Tag Archives: Medical Care

After the Death Panel Controversy, Physicians Struggle with End-of-Life Care

New medical codes could help patients plan their healthcare

An anesthesiologist described a chaotic scene in his hospital. Years ago, an elderly woman was rushed to the operating room with bowel trauma, septic shock and multi-system organ failure. The anesthesiologist, surgeon and nursing staff didn’t expect her to survive. … Continue reading

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For-Profit Hospice Facilities More Likely to Overbill Medicare

Study finds that many patients receive more treatment than they need

Recently, a woman was treated as an in-patient at a for-profit hospice facility for a total of 51 days. The problem? Her symptoms were already well-managed, and she only needed occasional help with eating and taking her medication. Researchers found that … Continue reading

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Getting Married Could Help Post-Surgery Recovery

A study finds that married people recover faster after heart surgery than unmarried people

Thousands of classic jokes poke fun at the stresses of marital life, but science says marriage might actually save our lives. A new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found that people who are married … Continue reading

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To Sue, or Not to Sue

Many nursing homes are asking patients to sign contracts revoking their right to sue for alleged abuse

When you send someone you love to a nursing facility, you likely trust that your loved one is in good hands. Nursing is a caring profession by definition, so why would you worry about your loved one receiving around-the-clock care? … Continue reading

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what is Psychosomatic Medicine? Interview with Dr. Mary Alice O’Dowd

Integrating Psychosomatic Medicine with End-of-Life Care

I had the pleasure of a brief Q&A with Dr. Mary Alice O’Dowd, Director of the Psychosomatic Medicine Consultation Service at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Dr. O’Dowd is also Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of … Continue reading

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