Sid Schwab has started blogging at Surgeonsblog.
One of his early posts is about a particularly difficult breast cancer patient that he had to deal with. He even shares my pet peeve about mammographers:
The radiologist who read my patient's current xray reported that there was a cluster of indeterminant calcifications in the previously treated breast which, in comparison to a prior xray, had increased in number. Biopsy, according to the radiologist, was recommended.
There are about a dozen difficulties here, not counting the verbal assault I'd received. First of all, I hate it when a radiologist recommends therapy. It boxes me in. I want a reading, an interpretation, a diagnosis when possible. Leave the surgical decisions to me. I've had many a go-around with individual and grouped radiologists over this. Suffice it to say, there's disagreement.
Say it, brother!
Go say hi for me. I've even forgiven Sid for having gone a bit overboard promoting his book in the comments of my blog a couple of months ago. I'll probably even add him to my blogroll the next time I update it. We surgeons have to stick together.
RE Mammogram reports:
I am guessing there's a rad somewhere who was sued for not suggesting biopsy. I also know there are several who get annoyed by folks ordering the wrong test or detailing how [not] to do the study correctly.
The problem is with how the system communicates and how its members accept or reject it. Look how aviation, and now Medicine (Vanderbuilt one example with guidance from an ex-NASA flight surgeon or two) is approaching the problem. Surgeons should be able to invite and accept input, and it should be given in acceptable ways.
Several companies do this, my favorite example is this one:
http://www.saferpatients.com/
Great news - Sid has been a thoughtful commenter and I'm glad to see him launch his own blog. Plus, he can then hump his book over at his place!
Thanks very much, Orac. And Abel P. I'm just getting the hang of it, but plan to post more and more often over there, My prior faux pas notwithstanding, I figure years in the field has shown me how to change my ways and I hope not to annoy my fellow bloggers. Especially the ones I like, present company especially.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I like Sid. :)
Oh, and if anyone on livejournal wants an lj feed for it, add surgeonsblog to your friends list. :) (I'm just a feed-creating machine over there some days....)