Most individuals who go into medicine do it because they want to earn their living in a field where you can help people and because they find the subject matter interesting. Once one begins their training, they find reality, especially in the United States, is often very different from the ideals which caused them to … Continue reading
It is everywhere: advertisements on television, statements by celebrities and politicians, regulations, school lunch programs, medical protocols. Obesity is now a major public enemy. I do not mean to diminish the significance of this issue. There is no question, obesity is a serious health concern. It has also increased, though not as much as advertised. … Continue reading
Legislation has been proposed in SC that would severely restrict and possibly eliminate the option for out of hospital birth in South Carolina. http://www.supportscmidwives.com The following letter is what I have written in support of the certified midwives. To Our Legislators: Re: H3731 I am a family physician practicing in Greer, SC. I … Continue reading
Greer Memorial Hospital – A Wonderful Place To Have a Baby I deliver babies at Greer Memorial Hospital and take for granted the way things are done at Greer. However, having recently experienced my son and daughter-in-law delivering at a different hospital, it caused me to reflect on how different and possibly unique things are … Continue reading
Yesterday, I was reading the Greenville Hospital System (GHS) medical staff newsletter. One of the articles was excitedly explaining how GHS had struck an EXCLUSIVE contract with Blue Choice Medicaid. This means that the 14,000 members of Blue Choice Medicaid in the Upstate area will only be able to receive their medical care from GHS … Continue reading
In 1992, in order to encapsulate the central issue in the Presidential election that year, James Carville popularized the statement: “It’s the economy, stupid.” I am reminded of this during some of my patient encounters. I think of a couple I delivered a few months ago. This couple had transferred to me, from a local … Continue reading
After a great deal of thought I have decided to drop my health insurance. As everyone without health insurance knows, this a very scary position in which to find oneself. Being in the healthcare field myself, I am well aware that a single day of hospitalization can generate tens of thousands of dollars in bills. … Continue reading
A patient recently asked about the crocheted stirrup covers we use in our office. I told her the story behind the original ones, which she enjoyed, so I thought I would share the story here. About fifteen years ago, Geraldine came to me as a new patient. She was 78 years old and was having … Continue reading
This past summer I had two very bright and eager student rotate through my office. One was a health administration student in the School of Business at Winthrop University. The other was a 3rd year medical student, who obtained an MBA prior to entering medical school. I asked both of these students the question: Why … Continue reading
What is a doctor? Sounds like a silly question. It is the person one goes to see when you are sick or want help to stay healthy. The reality is what occurs when one sees that doctor is dependent on what that doctor thinks it means to be a doctor. Here is what I think. … Continue reading
I had a lot of positive feedback from my last post on “my birth plan.” A few months ago I had a delivery that really made an impression on me and I wrote it down, so that I could remember the details. It illustrates the style, I wish was more prevalent in obstetrics today. This … Continue reading
I have been delivering babies now for 25 years. Birth plans have been around for that whole time, but they are certainly presented by couples to their doctors more frequently today than they used to be. The increase in birth plan development is a consequence of couples trying to influence what happens in a hospital … Continue reading