Psychiatry

Dr. Pullen examines the importance of statistics in medicine, how the meaning of them can often be hard to interpret, and the need, perhaps, for more statistics courses in medical school.

The study of a family where the father and all eight offspring have Tourette syndrome revealed a rare mutation that could lead to new treatment options for the condition.

IT news in healthcare this week has been a mixed bag. The industry is buzzing around Sebelius' announcement of 15 communities chosen to participate in a $200 million IT program.

This year marks the 20th annual week-long celebration of nurses.

It looks like NHIN Direct will provide a move toward a secure, Internet-based program to allow exchange of data in a more secure and useful way. Now the question is, "How fast and well can it be executed?" Being available yesterday would not be too soon.

A new study reveals that depression following ACS results in changes in the brain's white matter.

Conference attendees who are looking for places to eat and things to do while in Anaheim, here is a list of suggestions.

Here you will find links to information about the session topics scheduled for coverage at Pri-Med West 2010, including breakfast symposia, keynote addresses, the Current Clinical Issues sessions, and the Practice Solutions sessions. We've also included links to the complete conference brochure, accreditation information, travel news, and exhibitors and exhibit hall information.

Dr. Pullen outlines a number of suggestions physicians can use for maintaining personal interaction with patients while using an EMR in the room.

Although the adage that there is no privacy on the Internet is truer than ever, there are several steps that physicians can take to protect their private lives and information while still remaining active online.

Good news doctors! Although the current Congress is content to fritter away your future income with so-called healthcare reform, a plucky Republican candidate for Senate in Nevada has offered a sensible (and tasty) alternative to the usual fee for service: poultry!

Dr. Pullen's newest blog entry reviews the improvements in the pharmacologic management of psychiatric diseases in the past 30 years.

According to the results of a study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital, patients with acne who complete a follow-up visit via a secure website may achieve similar clinical outcomes as patients who receive in-person visits.

A recent 60 Minutes episode addressed the use of stimulants like Ritalin and Adderal by college students to get better grades. Dr. Pullen discusses the episode and the issue.

Are you a PC? Then you may be excited to know that Microsoft Office 2010 is set to hit the shelves this June, bringing with it a slew of enhanced programs and new apps to keep you better connected, productive, and creative.

Whether you're traveling to a medical conference or planning your next vacation, these 10 travel apps for your iPhone are sure to come in handy.

Children who lose a parent to suicide are more likely to die the same way and are at an increased risk for developing a number of psychiatric disorders.

A new study from the Center for Studying Health System Change analyzes the positive and negative affects that EMR implementation can have on physician-patient interaction.

Dr. Edward Pullen examines the ways in which Earth Day and going green can relate to medicine.

Is there middle ground when healthcare errors are made?

I made another neat diagnosis this week, one of the quickest I've made in my career.

Two representatives have introduced legislation that calls for EHR meaningful use incentives to be extended to behavioral and mental health and substance abuse providers.

Ravish Patwardhan, MD, is the founder and director of the Comprehensive Neurosurgery Network (www.brainandspinecare.com), which "specializes in minimally invasive techniques for treating brain and spine problems." Patwardhan has more than 12 years of experience in the neurosurgery industry and has published several peer-reviewed studies on brain trauma, tumors, epilepsy, and spinal procedures. He is also a frequent speaker on the latest treatments and advances in brain and spinal surgeries.

A patient recently sent me an e-mail explaining that, after consulting with her spouse and parents, she had changed her mind about taking the medication we discussed during her appointment.

The specific structure of an asset protection plan must involve a consideration of the details particular to your situation. A plan that works well for one person may be completely wrong for another. For example, the income tax and estate tax benefits of a plan must be efficiently tuned based on your age, income, accumulated wealth, and your family dynamics. The types of assets that you own can also make a big difference in the planning.

There certainly was quite a bit of hype surrounding Apple's February unveiling of the iPad tablet computer. Now that all of the excitement has died down, let's take a look at what the device has to offer for physicians and what that might mean for the tablet market.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology issued a policy on December 30, 2009 setting forth the proposed rules describing how hospitals and physicians could qualify for government money to support the adoption of an EHR.