Current Article

Open Thread * Dr. Jerome Groopman: What a Doctor

By SusanUnPC on December 26, 2008 at 11:45 PM in Current Affairs

What does this have to do with politics or No Quarter? I’m not sure, but I have had the great pleasure of listening to Dr. Groopman and of reading his articles in The New Yorker, and his observations about “how doctors think” affected me profoundly. I hope that it has made me a better patient, particularly as an advocate for myself. So, this is very important for you to listen to, so you know why you have every right to question whatever your physician may be saying to you:

One of the most astonishing stories that Dr. Groopman, who also teaches at Harvard Medical School, tells in his book is about his own long journey to a number of specialists to find out what is wrong with his hand.

How Doctors Think

Dr. Groopman tells this incredible story about his own misdiagnoses in the above video. The worst part is how WRONG most of the specialists are as they are assessing Dr. Groopman’s problem. Yes, they know that they are treating a Harvard physician. Yes, they care deeply about providing him with a correct diagnosis. But, no, they are not able to do so.

Dr. Groopman, thankfully for us, has his own Web site:

JeromeGroopman.com contains descriptions of his books, several of his articles, a television series, his biography, press reports, and a blog.

GO HERE FOR MORE:
All of Jerome Groopman’s Best Writings

TexasMirth

As the wife of a physician, I appreciate Dr. Groopman sharing his insights about the pressures and problems doctors and patients have when determining a diagnosis and treatment plan. I think one of the most important points Dr. Groopman made was that after treatment for his hand ailment, he improved about 75% percent. Perfection is not always attainable. My husband had to have hand surgery on both hands four years ago. He also sought several opinions before deciding on the surgery. His results were similar to Dr. Groopman’s- good, but not perfect. Patients need to be informed and realistic about the possible outcomes and problems that could result from any medical treatment. As Dr. Groopman said, “I’m a 52 Studebaker. I’m not going to become a Ferrari.”
KintheNorthwest

Looks like Caroline Kennedy says that it was 9/11 and Obama that has made her want to serve her country.
Strange but 9/11 was 7 years ago and the first time we hear anything political from her is her support of Obama.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081227/ap_on_el_ge/caroline_kennedy
DAB

Thank you for the video. I did happen to see this doctor on another program a while back and much of what he said hit a chord with me then. His book looks interesting.

After having a lot of negative experiences with doctors in the past, I feel very lucky to currently have a complementary practitioner now who listens very well and is very flexible. He utilizes both traditional and alternative approaches with good results.

In fact, he suggested that I read a book entitled, “What your Doctor may NOT Tell You About Hypertension” by Mark Houston, M.D. which was full of info that a doctor would be hard-pressed to relay to a patient given their time constraints.

Those of you who are dissatisfied with their practitioner, you might want to visit a Complementary doctor to see if they are for you.
fif

What “inspired” CK was her reason for endorsing Obama: “my kids really like him.” How analytical and mature. Now that she is about to be an Empty Nester, she needs something to do, so she can be part of the Obama Club in DC, with Oprah et.al. More importantly, I don’t suppose her uncle’s desperate need for a legacy has anything to do with her decision? When JFK died, Ted became their father figure. Now, he has decided she should serve by his side in the Senate before he dies.

*Note: NONE of this has anything to do with actual NY VOTERS (& I am one). Gov. Paterson–we are watching.
scorbs

If he’d allowed his hand to heal by icing it and resting it, and then using physical therapy later to recover movement, he might have had 100% recovery. Constantly jumping to surgery to solve all problems is wrong, and unfortunately I think this doctor’s thinking is part of the problem. Then again, maybe he’s a specialist using other specialists. He might have gotten better advice from a sports doc or general GP.
Tricia Spiegel

Very interesting info. Everyone wants a fast answer–even from themselves!
gmanedit

I agree. Never go to a surgeon for a diagnosis unless you want to be cut. Sports medicine is probably the most up-to-date and objective, because there’s big money in keeping athletes going.
Harriet

given that insurance companies only give us 15 minutes per patient; which is 3 minutes to screen vital signs, 5 minutes to get a history, 3 minutes to examine the patient; 30 sec to ask about medications, and 3 minutes to write a note, this leaves time to only address one problem.

This begs the question of what are the insurance companies doing with all that money besides paying their executives 15 million a year.
http://rew.50webs.org/ PypeWillirl

Nice template. Where can i download it?
http://link Kelvin53

Set up e-mail correspondence between mentors and youth if you are permitted and if your youth has e-mail access where the mentoring program is located. ,