I MOVED!

All the loyal readers of this blog have probably realized that I haven't posted in quite a while. That's because, as the title says, I MOVED! Neil and I have left Boston (so sad) are now in South Florida and are settled enough for me to start classes at Nova Southeastern this Monday, August 1st. Much has happened since I've written, and hopefully I will be able to write about some of it. I have NO idea how much time I will have to blog once classes begin and most of my time will be spent studying, and the majority of the rest will be with Neil. I'm sure I will be able to share a tidbit or two. In the meantime, don't forget to wear sunscreen.

House Votes to Withhold Education from Medical Students

How far will the right-wing go? This makes me burn with rage. An amendment to a funding bill for the health care law signed last year was sponsored by arch-homophobe and now anti-medical Virginia Foxx (R-SC). The amendment states that no federal funding will go to any medical school that teaches abortion procedures to its students. It passed with bipartisan support, 234-182.

I have several problems with this. First of all, what the hell?! Abortion is legal, and it should be. Regardless of how one may feel about the morality or ethics of abortion, there will always be women who have them performed, whether in a back alley, someone's home, a clinic or doctor's office. As someone who actually respects life, especially of someone who is already living, I would prefer that these women see someone who is competent in their skills, so there are as little complications as possible and they may receive the support they require/want without fear of being arrested or the stigma of having one performed. Second, some abortions aren't really a choice. Sometimes babies need to be aborted to save the life of the mother. Should a woman be required to carry a baby to term when said baby was conceived during a rape? What if the baby's father was a close-blood relative of the mother, like her father, uncle, or brother? I feel like the 'respect for life' movement has jumped the ship named Sane Discourse, and is swimming to shore, hoping to make it to Crazy Town, USA. Third, I thought that republicans were all about less regulation and control and more freedom. How does this amendment allow for more freedom? Will this attachment create a better, more competent, compassionate medical field? No. Third, if you want to decrease the amount of abortions performed in the country, and the world, research has shown that proper comprehensive sex education needs to be implemented. Counseling should be provided for those women who are considering an abortion, and rhetoric should be toned down. If you are really 'pro-life,' then you should practice being pro-life for everyone. Oh, and get ready to adopt a bunch of babies.

The abortion debate is so complex and nasty. It sickens me that I have even felt the need to put in my two cents. However, when the culture wars start meddling in my professional life, I won't take it sitting down.

P.S. A book was recommended to me, Killing Rage, by Bell Hooks. It is my understanding that it suggests constructive ways to deal with rage. It might be helpful for those who feel so strongly about this issue.

Practicing Better Medicine?

A part of preparing to begin the process of medical school involves paperwork - a mountain of paperwork. This mountain is not Everest, but it is still a mountain. Ok, maybe a hill, but it was still more than I was expecting. Most of it was just, 'sign this document stating you will consent to allow other students to learn manipulation on you. Do you promise all this background information is true, etc.' A majority of the annoying stuff to fill out was health information. I've been vaccinated, but getting the proof of vaccination ended up being ridiculously round-about.

Finally I decided to call my pediatrician to get the records, I think off of the advice Neil gave me. As someone who has moved around a few times in recent years and a future medical professional, I am a strong advocate for a centralized health records system.

This concept is not a new one. Since the internet came into being, many of our 'sensitive' documents and information about our lives have found themselves online: banking information, insurance information, credit cards, investments, shopping habits, likes/dislikes and friends. Why not have a secure system in place where we can store our health histories? Moving from one part of the country to another would be much easier (for those who don't already have their health information organized). Going from specialist to specialist would no longer require a stack of paperwork to fill out, and needed information, like familial health history, might not slip through the cracks (did Uncle So-and-so have high blood pressure or COPD?).

Even having a centralized electronic health record (EHR) for a hospital/primary care facility could help improve quality of care by catching medical errors immediately or before the treatment plan begins. When prescribing medication, walk through screens could increase patient safety as drug incompatibilities and adverse affects can be highlighted before the pen reaches the Rx pad.

On a wider level, health trends and treatments could be categorized and implemented much faster if the EHR were used in conjunction with evidence based medicine.
Privacy has been cited as a concern, but with proper password/id protection, it shouldn't be a problem. Actually, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), set up in 1996 not only helped to protect patients' right to privacy, but also set up guidelines for a paperless, centralized system of electronic health records. I have seen software systems used in academics and in medical practices that allow for information to be shared without compromising privacy standards.

More can be done to assuage privacy concerns, but I believe that the benefits of having a centralized EHR system outweigh any costs. What do you think?

Marriage Equality Update

Friends who fight the good fight! For a couple months now, a guy from California named Matt Baume has been updating the world via two youtube channels, first the Prop8-centric Stop8org, then the more inclusive Marriage News Watch. If you were ever curious as to how gay marriage rights are doing across the nation, Baume does an excellent job collecting the stories, presenting them, and then explaining what can be done to help move the country towards equality. Here is this week's video:

This issue is huge for me, for hopefully obvious reasons, if you know me. Right now I live in a state where I am allowed to get married to the person I love, but those protections and responsibilities will not follow me down Florida, where I am going to school. When you do not have marriage equality, simple things become ridiculously difficult. If we're married, Neil should be covered under my health insurance provided through the school. They are unwilling to do that, and we have to go down to Florida, crossing our fingers that he can find a job so we don't have to spend a fortune on insulin supplies (more on this issue later). That problem isn't as big as potentially losing a legal spouse due to deportation. Watch the video, follow along; this is one of the most important civil rights movements going on in the country. I hope that you care.

more to come

Friends. I've been extremely busy trying to get myself ready for school in the fall. This includes doctor's visits, figuring out health insurance, moving, timing, other prior commitments (like an amazing relay race to the Cape)etc. There are a couple topics. I want to write about, including centralized health care, mental health and marriage protection rights, but they are going to have to wait for a bit while I catch up on work (which I also want to blog about). I will try and fit them in as soon as I can. In the meantime, please enjoy this glee cover of one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists: Rolling in the Deep by Adele.



I LOVE THIS SONG!