I'd like to point you to two recent columns that I've published in mainstream media.
First, on CNN, I talk about the flu crisis.
For patients that may be hesitant, here are some answers to their common objections:
The reason many cite, "I got the flu from the flu shot!" isn't valid. There are no live viruses in the vaccine. If someone got sick after the shot, it's because of a coincidental illness caused by the scores of other non-influenza viruses that can cause similar upper respiratory symptoms.Of course, you should get your flu shot now if you haven't already. But learn from the flu headlines and next year, get vaccinated earlier.
Others say, "I've never had the shot before, and I've been fine." In some, the flu can be debilitating, leaving patients bedridden for days. In others, it can simply be a runny nose or a minor cough. But it's still the flu and can be spread to more vulnerable patients, with disastrous consequences for them.
Next, I have a column in USA Today, where I dismiss the current trend of virtual office visits.
They certainly have a place for established patients with chronic conditions, but not for new ones with acute illness:
Accurate diagnoses can be missed without the face-to-face interaction. For example, I've seen a patient convinced he had a sinus infection only to find that he had a tumor inside his nose. Another complained of minor ear pain, but after examining her, I saw that an infection had spread to the point she needed to be hospitalized for intravenous antibiotics.What's cheapest for insurers, and most convenient for patients, isn't necessarily what's best.
Without the ability to examine patients, many doctors play it safe and prescribe drugs. A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that patients who were treated through virtual visits had higher antibiotic prescription rates for their sinus infections than patients who were seen in the office.