“Life is 100% fatal“: I’m quoting myself there, and I’ve helped beloved family members navigate that final journey by holding their hand, and standing watch, as the light of their living selves flickered out. It’s a sacred human experience that’s become over-medicalized, particularly in the US. From the NY Times, written by a palliative care doctor, Ira Byock: “Dying Shouldn’t Be So Brutal”
Killer numbers: In a terrific post on Vox, Sarah Kliff, who’s built a solid reputation as a journalist who can break down complex statistical data into accessible information, tells us that we have miles to go before we’ve defeated the medical-error monster. “Medical errors in America kill more people than AIDS or drug overdoses. Here’s why.”
Doctors as family advocates: Dr. Pauline Chen makes a forceful case on the NY Times Well blog that doctors should advocate for their patients and families to get work policies in place, policies that let people get the time needed to care for sick family members. “Doctors as Advocates for Family Leave”
Why discharge instructions matter: On Forbes.com, a piece by Robert Szczerba on why care transitions, particularly from hospital to home, can present re-admission risk, and efforts to eliminate that risk. “Coming Home From The Hospital Is Actually More Dangerous Than You Might Expect”
Bad science, and how to spot it: Another post from Vox, this one by Susannah Locke, on how to spot weird (bad/fake) science reporting. Piece includes a great infographic, too. “15 ways to tell if that science news story is hogwash”
Dr. House of Cards: Wednesday humor comes from ZDoggMD – slightly funnier than placebo – and his mashup of House of Cards, Dr. Oz, and medical-science mayhem. “Dr. House of Cards: Oz vs. Underwood“