824 Health News Update

Have you ever fumed while cooling your heels in the doctor’s waiting room for hours, with little or no explanation as to why the doctor is running late? One patient found a way around her frustration: she sends the doctor a bill for excessive waiting time. Her friend, Dr. Pamela Wible, thinks mutual respect, including respect for each other’s time, should be the hallmark of a healthy doctor-patient relationship.
Pharmacists have a wealth of information about the proper use of medications at their fingertips. How can you tap into it?
New rules have just gone into effect limiting the number of hours that first-year residents can work without sleep. Patient safety expert Christopher Landrigan, MD, tells why this is critically important for helping to avoid medical mistakes in the hospital. See the related story in last week’s New York Times.
Explore the stories behind the health headlines.
Guests: Elaine Farstad is an information management consultant. She bills her doctors if she has to wait too long.
Mark Gregory is Vice President of pharmacy and government relations at Kerr Drug.
Christopher Landrigan, MD, MPH, is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is also the director of the Sleep and Patient Safety Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and associate physician in the division of sleep medicine there. The photo is of Dr. Landrigan.
Pamela Wible, MD, is a nationally recognized innovator in patient-centered care. She pioneered the community-designed ideal medical practice in which patients design their own clinics. Her website is www.idealmedicalcare.org.
The podcast of this program will be available the Monday after the broadcast date. Podcasts can be downloaded for free for six weeks after the date of broadcast. After that time has passed, digital downloads are available for $2.99. CDs may be purchased at any time after broadcast for $9.99.