https://www.doccheck.com/en/profile/channels/264-a-penned-point?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264 I practice anesthesiology for high-risk adults in Los Angeles. As an English major with a background in journalism, I take a keen interest in the intersection of politics and medicine. Folly and illogic in today's American medicine are topics of... en Mon, 07 Sep 2015 19:17:53 +0200 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:43:39 +0200 https://www.doccheck.com/en/profile/channels/264-a-penned-point?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264 https://dccdn.de/www.doccheck.com/data/9s/zl/cu/cc/cn/vh/default_thumbnail_1461067794_mdSq.jpg https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14359-avoiding-metoo-in-medicine?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-14359 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14359-avoiding-metoo-in-medicine?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-14359#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14359-avoiding-metoo-in-medicine Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:24:56 +0100 Here are some tips — learned through long experience. My hope is that they might help younger women in medicine feel less like potential victims, and more like strategists in a behavioral chess game. Let me say first that any woman who has ever been... Here are some tips — learned through long experience. My hope is that they might help younger women in medicine feel less like potential victims, and more like strategists in a behavioral chess game. Let me say first that any woman who has ever been... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14256-safe-pediatric-dental-anesthesia-is-there-any-hope?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-14256 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14256-safe-pediatric-dental-anesthesia-is-there-any-hope?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-14256#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14256-safe-pediatric-dental-anesthesia-is-there-any-hope Wed, 03 Jan 2018 10:21:31 +0100 When you tell anyone in healthcare that “sedation” to the point of coma is given in dentists’ and oral surgeons’ offices every day, without a separate anesthesia professional present to give the medications and monitor the patient, the... When you tell anyone in healthcare that “sedation” to the point of coma is given in dentists’ and oral surgeons’ offices every day, without a separate anesthesia professional present to give the medications and monitor the patient, the... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14067-dr-atul-gawande-what-are-the-outcomes-that-matter?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-14067 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14067-dr-atul-gawande-what-are-the-outcomes-that-matter?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-14067#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/14067-dr-atul-gawande-what-are-the-outcomes-that-matter Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:18:50 +0100 The real surprise – to me, at least – came more than halfway through Dr. Atul Gawande’s keynote address at the opening session of the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ annual meeting in Boston. Much of his talk on October 21 celebrated... The real surprise – to me, at least – came more than halfway through Dr. Atul Gawande’s keynote address at the opening session of the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ annual meeting in Boston. Much of his talk on October 21 celebrated... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13972-just-saying-no-to-fentanyl?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13972 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13972-just-saying-no-to-fentanyl?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13972#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13972-just-saying-no-to-fentanyl Wed, 18 Oct 2017 10:53:30 +0200 No, I’m not talking about putting fentanyl into my own veins — a remarkably bad idea. I’m questioning the habitual, reflex use of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, in clinical anesthesiology practice. I’ve been teaching clinical anesthesiology,... No, I’m not talking about putting fentanyl into my own veins — a remarkably bad idea. I’m questioning the habitual, reflex use of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, in clinical anesthesiology practice. I’ve been teaching clinical anesthesiology,... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13872-whos-welcome-on-the-anesthesia-care-team-depends-whom-you-ask?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13872 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13872-whos-welcome-on-the-anesthesia-care-team-depends-whom-you-ask?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13872#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13872-whos-welcome-on-the-anesthesia-care-team-depends-whom-you-ask Wed, 20 Sep 2017 14:46:56 +0200 “Who kicked whom off the anesthesia care team?” asked ASA President Jeff Plagenhoef, MD, FASA. Which professional association refuses to work amicably with the other, he inquired of his audience at the University of Southern California on... “Who kicked whom off the anesthesia care team?” asked ASA President Jeff Plagenhoef, MD, FASA. Which professional association refuses to work amicably with the other, he inquired of his audience at the University of Southern California on... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13850-the-practical-art-of-pocus?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13850 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13850-the-practical-art-of-pocus?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13850#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13850-the-practical-art-of-pocus Fri, 15 Sep 2017 11:59:55 +0200 The longer you practice a profession, the easier it is not to bother to learn the next new thing. We may think we’re doing just fine without that new drug, or that new piece of expensive equipment. We’ve seen how the new drug sometimes turns out... The longer you practice a profession, the easier it is not to bother to learn the next new thing. We may think we’re doing just fine without that new drug, or that new piece of expensive equipment. We’ve seen how the new drug sometimes turns out... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13828-on-starting-your-career-in-anesthesia?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13828 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13828-on-starting-your-career-in-anesthesia?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13828#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13828-on-starting-your-career-in-anesthesia Wed, 23 Aug 2017 16:43:11 +0200 Emory University held graduation ceremonies on August 5 for the 2017 Class of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs), who received Masters of Medical Science degrees. While the traditional academic regalia can’t fail to evoke Harry Potter in the minds of... Emory University held graduation ceremonies on August 5 for the 2017 Class of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAs), who received Masters of Medical Science degrees. While the traditional academic regalia can’t fail to evoke Harry Potter in the minds of... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13713-the-art-of-deep-extubation?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13713 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13713-the-art-of-deep-extubation?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13713#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13713-the-art-of-deep-extubation Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:48:01 +0200 Fair warning — this post is likely to be of interest only to professionals who administer anesthesia or may have to deal with laryngospasm in emergency situations. There are two schools of thought about how to extubate patients at the conclusion of... Fair warning — this post is likely to be of interest only to professionals who administer anesthesia or may have to deal with laryngospasm in emergency situations. There are two schools of thought about how to extubate patients at the conclusion of... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13510-moc-macra-tjc-cms-drexit?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13510 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13510-moc-macra-tjc-cms-drexit?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13510#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13510-moc-macra-tjc-cms-drexit Mon, 19 Jun 2017 14:56:44 +0200 I wish I knew who coined the term “DRexit” so I could send flowers or a bottle of whiskey as a thank-you gift. There couldn’t be a more perfect term to describe the growing exodus of physicians from our beloved profession, which is turning into... I wish I knew who coined the term “DRexit” so I could send flowers or a bottle of whiskey as a thank-you gift. There couldn’t be a more perfect term to describe the growing exodus of physicians from our beloved profession, which is turning into... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13335-watch-out-who-you-call-paternalistic?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13335 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13335-watch-out-who-you-call-paternalistic?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13335#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13335-watch-out-who-you-call-paternalistic Mon, 03 Apr 2017 09:32:52 +0200 My husband and I, both anesthesiologists, enjoy our Sunday mornings together - coffee, the New York Times, a leisurely breakfast. No rush to arrive in the operating room before many people are even awake. Today, though, seeing reporter Jan Hoffman’s... My husband and I, both anesthesiologists, enjoy our Sunday mornings together - coffee, the New York Times, a leisurely breakfast. No rush to arrive in the operating room before many people are even awake. Today, though, seeing reporter Jan Hoffman’s... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13221-the-boards-have-exceeded-their-bounds?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13221 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13221-the-boards-have-exceeded-their-bounds?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13221#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13221-the-boards-have-exceeded-their-bounds Mon, 13 Feb 2017 11:34:57 +0100 In the interests of full disclosure, I acknowledge with delight that I have a non-time limited board certificate from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), issued before the year 2000. I can just say “no” to recertification. The more I learn... In the interests of full disclosure, I acknowledge with delight that I have a non-time limited board certificate from the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA), issued before the year 2000. I can just say “no” to recertification. The more I learn... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13170-pediatric-dental-anesthesia-the-dental-board-gets-it-wrong?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13170 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13170-pediatric-dental-anesthesia-the-dental-board-gets-it-wrong?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13170#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13170-pediatric-dental-anesthesia-the-dental-board-gets-it-wrong Tue, 10 Jan 2017 12:08:33 +0100 I’m not a pediatric anesthesiologist. Most of us in anesthesiology, even those who take care of children in the operating room or the ICU every day, probably will never give anesthesia to a child in a dentist’s or oral surgeon’s office. So why... I’m not a pediatric anesthesiologist. Most of us in anesthesiology, even those who take care of children in the operating room or the ICU every day, probably will never give anesthesia to a child in a dentist’s or oral surgeon’s office. So why... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13036-michael-porter-at-the-asa-is-anesthesiology-a-specialist-silo?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13036 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13036-michael-porter-at-the-asa-is-anesthesiology-a-specialist-silo?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-13036#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/13036-michael-porter-at-the-asa-is-anesthesiology-a-specialist-silo Tue, 29 Nov 2016 10:55:57 +0100 “I’m your friend,” Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, MBA, PhD, told a sometimes skeptical audience during his keynote address at the ASA’s annual meeting, ANESTHESIOLOGY 2016. “I’m trying to help you see a better way... “I’m your friend,” Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, MBA, PhD, told a sometimes skeptical audience during his keynote address at the ASA’s annual meeting, ANESTHESIOLOGY 2016. “I’m trying to help you see a better way... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12914-his-diagnosis-is-right-but-the-treatment-is-all-wrong?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12914 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12914-his-diagnosis-is-right-but-the-treatment-is-all-wrong?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12914#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12914-his-diagnosis-is-right-but-the-treatment-is-all-wrong Thu, 03 Nov 2016 12:04:56 +0100 Dr. Sandeep Jauhar, a cardiologist, believes with good reason that many physicians have become “like everybody else: insecure, discontented and anxious about the future.” In a widely-circulated column in the Wall Street Journal, “ Why Doctors... Dr. Sandeep Jauhar, a cardiologist, believes with good reason that many physicians have become “like everybody else: insecure, discontented and anxious about the future.” In a widely-circulated column in the Wall Street Journal, “ Why Doctors... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12796-did-dr-virginia-apgar-worry-about-work-life-balance?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12796 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12796-did-dr-virginia-apgar-worry-about-work-life-balance?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12796#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12796-did-dr-virginia-apgar-worry-about-work-life-balance Mon, 05 Sep 2016 17:13:43 +0200 Dr. Margaret Wood, who formerly chaired the Department of Anesthesiology at Columbia University Medical Center, has published a wonderful article titled “Women in Medicine:  Then and Now“, in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia. I think I speak... Dr. Margaret Wood, who formerly chaired the Department of Anesthesiology at Columbia University Medical Center, has published a wonderful article titled “Women in Medicine:  Then and Now“, in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia. I think I speak... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12747-whos-watching-the-children-at-the-dentists-office?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12747 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12747-whos-watching-the-children-at-the-dentists-office?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12747#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12747-whos-watching-the-children-at-the-dentists-office Wed, 10 Aug 2016 13:23:31 +0200 You may have read about the recent tragic deaths of two healthy children – Marvelena Rady, age 3, and Caleb Sears, age 6 – in California dental offices. Unfortunately, they aren’t the first children to die during dental procedures, and unless... You may have read about the recent tragic deaths of two healthy children – Marvelena Rady, age 3, and Caleb Sears, age 6 – in California dental offices. Unfortunately, they aren’t the first children to die during dental procedures, and unless... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12716-germs-and-the-pseudoscience-of-quality-improvement?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12716 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12716-germs-and-the-pseudoscience-of-quality-improvement?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12716#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12716-germs-and-the-pseudoscience-of-quality-improvement Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:32:45 +0200 No one wants a hospital-acquired infection—a wound infection, a central line infection, or any other kind. But today, the level of concern in American hospitals about infection rates has reached a new peak—better termed paranoia than legitimate... No one wants a hospital-acquired infection—a wound infection, a central line infection, or any other kind. But today, the level of concern in American hospitals about infection rates has reached a new peak—better termed paranoia than legitimate... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12684-evidence-based-guidelines-wont-prevent-malpractice-claims?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12684 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12684-evidence-based-guidelines-wont-prevent-malpractice-claims?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12684#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12684-evidence-based-guidelines-wont-prevent-malpractice-claims Thu, 14 Jul 2016 13:26:48 +0200 The best way to avoid being sued for malpractice is to make certain that all your patients are happy and all their outcomes are good. Reality is seldom so rosy. Patients aren’t necessarily happy even when their clinical outcomes are as good as they... The best way to avoid being sued for malpractice is to make certain that all your patients are happy and all their outcomes are good. Reality is seldom so rosy. Patients aren’t necessarily happy even when their clinical outcomes are as good as they... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12701-privilege-and-entitlement-in-work-life-balance?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12701 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12701-privilege-and-entitlement-in-work-life-balance?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12701#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12701-privilege-and-entitlement-in-work-life-balance Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:06:02 +0200 Did it ever occur to some of today’s physicians that many people work awfully hard and complain a lot less than they do about “burnout” and “work-life balance”? Did it ever occur to them that “work-life balance” is the very definition of... Did it ever occur to some of today’s physicians that many people work awfully hard and complain a lot less than they do about “burnout” and “work-life balance”? Did it ever occur to them that “work-life balance” is the very definition of... https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12675-medical-students-what-no-one-tells-you-about-anesthesiology?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12675 article https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12675-medical-students-what-no-one-tells-you-about-anesthesiology?utm_source=DocCheck&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=channel-264&utm_content=article-12675#comments https://www.doccheck.com/en/detail/articles/12675-medical-students-what-no-one-tells-you-about-anesthesiology Fri, 01 Jul 2016 09:28:38 +0200 In case you were wondering — robots won’t replace anesthesiologists any time soon. There will definitely be a place for feedback and closed-loop technology applications in sedation and in general anesthesia, but for the foreseeable future we will... In case you were wondering — robots won’t replace anesthesiologists any time soon. There will definitely be a place for feedback and closed-loop technology applications in sedation and in general anesthesia, but for the foreseeable future we will...