I just came across a really interesting article talking about empathy vs. apology and the use of the word “sorry” as it relates to both. The article was posted on a website called, Sorry Works!. I had never really thought about how the word “sorry” could be used in two different ways: 1) to express […]

While few would dispute the necessity and benefit of ICU stays, we are seeing more and more the total impact these stays are having on patients. While discharge from the ICU could (and should) be considered a success story, many are realizing that such stays often take an unseen negative toll on patients that is […]

If you are an avid reader of our blog, you know that we have written about several studies that have shown that physicians would not recommend their career choice to others. Many physicians say that the reason that they went into medicine, to care for patients, is no longer the main duty of a physician […]

The American Pharmacists Association (APA) is coming under pressure from several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, the ACLU and the NAACP, asking the organization to prohibit its members from participating in executions of death penalty inmates by supplying lethal injection drugs. More specifically, the groups are also calling into question the pharmacy industry’s use […]

Medical deserts is our topic today. We’ve all heard about “food deserts,” parts of the country, usually in urban areas (but not exclusively), lacking full, proper grocery stores that result in poor nutrition options for its citizens. But what about “medical deserts?” What are those? Medical deserts are becoming a growing problem, particularly in rural […]

The way the citizens (yes, citizens –not doctors) of Geel, Belgium take care of the mentally ill in this town will warm your heart and blow your mind. The small town has a long, rich history of taking care of the mentally ill. The citizens of Geel “foster” mentally ill patients in their homes. But, […]

Hey, let’s do a series talking about new and innovative ways people/towns/organizations are thinking outside-of-the-box to better meet the needs of specific populations. Today let’s talk about community paramedic programs that are popping up more and more across the country and are aimed at reducing the number of visits chronic 911 callers make to the […]

Lies. Let’s talk about them. I recently read a great essay in the New York Times by a physician talking about all of the different kinds of lies that are told in health care. Of course, it’s easy to think about the lies that patients tell their physicians. Often these lies are told out of […]

Caring for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia is very challenging for many reasons, but probably most of all, because of the patients’ urge to roam. It has been estimated by the Alzheimer’s Association that 1 in 3 seniors die with dementia. Often, finding care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients is a struggle, and the facilities […]