http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/10/health/kidney-transplant-desensitization-immune-system.html?emc=edit_th_20160310&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&_r=0&referer=
Christians Flock to Groups That Help Members Pay Medical Bills - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/christians-flock-to-groups-that-help-members-pay-medical-bills.html?emc=edit_th_20160311&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/10/health/first-uterus-transplant-in-us-has-failed.html?nlid=25414714&src=recpb&referer=
When Gene Tests for Breast Cancer Reveal Grim Data but No Guidance - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/12/health/breast-cancer-brca-genetic-testing.html?emc=edit_th_20160312&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
To Maintain Supply of Sex Slaves, ISIS Pushes Birth Control - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/13/world/middleeast/to-maintain-supply-of-sex-slaves-isis-pushes-birth-control.html?emc=edit_th_20160313&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&_r=0&referer=
Veterans Seek Help for Infertility Inflicted by Wounds of
War - NYTimes.com
Helping Women in Africa Avoid H.I.V. - NYTimes.com
*new* http://www.pih.org/blog/protecting-newborns-against-hiv-in-russia
H.I.V.’s Toll on Black and Latino Men - NYTimes.com
Try to relate to our readings on HIV from 22 Feb.
Steve Beshear on ending Kentucky health care insurance: 'I cannot sit idly by'
We'll soon be discussing health care reform. What do you think about this real-time, real-life situation in Kentucky? This article gives some background, but there's more research to do. Let's try to figure it out together, separately from what the politicians are saying (although, of course, it is a political issue).
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2016/02/11/beshear-ending-kynect-cannot-sit-idly/80223880/#
Not Every Drop of a Person’s Blood Is the Same, a Study Says - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/health/not-every-drop-of-a-persons-blood-is-the-same-a-study-says.html?nlid=25414714&src=recpb&referer=
Legionnaires’ Outbreak in Flint Was Met With Silence - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/us/legionnaires-outbreak-in-flint-was-met-with-silence.html?emc=edit_th_20160223&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&_r=0&referer=
NYTimes: Patient Confidentiality and a Doctor’s Judgment Call
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/01/opinion/patient-confidentiality-and-a-doctors-judgment-call.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
A doctor and a lawyer discuss physicians’ obligation.
NYTimes: Francis Says Contraception Can Be Used to Slow Zika
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/world/americas/francis-says-contraception-can-be-used-to-slow-zika.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
The pope’s remarks stirred up divisions in the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in South America about whether birth control should be widely allowed.
I read the article from The New York Times, Not Every Drop of a Person’s Blood is the Same. I found this extremely interesting especially in my area of work. There have been numerous times while doing point of care testing such as blood sugars on adults and infants where I receive one reading that seemed inaccurate so I obtained a new specimen with a much different result. Or with infants for example, if the machine reads less than 50 we are required to collect additional blood to send off to the lab to process. Many times, my machine reads something like 47 but the lab result will come back very different such as high 50’s. I often wonder how accurate our glucometer machines are, but have never questioned the actual drop of blood. In nursing school one time while practicing on the glucometers, a fellow student was reluctant to prick her finger so we used mine. I used the first drop of blood on my machine, and then allowed her to use another drop of my blood for hers. The readings were significantly different, like 20 points or so. We assumed the machines were off, but with this new research study, it may have been the different blood drops. Very interesting study, I would like to follow up with more of their results.
ReplyDeleteMcNeil, D. G. (2016, February 22). The New York Times. Retrieved February 29, 2016, from http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/health/not-every-drop-of-a-persons-blood-is-the-same-a-study-says.html?nlid=25414714
This is interesting because that variance in drops of blood can determine whether treatment is given or not to our babies. They may be getting unnecessary treatments and blood draws costing the patients and the tax payers money. I would be interested to see if this is followed up on and researched further.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to reference to article...see below.
DeleteI read the article on Pope Francis' statement on the use of contraceptives to slow the Zika virus.
ReplyDeleteThe Pope stated is was okay for people in the areas at high risk for the Zika virus to use contraceptives. He also said he was not "condoning abortion" but only trying to help prevent the spread of Zika. He based his decision about the use of contraceptives from an emergency situation in the 1960's. At that time, a decision was made by Pope Paul to allow nuns in the Congo to use contraceptives because they were in jeopardy of getting raped. Pope Francis calls to researchers and doctors to be diligent to find a vaccine to prevent Zika as soon as possible. Hopefully, during this time, the spread of this horrific virus can be slowed and or stopped with the use of contraceptives.
There are many people who have varying views on how this statement affects their beliefs and religion. There are the staunch Catholics who believe if you are practicing the faith, you should know how to prevent pregnancy without the use of artificial contraception. The are the Catholics who quietly accept the use of artificial contraception and there are practicing Catholics who are in favor of and do support the use of artificial contraception. The Pope said "avoiding pregnancy is not an absolute evil in certain cases." He wants to slow the spread of the virus.
I believe the Pope is doing what is best for the people in Brazil. He is not saying it is okay in every instance. I do believe he is trying to bring change and acceptance into the Church. Is he slowly trying to bring the Church into the 21st century to be more accepting and open? That's a discussion for another day. :)
My citation...I forgot again
DeleteRomero, S., & Yardley, J. (February 18, 2016). Francis says contaception can be used to slow Zika. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/world/americas/francis-says-contraception-can-be-used-to-slow-zika.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
That's great that the Pope is trying to do what is best for his county. Change can be good, especially when it's beneficial.
DeleteI can see why the Pope's decision would be controversial. Hard core Catholics rarely bend on the dogmas of the church. Contraception is one of the biggies. Many see this as a form of abortion. I feel it's a good step to do what's best regarding lessening the spread of the Zika virus. Pope Francis tends to raise eyebrows wherever he goes. Change can be good - because nothing changes if nothing changes.
DeleteI read the article Veterans Seek Help for Infertility Inflicted by Wounds of War - NYTimes.com
ReplyDeletehttp://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/health/veterans-infertility-benefits.html?emc=edit_th_20160301&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
I come from a long line of veterans. My great-grandfather, both grandfathers, father, aunts, uncles, and brother all served their countries. They selflessly gave their time and lives to protecting the freedoms that you and I share. It has been instilled in me from the time I could hold a tiny flag that this great country is protected by the men and women serving in the military. I grew up traveling the world with my family as my father served in the Army. We were fortunate and he never had to serve in the time of war, but he does have injuries that he gets disability for and the VA takes wonderful care of him. My brother recently broke his back in an accident at work, but the VA has stepped in and helped him so much with getting the resources he needs. I am shocked that the VA does not cover IVF for soldiers wounded in active duty. If they were to have their arm or leg amputated, they would provide them with a prosthetic without batting an eyelash.
For Corporal Wilson, the Department of Veterans Affairs has provided him with free health care, as it does for all veterans who were disabled while serving. By law, the V.A. cannot provide in vitro fertilization, not even to a veteran like Corporal Wilson whose ability to have children was impaired by an injury sustained in the line of duty. Doctors have told him and his fiancée, Crystal Black, that in vitro fertilization is their only chance of conceiving a child. Each attempt costs more than $12,000, and they will have to pay for it themselves (Grady, 2016).
In January, the Pentagon announced it would begin offering troops a chance to freeze their sperm or eggs before deployment, a nod to the reality that thousands of soldiers sustain injuries that leave them unable to have children. But despite that step, a 1992 law banning the V.A. from offering in vitro fertilization remains in place, forcing those soldiers to pay for subsequent treatments out of pocket (Grady, 2016). That doesn’t seem to make much sense to me. The only possible way for IVF to be covered is if they are still active duty, but many of those that have experienced traumatic injuries are medically retired or discharged from the military by the time they are thinking about having children. The V.A. supported legislation by Ms. Murray to change the law, provided that money was allocated pay for the services, but she had to withdraw it when politicians tried to sneak in amendments concerning Planned Parenthood. Ms. Murray has vowed to keep trying. “I’m never going to give up until we get this done,” she said. “I believe it is so essential for these young men and women to know their country is behind them when they get home, and their dream is not taken away. We’re only in this situation because he chose to serve his country, and now his country is not taking care of him” (Grady, 2016). We can do better; I know we can. We are a nation that has always supported our troops and we should not shy away now and treat them like they have been discarded.
Reference:
Grady, D., February, 29 2016. Veterans Seek Help for Infertility Inflicted by Wounds of War. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/03/01/health/veterans-infertility-benefits.html?emc=edit_th_20160301&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer
I know I'm replying to Jocelyn but it wouldn't let me post an original comment. I read the article about KYNECT being dismantled. I do feel for those losing this particular portion of their health insurance. But they way this program was brought about through the executive action of the govenor is irresponsible. We have a process which new laws are passed and our former govenor and current president believe that it is their job to force their agenda through the process. It is a real example of why are country is in such a poor state. I believe if the left and the right could make comprises to the middle our country would be alot better off.
DeleteI agree Jocelyn, we absolutely can do better, and I think we are obligated to do better. These are the people defending our country, being sent to foreign lands to battles wars that are our business and wars that really are not our business. They are loyal and risk all to serve their country. I have found that our government treats them very immorally and unethically when they are finished with them. They are not treated with justice. They are very much treated as a means by our government, not an ends in themselves. If her ability to reproduce was stolen because of an injury from active duty, her healthcare to resolve that should be covered until she has given birth to a child. Interestingly enough, had she received this injury at the hands of or due to an act of another, even a corporation let's say, she could sue them, and they would be financially responsible.
DeleteThe current event article I chose was about the protection of Doctor-Patient confidentiality. This article is a product of the court case Volk versus DeMeerleer. Jan DeMeerleer was a psych patient who had verbalized homicidal fantasies to his psychiatrist, Dr. Howard Ashby, during his treatment. DeMeerleer then attacked his ex-girlfriend and her two sons by stabbing them. The attack killed his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Schiering, and her 9-year-old son. The other child, although stabbed, did survive. The estate of the victims sued Dr. Ashby claiming he should have warned them that his patient was verbalizing homicidal fantasies. His defense is that he is not at fault because his patient was protected under doctor-patient confidentiality, and DeMeerleer did not specify specific threats toward the Schierings. Originally the courts awarded for Dr. Ashby, but that was reversed in November when the court agreed that doctors should warn all foreseeable victims in cases like this. The debate is should doctors “violate” confidentiality if others are at risk in cases like this.
ReplyDeleteDr. Ashby has cited the Hippocratic Oath, “What I may see or hear in the course of treatment, I will keep to myself.” I do not think this can be taken to heart in the context of information that might harm others. When the oath was drafted, it was meant to cover personal medical information about patients, private information specifically about them that could be embarrassing and cause them pain. The oath was not meant that you are held to keep secret the fact that your patient has fantasies about murdering people; that is not a private medical fact about them, it is something that very directly involves other and an intent to harm others. Dr. Ashby, or other physicians in cases like this, or even in cases in which patients have a communicable disease they might spread to others, cannot use ethics or morality as their scapegoat claiming these patients have rights. When something about your condition might harm others, those rights are trumped by the rights of numerous other unsuspecting people. In cases like this, to keep that confidentiality is actually negligence.
We could debate against this using any number of our theories of ethics. Utilitarianism: to minimize pain for the greater number would mean to warn all the potential victims of DeMeerleer. In this case, it would have prevented the three directly attacked, plus their numerous family members the pain they endured, versus protecting only one from some perceived “pain” of having his privacy of his demented thoughts protected. Kant’s Ethics direct to act from goodwill; goodwill is definitely not hiding that your patient has the potential to kill many people. The Principles of Bioethics: keeping the fact DeMeerleer was homicidal secret violated: autonomy/ respect for others- Dr. Ashby obviously did not respect the lives of those whom his patient killed; Beneficence- keeping these homicidal fantasies a secret definitely did not do anyone good; non-maleficence- in keeping confidentiality about his patient’s homicidal tendencies, Dr. Ashby actually did great harm to others: two lost their lives, another was injured and left without a mother and a brother, and their families are all continuing to suffer after this attack; Justice- in no way was it fair for Dr. Ashby to keep the fact that others might be in danger to himself and his patient. Virtue Ethics- there is no character or moral development with Dr. Ashby’s actions, he did not ask himself what kind of person he wanted to be, and did not exercise virtues.
In my opinion, this case should lead the way for serious reflection of the doctor-patient confidentiality in cases where others might be harmed if that information is withheld.
Jauhar, S. (2015, November 19). Protect Doctor-Patient Confidentiality. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/19/opinion/protect-doctor-patient-confidentiality.html
Brand-Ballard, J., Degrazia, D., Mappes, T. (2011). Biomedical Ethics 7th ed. New York, NY. MCGraw Hill
I agree Shelley, Doctor Patient confidentiality is very important, but when a doctor hears a patient confide to him anything that means harm or death to another human, then it is his right to speak up. Just as healthcare professionals, we have a duty to keep confidentiality of our patients, unless there were a disclosure regarding injury or danger involving a child or the elderly. The doctor patient relationship should be the same.
Delete
ReplyDeleteI read the following article:
Helping Women in Africa Avoid H.I.V. - NYTimes.com
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/26/opinion/helping-women-in-africa-avoid-hiv.html?emc=edit_th_20160226&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&referer=
This article is about the high rate of HIV among the women in Africa. Although, education about the spread of this disease is key, many women here have little control over their lives. This is due to social and cultural customs that keep them subordinate to their male partners. A new invention, that women can use to help prevent them from getting the disease is a ring that's inserted in the vagina that delivers a slow release of antiviral medication. It is good for one month. Studies have shown a 27% decrease in the new cases of HIV among the women. A new ring is being developed that would also have a contraception in it and would be good for three months. I think that these new medical devices are great for this ongoing problem in the developing countries. The downfalls of course are poverty, and lack of education. Continuing to educate and empower women is the best way to combat the onset of the disease.
I've always found it so sad and heartbreaking to hear of how women live their lives in Africa. I think it's great and really important to prevent spread of HIV for them by providing an antiviral vaginal medication, but how about providing them with the education that being raped is not a normal part of life?
DeleteThis week I read the article, Is it Really ADHD or Just Immaturity. I found this study very interesting as I have always felt like ADHD is diagnosed and treated way too quickly in these young children. The research from a study done in classrooms suggests that it is more likely the youngest student given a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder versus the oldest. The author’s agree on the importance of an accurate diagnosis early on in a child’s being very beneficial and having positive outcomes, they would just like to ensure that age factor is being considered.
ReplyDeleteThey make the valid point that in some classrooms, depending on the state’s cut off birthday month; some children may have a whole extra year to mature before entering school. This is a huge difference in young children. The researchers found that students born in August, (the cut-off month for school entry in that country) were more likely to be given diagnoses of A.D.H.D. than students born in September.
Dell’Antonia, K.J. The New York Times. Is it Really A.D.H.D. or Just Immaturity? (2016) Retrieved from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/is-it-really-a-d-h-d-or-just-immaturity/?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0