Word: doctors
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...first blush, that's not such a surprise, considering that optimistic people, being more hopeful overall, probably eat better, work out more and make regular visits to the doctor. Previous studies have indeed documented the life-extending benefits of optimism, although most of that research has involved men and has been conducted in small numbers. What's more, not all studies have done a good job of weeding out potentially confounding factors such as health status and lifestyle. That's what makes the new study different. "Taking into account income, education, health behaviors like [controlling] blood pressure and whether...
...potential to greatly increase insurance company denials of the tests and treatments that doctors order. In the old days, the tests we ordered were done first - though bills for them might not get paid. Now when findings aren't bad enough to "justify" expensive tests or treatments, (according to sources chosen by - you guessed it - insurance companies) the computer tells everyone, immediately, "you're going to eat this." Might this eliminate unnecessary testing and save money? Sure. But who determines what is necessary? Who should a patient trust to make her medical decisions? Can the government or an insurance company...
...Doctors live with denials, some of them dangerous. I've ordered MRI's on hospitalized patients that somehow never got done, physical therapy and medication never delivered, because of "unmet requirements" picked up when codes are scanned. When the white blood count isn't high enough to "justify" the hospitalization for IV antibiotics, the physician whose judgment says "this patient is sick and belongs in the hospital" is told his services as well as the hospitalization will not be paid for. When a doctor is convinced a test or treatment is needed, (and his patient doesn't have the money...
...also suggests that physicians and other health-care providers ask their patients more probing questions about alcohol consumption. Too often, she says, the issue is addressed perfunctorily: "Do you drink?" Check. "Socially?" Check. Then the doctor moves on. Instead, Nixon thinks providers should instigate a conversation, asking questions that raise self-awareness: Are you still having wine with dinner? How much? Why? "It doesn't make you 'old' to monitor your drinking," Nixon says. Just smart...
Faith heals all right, but it is debatable whether the faith has to be religious. Total faith in a doctor also eases pain and accelerates recovery. Perhaps it is the persevering faith of the patient and not God or the doctor that actually heals. Maheshkumar Mathilakath, SHARJAH, U.A.E...