Most scientists are extremely unwilling to part with the raw data of the studies they perform on cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The author of the article speculates that this reluctance is due to convenience and careerism, specifically the fear of having others (especially layfolk) analyze their work and possibly find flaws in it. This….
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The Pain of Medical Error: Not Just Physical
Guilt, fear, and further isolation plague families of victims of medical error, says the New England Journal of Medicine. Why guilt? Because families feel like they should have kept a closer watch on their loved one, and regret the trust they placed in the health care institution or its workers. This guilt persists even if….
Continue ReadingReducing Medical Error Through Talking
Critical thinking, communication and honest working relationships between doctors and nurses leads to better patient care. This sounds like common sense, but it is also the result of an analysis done by Dr. Barbara Loeb and RNs Mary Sue Dailey and Cheryl Peterman. In brief, the three main areas that need improvement and hold potential….
Continue ReadingChecklists to Save Lives in the ICU
An article in the New Yorker by Atul Gawande highlights the simple ways in which hospitals can be made less dangerous places for their patients. A checklist to make sure intensive care doctors and nurses handle catheters correctly has been proven to dramatically reduce the risk of deadly infections. Gawande focuses on the work of….
Continue ReadingDoctors With Poor Communication Skills More Like To Get Complaints
This may fall into the category of stating the obvious, but a study published on Tuesday September 4th founds that doctors who graduate medical school with poor communication skills are more likely to get complaints from patients down the road in their careers. The researchers tested and scored medical school graduates, who knew that they….
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