Points of Interest, vol2, #2

    Well, I’ve done it.  I’ve shook off the winter blahs long enough to find all that is praiseworthy and of good report in the blogosphere specifically as it pertains to the mind, soul, and body.  I am excited to announce I have a real doctor job this summer, but I am afraid this has meant I just can’t seem to focus on blogging.  At the very least you can count on me to find elsewhere to focus on for you, the reader.

Points of Interest, #32

A thousand apologies for my light posting of late.  My work among the sick and infirm has cut deeply into my writing and pondering time.  However, I will post as I am able.  In the mean time, here is a treasure trove of great stuff from around the blogging world for your enjoyment.

The Best Doctor Blogs

    I am continuing my review of the best blogs mind, body, and soul at least from my perspective.  Doctor blogs have been the subject of controversy with the AMA lately.  There are privacy concerns and concerns about the professionalism of ranting about colleagues or patients in such a public forum.  While these concerns may be valid, this isn’t what I generally see in the blogs, at least not the ones I end up following anyway.  Many, many blogs focus on healthcare and its shortcomings and problems with the system.  These have their place, but for me the very best blogs share the highs and the lows of medicine.  I think the blog format is ideal for sharing the unique experience and point of view that we physicians have.  I think the best blogs humanize the doctor, the patients and in so doing feed the soul.  Here are a few of my favorites-

Points of Interest #19

And now, I present, coming in the midst of actual downtime, rest, relaxation, the bountious fruit of my idle surfing, especially for you the reader– My special vacation edition of the best posts-

Fixing cracks in the system.

    America has a love affair with blame.  When tragedy hits, do we ask what we can do to help, what we may have done to add to the problem, or other such pedestrian nonsense.  Heavens no, we want to know who screwed up and we want them to pay.  Who let this happen, we ask.  Journalists make it their only question.  Headlines wring out for weeks.  Politicians will find someone to throw under the bus.  People will go into defensive mode.  If we run out of proper candidates, we then pile it on God.  Hand wringing is everywhere, but actually identifying and solving a problem, now that is rare.

Physician heal thyself- Why docs are the worst patients

I have an admission to make. I have not seen a primary care physician in 5 years. As a resident the excuses come easy. Getting the smallest of chores can become a mammoth task in the face of an 80 hour work week. However, the fact remains, the things I really want done, get done, seeing a doctor does not. I even have really good reasons to see a doctor. I have tests that really should be done once every few years. I have had real problems that I have shoved aside, little things here and there that probably should really be checked, but deep down I don’t want to do it. Why is this?