This study found that the use of the antidepressant medications fluoxetine and mirtazapine were associated with an increased risk of C. difficile infection in hospitalized patients. Other antidepressants were not associated with an increased risk.
Antidepressant medication linked with increased risk of superbug - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG
May 7, 2013
April 3, 2013
Discontinuation of statins in routine care
This study found that statins are routinely discontinued but often could be restarted or a similar statin substituted. Side-effects are frequently not class-specific but often limited to the specific statin medication.
March 26, 2013
Fewer Hours for Doctors-in-Training Leading To More Mistakes
This is a thoughtful analysis of the situation regarding regulating work hours for interns. Could it be we were better off when administrators and politicians kept their hands off, and left taking care of patients to the doctors, nurses, and technicians?
March 24, 2013
Good health starts with good jobs, education
The Florida Surgeon General recently has spoken some deep truths regarding our health: good health starts with good jobs and good education.
A primary adverse health factor is diabetes, but through education and early screening its impact can be greatly decreased. Smoking education efforts do reduce the rate of smoking and its adverse health effects. Education on exercise and the importance of maintaining a healthy weight can greatly improve the community health.
A primary adverse health factor is diabetes, but through education and early screening its impact can be greatly decreased. Smoking education efforts do reduce the rate of smoking and its adverse health effects. Education on exercise and the importance of maintaining a healthy weight can greatly improve the community health.
March 21, 2013
97% of UK Family Physicians Prescribe Placebos
A recent study has found that the vast majority of UK family physicians (97% of those polled) had prescribed a placebo to a patient at at least one point in their career. Placebo pills contain inert substances that have no biological effect on the physiology, but they have been shown to strongly influence the mind.
Some bioethicists believe that prescribing placebos is wrong, because when doing so, the physician intentionally tricks the patient into believing that the placebo is strong and powerful, so much so that it will cure their disease. Thus, the principle of truth-telling between physician and patient is compromised.
However, others believe that placebos are not only good, but that they should be used more often. Most pharmaceutical drugs have serious and unwanted side-effects. Although rare, these side-effects can end up being worse than the disease. Placebos, by definition, do not have any physiological side-effects but through the power of suggestion, often improve healing and wellness.
What do you think? Should doctors prescribe placebos? Is this good or bad?
keywords: placebo, placebos, bioethics, physician-patient relationship, family physicians, medicine, medical, well being, health
Some bioethicists believe that prescribing placebos is wrong, because when doing so, the physician intentionally tricks the patient into believing that the placebo is strong and powerful, so much so that it will cure their disease. Thus, the principle of truth-telling between physician and patient is compromised.
However, others believe that placebos are not only good, but that they should be used more often. Most pharmaceutical drugs have serious and unwanted side-effects. Although rare, these side-effects can end up being worse than the disease. Placebos, by definition, do not have any physiological side-effects but through the power of suggestion, often improve healing and wellness.
What do you think? Should doctors prescribe placebos? Is this good or bad?
keywords: placebo, placebos, bioethics, physician-patient relationship, family physicians, medicine, medical, well being, health
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