Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine, says NO. Here are the links for 5 tests or treatments (and the situations) that patients should question.
For adult patients (internal medicine)
For older adults (geriatric medicine)
For patients with arthritis and other rheumatic disease (rheumatology)
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Always and forever: living with a chronic disease
I encounter two kinds of patients with arthritis: one comes to consult me just before leaving for a long trip and the other one comes to consult expecting to rest. The first response is perfect for those who are well and just want to be reassured they are well. The second response is also perfect for the flu or pneumonia: you get sick like a dog, rest, take your meds and then leave when you get better. These are NOT good responses when dealing with arthritis, the other rheumatic diseases I treat, and even diabetes.
Arthritis is a chronic illness for the most part. Once you get it, you have to live with it. You will have good days and bad days. We hope that most of them will be good. Taking your meds that the doctor prescribes helps increase your chances of having mostly good days. Medications can have side effects; they are not always good for you. This is where the follow-up clinic visits help.
During the follow-up clinic visits, your doctor should ask how you have been since you last saw her/him. How has your arthritis been? Have you been able to do your activities without difficulty? Have you been sick? Have you noticed anything new (or a worsening of something old)? Your answers to these questions help the doctor adjust your treatment, if necessary.
Living with a chronic disease is a case of always and forever. The disease stays with you but you can do something to keep yourself as healthy as possible.
Arthritis is a chronic illness for the most part. Once you get it, you have to live with it. You will have good days and bad days. We hope that most of them will be good. Taking your meds that the doctor prescribes helps increase your chances of having mostly good days. Medications can have side effects; they are not always good for you. This is where the follow-up clinic visits help.
During the follow-up clinic visits, your doctor should ask how you have been since you last saw her/him. How has your arthritis been? Have you been able to do your activities without difficulty? Have you been sick? Have you noticed anything new (or a worsening of something old)? Your answers to these questions help the doctor adjust your treatment, if necessary.
Living with a chronic disease is a case of always and forever. The disease stays with you but you can do something to keep yourself as healthy as possible.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Change of Clinic Schedule in Callang and Citimedic
The March clinic days are changed as follows: Callang Clinic from 2-Mar-2013 to 9-Mar-2013, and Citimedic Clinic from 4-Mar-2013 to 11-Mar-2013. This is in response to the scheduled annual Revalida for the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
February and March clinic days in Isabela and Tuguegarao
The next clinic days in Isabela are: 16-Feb and 2-Mar. Tuguegarao city will be on 4-Mar-2013.
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