In Practice

Is obesity a disease?

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:35:44 GMT

The American Medical Association now classifies obesity as a disease. Is this helpful to the one-third of American adults and one-fifth of American children who are obese?

What's stressing your stressed out doctor?

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:09:01 GMT

An op-ed piece highlights a surprising source of physician stress: information overload.

Patients healing patients

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:13:47 GMT

Sometimes the best "doctor" is another patient.

The Michael Douglas Factor

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 11:22:28 GMT

Sometimes "too much information" is actually not enough information.

For heart health, avoid angry response to this blog

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:57:12 GMT

New study shows angry episodes can increase risk of heart attack.

Angelina Jolie...and Betty Ford

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:29:24 GMT

Angelina Jolie's announcement this week owes much to Betty Ford's, four decades ago.

Let's hear it for--and from--the nurses

Thu, 09 May 2013 01:11:13 GMT

In honor of National Nurses Week, a few words from some nurses about small gestures and kind ears.

Mental illness still hurts, no matter what you call it

Mon, 06 May 2013 02:25:29 GMT

In the controversy over how psychiatric disorders are diagnosed, let's not forget that people are in pain.

Post-traumatic strength, too

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:32:10 GMT

What my patients have taught me about moving on after trauma.

All tragedy is local

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:40:52 GMT

Some thoughts about her adopted home town by a doctor, sheltering in place.

A calm day in practice, the day after

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:11:50 GMT

A crisis brings calm, and concern for others.

How would you react to a cancer diagnosis?

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:20:46 GMT

How would you react to a cancer diagnosis? I'd hope to be more like my patients and less like Woody Allen.

Marriage equality is a health issue

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:42:47 GMT

The American Academy of Pediatrics has announced support for same sex marriage--because it's healthy for children.

FAQ: Calcium Confusion

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:18:00 GMT

Calcium is confusing. Here are some of the questions patients ask me most frequently.

"I need to show you something": when patients bring photographs

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:41:17 GMT

Photographs sometimes say what a patient cannot.

We need another C. Everett Koop

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:29:05 GMT

What made C. Everett Koop such a memorable surgeon general, and why we need someone like him today.

Medicine means always having to say you're sorry

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:33:14 GMT

Saying "I'm sorry" to patients may prevent malpractice suits--but it can do so much more.

The doctors of Downton Abbey Part 2: Did Dr. Clarkson lie?

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:44:06 GMT

Did Dr. Clarkson lie? Is it ever okay for a doctor to lie to a patient?

The doctors of Downton Abbey

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:23:50 GMT

The most recent episode of Downton Abbey highlights how medicine in 1920 was different, and the same, as it is now.

Medicine means always having to say you're sorry

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 12:33:14 GMT

Saying "I'm sorry" to patients may prevent malpractice suits--but it can do so much more.

Everyone's coughing

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:26:32 GMT

Everyone's coughing. How do we know which coughs need treatment beyond fluids, rest, and patience?

Fat may make you live longer, but not better

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 11:54:24 GMT

A new study shows that being overweight makes you live longer. But that's not the whole story.

Best American (medical?) essays of 2012

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:38:16 GMT

One third--8 out of 24--of the works included in Best American Essays this year are about health. Read them here.

My 5 favorite health/medicine books of 2012

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:27:15 GMT

Some of my favorite works of memoir, fiction, and literary non-fiction related to health and medicine in 2012.

Did Nancy Lanza's doctor ask her about guns?

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 07:52:43 GMT

I'll say it again: doctors should screen for firearm ownership and safety.