Looking in amazement at scores of New Year's resolutions, I realize that each moment of life is a chance to resolve to do better. Why do we wait until the calender rolls over to a new year? Why not constantly resolve to be kinder, fitter, smarter on a moment by moment basis?
With that in mind, I am going to be blogging from a new place in 2011. I am no longer "the local MD." I am a hospitalist. For the most part, I take care of those patients who have no physician. These patients have fallen through the cracks, usually of society first and the health care system second. Many are homeless, several are addicted to one substance or another, some are in this country illegally.
So, a new blog, possibly a new address, and yes, it is about to be a new year but where medicine, and life really, are concerned, I believe the goal is always the same: To do better. I tell my residents it is why we call it "practicing medicine." We may be perfect for a moment but in the next there is a new problem and a new challenge.
To the challenge of 01/01/11 00:01.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sports and politics
I dressed in black this morning. At first I thought this was in mourning for my favorite baseball team, beaten in the World Series last night by a superior team. Then I realized it is election day. Oh, don't get me wrong. I have waited for this day for months. I cast my ballot weeks ago when early voting opened. I can't wait for all the yard signs to disappear and the negative ads to be gone from television and radio. Yet, in a moment of reality this morning, I realize that, just like the baseball game last night, this election cycle is another lost opportunity.
Going back to baseball, I liked the San Francisco Giants. I rooted for them against Atlanta and the Philles. They were the National League team I wanted to see in the World Series. I was surprised at myself when I began to feel something akin to hate in game 1. However, I think I can like them again, those young, quirky pitchers, that awesome catcher, who I don't think shaves every day, and a bunch of ol' guys who already have World Series rings from by gone eras on other teams. As I pulled on my black shirt, I realized they are just like my team in that they had hope and heart and they wanted to win. Really it was just the bounce of a ball back in San Francisco that gave them the momentum to do just that.
The change, the anger, rage really, that is sweeping this country is much different from fan excitement in sports. I have listened carefully to Mr. Boehner, who in all likelihood will be the next speaker of the House, for the past two years. He has been on a mission to discredit everything the current administration has tried to do. It is clear that Mr. Boehner cares about one thing - winning. If gridlocking Congress will accomplish that goal, then by all means, he and his colleagues were happy to do it.
Just as my Rangers made some errors, the other side carries some responsibility for their plight at the end of this day. From where I sit as the local MD, government has done little to help any of us through this quagmire that is the healthcare system. Yet, I am hear to tell you that our emergency rooms cannot continue to be the front line for care for what are ever increasing scores of uninsured people. It is an impossible task and it is also bad business and bad medicine.
Going back to baseball, I liked the San Francisco Giants. I rooted for them against Atlanta and the Philles. They were the National League team I wanted to see in the World Series. I was surprised at myself when I began to feel something akin to hate in game 1. However, I think I can like them again, those young, quirky pitchers, that awesome catcher, who I don't think shaves every day, and a bunch of ol' guys who already have World Series rings from by gone eras on other teams. As I pulled on my black shirt, I realized they are just like my team in that they had hope and heart and they wanted to win. Really it was just the bounce of a ball back in San Francisco that gave them the momentum to do just that.
The change, the anger, rage really, that is sweeping this country is much different from fan excitement in sports. I have listened carefully to Mr. Boehner, who in all likelihood will be the next speaker of the House, for the past two years. He has been on a mission to discredit everything the current administration has tried to do. It is clear that Mr. Boehner cares about one thing - winning. If gridlocking Congress will accomplish that goal, then by all means, he and his colleagues were happy to do it.
Just as my Rangers made some errors, the other side carries some responsibility for their plight at the end of this day. From where I sit as the local MD, government has done little to help any of us through this quagmire that is the healthcare system. Yet, I am hear to tell you that our emergency rooms cannot continue to be the front line for care for what are ever increasing scores of uninsured people. It is an impossible task and it is also bad business and bad medicine.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Change
I am pretty sure what ever you choose to call my generation, officially known as the "baby boomers," the "me generation" would be a better fit. I see this everywhere. Many of us drive big, gas guzzling cars, live in homes with enough square footage to graze cattle, and believe that the current government is trying to take all of this away from us by taxing us to death. So, this election cycle, I have chosen to sit it out so to speak.
Oh, I voted. Yes, I was at the polls the first week of early voting with my choices for the least worst candidates in many cases and in some, those candidates who I think will preform rather well. I have "Had Enough" and in my state that pretty much means I have had enough of the Me generation politicians who have been in power since I was in college. In my opinion our current governor has used his near decade in office to ruin our public schools, get almost everyone their own personal handgun, and make billions for his friends. Again, mostly this has happened because my generation was too busy making money to worry about where the state, country, or world was headed.
Back to my participation in this election. I put my yard signs out months ago, which only served to alienate me further from my neighbors. Oh yes, and I have a sticker on my car. I know this is risky, since many of the supporters of my candidate's opponent carry concealed weapons. I am just careful not to cut anyone off on my drive to work. I have been lucky so far. If my candidate does happen to win, I will pull that sticker off the day after the election.
As I said before I voted, but I did not remind my friends to vote. They are all voting for the other guy. I know this because we have rather in depth conversations about what might change the current course of our state, this country and especially our profession.
I still believe the health care plan is a start. I am well aware of the fact that medical insurance has increased by 10% this year. Remember, I am self employed and I buy my own. I will continue to drive my old car, which gets better than thirty miles to a gallon. I could have a new hybrid for what I paid in medical insurance and health care costs this year for myself and my family. The truth is medical care costs money and no one took one the biggest cost which are the insurance companies themselves into consideration in constructing the latest legislation. Why, the politicians needed the financial support of the insurance companies to get re-elected. Their CEOs and the CEO of the hospital where I work will still make at least 7 figures. They are part of the "me generation" too.
Where is this going? To solve these very real problems, someone will have to give up something. Honestly, I don't think it will be the "me generation" and I am afraid we have not raised our children and grandchildren to do this either. I think those who have immigrated here will likely be the ones willing to work hard for less and find ways to make change happen.
Oh, I voted. Yes, I was at the polls the first week of early voting with my choices for the least worst candidates in many cases and in some, those candidates who I think will preform rather well. I have "Had Enough" and in my state that pretty much means I have had enough of the Me generation politicians who have been in power since I was in college. In my opinion our current governor has used his near decade in office to ruin our public schools, get almost everyone their own personal handgun, and make billions for his friends. Again, mostly this has happened because my generation was too busy making money to worry about where the state, country, or world was headed.
Back to my participation in this election. I put my yard signs out months ago, which only served to alienate me further from my neighbors. Oh yes, and I have a sticker on my car. I know this is risky, since many of the supporters of my candidate's opponent carry concealed weapons. I am just careful not to cut anyone off on my drive to work. I have been lucky so far. If my candidate does happen to win, I will pull that sticker off the day after the election.
As I said before I voted, but I did not remind my friends to vote. They are all voting for the other guy. I know this because we have rather in depth conversations about what might change the current course of our state, this country and especially our profession.
I still believe the health care plan is a start. I am well aware of the fact that medical insurance has increased by 10% this year. Remember, I am self employed and I buy my own. I will continue to drive my old car, which gets better than thirty miles to a gallon. I could have a new hybrid for what I paid in medical insurance and health care costs this year for myself and my family. The truth is medical care costs money and no one took one the biggest cost which are the insurance companies themselves into consideration in constructing the latest legislation. Why, the politicians needed the financial support of the insurance companies to get re-elected. Their CEOs and the CEO of the hospital where I work will still make at least 7 figures. They are part of the "me generation" too.
Where is this going? To solve these very real problems, someone will have to give up something. Honestly, I don't think it will be the "me generation" and I am afraid we have not raised our children and grandchildren to do this either. I think those who have immigrated here will likely be the ones willing to work hard for less and find ways to make change happen.
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