Is There A Doctor In House?

Is diagnosis an art or a science? Physicians Lisa Sanders and John Sotos say the answer is both.

As technical advisers to the hit TV drama "House, M.D.," the two doctors are experts on the subject, having spent the last few years turning the medical science of diagnosis into art.


Source: 60 Minutes: Overtime

Struck Blind

Sometimes, it's easier to see with your ears. From the medical files of the Twilight Zone.

Pharmacy: A Career Choice?

The anonymous blogger going by the name "Redheaded Pharmacist" recently asked the following question on Twitter - "What would you tell a 9th-grader interested in a career in pharmacy who asks you for some advice?" So, I thought I'd fully answer that question here with my opinion about the profession and some further suggestions about guiding a 9th-grader into a career choice.

I think most pharmacists would agree that it's extremely difficult or almost virtually impossible for any pharmacist to "legally" make a good living these days by owning their own pharmacy and being their own boss. The age of "Independents" is behind us.

Corporations have taken over this profession (and soon the rest of the world), and if you want to work as a pharmacist, it's going to be at the expense of losing control of your professional destiny. You're not a "professional" anymore, you're an "employee", at the beck and call of anyone corporate leaders appoint. YOU are not in charge. YOU don't make the decisions. But YOU are still held liable.

IMO, we've become dispensable.

Some pharmacists can live with that loss and are perfectly happy using their education to become a bureaucratic Huckleberry, being manipulated more often than a broken marionette, racing around like a chicken with it's head cut off, and following the corporate herd. More power to them. (pun intended)

But, would you really suggest to your child that they become a pharmacist when corporations own the profession and the future of pharmacy lies in technology, robotics, and the elimination of those "costly humans" from the workplace?

Wouldn't you want your children to become so knowledgeable and empowered that they control their own professional destiny, and have the opportunity to become self-employed? If so, then why suggest a fading profession?

Instead, suggest they consider a career that incorporates both creativity and science. Point them in the right direction and encourage them to be the future - the geniuses who creatively envision things, create the computer programs, or build and maintain the robots.

Encourage them to become indispensable.

Arizona Prison Healthcare

I'm one for avoiding most anything described as a "system", and I've previously shared my opinion about the subject. But, if you live in the state of Arizona, avoiding the the criminal-justice system should be paramount to anything else. It's something even Caucasians should be concerned about.

Avoiding the legal system in Arizona is of even greater importance if you happen to have a medical condition or a health concern. It's still the "Old West" when it comes to law enforcement around here. I'm sure you've probably read the multiple case reports of prisoners needlessly dying because their medical conditions weren't addressed quickly or properly.

But still, people don't believe (or forget) these types of things continue to be reported.

Remember, it's often the Warden, Sheriff or other politician in charge of directing prison healthcare, not the individual doctors, pharmacists, nurses or other healthcare professionals. Fair or not, that's just the how the "system" operates.

So, before deciding to commit that crime in Arizona, always keep in mind the possible consequences of becoming incarcerated and incorporated into the system. Do your best to avoid it.

I thought I'd post this old CCTV video taken from inside the prison hospital just to solidify my point.



Related Link: Health-care quandary for Arizona's prisons

Necrotizing Fasciitis

I hate reading these case reports of patients who've contracted serious necrotizing fasciitis infections. It breaks my heart to see a beautiful young woman in the prime of her life having her body ravaged, when these type of infections can so often be prevented.

For my non-medical visitors - necrotizing fasciitis is a severe, sometimes life threatening infection that occurs when bacteria get into parts of the body where bacteria aren't usually found, such as the blood, muscle, or the lungs. Occasionally described by the media as "the flesh-eating bacteria", it is a rapidly progressive disease which destroys muscles, fat, and skin tissue.

These infections are termed "invasive GAS disease."

Many of us harbor this type of bacteria on our hands, and spread it around without even knowing it. Wash your hands multiple times throughout the day. Make it a habit. By doing so, you'll prevent bacterial spread to others. The spread of all types of GAS infection can be reduced by good hand washing, especially after coughing, sneezing, before preparing foods or eating, and especially after being in crowded places or visiting someone in the hospital.

If you're injured, take precautions and IMMEDIATELY wash the wound site with soap and water, use hydrogen peroxide, and an antibiotic ointment. All wounds should be kept clean and watched for possible signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, and pain at the wound site. If it's serious enough, don't hesitate to call your doctor or check with your local pharmacist. Be smart!

The last thing your loved ones want to hear is an apology for not following these easy precautions.

They're Old, Not Dead

Thanks to many factors - from online dating sites, to modern medicine, new and improved vitamins, and even because of a poor economy - more senior citizens today have active sex lives. That means they are also more likely to get sexually transmitted diseases.

In the past 5 years, the rate of STDs among active seniors has risen over 70%. The rates of STIs among older adults, including syphilis and gonorrhea, have doubled in the past decade, and HIV infections have almost doubled as well.

So, if you've got to do the nasty with grandma or grandpa, then make sure to do it safely.


Source: Safer Sex for Seniors

Will Human Workers Become Obsolete?

I've believe for a long while now that pharmacists will soon be replaced by technology and lower-paid workers, and I've pointed out instances on this blog that lend credence to my claims.

I also think that many pharmacists live in denial about where the future of the profession is headed. It's a touchy subject that many pharmacists don't like to discuss. They don't want to believe that we could so easily be replaced by robots.

Perhaps it's because they listen to those with a vested interest in convincing pharmacists otherwise, or perhaps it's because it's just too frightening for pharmacists to accept. Who knows? But the way I see it, if the American Dream continues as is, eventually we will all be replaced.

Again, just don't take my word for it. See what the PBS Newshour reports about this subject -