ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
- 2/1/2013
How I deal with complaints and RateMDs.com
Check yourself out on RateMDs.com. It is a sobering experience. If you do get a complaint, look on it as a positive thing. It will help you improve. - 1/24/2013
It's hardly 'freedom 55' but here are ways to slow down your medical career
Now that I am 65 my patients ask me when I'm going to retire. They don't care about me, they just don't want to lose their trusty old GP. This is human nature and I am flattered they still want me. Luckily I have no intention of retiring, but I do want to ease back and enjoy life a little more. - 1/14/2013
Top 10 reasons to get a flu shot—and why you shouldn’t mind if pharmacists give them
I am happy that pharmacists are now offering flu shots in Ontario. Pharmacist complete an online course and get hands-on training. The more people who get the flu shot the better for all. Some people don't have a family doctor, some don't have time. The pharmacies are often open til midnight, are located all over and often have free parking. - 12/20/2012
New Year’s resolution: I will light my paperwork on fire!
Haven't we all felt that way, like lighting our piles of paperwork on fire? But put out that match—you can get caught up and stay caught up with your paperwork. - 12/17/2012
How to help your patients cope with chronic pain
Dealing with chronic pain patients is one of the toughest jobs in medicine. I start by trying to prevent chronic pain. With anyone in acute pain I try to treat it as aggressively as possible and keep them working and exercising. I tell the patient that it is important to avoid time off and even in my referral letters to physiotherapists, specialists and in notes to employers I stress that we all want the patient to maintain function and work as much as possible. - 12/7/2012
Me time: more advice for the overworked physician
For the GP who emailed me that he hated medicine, I had some final advice: I told him to get his children involved and hire some help for the chores. When he said he couldn't afford it, I pointed out that a divorce would cost him half his assets, plus alimony. Lawyer's fees are $300 per hour—much dearer than the guy who cuts the grass. - 11/21/2012
Some solutions for the MD who ‘hates being a doctor’
In my last blog I spoke of a doctor who hated medicine. Working long hours and constantly running late were making him stressed and unhappy. For starters, I asked him to phone me at a time when he and I had an hour to talk. - 11/15/2012
The breaking point: 'I hate being a doctor'
I recently had a doctor from northern Canada email me saying he had lost the joy of being a doctor. He was 10 years post-graduation and used to love his job as a family physician in a mid-sized city, working with 30 colleagues. Now he is just going through the motions. He can barely pull himself out of bed every morning and dreads the hospital and worse, his office. - 11/8/2012
How to avoid being sued for malpractice
I have been an expert witness in more than 200 malpractice cases. Here are some tips to avoid ending up in court.