Seasons Greetings! Welcome to the Holiday Edition of Grand Rounds, featuring some of the best articles of the biomedical and healthcare blogosphere. At this time last year, I announced the Highlight HEALTH Network, a single source that aggregates content from all the Highlight HEALTH websites. This year, I have a similar gift for biomedical and healthcare blogosphere readers:
Health and Medicine blog carnival email and RSS subscriptions!
I’ve set up feeds for a number of credible, rotating health and medicine blog carnivals. Note that blog carnivals such as Radiology Grand Rounds were intentionally omitted because each edition is normally hosted at the same site. Now, if you would like to follow your favorite carnival, you can simply subscribe by email or RSS — each post links directly to the blog hosting the carnival. To subscribe by email or RSS, click on the RSS icon next to each carnival name. If you subscribe to more than one carnival, there’s also an aggregated feed:
Subscribe to the mashup …
one subscription, all eight carnivals
Here are the individual blog carnival feeds:
| Grand Rounds |
Change of Shift |
Medicine 2.0 |
| |
| Gene Genie |
Encephalon |
Cancer Research |
| |
| SurgeXperiences |
Health Wonk Review |
With particular thanks to Marshall Kirkpatrick for the idea, I hope the subscription options increase the popularity and readership of each of the respective carnivals. Happy Holidays!
Now, on to the Holiday Edition of Grand Rounds. This issue consists of five sections: The Holiday Season; Biomedical News and Research; Doctors, Nurses, Students and Patients; Advice, Tips and Q&A; and Healthcare. Given the number of great submissions, I’ve intentionally kept my comments brief so that you can focus on the content of each article.
The Holiday Season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Teen Health 411
This holiday season, Dr. Nancy Brown reminds us that assuming we are entitled to anything keeps us from appreciating what we have, writing Gratitude and Holidays!
Doc Gurley
There are many people who can use our help this holiday season. Dr. Jan Gurley explains how we can benefit from giving a gift to a homeless person in The Second Annual Homeless Gift Guide.
Notes of an Anesthesioboist
T helps a colleague manage one of the toughest airways of the year and realizes with gratitude what a dynamic gift good teaching can be. Candy Cane Time
How To Cope With Pain Blog
Lisa Copen offers 12 Gift Ideas for Gals with Chronic Illness such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia and migraine.
moneduloides
For people wishing to buy educational books this season, specifically those with a simple interest in human evolution, Moneduloides makes some recommendations, wishing all of us a A Very, Merry, Human Evolutionary Christmas.
The Fitness Fixer
I have a long drive to the hospital everyday and use the time to stay informed by listening to NPR. Over the holiday season, Dr. Jolie Bookspan suggests something similar: Reducing Holiday Driving Stress and Increasing Human Connection.
AEQUANIMITAS
Dr. Chris Nickson recounts the story of jellyfish hunter Jack Barnes and how he determined the cause of a distressing condition called Irukandji syndrome by stinging himself and his 9 year-old son in December 1964 — some Christmas present! Jack Barnes and the Irukandji Enigma
Canadian Medicine
Alberta National Democratic Party leader Brian Mason isn’t very happy with the Conservative government’s management of healthcare in recent years. Sam Solomon recounts A Carol for Alberta’s Health Minister.
Biomedical News and Research
There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There’ll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
Clinical Cases and Images
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) Horizons Conference was a 3-day meeting in October 2008 that focused on the future of medical publishing. Dr. Ves Dimov begins a 3-part series reflecting his impressions from each day of the meeting. NEJM Horizons Conference to Push Boundaries of Traditional Medical Publishing, Day 1
Suture for a Living
Dr. Ramona Bates covers the First Face Transplant Done in the U.S.
ACP Internist
A recent study finds that patients get more anxious when doctors use medical terms for conditions and diseases than lay terms [1]. Jessica Berthold warns, Careful What You Say … and How You Say It.
Why am I still here?
Tiny Shrink explores Public Persona and considers the difference publishing a case report in an academic journal or magazine that gets posted to the internet versus posting an anonymous blog, and why one activity is often forbidden but not the other.
Dr Shock
A recent study reported the results of a meta-analysis of experimental studies on Internet addiction published in academic journals from 1996 — 2006, assessing how Internet addiction has been measured and analyzing the degree of association between variables [2]. Dr. Walter W. van den Broek finds Internet Addiction Research Disappointing.
The Neurocritic
While a recent report from the Radiological Society of North America contained several inaccuracies, it nonetheless demonstrated that the potential for cortical plasticity persists at six or more months post-stroke [3]. The Neurocritic sets the record straight on Neuroimaging Studies of Stroke Rehabilitation.
Colorado Health Insurance Insider
A primary care physician (PCP) faces a number of challenges today, including a shortage of doctors and inequitable reimbursement. While it’s well-known in the healthcare and health insurance blog worlds, Louise reports that Most Americans are Unaware of the PCP Shortage.
SharpBrains
Dr. Pascale Michelon describes the cognitive reserve hypothesis, tested in multiple studies, which states that individuals with more cognitive reserve can experience more Alzheimer’s disease pathology in the brain (more plaques and tangles) without developing Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Education builds Cognitive Reserve for Alzheimers Disease Protection
Mexico Medical Student
Enrico critiques an article written by a psychiatrist that appeared in New England Journal of Medicine and was reported on by the New York Times regarding medical school curricula and how they may be failing at teaching basic introductory communication skills, asking Dr. Manners, I Presume? [4].
Laika’s MedLibLog
One of the things Web 2.0 does is facilitate creativity, information sharing and collaboration among users. Dr. Jacqueline reviews The OpenECGproject: an Admirable Web 2.0 Initiative.
Doctors, Nurses, Students and Patients
It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It’s the hap- happiest season of all
other things amanzi
Are surgeons self-confident or arrogant? Bongi reflects on being The Best.
Emergiblog
Doctors and nurses share the same space at work but work in different spaces. After a night on divert, Kim realizes Nurses are from Mars, Doctors are from … Some Other Galaxy.
The Happy Hospitalist
The Happy Hospitalist shares a child’s future endeavors as a physician. When I am 30
monash medical student
After his 3rd year in medical school, Jeffrey Leow has Top 10 “to-dos” Before Graduating from Med School.
DUNCAN CROSS
Duncan Cross reflects on Gifts, specifically the best gift he’s ever gotten and how it has affected his life with illness.
Anatomy on the Beach
Kent Tisher moves Onward, reflecting back on his first two years of medical school, leaving the Caribbean and actually knowing things in the ER.
Own Your Health
Roanne Weisman tells the story of Jacqueline Miller and her journey to recovering in this Story of Hope: “All I Wanted to do was Hug My Children.”
Shrink Rap
Sociopaths, psychopaths and antisocials — Clink asks Who is a Criminal?
Advice, Tips and Q&A
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
There’ll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
The Back Pain Blog
Dean Moyer responds to a reader’s question about neck pain and the changing weather, sharing some tips on how to deal with winter in a way that can make Neck Pain and the Cold seem a little less daunting.
Medicine for the Outdoors
Exposure to extremely cold external temperatures is a critical issue this time of year. Dr. Paul Auerback offers a Frostbite Update.
Neuroanthropology
Dr. Daniel Lende offers balanced advice on cosleeping, bedsharing and breastfeeding. Cosleeping and Biological Imperatives: Why Human Babies Do Not and Should Not Sleep Alone
Adventure Health Clinic
Finger taping is a technique rock climbers use to prevent injuries or to keep climbing with an injury. Dr. Erik McLaughlin reviews Rock Climbing, Finger Taping and Injury.
Allergy Notes
Dr. Ves Dimov provides a summary of Sesame Food Allergy: Questions and Answers
Healthcare
There’ll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There’ll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
ScienceRoll
Dr. Berci Meskó focuses on why a bridge is needed between medical professionals and e-patients and how it should be constructed. The Bridge: Do You Want to Change Healthcare?
HealthBlawg
David Harlow reviews a paper assessing the value of a public plan — Medicare-for-all — as an option for coverage under an Obama healthcare reform plan [5]. Jacob Hacker makes the case for public plan choice in national health reform
Medviews
Dr. Stuart Henochowicz expresses his thoughts on what the Obama administration stimulus package should focus on, urging that the government Spend, Spend, Spend on healthcare.
The Covert Rationing Blog
HMOs are staring at the ugly prospect of their one-and-only engine for growth in recent years — Medicare Advantage — being taken away from them in about a month. Dr. Rich considers the implications. The HMO Death Watch, 2: How Shall We Regard Medicare Advantage?
InsureBlog
Is it okay to induce labor if it means the difference between insurance paying and not? What are the limits of Medical Necessity? Bob Vineyard tells the disturbing story.
Health Business Blog
Some people are upset that health insurers and doctors want to participate in the Obama transition’s healthcare house parties. Not David Williams, asking us to Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Conclusion
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
There’ll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It’s the most wonderful time
It’s the most wonderful time
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
That concludes the Holiday Edition of Grand Rounds, Vol. 5 No. 14. It’s been great hosting Grand Rounds for the first time and I’d like to thank everyone that submitted articles.
The New Years Edition of Grand Rounds, Vol. 5 No. 15, is being hosted by moneduloides on December 30th.
Have a happy, healthy holiday season!
References
- Young et al. The role of medical language in changing public perceptions of illness. PLoS ONE. 2008;3(12):e3875. Epub 2008 Dec 8.
View abstract
- Byun et al. Internet Addiction: Metasynthesis of 1996-2006 Quantitative Research. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2008 Dec 10. [Epub ahead of print]
View abstract
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Robotic Technology Improves Stroke Rehabilitation. Radiological Society of North America press release. 2008 Dec 3.
-
Kahn MW. Etiquette-based medicine. N Engl J Med. 2008 May 8;358(19):1988-9. View abstract
- Hacker JS. The Case for Public Plan Choice in National Health Reform. Center on Health, Economic & Family Security. University of California Berkeley School of Law. 2008 Dec 16.
A major determinant of America’s health and competitiveness in the world is progress in the life sciences. Over the past twenty years, the life sciences have had a tremendous impact on human health through the understanding of the molecular basis of disease and the development of new diagnostics, therapeutics and other medical products. Given the significance of biomedical research on healthcare, I felt it was important to highlight the 2008 presidential candidates’ positions. A number of online resources are discussed in this post and listed at the end of the article. With the election less than two weeks away, it is paramount that voters know where the presidential candidates’ stand on these essential issues.
Biomedical Research
Science Debate 2008, an effort endorsed by leading scientific organizations, called for a public debate in which the U.S. presidential candidates were asked to share their views on the issues of the environment, health and medicine, and science and technology policy. Each candidate answered questions regarding their respective positions on matters of scientific innovation. Their responses to the top 14 science questions facing America, including positions on scientific integrity, genetics research and stem cells, are presented in an easy-to-read side-by-side comparison at Sciencedebate2008.com. The side-by-side comparison Science Debate 2008: 14 Answers Obama McCain is also free for download as a PDF [1]. What follows is brief synopsis of their answers.
Scientific integrity
Senators Barack Obama and John McCain agree that policy should be based on science. Both candidates criticize the current administration for denying facts and basing government decisions on ideological predispositions instead of scientific evidence. Obama promises to restore the role of the President’s Council on Science and Technology (PCAST) as advisor to the President. McCain pledges to have a science and technology advisor in the White House.
Genetics research
Both candidates recognize the ethical, legal and social issues associated with genetics research. Obama supports the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) and introduced the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2007, which is aimed at ensuring the safety and accuracy of genetic testing. McCain speaks less of genomics or personalized medicine and more about ensuring the privacy of electronic heath records and the fostering of a “new Green Revolution” in agriculture to improve crop yields.
Stem cells
Obama and McCain both support federal funding for stem cell research. McCain also supports funding for other research, including amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research. Obama favors responsible oversight of embryonic stem cell research and an expanded federally supported stem cell research program.
Research and development funding
With respect to research and development funding, there is a sharp contrast between the two candidates. Obama looks to renew the government’s commitment to investing in biomedical research, which has suffered a major lapse over under the current administration, and pledges to double the basic research budgets of key science agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy’s Office of Science (DOE) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) over the next 10 years. McCain plans to freeze all discretionary spending for one year, which would effect the research budgets of all the science agencies listed above, continuing the trend over the last five years of effectively reducing biomedical research funding.
Research!America, the nation’s largest non-profit public education and advocacy alliance, is committed to making research to improve health a higher national priority. You can read more about the presidential candidates and medical and health research issues at the Research!America blog.
Additional information on what Senators Obama and McCain have said regarding important science policy issues is also presented at Scientists and Engineers for America, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, educational organization. The side-by-side comparison documents quotes from each of the candidates with links to news and media websites.
I’ve written previously about Today’s Science, Tomorrow’s Cures. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) voter engagement website, ScienceCures.org, has compiled a “Pre-Election Roundup” of news and web links concerning science and the 2008 elections. The roundup features resources for scientists and the public who want to learn more about the candidates’ positions on science issues, and describes FASEB’s election-related activities, as well as other election-year efforts in the science advocacy community. The page also includes an extensive review of recent local and national news items covering science and the elections.
Healthcare
A principle difference between the two presidential candidates is their philosophical difference on healthcare. In the second presidential debate, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain were asked, “Is healthcare in America a privilege, a right or a responsibility?” [2]. Obama believes it is a right while McCain views it instead as a responsibility. The Obama plan emphasizes increased health insurance regulation while the McCain plan stresses deregulation. To reduce costs, the McCain plan also emphasizes deregulation of health benefits and tax reform. In contrast, the Obama plan will establish a national minimum standard of coverage and aspires to control healthcare costs through government interventions.
This months edition of The New England Journal of Medicine includes perspectives from the two candidates on healthcare reform. The journal editors asked each of the candidates to describe their plans for reforming the U.S. healthcare system. A side-by-side perspective on Health Care Reform and the Presidential Candidates is free for download as a PDF [3]. Republished below are excerpts from the article.
Barack Obama:
My health care plan has three central tenets. First, all Americans should have access to the benefits of modern medicine. Once and for all, we must ensure that this great country lives up to its ideals and ensures all Americans access to high-quality, affordable health care. Second, we must eliminate the waste that plagues our medical system — layers of bureaucracy that serve no purpose, duplicative tests and procedures that are performed because the right information is not readily available, and doctors providing unnecessary care for fear of being sued. Third, we need a public health infrastructure that works with our medical system to prevent disease and improve health.
Under my plan, if patients like the insurance they have, they keep it and nothing changes, except the costs are lowered. For those who are left out or have substandard insurance, my plan will offer a choice of affordable health insurance plans. Through a national health-insurance exchange, people without employment-based insurance or who work in small businesses will have a choice of private insurance policies at rates similar to those offered through large firms. To promote competition among insurers, we will also give patients a new public-plan option, providing the same coverage that is offered to members of Congress and their families.
To make insurance affordable, we will give families income-related tax credits to expand access and streamline plan enrollment and transactions to reduce the administrative burden. I will also expand Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program immediately to cover all children who don’t have private coverage. And I have specified how I will pay for it — by cutting out waste in the system and redirecting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to help middle-class families afford health insurance.
John McCain:
Under my plan, if patients like the insurance I support a comprehensive and inclusive approach to lowering costs and reforming our health care system with a focus on four pillars:
Access and choice: Every American should have access to quality and affordable coverage of their choice, including keeping their current coverage. American families — not government bureaucrats or insurance companies — should choose the coverage that best meets their unique needs.
Quality: Strengthening health care quality requires promoting research and development of new treatment models, promoting wellness, investing in technology, and empowering Americans with better information on quality.
Affordability: We need genuine competition in the health sector to ensure that drug companies, insurance companies, hospitals, and every other aspect of the health care system are responding to the needs of American families. By rewarding quality, promoting prevention, and delivering health care more effectively and efficiently, we can ensure that all Americans can afford the health care coverage of their choice.
Portability and security: We must allow Americans to keep their health insurance as they move from job to job or job to home, and we must protect Americans’ economic security from unforeseen health events by expanding coverage and savings options.
While we take steps to lower health care costs, we must also improve access to health insurance. An important part of my plan is to replace the current tax exclusion of the value of health insurance from employees’ taxable compensation with a new refundable tax credit of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. Families can use the tax credit to continue their employment-based insurance or to find a plan that better meets their needs.
A recent report released by the non-partisan healthcare research group The Commonwealth Fund examined key differences in the presidential candidates healthcare proposals [4]. The study estimated that, under the Obama plan, twice as many uninsured Americans will have health insurance in 10 years than under the McCain plan, spending far less per capita for its coverage of the uninsured population. The Urban Institute-Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center estimated that the total federal cost of Obama’s plan could reach $1.6 trillion USD compared to $1.3 trillion USD for McCain’s plan. However, if adequately financed, McCain’s high-risk pool proposal could add an additional $1 trillion to the cost of his plan over 10 years. For more information, the Commonwealth Fund offers an interactive webpage to compare summaries the two health reform proposals.
Similar estimates were made in another independent analysis, which found that the McCain plan would not enable many more Americans to obtain health insurance [5]. Indeed, the study found that “Over time, a refundable tax credit would not automatically adjust as health care costs increase — which is quite different from the current tax exclusion of employer premium payments. Thus, the effectiveness of the tax credit in inducing people to buy coverage would inevitably decline over time. Even if the tax credit were indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), if the annual growth in premiums exceeded CPI-measured inflation by 6 percent — as was the case between 1999 and 2007 — the value of the credit would be eroded so much that in just five years, five million more people would be uninsured.”
Further resources for comparing the candidates’ positions on healthcare can be found at 2008 Presidential Candidates: Health Care Issues Side-by-Side. In addition, 2008 Your Candidates. Your Health. educates voters on both presidential and congressional candidates.
Rational voting decisions require informed citizens. Take the time to learn about the candidates’ positions on biomedical research and healthcare so that you can make an educated choice.
UPDATE: October 25th, 2008
The New York Times has a great article discussing the presidential candidates and innovation: Rivals’ Visions Differ on Unleashing Innovation. If you know of other articles discussing the presidential candidates’ positions on science, innovation and healthcare, share it with us below in the comments.
Online Resources
Online resources highlighted in this article:
- Science Debate 2008: Top 14 Questions Facing Amercia
- Science Debate 2008: 14 Answers Obama McCain (PDF)
- Research!America and the Research!America blog
- Scientists and Engineers for America: Science & Technology: McCain & Obama
- ScienceCures.org
- The New England Journal of Medicine: Health Care Reform and the Presidential Candidates (PDF)
- The Commonwealth Fund: The 2008 Presidential Candidates’ Health Reform Proposals: Summaries of the Plans
- Health08.org: 2008 Presidential Candidates: Health Care Issues Side-by-Side
- 2008 Your Candidates. Your Health.
References
- Science Debate 2008: 14 Answers Obama McCain. Science Debate 2008. Accessed 2008 Oct 15.
- The Second McCain-Obama Presidential Debate. October 7, 2008. Commission on Presidential Debates. Accessed 2008 Oct 15.
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Health Care Reform and the Presidential Candidates. N Engl J Med. 2008 Oct 8;359(15):1537-1541.
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Collins et al. The 2008 Presidential Candidates’ Health Reform Proposals: Choices For America. The Commonwealth Fund. 2008 Oct 2.
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Buchmueller et al. Cost And Coverage Implications Of The McCain Plan To Restructure Health Insurance. Health Aff (Millwood). 2008 Sep 16. [Epub ahead of print]
View abstract
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