you cannot get hired. And this does not violate your civil rights. … Continue reading Can You Believe It? Hospital Denies Employment Because of Weight
