Articles

It is an unfortunate fact that in the doctor’s office, women’s symptoms often are dismissed or underreported. Doctors may attribute indigestion, headaches or chest pain as symptoms of stress; or women may disregard such symptoms and not tell their doctors about the health issues they are experiencing. Just because a woman’s symptoms seem common, they…

Spinal surgeries are risky procedures that require hours under anesthesia, and days of hospitalization, so no patient likely takes the decision to undergo such surgery lightly. Most are following their doctors’ recommendations, but such recommendations are coming under increased scrutiny. Chronic back pain-one of the common complaints that cause doctors to recommend spinal surgery-is one…

A new partnership between hospitals, clinics, the federal government, and independent health organizations has some ambitious goals for improving the nation’s healthcare system. The Partnership for Patients initiative aims to avert 60,000 patient deaths due to hospital-acquired conditions or medical errors within three years. Additionally, the program strives to reduce unnecessary return visits to hospitals…

Representative Jim Thompson (R-Dallas) has proposed two medical liability reform bills. The Oregon House Health Care Committee recently considered both of the bills. The first bill, HB 3228, seeks to reduce the cost of health care by placing a stringent limit on the damages medical malpractice victims can receive. Rep. Thompson reasons that this would…

The importance of selecting the right doctor to perform your surgery should never be underestimated. While most surgeons have only your best interests at heart, there are others who may not. Even though the incidence of doctors taking advantage of their patients is relatively low, it does happen and patients can be harmed as a…

Hospitalists are doctors who work only in hospitals and specialize in caring for patients in emergency departments and hospitals. An increasing number of hospitals use these doctors, which may result in less contact with patients’ primary-care physicians and greater potential for mistakes, errors and medical malpractice. Hospitalist Practice According to an article in the New…