05
Jan2018
Medical Negligence, My Doctor’s Initials, and an unwanted Tattoo
While two patients in the U.K. may have thought about getting a tattoo, they certainly didn’t expect to walk out of transplant surgery permanently branded with the initials of a once-trusted doctor. Simon Bramhall, a formerly well-regarded British surgeon, recently admitted ... Read More
11
Oct2017
Why Doctors Must Obtain Informed Consent
Although it is scary to think about having to undergo a surgical procedure, most people will “go under the knife” at some point in their lives. Whether it is as simple as the removal of wisdom teeth, or as complicated as a quadruple bypass, ... Read More
14
Sep2017
Sorry. Not Sorry.
“Sorry. It’s my fault. Totally. My mistake, I wasn’t paying attention” confessed the middle-aged man after he ran a red light and hit my car. I was relieved that he accepted responsibility because the damage was in the thousands of dollars. But then he got a lawyer paid ... Read More
17
Feb2017
“Dead in Bed” Claims on the Rise
Amanda Abbiehl was a happy, energetic teenager. She had just graduated from high school and was excited to start college. One day, she came down with a sore throat. Her symptoms were so severe that she was having trouble breathing. She was admitted to ... Read More
17
Jan2017
January is Birth Defects Month—and Here’s Why
Birth defects are the leading cause of newborn death in the United States
One in 33 babies born in the United States has a birth defect. Birth defects are responsible for one in five infant deaths in the U.S. As we kick off a new ... Read More
09
Jan2017
Shedding Light on Preterm Births
Cleveland Cavaliers player J.R. Smith III and his wife, Jewel Harris, recently revealed their baby, Dakota, was born prematurely. She was five months “early” and weighed only about one pound. “We know we’re not the only family going through this, who has been through this or ... Read More
23
Dec2016
The Hippocratic Oath: Past, Present, and Future
The Hippocratic Oath is one of the oldest of its kind. Named for Hippocrates, the Greek philosopher who penned the oath, the Hippocratic Oath has been used in medical schools for centuries. New doctors have traditionally taken the oath upon completing their studies and ... Read More
18
Nov2016
Doing Research with “Dr. Google”
You have probably seen the coffee mug floating around the Internet that reads: “Please Do Not Confuse Your Google Search with my Medical Degree.” Although many individuals may chuckle and not give the mug another thought, others find it quite bothersome.
Many doctors, unfortunately, carry this attitude ... Read More
13
Oct2016
12
Sep2016
Doctors Play a Vital Role in Prescription Opiate Overdoses
Doctors continue to prescribe even after overdose
One would think surviving an unintentional prescription opioid overdose would be a wake-up call prompting you to make changes in your life. You certainly wouldn't think a doctor would continue to prescribe opioids — e.g., hydrocodone ... Read More
27
Jan2016
What Your Primary Care Provider Doesn’t Know CAN Hurt You
Is your PCP reluctant or unwilling to refer you to a specialist?
When you need a physical, or you’re feeling under the weather and suspect something just isn’t right, you probably contact your primary care provider (PCP) to be evaluated.
Hopefully, you don’t ... Read More
05
Jan2016
“I could have just died from embarrassment” takes on a whole new meaning
The startling results of a recent medical study reveal that a surgeon’s rude remarks to his surgical team can lead to decreased performance and sometimes death.
The Rudeness Impact Randomized Trial
Most of us were taught at a young age ... Read More
17
Aug2015
The Importance of Effective, Respectful Communication with Your Doctor
It is easy to overlook your doctor’s poor bedside manner. After all, his or her medical knowledge and expertise is what you are ultimately relying on, not demeanor or conversational skills. However, it is important not to discount the role of effective ... Read More
04
Aug2015
The Pervasive Problem of Securing Expert Medical Testimony for Injured Malpractice Plaintiffs
Medical malpractice cases are complex, often hinging on complicated medical evidence. These cases require extensive expert opinion and testimony that can only be given by qualified, practicing physicians. However, obtaining this expert testimony is more difficult than one might ... Read More