Zocalo Public Square: How Doctors Die

Photo: Hanspeter Klasser

Years ago, Charlie, a highly respected orthopedist and a mentor of mine, found a lump in his stomach. He had a surgeon explore the area, and the diagnosis was pancreatic cancer. … He went home the next day, closed his practice, and never set foot in a hospital again. He focused on spending time with family and feeling as good as possible.

Several months later, he died at home. He got no chemotherapy, radiation, or surgical treatment. Medicare didn’t spend much on him.

It’s not a frequent topic of discussion, but doctors die, too. And they don’t die like the rest of us. What’s unusual about them is not how much treatment they get compared to most Americans, but how little (Dr. Ken Murray, 11/30).

Photo courtesy of Hanspeter Klasser

Health Affairs: An MS Patient Loses Trust When She Finds Out Her Doctor Is Paid By Drug Companies’

Last year, four years after showing initial symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), I walked out the door of one neurologist’s office and, after several months of searching, switched to a different doctor.

It was the final act in a series of events that had gradually eroded my trust in the first neurologist’s judgment, which I believe was colored by his financial relationships with drug companies who manufacture and market medicines for MS patients. … Given my background in medical ethics, I was familiar with the potential conflicts of interest that exist for physicians participating in clinical pharmaceutical trials.

Assuming that my neurologist was being compensated for running the trial, in addition to his earnings from seeing patients in his neurology practice, I’d asked him if that was the case, and he confirmed that it was (Maran Wolston, December 2011).

The New Republic: More Health Care Heresy From Newt

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich’s past endorsement of an individual mandate has drawn fire from conservatives. But that’s not his only health care heresy.

In 2008, Gingrich made the case for another idea that became part of Obamacare and, in due time, the focus of right-wing attacks.

Worse still, at least from the standpoint of conservatives, he did so by writing an op-ed for The New York Times. Oh, and did I mention he had some help? Gingrich had a co-author: John Kerry, the Democratic senator and former presidential nominee. … they also acknowledged that ultimately the private sector couldn’t solve this problem on its own.

More action was necessary, they said, and that action had to come from government … That’s the problem for Gingrich when it comes to improving the delivery of health care. He isn’t crazy. But plenty of influential conservatives are (Jonathan Cohn, 12/13).

Photo by Gage Skidmore

Newsweek: Could This Be The End Of Cancer?

By all rights, Shari Baker should have said her final goodbyes years ago. In 2005, more than a year after three doctors dismissed a lump under her arm as a harmless cyst, she was diagnosed with stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer … In May 2006, she traveled to the University of Washington.

The (cancer) vaccine was injected into her upper arm; she got five more shots over the next five months. Today, with scans detecting no cancer anywhere, Baker seems to have beaten some extremely stiff odds. …

By “cancer vaccine,” scientists mean something that will stimulate the immune system to attack malignant cells (Sharon Begley, 12/12).

The Atlantic: The Top 10 Health Stories Of 2011

Photo by Jean Scheijen

Coffee is good for you. And coffee is bad for you. Cell phones cause cancer. And cell phones don’t cause cancer.

Like any other year in health, 2011 was one of conflicting studies. In the end, we’re not always sure how to act or what to drink or when to exercise, but we do know more about ourselves and the world we live in thanks to researchers everywhere and the work that they do.

However broad or specific their conclusions, however small or large their sample size, medical studies do contribute to our wellbeing simply by existing and, if nothing else, by making us think twice about the things we eat, say, and do on a daily basis (Nicholas Jackson, 12/14).

Photo courtesy of Jean Scheijen

The Daily Show: Ed Gillespie

Jon Stewart talks health care with Republican political strategist Ed Gillespie (12/8).

This article was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

WHAT:

Join Dr. Mariko Kita of Virginia Mason Medical Center in a discussion about multiple sclerosis, new treatments and research discoveries.

And just in time for the MS Walk on Bainbridge Island Saturday, April 10, learn tips on energy conservation, fatigue management, personal safety related to mobility, stretching and use of assistive devices from Virginia Mason physical therapist Scott Luttenegger.

WHEN:

Wednesday, March 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Bainbridge Island Commons, 370 Brien Drive SE, Bainbridge Island

COST:

Free. RSVP requested to (206) 341-0382 or kate.hinrichs@vmmc.org.

WHO:

Patients with MS, their families and community members are encouraged to attend.

ABOUT MS:

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Pacific Northwest has among the highest incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States.

MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision.

The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another. Today, new treatments and advances in research are giving new hope to people affected by the disease.

To learn more:

• Visit www.whyhere.org for more information.

Here is the press release from the National MS Society on the merger:

Two local multiple sclerosis nonprofits will merge

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County (MSA) – a source of counseling and care management services for people with MS since 1956 – will cease operation by the end of this year and merge with the Greater Washington Chapter of the National MS Society (GWC/NMSS), which is assuming all MSA client services.

In a joint communication announcing the merger to MSA clients, donors and the Puget Sound health care community, MSA Board Chair David Chambers and GWC/NMSS Board Chair John Bjornson said, “For decades, two different King County nonprofit organizations shared one common goal: making life better for people with MS. Now, the two are merging so they may serve that goal even more successfully.”

“We are pleased that the Puget Sound MS community now has a single place to turn for services, programs, education, and opportunities to volunteer and donate to the MS cause,” the Board chairs stated. “Most of all, we are very happy that the excellent services MSA clients have received through the years will continue and, in many cases, be enhanced through the National MS Society.”

While the current economic downturn did not directly influence the merger decision, the men noted, it did underscore the obligation of all nonprofit organizations to make the most efficient use of donor contributions.

“We know you share our pride in MSA’s 52 years of service to people living with MS in our community,” the Board chairs said. “This merger enables us to honor the Association’s legacy by continuing its services and building upon its successes. The leadership of both organizations considered this step very carefully and we agree that the merger is the right thing to do to most effectively and efficiently serve the MS community.”

MSA clients who have questions about their continuing services or other aspects of the merger are encouraged to contact the National MS Society at 206-284-4254. Those who would like to praise the past work of MSA may post a message on a special page established on the Chapter Web site. Go to MSwashington.org and click on ‘Tributes to MSA’.

To learn more about MS in the Northwest:

• Visit the National MS Society’s page on MS in the Northwest.