Today a Seattle mom advertised on an online parenting community that both of her children had chickenpox and then invited (non-vaccinated) children over for exposure. That’s the invite from 1:19pm today. It turns out people are still having chickenpox parties. Part of this makes my head spin. I just don’t get it, despite having had […]
Doctoring & Healthcare
Children With Gay Parents
Headlines like, “Children Do Better with Committed Parents,” excite me. I feel proud to live in a time where we’re advancing understanding and safety for children and their health–I love being a part of it. Over the past decade(s) there have been big shifts here in the US. The Pew Research Center published data today […]
The New Norovirus
Norovirus is a nasty one. It’s the leading cause of epidemics of vomiting/diarrhea and causes over 20 million cases of gastrointestinal disease (“stomach flu” with vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and achiness) in the US each year. Our experience with Norovirus historically is worse in years with “novel” or new strains of infection. Unfortunately there’s […]
Using Your Phone To Diagnose Skin Cancer
You know me, I’m enthusiastic about apps and online health content and innovating health care delivery. But we do have to be thoughtful about how we use and integrate new technology. One in 5 smart phone users in the US has a health app on their phone. With over 50% of American adults owning a smartphone, that’s a lot […]
Have You Been In To See Dr. Google?
For practicing physicians, there’s a tricky balance in believing that the internet can help save lives. I’m a doctor who encourages families to look up health info online and one who believes technology will afford improved partnerships. Yet, when we’re in the old-fashioned exam room, there isn’t always a place for the internet. Many clinics block […]
McClinic? Drive-Thru Health Care
I can’t stop thinking about a drive-thru. Not the one for burgers and shakes but the one for ear checks, sports forms, quick med refill visits or a lingering rash. For those things you just want to know fast or need done now, but don’t want to spend 2 hours resolving. For those things that […]
Ways To Decrease Risk Of Breast Cancer
When we have children, many of us slip in the self-care department. We may not eat as well, not exercise like we did “pre-baby,” and don’t have time to go and see our own doctors. Simply put, our own care doesn’t come first. Parenthood immediately demotes our status… All fine in some ways. It’s astonishingly […]
Marissa Mayer Back To Work
Yesterday I started to see a number of tweets from parents and fellow pediatricians on Twitter criticizing Marissa Mayer for announcing that she’d return to work within 1-2 weeks of the delivery of her first child. First off, I’ll start with my assumptions: I’m authoring this post in the belief that Ms Mayer has access […]
Antibiotic Use May Increase Risk For IBD
We’re surrounded by bacteria– literally. They live on the surface our skin and set up camp in our intestines immediately after birth. The complexity of the colonies that live there diversifies throughout our lives–many sticking around for the duration. And we’re dependent on the ka-billions of bacteria that co-exist with us to maintain our health. […]
