I have to admit that I have never looked forward to going to the dentist. I recently read a long article in this month’s The Atlantic, “The Truth About Dentistry,” by Ferris Jabr. The author looks at a disturbing case of how one dentist cheated his patients over many years, performing unnecessary procedures, and investigates how that
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Golf Carts Can be Dangerous on the Road
Where I live, on St. Simons Island, Georgia, the golf cart has exploded in popularity as a means of transportation around the island over the last 10 years. While they generally come from the factory with a standard speed of not quite 20 MPH, I have noticed, and I am sure many have too, some
Father of Modern Burn Treatment Dies at 88
Earlier this week, Dr. Basil Pruitt, a retired Army surgeon and University of Texas-San Antonio professor who revolutionized care and survival rates for patients with severe burns, passed away. His life story is inspiring and remarkable. Dr. Pruitt was a master clinician or treating doctor who also became the most-cited researcher in burn care, and
Medical Device Injuries Hidden from Doctors and Patients by FDA and Manufacturers
Kaiser Health News issued an alarming report this week that revealed a FDA program and set of policies that allow dozens of device manufacturers to avoid public scrutiny of serious injury risks from their products. This covert program includes Davinci surgical robot incidents, pelvic mesh problems, heart device issues, and surgical staplers, and it encompasses both
VA Healthcare, Good and Bad, Examined Across the Country
Veterans Affairs healthcare can at time provide some of the best healthcare in the country, but unfortunately, it can also lag seriously behind private healthcare in other respects. This in-depth and interactive article published in the USA Today highlights some of things the VA does better, but focuses on where it lags behind, especially addressing some
