When To Give Up

Save

He would have died. About 4 weeks ago, my 74 year old father-in-law, “Pops” was admitted to a small community hospital for delirium and worsening congestive heart failure. He was seen by a caring hospitalist and a local cardiologist who was deemed good by all the locals, but they could not get him better.

Why Rheumatologists are the Happiest

Save

It’s hard work wearing a crown. The dermatologists have been dethroned as Medscape’s happiest specialty after years at the top. While studies only detail that we are the most satisfied outside of work, I argue we are the happiest working, too. With an N of 1, here are my 10 observations.

The "No Show" Problem

Save

As the healthcare landscape continues to change, “no show” rates will be an important factor for clinical practice. Implementing even one or two of the following proposed changes may help improve your no show rates.

RheumNow Celebrates Three Years

Save

Three years ago we published our first edition of RheumNow. We have something - and someone - to celebrate. Surprise, Dr. Jack Cush - this one’s for you! 

Everyone wonders how he does it. Vision. Drive. Determination. Unwavering resolve. Strength of purpose. Commitment - day in, day out. Willing to take risks. Unwilling to settle. All these, yes, but also this: passion, heart and soul.

In celebration, we asked a few of his colleagues to share their remarks about this important milestone. Without further ado…

Primo Vino and Rheumatology: The End of an Era

Save

Last month, a momentous occurrence took place in Cleveland: after 35 years, the enoteca and restaurant, Primo Vino, closed its doors to make way for an exciting development in Cleveland’s Little Italy. Allow me to make the rheumatology connection. 

Wine and Food and the Rheumatologist: Notes from EULAR 2017 in Madrid

Save

Many restaurants brag about various things, including their Michelin stars, their wine list, and their reviews, but Botin merely tells you it is the oldest restaurant in the world!  That’s a pretty great start and no doubt serves to remind you there is a reason that this place, situated in the medieval Austrias area of Madrid and founded by the Frenchman Jean Botín in 1725, is still there.

Review: A Book Trilogy About an Irish Country Doctor

Save

My original agreement with Jack was to review a serious scientific book.  However, half way through one, I was bored, so I went to the library. I'm so glad I did, because I came upon two books, written by Ireland-born physician Patrick Taylor, that continued the tale I'd started years ago about Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly.

 

Wine and the Rheumatologist: A Perfect Meal

Save

I had dinner about a month ago in Phoenix with Peter Lipsky, an icon in rheumatology and who requires no introduction to my readers, where we discussed a rambling number of topics both rheumatologic (hence, the experience does qualify for a blog!) and non-rheumatologic.

It's All in the Name

Save

I got onto flight #610 from Atlanta to Dallas the other day and was greeted by a flight attendant in first class. After introducing himself, he said, “That’s my name and you can imagine how it’s gone for the past 25 years.”

The Paradox and Value of Choice

Save

I’m sitting with a patient discussing moving to an advanced therapeutic (i.e., medication that costs a lot of money). I started thinking about what I would choose and given my busy lifestyle a quick injection or tablet would seem preferable to an intravenous infusion. I assume that my patients are probably like me and would make similar choices. I am a little taken aback when this patient chooses an IV medication. She tells me her rationale in terms of her feelings, ideas, fears, and expectations and it makes complete sense. I may have misjudged her and without asking may have suggested a treatment that would not have been the best for her in terms of her lifestyle or beliefs.

The Rheumatologist’s Rubaiyat: A Mug of Coffee, a Loaf of Bread and Thou Beside Me (Part 2)

Save

In my last article, I said that coffee, not wine, would be the libation of choice for rheumatologists. Why coffee? you may ask. After all, the language of coffee is not dissimilar to that of wine and writers of coffee (as well as the label descriptions) use the same vocabulary and analogies as does the writing about wine. Often, from the description-with words like spice, cocoa or nuts-it is not clear whether the beverage is a Cotes-de-Rhone or an Americano. Certainly coffee is better hot than cold and appropriate for all meals although some argue that champagne can be quaffed all day long.

The Rheumatologist’s Rubaiyat: A Mug of Coffee, a Loaf of Bread and Thou Beside Me (Part 1)

Save

In my experience, rheumatologists are very fine people. Since they are cognitive specialists, they are scholarly, thoughtful and prudent. Furthermore, they are sensitive to the vicissitudes of human existence. Rheumatology is probably the first subspecialty to consider the impact of a chronic painful illness on the spirit and soul and emphasize quality of life as an outcome. Seeking wisdom and knowledge from great minds, rheumatologists are also interested in culture, mindful that masters like Renoir and Klee were among their patients.