Notes From the Field
September 18, 2009
I am in the emergency room with my 93 year old father-in-law. His colostomy bag has filled up with blood…
Newsweek article on rethinking end of life care
September 16, 2009
The current issue of Newsweek includes an article titled “The Case for Killing Granny: Rethinking End of Life Care.” It…
“Moribund Obesity”: Palliative care diagnosis or poorly chosen label?
September 16, 2009
I’ve always had a fascination with how certain phrases influence practice and how established terms frame and reinforce provider attitudes…
Bedrest as a danger of hospitalization
September 15, 2009
There is an important study in the current issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. This study addresses…
The Rise of Social Media in Medical Education: Part 1 in a series
September 5, 2009
In the course of a typical year I generally take about 10-15 structured online mandatory training courses. I also have…
Rational vs rationing medicine
September 3, 2009
This morning on NPR’s Morning Edition, Atul Gawande was interviewed to explain the difference between Rationing Care and Rational Care…
Palliative Care Grand Rounds Coming to GeriPal
September 1, 2009
Leigh Kramer from the blog “Confessions of a Young (Looking) Social Worker” will be hosting Palliative Care Grand Rounds this…
Trying to Integrate Advance Care Planning Into Clinic
August 27, 2009
As a geriatrician who primarily sees patients in clinic, I find myself often wondering how best to apply what I’ve…
Educating the masses about Geriatrics and Palliative Care (aka Marketing)
August 26, 2009
Geriatrics and Palliative Care (and primary care) have a problem. We haven’t learned how to make our work, our mission,…
Despair not Progressives
August 25, 2009
With “Death Panels” dominating the healthcare reform debate, I was getting depressed. My hope had continued to rest with the…