Social Media for Better Health

A recent study in the U.K. showed social media websites similar to Facebook, but focused on healthcare, can have positive benefits for patients. Sites such as patientslikeme.com can provide support and interaction with other patients who have similar conditions. Patients can share diet, physician, and other information a patient may not find on their own. Within the […]

Blood Tests – Who Owns The Data?

After you have a blood sample drawn and sent to a laboratory for analysis, who owns  the results? Medscape and WebMD collaborated on a survey to determine how physicians and patients viewed questions about the use of mHealth and the ownership and access to EHRs and laboratory and imaging test results. The study was unique in […]

Medical Errors Now Third Leading Cause of Death

The Institute of Medicine published a study in 1999 called “To Err is Human”. The study estimated deaths because of medical errors as high as 98,000 a year. The report called the results an epidemic. Needless to say, the entire healthcare industry was shocked and many plans were developed for increased attention to patient safety […]

Healthcare in the Digital Age

Next Sunday, the Ridgefield Playhouse will be holding a Moffly Media Entertaining Conversation Series event. I am honored to be the speaker, and I will be talking about the American healthcare system. Please note 100% of the proceeds go to the Playhouse, a tremendous asset of the Ridgefield community. The ticket price includes an autographed book. […]

Where Does the Fraud Come From

In Health Attitude, I described cost as the largest problem in our healthcare system. One of the sources of the high cost I wrote about is fraud. I am often asked where the fraud comes from. I am sure all of us hold our doctors in high regard and would never suspect them of any untoward […]