This comment of James’ has brought to my mind the question of why I (more often than I’d like [which is never]) order tests I believe to be unnecessary for the detection or diagnosis of disease. As I said in… Continue Reading
As I mentioned yesterday, I went for a run this past weekend. This despite having waxing and waning pain in the right heel over the past few weeks, which I strongly suspected was a smoldering case of plantar fasciitis. Despite… Continue Reading
[Over at the main page last week, Murali discussed a semi-tradition around the blogosphere of posting something in opposition to one’s usual viewpoint during “Opposite Day/Week.” It’s supposed to be challenging, and it’s not an opportunity to take pot-shots at… Continue Reading
Years ago, a good friend from medical school was complaining to me about her health insurance. Specifically, she was lamenting its lack of coverage for birth control. At the time she was a resident at a major medical center around… Continue Reading
Sometimes I think NPR finds the most nettlesome people possible to interview, just to annoy me on my drive to work. I imagine them talking to dozens of people and finding the most entitled-sounding clips to air. To wit, this… Continue Reading
Somewhere in the murky depths of a comment thread on one of the other sub-blogs, I admitted a fondness for Marmite. For those of you unfamiliar with this product, it is a popular spread in the UK made from yeast… Continue Reading
Hi! I’m really, really busy these days. Cold and flu season, you know? Not a lot of time to dilly-dally. Please put away your goddamn cell phone while I am speaking to you about your child’s illness! Whoever it is… Continue Reading
I spent the Thanksgiving holiday back in the old hometown in mid-Missouri. My primary goal was to avoid being The Family with the Screaming Child on the Plane, and we were largely successful in that endeavor. The Better Half and… Continue Reading
Dear Mr. Napier – We have received your claim seeking reimbursement for several visits to Gotham Dermatologic Associates. According to their records, these appointments were to correct anomalous facial pigmentation attributed to caustic chemical exposure. After reviewing your paperwork, we… Continue Reading
In celebration of the holiday we’re collectively observing, it seems only appropriate to mention objects of my gratitude. (Forgive me if this seems trite or cloying.) There are the usual things, of course. I am immensely grateful for good health,… Continue Reading