Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Anonymous Essay Citing Doctors' Bad Behavior During Surgery Sparks Debate In Health Community
What really goes on in an operating room? This week, the Annals of Internal Medicine published an anonymous essay recounting two appalling incidents that took place while gynecological patients were unconscious. The medical journal challenged doctors to call out colleagues who behave inappropriately, but so far the response has been polarizing. (Rabin, 8/21)
Dr. Christine Laine, editor in chief of Annals of Internal Medicine, said this is the first time in her tenure that such a profanity has been printed in the journal. But, she said in an interview, it seemed appropriate in this case. When she first read the essay she says it made her 鈥渟tomach churn,鈥 and it made her angry. (Zimmerman, 8/21)
Doctors鈥 practices are increasingly trying to reach their patients online. But don鈥檛 expect your doctor to 鈥渇riend鈥 you on Facebook 鈥 at least, not just yet. Physicians generally draw a line: Public professional pages 鈥 focused on medicine, similar to those other businesses offer 鈥 are catching on. (Luthra, 8/24)