In the News Capital punishment: In Oklahoma last week a prisoner was put to death by way of lethal injection. Unfortunately, there was error in the process and the prisoner didn’t die until 43 minutes after the injection. Since then there has been debate about lethal injection and capital punishment. There should be debate about […]

Discussing Healthcare

026 Discussing Healthcare: Why are physicians frustrated? (Physician rant part 2)

In the News NBC News reported about an outbreak of gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) at a conference about food safety.  It is ironic that a food related illness infected a large number of people at a food safety conference.  However, food related illnesses are common and have affected most of us at least once in […]

025 Discussing Healthcare: A Physician Rant

Kevin Pho, MD operates one of the most respected blogs on the web, KevinMD.com. He is a practicing internal medicine physician who is an expert in social media and physician online reputation. Dr. Pho has dedicated himself to advancing the practice of medicine by utilizing the technologies that most of us use everyday…computers and the […]

024 Discussing Healthcare: Kevin Pho, MD (KevinMD.com) talks about social media and online physician reviews

David Dastrup is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor.  He has cared for patients in many settings, including: clinics, emergency departments, and hospitals.  David has worked independently and with psychiatrists.  He has great insight into the state of psychiatric care in our country. Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, […]

023 Discussing Healthcare: Mass murders and psychiatric illness

David Dastrup is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor.  He has cared for patients in many settings, including: clinics, emergency departments, and hospitals.  David has worked independently and with psychiatrists.  He has great insight into the state of psychiatric care in our country. Psychiatric illness is very prevalent […]

022 Discussing Healthcare: A Look at Psychiatric Care in the U.S.

Gloria Lewis, EdD, MSN, MHA, RN, CCM currently works as a per diem palliative care nurse at the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, California.  She is also a faculty member at the University of Phoenix where she teaches in the nursing and health science program.  Gloria earned her RN (registered nurse) degree in […]

021 Discussing Healthcare: Understanding Nursing

020 Discussing Healthcare: A look at end of life care

Flight MH370: Did altitude and cabin pressure play a role in the missing aircraft? The mystery of flight MH370 continues.  First, it is a tragedy that 239 people are missing and their families are left wondering what happened without closure.  My heart goes out to the victims and their families.  But, where is the airplane […]

019 Discussing Healthcare: Oxygen and Altitude, Statins, PA Slander, and Frustrated Patients

Shannon Berliner is a mother and wife.  Unfortunately, she is also a breast cancer patient. She was diagnosed with breast cancer over this past holiday season and is now undergoing treatment.  In this episode of the Discussing Healthcare podcast she shares her experiences related to her breast cancer. Shannon is one of over 230,000 women […]

018 Discussing Healthcare: Breast Cancer, a patient’s perspective

The New York Times published an article titled “New Law’s Demands on Doctors Have Many Seeking a Network.” The article is about 2 primary care physicians and their choice to practice in 2 different environments.  One physician chose to join a hospital network and is now an employee.  His job is less stressful, although he […]