The Human Ant Farm

It's books like this, How the New Quality Movement is Transforming Medicine, that give me pause to enter the field of medicine.

New York Times contributor, Abigail Zuger, MD, reports on the book by Massachusetts health insurance advisor Charles Kenney. Right now, Zuger points out, health care is being examined with greater scrutiny than ever before. It's getting to the point where some - typically not doctors or nurses - advocate for a flat health care structure in which even patients and their families can call the shots on treatment.

The synopsis of Zuger's review of Kenney's book is that the problems of health care are great - but it's probably wishful thinking to transform the system by putting even more pressure on health care workers to perform impossible tasks to reach perfection. Although Kenney accuses physicians of treating humans like cars, Zuger argues that no one in the health care field treats anyone like a car. Things do happen in medicine that are not always pleasant, organized or easy to accept. Still, physicians and nurses are really doing all they can.

As a first-hand observer in a children's emergency room, I can attest to this fact. Doctors and nurses are still in health care to help and do the best they can. Our health care administration, the rules set by insurance companies and the lack of government support are really what's killing the system.

We Don't Need This Kind of Help

With health care in a tailspin, this is the type of story you just don't want to hear
A social worker from Chevy Chase, MD, has been found guilty of health care fraud.

61-year-old Melvin Shandler bilked close to $250,000 for services never rendered.

How many stories like Shandler's go unchecked?

My Kind of Town

Just got back from Chicago. Great weekend. The city is fantastic this time of year - I had no idea. The only other time I've hung out in Chi-town has been during the college school year when I went to Saint Mary's, OR during the marathon when it was freezing even then.

Check out the pictures

UK vs US Health Care Options

Riding to work today, I heard this alarming piece from NPR comparing the health care options for a patient with MS in England to a patient with MS in the U.S.

Here are the highlights. Although the UK patient waited a few weeks to see a specialist for her chronic illness, once she got into see the doctor, it was instant feedback from tests on therapy options, drugs, etc. Within months, the UK patient was on medicine and under physician supervision all paid for through the UK's National Health Service (NHS). The only expense is 30 pounds, out-of-pocket each month for physical therapy. This patient was even reimbursed 5,000 pounds for the minimal amount of time she did have to pay-out-of-pocket for some of her medication while the government waited to see the results of the drugs on a population of patients.

The US patient with MS, meanwhile, had to leave his job, lost his health insurance, has two children, a wife and a re-possessed home. He and his family now rent, filed bankruptcy and try to live off of his wife's new health insurance. This patient filed for Medicare two years ago - but it take two years to be approved in the US. He will not receive reimbursement until December 2009.

The US has the best health care system in the world? Not likely.

Texas 4000 - Riding for Cancer

My good friend Brooke is somewhere heading towards Vancouver on a 4000 mile bike ride up the west coast for cancer. The ride serves as symbol of courage and endurance, and the riders themselves raise tons of money for cancer research and cancer support. As an aside - I am leaning toward going into pediatric oncology, so cancer charities have a special place in my heart. A few years back, I coached one of the marathon teams in Austin for Team in Training with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Let's point out the straight facts. She's riding 4,000 miles in a summer (it works out to be approx. 80 mile road rides a day with a couple of days off here and there) to Alaska - the final destination. That is unreal! Add to that fact, she was diagnosed with mono just before the ride started. The diagnosis only deterred her some. It is clear, I am friends with a rock star.

Check out her blog about the ride and search around for other blogs from the riders involved in Texas 4000. It's a unique and wonderful charity. Donate online if you can.

Doctor Video Blog - Not a Showman, but Insightful

Doctors are busy people, so it's nice to see that the medical community as a whole has embraced social media, blogging, commenting on articles, etc.

Family practice physician, Robert Morrow, MD has a sort-of funny, but mostly spot-on video blog commentary about patient visits and the health insurance industry. Worth a watch.

Customizing Your Career

Stuck in a corporate job, but really love to paint?

Feel you are better working with people, but you are also a finance genius?

Love medicine, but also love to write? Wait! That's me!

Check out NY Times blogger Marci Alboher whose blog for the Times, Shifting Careers, points out some great resources on how to create the job that is you.

I've mentioned before an author hero of mine, Perri Klass, who is a mother, pediatrician and journalist. Pretty much defines my goals in life.

I'm gonna check out some of the books Alboher suggests, including her own, that provide insight on careers and how to go about defining the one that makes you the happiest.