Physician Burnout

Physician Burnout

Physician Burnout

The prevalence of physician burnout starting from medical school training will shock you. Get the specifics and how to recognize this in your medical care setting. Doc Handal Speaks Up!

Medical Radiation Exposure

It is well-known many cancers are caused by radiation exposure, even the sun radiation cause skin cancer the #1 cancer in MH900360996the US. Medical radiation exposure is your responsibility! Every wonder what happens to all the radiation you receive when you have ‘medical imaging’ tests for such things as broken bones, stomach pains, headache, heart disease? Sadly it accumulates in your body! If you want to calculate how much you have in your body, check out the website calculator by The American Society of Radiologic Technologists –  it is user-friendly.

Some tests expose you to small amounts others too much more. Radiation, harmful rays of ionizing energy, cause not just skin cancer but blood and other cancers result from our bodies being dosed. Before you have another test read this useful patient info.

Before you agree to exposure to these harmful rays ask “what difference the results would make in your care’.

Medical Tests – Ask Why & Get Results

Seems nowadays you can’t get out of office visit, ER or hospital without one or many tests. Seems many of my colleagues never touch the patient but order tests including cardiac catheterization to biopsy.

Anytime you are subjected to a medical test presume there is a reason and those results are important. Yes often they are ordered in the name of prevented care adlib mammogram, colonoscopy, ECG and the like.ecg

You should know why any test is ordered, exactly how will a result mean to how you are cared for. There are tests that are ‘nice to know’ but not necessary for good medical care.  So since you are the one being exposed to radiation, needles and tubes – speak up – ask till you understand. Don’t be shocked if then the test is not ordered!

I have long said never get an ECG (EKG) without asking for a copy to keep in your wallet or take a photo of to have in your smartphone. Please take a few minutes to go to DocHandal’s (iTunes)  podcast channel “Listen Up” and listen to the podcast titled ‘Healthy Wallet”.  You may have to pay for personal copies however if your medical records are being sent to another medical care provider there is no charge. Transfer of medical information between caregivers is part of ‘continuity of care’, something that is required by law.

Finally patients are freely given a DVD/CD of their imaging study -for example an Ultrasound or CT scan. So why get a copy of medical tests? Take it to appointments often you need to take this to the ordering medical provider who may get the written reports later than your copy of the test/study. Many capable physicians are able to interpret and actually prefer to interpret the imaging study rather than just rely on the report.

It is your health, body and you are responsible for it!

Stitches = Sutures

Trauma to our skin is all too common, cuts or wounds as we Docs call them need attention. This may simply mean cleaning, protecting but at other times repair with a needle and thread is required. Those that are deep or at angles need sutures-stitches!  Sutures are the handiwork that result from ‘stitching’ our skin together. Skip the needed stitches and run the risk of infection &/or horrific scaring. Let the expert DocHandal give you the inside ‘skinny’ on this minor surgical procedure.

Pap Smear Testing

Benefits of routine screening for several conditions are being reevaluated, less is becoming the new “more’. Just like the PSA blood test Doc addresses in  April 1st podcast, the Pap smear is no longer going to be recommended yearly.  New guidelines state most women should wait until 21 and get tested every 3 years if it is normal. However women ages 30-65 who test negative for both HPV test & Pap smear can wait 5 years. Listen Up to Doc for more about the changes and how they will effect you, your mother, daughter.

Parkinson’s Disease

Need to Know the Basics. Over a million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s Disease. The mean age is 55, it will start with a non intentional tremor in one of the extremities. They will develop a high degree of disability in 5-10 years even with expert care. The initial tremor indicates that 30% of dopamine stimulating neurons. Learn from DocHandal updates and true facts about this neurological disease.

Do You Take Other Folks Medications?

Podcast: Doc Handal Speaks! Listen UpSure quicker and faster to take a drug prescribed for someone one else. A friend already has it and it is usually free, convenient and so easy!  No searching for a doctor, waiting, paying a fee then a trip to the pharmacy more money out. So when you hear “Take this!” you do.

All to many of us are guilty of taking medications prescribed for someone else. After all it is a friend trying to help out when you are ill. Offering and giving you what they were prescribed for the same or similar problem does not consider your personal medical background (other conditions, allergies, interactions with other medication you may be taking).

Is “Take this’ an economic move or a deadly action? Listen Up!

Prostate Cancer Testing

Prostate Screening through PSA blood tests every 4 years seem to cut down on death from this cancer. Recent research shows overall there is no difference in # of deaths if it is not tested every annually. An important reality – complications from prostate cancer treatment are greater than deaths from it. The latest study with resulting new guidelines straight from DocHandal – easily stated worth the listen.

HPV Vaccine For Men

Yes! Not just for women! Just approved for men this vaccine covers prevention of the HPV sexually transmitted virus that can cause cancer & genital warts.  It covers 4 types of the HPV virus that in men can cause mouth and throat cancer. Learn specific details along with the exact latest vaccine recommendations by men’s ages by Listening Up to DocHandal’s podcast.