For patients in the throes of a heart attack and those with crippling chest pain from even minor exertion, angioplasty and stents can be lifesaving. But studies have shown that putting stents in such patients is no more protective than following a heart-healthy lifestyle and taking medication and, if necessary, nutritional supplements to reduce cardiac risk. The studies have also shown that stents sometimes make matters worse by increasing the chance that a dangerous clot will form in a coronary artery.
This article in The New Republic tells the story of a best-in-class anesthesiologist who became addicted to the drugs he administered. It also examines some of the reasons for high addiction rates among anesthesiologists, including proximity, a feeling of invincibility, stress.
According to survey done by WebMD, 13% of 1,500 respondents admitted they lied to their doctors, while 32% said they "stretched the truth." But when a patient does not tell their doctor about all the health products they are taking, it can be risky. A study that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that about one in 25 adults between the ages of 57-85 are putting themselves at risk for major drug interactions when mixing prescription drugs with over-the-counters, for example.
In a phone survey, 20% of 1,009 respondents said they would want fictional TV doctor Gregory House of the Fox drama "House" as their doctor. Coming in a close second was Marcus Welby of "Marcus Welby, MD" at 13%, followed by Hawkeye Pierce of M*A*S*H (11%), according to the survey by the American Board of Medical Specialties. Doctors from other popular current shows such as Lost and Grey's Anatomy didn't break the 10% mark. In the same survey, respondents said the most important attribute they look for in a physician is bedside manner/communication skills.
Iowa Health Cardiology, a physician specialty group with the Iowa Health system, has expanded its services to a clinic in Ankeny. A doctor currently sees patients one day every two weeks, but the cardiologists hope to eventually increase the services in Ankeny to weekly visits, he said. Future plans include offering cardiology services in Altoona and at Iowa Health's new hospital in West Des Moines, which is currently under construction.
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue found quick opposition for his proposal to fund Medicaid and trauma care with new fees on hospitals and speeding motorists. Perdue has proposed a 1.6% fee on hospital revenues and health insurance plans to fill the state's $208 million hole in Medicaid this year, and to provide $60 million toward a statewide trauma network. Perdue told legislators he knew his plan would "not be universally acclaimed," but said the federal government created the problem.