Imagine you sit, eyes closed, at the opening bars of Mozart’s Lacrimosa.

You’ve waited so long to hear the Vienna Philharmonic.

The music stops.

Musicians type on computers attached to their music stands.

You catch your breath. What just happened?

Never mind. The music starts again. You drift into the second stanza. Finally, you get what you’ve been waiting for…and the music stops again. More typing.

Computers play a vital role in the music industry. And some musicians find ways to type and play, splitting attention between music and keyboard, like a one-man band. Apologists for musical computerization argue that computers are music.

Computers do play a big role in music, but no one sees them. Putting computers in front of the audience is garish. It ruins the experience.

Computers in Medicine

Computers play a vital role in modern clinical care. And everyone sees them. Continue reading “Computers in Medicine & The Patient Care Experience”

Many docs say they’d rather be sued than face a college complaint; at least they could defend themselves.

Faced with reprimand by the College, lawyers advise doctors to bow their heads and accept punishment.

If docs refuse, a mark will be put in their file. Things will go worse next time.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) reports that several thousand doctors help out doing peer reviews of other doctors. This implies, as the College presents it, that many docs must love the College.

But maybe docs help out because they want peer review to be educational, not punitive? Maybe it has nothing to do with loving the College?

The CPSO also notes that most complaints are not serious. Despite the ulcers and lost sleep caused by a complaint, the majority resolve without event.

Furthermore, the CPSO says it is bound by draconian legislation and driven by activist media outlets. It’s not their fault.

Even so, most doctors cower in fear of the CPSO. Six doctors commit suicide each year in Canada while under investigation by their regulator, with no prior history of mental illness.

In my last blog, Is Self-Regulation Dead?, some readers asked for more about the concentration of power.

If there is no “self” in self-regulation, then all that’s left is an autocratic body with power to create laws, enforce laws and punish lawbreakers. Continue reading “Concentration of Power – Are Medical Regulators Autocratic?”

Everyone is special, some more than others.

Need trumps merit in our socialized healthcare system. So naturally, we all compete to be the most needy. It’s in our best interest.

Appearing needy maximizes the chance of getting funding. Strength invites scrutiny or funding cuts.

Is the whole thing a sham?

Should all stakeholders get identical gifts?

Despite cynicism about interests and special favours, small towns have unique needs. Northern medicine is truly special. The big issues are, for the most part, the same as everywhere else:

Funding cuts cause decreased access to care.

Overcrowded hospitals leave patients in hallways.

Lack of long-term care beds exacerbates hospital crowding.

Bad management makes everyone suffer.

The issues are identical. The impact is unique. Continue reading “What’s so Special About Northern Medicine?”