The white coat ceremony

I will be glad to ask Medscape permission to publish the column in its entirety on the blog. Just let me know.

For those interested in the medical marijuana question

The “drug war” metaphor does not justify an ideology that removes hope from patients when they are most vulnerable and in need.

What should our report cards look like?

These data provide interesting hypotheses. We need more such studies to better understand the entire report card issue.

Compulsive gambling as a side effect of a Parkinson’s drug

As my career progresses, I become more convinced that we really do not understand neurochemistry.

Getting smarter

I submit that this patient represents the intelligence that Gladwell’s review discusses. And even if not, I certainly enjoyed telling this anecdote.

Less internal medicine residents choose general internal medicine

Perhaps, our health care system will function well with fewer generalists. I doubt it seriously, but we may well find out. I plan to speak on this issue widely.

Cultural competency – should it be required?

We could provide courses for those who find a particular culture difficult to comprehend, but I do not think the New Jersey requirement is a good idea.

Too many medications

The big mistake in the primary care promotion of the late 80s and early 90s was the use of gatekeeper as the metaphor.

Alabama paper writes about medical marijuana

We should make this decision based on data, not belief. But then, we are not allowed to do the right studies to learn the risks and benefits.

Sinusitis – antibiotics not always indicated

And we (most primary care physicians) provide antibiotics to these patients, despite uncertain data on their efficacy.