As a pediatric emergency medicine provider, many of the reasons patients show up in the Emergency Department are related to symptoms–a fever, cough, rash, ache, nausea, runny nose, diarrhea, etc. What is this causing it? What will make it go away as soon as possible? A commentary on NPR’s Shots series notes that, often, despiteContinue reading “Will prevention ever be sexy?”
Category Archives: Medical research
Times Square and Influenza
On this New Year’s Eve, I wanted to share this factoid from the CDC on the benefits of influenza vaccination in the 2014-15 flu season. As you see the nearly one million people counting down to 2016 in Times Square, remember that the flu vaccine prevents that many people from needing medical visits in oneContinue reading “Times Square and Influenza”
Vaccine-preventable illness
As a pediatric emergency medicine provider in a state with a high proportions of vaccine-refusers, I often treat vaccine-preventable infections. This week was no exception, with one of the cases particularly severe. A New York Times piece reminds us that vaccine refusal is most prevalent in white, higher income regions. The lowering of herd immunityContinue reading “Vaccine-preventable illness”
What are your top health stories of 2015?
Today’s post is a question: what is the most important health story of 2015? What was the most important health news this year for the health of people in our country, or worldwide? Closer to home, what was most important news for you in how you promote your own health, that of family members, or thatContinue reading “What are your top health stories of 2015?”
Patient choice in management of acute appendicitis
In an article in JAMA Surgery this week, the authors show not only that it is safe (and perhaps safer) to treat uncomplicated appendicitis nonoperatively but also that letting parents choose the treatment option for their child is an effective strategy. The question of safety has been addressed in prior adult and pediatric trials, leading toContinue reading “Patient choice in management of acute appendicitis”
Reflecting on the Epidemic of Unnecessary Medical Care
Earlier this year, Atul Gawande published a New Yorker piece called “Overkill: An avalanche of unnecessary medical care is harming patients physically and financially. What can we do about it?” He cites medical evidence that millions of Americans get tests, drugs, and operations that won’t make them better, may cause harm, and cost billions. As an emergencyContinue reading “Reflecting on the Epidemic of Unnecessary Medical Care”
Public health approach to reducing firearms-related suicide
A New York Times opinion piece today gives another perspective on gun violence prevention. In an earlier post, I had focused on the public health approach to reducing gun violence through targeting mass shootings. Although mass shootings occur more than once daily in this country, the rate of gun-related suicide is far higher: about 20,000Continue reading “Public health approach to reducing firearms-related suicide”
A limerick on the health risks of social isolation
Today’s limerick is inspired by today’s New York Times post on the health risks of social isolation. On meeting one seemingly solitary Invite them out, even if they’re not merry Tho’ you improve their health plight Expect no return invite And if lonely, of invites don’t be wary. The study quoted in the post showed that social isolation leads to negative thinking, whichContinue reading “A limerick on the health risks of social isolation”
Public health approach to the opioid epidemic
One of my colleagues here at University of Colorado, Dr. Robert Valuck, testified this week before the U.S. Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) Committee on a public health approach to the opioid epidemic. His testimony is here. In it, he refers to the Colorado Plan to Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse, which focuses on 8 key areas: improvingContinue reading “Public health approach to the opioid epidemic”
Rising prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical residents
This week’s meta-analysis in JAMA shows that medical residents have high rates of depression. Earlier this year, JAMA Psychiatry published recommendations for screening for depression and suicide risk among physician trainees. Source: One in four new doctors may be depressed, and their patients may suffer because of it Please see my related post here.
Marion R. Sills, MD, MPH 