This has happened to just about everybody: you look in the mirror and you cannot recognize the person, seeing only the culminated result of the aging process. We all swear that it took place overnight, but in reality the change is always so slow that we do not notice it from day to day. The reality of age hits us... read more »

Recently there was an article in the New York Times that posited the idea that good-looking people were more successful in politics (and by natural extension: all other endeavors) since there was a "halo effect" conferring all kinds of positive attributes. Also the article advanced the theory that good-looks featured smooth skin, shiny hair, facial and body proportions that indicated good... read more »

We love fads of all types and they quickly become a part of our culture, at least for a little while. Certain words or phrases have over time gained completely new meaning which in certain cases devalued the word and its impact. This is sad. Take for example : AWESOME. I was asked to pass the salt at a restaurant and in... read more »

With the creation of more web sites, more products, more devices, and certainly more physicians of different specialties (calling themselves "cosmetic surgeons") as well as health spas, the reality of physical improvement has been blurred. There is a sense because of the overwhelming choices and its resulting confusion that the treatments are equal. Nothing could be further from the truth!... read more »

With more and more phantasmagoric ads claiming incredible results with no downtime, surgery or pain, the more it seems that we are back in the dark ages... There are treatments that offer "freezing," "melting" of fat with eventual (3-4 months!) disappearance... Lasers that leave no mark but have results a half a year later... Skin care products with rare earth elements including gold... read more »

In an article in the NY Times of Jan 12, 2013 a report was made that NY City hospitals will assess doctors performances  to the quality of care delivered. The evaluation will be based on number of tests (services) ordered as well as how well doctors communicate with patients, readmission of patients with pneumonia and heart failure,speed of emergency patients admitted... read more »

In the search for new and relevant knowledge on any topic we sometimes find ourselves seduced by phrases that convey ideas that we hope are true. Some times these words come close to the reality but fall short. Sometimes certain people take advantage of their existence and popularity for personal gain at the expense of misguiding or “bending” the real... read more »

A recent survey of  5000 doctors revealed that 90% would not recommend medicine as a career. The reasons are multiple and include liability, ever increasing documentation, and burdening regulations. These maladies are certainly discouraging, but most physicians I know, and associate with, are brave souls that take heart and pride in their patient care and relationship. Direct patient contact and communication... read more »

Now that I got your attention I want to talk about real reform, which means clinical improvements in the doctor-patient relationship. The electronic data doctor era has further promulgated the distancing of  patient and doctor from each other. The physician unwittingly has contributed to this situation by needing to divide his time between care and documentation. How many people have... read more »

In the journey known as "progress in medicine" there have been many twists and turns in the road in an attempt to speed improvement. Some have been entirely taken for the sake of political correctness and governed by liability. Better checking and re-checking is necessary and laudable; but physicians have been performing these type of tasks naturally, carefully and automatically... read more »