fitfamily360 blog

It is being buzzed around again that there is a major shortage of doctors and the over-utilization of emergency rooms will only sky rocket as a result. Why is this continuing to happen in the coutnry that "brags" about having the best health in the world ? The question still remains is what's the use in having the best medical tech and medicines if either not enough can afford it or worse if thier are not enough professionals to provide it. CNN reported that the American Association of Medical Colleges has predicted this trend will worsen. But, the AMA nor U.S. HHS have figured out why is this the case and there appears to be no current plans to combat it( In actuality, the World Health Organization has ranked the United States health system at # 37 of developed countries). As a growing population of baby boomers live longer with more chronic illnesses that are usually addressed by generalist(family practitioners, general practitioners, internist, gynecologist) , simult...

In an election year, especially a presidential one, there is always the rumor of an "October Surprise" by either political party to assume the office. But, mother nature may have the last laugh with hurricane Sandy looming offshore and already affecting land . The storm is predicted to have an 800 mile expanse. The storm is estimated to be a "perfect storm" that will dump gallons of water on land with over 10 inches in some places along with whipping winds. With there being a full moon the tide will rise over 8-10 feet. The lunar effect will pontentiate the surge of the dual counter spinning arms. But, that will not be the end of it. The storm will probably last for a week stalling out in the Ohio Valley on its way out to Canada. But, the worst is still to come. A snow storm dumping a lot of snow may occur after the tropical effect. What may happen is electrical power shut downs, airline cancellations, local metropolitan services being closed, stores and super mark...

Ninety-Percent of voters in either the Republican or Democratic parties have already made up their minds as to whom they are going to vote for. Most major polls show that both candidates are "neck and neck" including the "swing" states. However, 90 million Americans are predicted NOT to cast any vote on election day at all. Is the electorate missing something? Perhaps something big and very important. It's the fact that there is a significant Third Party contingency that few of us have ever heard about. Why is this under-rated 3rd party so important even though, those individual candidates may not have a major impact themselves. Call it the "Ralph Nader effect", when Al Gore lost to George W. Bush. It was believed because of the extreme narrow margin of loss that Ralph Nader's name on the ballot took away votes from Gore giving Goeorge Bush the edge. If that doesn't jar your head, go back to Ross Perot who as a "populist" candidat...

Medical doctors , especially those who practice and promote prevention in health are perhaps the foremost experts in implementing healthcare policy. Physicians are the primary markers of an efficient system. But, new studies indicate doctors may be changing careers due to the stress on being able to deliver efficient medicine from forces that are driving the cost of healthcare. These forces include the rising rates of 3rd party participation , high rate of drugs, higher costs of medical procedures and instruments, None of these are costs controlled directly by physicians. The controllers of these costs are major corporations. However, clinicians who must make cost effective decisions on a daily basis are not a large part of the heakth policy makers of national policy. When interviewed most medical doctors will tell you they support a " public option" or "medicare for all" system to promote the efficiency of providing healthcare and controlling costs. These sys...

Today, the newspaper USA Today announced that about 300 retired military generals have deemed chilhood obesity and overweight a "national security" matter. This was based on a report that the U.S. military was having difficulty finding healthy recruits whose status allowed them to enlist. The group known as Mission: Readiness, show how high calorie, junk foods and those with empty calories are affecting the military's ability of finding qualified enlistment. Fewer and fewer healthy youth are dwindling as perspective candidates in the armed forces. This echoes what the First Lady has emphasized in recent interviews. The CDC and NIH have both published data that reveal the doubling in American pediatric obesity since the 1980s. Thirty percent of American youth are obese and are now affected with secondary diseases usually seen in obese adults such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and liver disease. Youth learn early from television commercials...

In the Fit Family series we've talked primarily about 2 major waves that have "slammed" the healthcare system: The greatly out-of-control increased cost of healthcare and the rapidly rising rate of chronic and acute disease due to lifestyles brought on by the epidemic of obesity. But, now the realization by well read and frustrated physicians brings the possibility of practitioners leaving their medical practices en masse. This is the third tsunami wave that will potentially break the full spectrum of any functioning healthcare system. No matter how much technology, hospitals , clinics or expensive health plans exists; if physicians do not agree with it or refuse to go along with it there is safe or effective system. Several studies support the possibility that 46% to 50 % of medical doctors will leave medical practice beginning in 2013. The AMA(American Medical Association) Masterfile Practice Self Reporting by physicians from 1998 to 2001 measuring physician intent...

Most medical doctors will tell you that if they were ever asked about socialized medicine in their medical shool interviews and spoke in favor of it; they probably wouldn't have remained on the medical schools candidacy list. It seems highly ironic that in the hallowed halls of healing where it is practiced to " do no harm" and preached not to expect compensation due to your profession that to discuss free and open access to healthcare for all is still considered somewhat taboo. It is still even rarely discussed in formal platforms amongst peers in medical school academics to discuss options based on their science and personal expereinces about the topic . One would think that it surely must be daily and hotly debated in schools of public health(a master's level degree), but one would also be wrong. But, with this "self-censorship" amongst the medical profession there are still several organizations popping up that wish to openly debate the possible opti...