Everyone stands in line or que for the government services that they have paid for through their taxes. As paid customers they should be treated with effeciency, respect, and courtesy. Most often they are not. They face smug indifference, arrogance, unnecessary delays, by the so called " public civil servants" . Q-jumpers is a blog to get services through any other means , offer competitive alternatives and make government services more accountable and customer user friendly.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Thursday, August 23, 2018
In the quest to reduce the cost of healthcare "Telemedicine"
https://fee.org/articles/telemedicine-is-changing-the-way-we-view-health-care/?utm_campaign=FEE%20Daily&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=65408517&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--ZgzBLJDD_7xK-3JA5_vRBIcoCIBL1DTdBY72aP2zXF7NQ6Vgrvc4zU3j0jkc0F8NRbg-VNaovFmbtAzLcP1V5tWBo6w&_hsmi=65408517
Access to the healer electronically makes sense and is a lifesaver for shut ins and the isolated
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Friday, February 02, 2018
Friday, January 26, 2018
Personal health alert -100,000 people die a year using FDA approved drugs
https://youtu.be/Va4NU9DT9nA?t=297 Rappaport video reviews achievement and the FDA
Dangerous facts about deadly practices permitted by FDA. In summary on average a 100,000 Americans die to bad drug outcomes approved by the FDA.
Become aware ,read and inform yourself before you trust government approved health options?
Self defense is a protective measure against by force corruption . Become safe by protecting yourself and not delegating your safety to others who have alternative agendas?
Dangerous facts about deadly practices permitted by FDA. In summary on average a 100,000 Americans die to bad drug outcomes approved by the FDA.
Become aware ,read and inform yourself before you trust government approved health options?
Self defense is a protective measure against by force corruption . Become safe by protecting yourself and not delegating your safety to others who have alternative agendas?
Should these people be held accountable ,follow the law
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
FDA to crack down on "harmful, unproven homeopathic drugs"
FDA to crack down on "harmful, unproven homeopathic drugs"
Amazing -when fear of competition motivates by force penalties ? What is the complete picture like showing a comparison of FDA approved drugs
Amazing -when fear of competition motivates by force penalties ? What is the complete picture like showing a comparison of FDA approved drugs
Monday, December 18, 2017
As Venezuela Collapses, Children Are Dying of Hunger - The New York Times
As Venezuela Collapses, Children Are Dying of Hunger - The New York Times
When government mismanagement can no longer help you? A warning in reality of government action?
When government mismanagement can no longer help you? A warning in reality of government action?
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Saturday, December 09, 2017
Government Is Addicted to Banning Substances - Foundation for Economic Education - Working for a free and prosperous world
Government Is Addicted to Banning Substances - Foundation for Economic Education - Working for a free and prosperous world
What is natural affordable should not be criminalized to protect monopolies and their obscene profit gauging?
What is natural affordable should not be criminalized to protect monopolies and their obscene profit gauging?
Thursday, December 07, 2017
Monday, December 04, 2017
Sunday, December 03, 2017
ER surge scrubs elective surgeries | Brantford Expositor
ER surge scrubs elective surgeries | Brantford Expositor
This is what happens when you have limited choices ? Is it time to open medicine to all available alternatives rather then the forced government monopoly option?
It is time to end this monopoly run by limiting cronyism and build solutions that work cost and patient effectively? WE NEED CHOICES to break the impasse.
This is what happens when you have limited choices ? Is it time to open medicine to all available alternatives rather then the forced government monopoly option?
It is time to end this monopoly run by limiting cronyism and build solutions that work cost and patient effectively? WE NEED CHOICES to break the impasse.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
REAL NEWS (3rd HOUR) Mon - 10/23/17 • Alex Jones Infowars • Dana Gottesfeld Medical Kidnapping - YouTube
REAL NEWS (3rd HOUR) Mon - 10/23/17 • Alex Jones Infowars • Dana Gottesfeld Medical Kidnapping - YouTube
Medical bullying for profit a disturbing trend that must be stopped. The case of Boston Children hospital exposed. .Predatory actions using government force is a disturbing overreach that must be challenged?
Medical bullying for profit a disturbing trend that must be stopped. The case of Boston Children hospital exposed. .Predatory actions using government force is a disturbing overreach that must be challenged?
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Friday, September 22, 2017
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Alex Jones (4th HOUR Commercial Free) Thursday 9/21/17: Jon Rappoport
scary warning about the globalist health Nazis?
Monday, September 11, 2017
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Meet the family doctor with a rare practice — he only makes house calls - TODAY.com
Meet the family doctor with a rare practice — he only makes house calls - TODAY.com
Breaking out of the controlled medical ghetto?
Breaking out of the controlled medical ghetto?
Thursday, July 27, 2017
The fountain of youth might reside deep in our brains
The fountain of youth might reside deep in our brains
The final, and most exciting, stage of the team's research was to experiment with whether an addition of hypothalamic stem cells to the brain could actually counteract aging. Hypothalamic stem cells were injected into the brains of healthy old mice and the treatment was seen to slow, or even in some instances reverse, various measures of aging.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Health care in Ontario | Ontario.ca
Health care in Ontario | Ontario.ca A useful resource to get through the health maze OR mess.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Monday, July 10, 2017
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Petition seeks to save long-term care beds
Petition seeks to save long-term care beds: A community-wide effort to save 79 long-term care beds is gathering steam but more needs to be done, says Brant MPP Dave Levac.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Friday, April 21, 2017
Friday, April 07, 2017
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Monday, January 16, 2017
Thursday, January 05, 2017
The Deadly Incompetence of the FDA | Foundation for Economic Education
The Deadly Incompetence of the FDA | Foundation for Economic Education
The bottom line is that the FDA is a typical regulatory agency, both incompetent and expensive. But if the statists have their way, things could get a lot worse.
The bottom line is that the FDA is a typical regulatory agency, both incompetent and expensive. But if the statists have their way, things could get a lot worse.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
'They were promised better treatment than this'
'They were promised better treatment than this': Ed is no passive nursing home visitor, popping in for a short conversation and hoping that everything is going well with his mother.
SUGGESTIONS MADE FOR IMPROVEMENT
SUGGESTIONS MADE FOR IMPROVEMENT
Friday, October 14, 2016
Inspections yield compliance orders
Inspections yield compliance orders: It's easy to read the inspection reports on each of the area's eight long-term care homes.
The elder care report in Brant shows a need for improvement
The elder care report in Brant shows a need for improvement
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Doing more with less
Doing more with less: All eight area long-term care homes were found wanting during government inspections in 2015.

Monday, July 11, 2016
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Thursday, October 01, 2015
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Gaslighting: The Mind Game Everyone should Know About. | elephant journal
Gaslighting: The Mind Game Everyone should Know About. | elephant journal
A new term for political correctness abuse is being gaslighted ? ...And the solution is do not be gas lighted by the manipulators
"It is imperative that the victim realises that they have been a pawn in a very nasty game so they can let go of all the blame they have placed upon themselves and become familiar with the warning signs so that they do not fall victim again."
A new term for political correctness abuse is being gaslighted ? ...And the solution is do not be gas lighted by the manipulators
"It is imperative that the victim realises that they have been a pawn in a very nasty game so they can let go of all the blame they have placed upon themselves and become familiar with the warning signs so that they do not fall victim again."
Gaslighting: The Mind Game Everyone should Know About. | elephant journal
Gaslighting: The Mind Game Everyone should Know About. | elephant journal
A new term for political correctness abuse is being gaslighted ? ...And the solution is do not be gas lighted by the manipulators
"It is imperative that the victim realises that they have been a pawn in a very nasty game so they can let go of all the blame they have placed upon themselves and become familiar with the warning signs so that they do not fall victim again."
A new term for political correctness abuse is being gaslighted ? ...And the solution is do not be gas lighted by the manipulators
"It is imperative that the victim realises that they have been a pawn in a very nasty game so they can let go of all the blame they have placed upon themselves and become familiar with the warning signs so that they do not fall victim again."
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Vaccination cover-up exposed as CDC admits to tossing data - Douglass Report - Official Site | Douglass Report - Official Site
Vaccination cover-up exposed as CDC admits to tossing data - Douglass Report - Official Site | Douglass Report - Official Site
It is sad when the government agencies breach their public trust or those that pays them for sound protection .
"Vaccines aren’t nearly as safe as advertised, and they’re certainly not even close to effective. If anything, they’re wrecking the natural development of the immune system and making our kids sicker and weaker unable to fight off illnesses naturally on their own.
It is sad when the government agencies breach their public trust or those that pays them for sound protection .
"Vaccines aren’t nearly as safe as advertised, and they’re certainly not even close to effective. If anything, they’re wrecking the natural development of the immune system and making our kids sicker and weaker unable to fight off illnesses naturally on their own.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Lumma automatically sorts and dispenses medications
Lumma automatically sorts and dispenses medications
A good idea THAT could save your pocket book and life from overmedication or bad medication practises.

A good idea THAT could save your pocket book and life from overmedication or bad medication practises.

Wednesday, June 03, 2015
20 Disturbing Fast Food Facts that Will Change Your Diet Forever
20 Disturbing Fast Food Facts that Will Change Your Diet Forever
Your health is based on your freedom to chose. Is it worth the four hours to walk it all off."
"
Your health is based on your freedom to chose. Is it worth the four hours to walk it all off."
"
Friday, May 08, 2015
Alberta -the new Kids in a candy store
National Post ePaper
It is no disgrace to be a teacher, or a social worker, or a labourer, or a student. But these are not the occupations from which capable political leaders generally emerge.
the alberta aftermath of 44 years of conservative rule ,ended by a populist revolt , will but the NDP to the real test of governance?
It is no disgrace to be a teacher, or a social worker, or a labourer, or a student. But these are not the occupations from which capable political leaders generally emerge.
the alberta aftermath of 44 years of conservative rule ,ended by a populist revolt , will but the NDP to the real test of governance?
Saturday, May 02, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
What can you do when the Food guide is broken?
The food guide that nobody wants to fix
While it’s true that pretty much no one goes grocery shopping with Canada’s Food Guide in hand, that doesn’t mean the Guide doesn’t play an incredibly important role in our nation’s health. Touted by Health Canada as the second-most downloaded government document behind tax forms, it serves as our country’s nutritional backdrop. The Guide underlies the diet policies and programs in our publicly funded schools, hospitals, arenas and corporations; it is taught to our children, our future doctors, dietitians and other allied health professionals as gospel; and it is utilized by the food industry to advertise the health benefits of their products.
Maybe you should start by not believing all the propaganda that you have been feed...... Start by becoming food wise and doing your own due diligence.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
Wynne for Teachers, Loss for Students - for taXpayers
Wynne for Teachers, Loss for Students, Loss for Ontario
$468 MILLION FOR ONTARIO LABOUR PEACE
Mystery of the 500 million dollar shortfall solved by the auditor general
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/%24468-million-for-ontario-labour-peace/3901202853001
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Origins Film Premiere
Origins Film Premier. Excellent review and compelling food for thought on a return to asynchronous relationship with our natural world.
Monday, November 17, 2014
How To Stop Negative Thoughts From Getting You Down
How To Stop Negative Thoughts From Getting You Down
Or do not let the negative bastards take you down ........enjoy
Or do not let the negative bastards take you down ........enjoy

Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Year 1 of Legal Marijuana: Lessons Learned in CO
Year 1 of Legal Marijuana: Lessons Learned in CO
In summary the state of Colorado has collected $100 million in much needed taxes , reduced it cost of policing and court time ..... seems to be reasonable so far
In summary the state of Colorado has collected $100 million in much needed taxes , reduced it cost of policing and court time ..... seems to be reasonable so far
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Monday, October 06, 2014
Britain’s wilful blindness to the horrors in Rotherham
Britain’s wilful blindness to the horrors in Rotherham
The nanny political CORRECTNESS cancer reaps bad rewards - and propagates terror in normal individuals and human beings . What do you think?
The most pressing question—how was this allowed to happen?—is finally becoming clear. An institutional culture of political correctness seems to have prevented authorities in government, social services and the police force from properly investigating complaints about groups of brown men abusing white girls. Local councillors who got wind of the abuse have admitted to sweeping it aside for fear of upsetting the powerful Pakistani Muslim voter base. Police simply refused to believe the parents and victims who came to them begging for help, and in many cases treated both the children and their complaints with utter disdain.
Can this system be saved?
TAKE A PILL OR GET RESULTS -YOUR SYSTEM ,YOUR CHOICE ...WAKE-UP CALL....CAN THE TRUTH SET US FREE?
The nanny political CORRECTNESS cancer reaps bad rewards - and propagates terror in normal individuals and human beings . What do you think?
The most pressing question—how was this allowed to happen?—is finally becoming clear. An institutional culture of political correctness seems to have prevented authorities in government, social services and the police force from properly investigating complaints about groups of brown men abusing white girls. Local councillors who got wind of the abuse have admitted to sweeping it aside for fear of upsetting the powerful Pakistani Muslim voter base. Police simply refused to believe the parents and victims who came to them begging for help, and in many cases treated both the children and their complaints with utter disdain.
Can this system be saved?
TAKE A PILL OR GET RESULTS -YOUR SYSTEM ,YOUR CHOICE ...WAKE-UP CALL....CAN THE TRUTH SET US FREE?
Saturday, October 04, 2014
Medical industrial complex alert- Keytruda wonder drug?
The Keytruda wonder drug for big pharma shareholders
Keytruda is part of a new class of drugs that supposedly helps the immune system fight cancer. Experts estimate that the market could be worth tens of billions of dollars a year.
And it appears that the FDA may have gotten caught up in the excitement over that cash grab, because they sure as heck couldn't have been caught up in the science.
While Keytruda was a dud for three out of every four patients who tried it, it left many of them with plenty of bad memories. I'm talking about constipation, skin rashes, joint pain and other side effects that I guess we'll just figure out as we go.
Keytruda is bound to make more Merck shareholders happy than it is patients. And before you or a loved one gets the guinea-pig treatment with Big Pharma's latest wonder drug, ask Merck to do something the FDA never had the backbone to request.
Some REAL research.
Never experimenting with your health,
William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My friendly public service warning for all free will human beings
Trend alert --watch out for forcible vaccination potential ?
Will your doctor protect you ?
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Healthcare Intelligence Network- Chart of the Week: Top Methods to Identify Patients for Remote Monitoring
Healthcare Intelligence Network- Chart of the Week: Top Methods to Identify Patients for Remote Monitoring
Tele tech win win win- establishing the rules of engagement to reduce costs and improve service ?
Tele tech win win win- establishing the rules of engagement to reduce costs and improve service ?

Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Can Telemedicine Improve Patient Care and Reduce Hospital Readmissions? « Healthcare Intelligence Network
Can Telemedicine Improve Patient Care and Reduce Hospital Readmissions? « Healthcare Intelligence Network
Where technologies such as videoconferencing for remote diagnostics are deployed, adopters report impressive gains in the care of remote and rural patients, as well as a decrease in health complications, according to responses to the Healthcare Intelligence Network's Telehealth in 2013 survey.
Take, for example, the numerous initiatives in the area of remote monitoring, the top clinical telehealth application reported by this year’s respondents. Fifty-seven percent monitor patients or members remotely; fully 100 percent of those employing this technology track vital signs and weight in monitored individuals, two critical red flags in treatment of individuals with chronic illness.
Active users of telehealth and telemedicine also experience fewer hospitalizations, hospital readmissions, emergency room visits and bed days, respondents reported.
Researchers at UC Davis Children’s Hospital recently found that telemedicine consultations with pediatric critical-care medicine physicians significantly improved the quality of care for seriously ill and injured children treated in remote rural ERs, where pediatricians and pediatric specialists are scarce.
The study also found that rural ER physicians are more likely to adjust their pediatric patients’ diagnoses and course of treatment after a live, interactive videoconference with a specialist. Parents’ satisfaction and perception of the quality of their child’s care also are significantly improved when consultations are provided using telemedicine, rather than telephone, and aid ER treatment, the study found.
Excerpted from 2013 Healthcare Benchmarks:
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Infographic: Healthcare Spending in America « Healthcare Intelligence Network
Infographic: Healthcare Spending in America « Healthcare Intelligence Network
it is the quality of spending that counts ?
it is the quality of spending that counts ?

Friday, May 02, 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
New research shows blood tests could be effective in diagnosing depression
New research shows blood tests could be effective in diagnosing depression
The study focused on the serotonin transporter (SERT), a protein in the membrane that enables serotonin to be transported into the cell. In the brain, this regulates the depression network and is key in fending off depressive conditions.
"better health through technology innovation series"
The study focused on the serotonin transporter (SERT), a protein in the membrane that enables serotonin to be transported into the cell. In the brain, this regulates the depression network and is key in fending off depressive conditions.
"better health through technology innovation series"
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
The Medicare spending we should be concerned about
The Medicare spending we should be concerned about
The Medicare spending we should be concerned about
Here are the payment figures that really caught my eye:
- $12 billion spent on outpatient visits in 2012, with average reimbursement of $57 per visit. This is out of a total Medicare spending of $600 billion for the year.
- $77 billion overall paid to doctors and health care providers. (Unclear to me whether this is just Part B, or also includes payments to doctors during hospitalizations.)
- $13.5 billion spent on “commercial entities like clinical laboratories and ambulance services.”
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
Even better than more cowbell: Doctors are prescribing bikeshare memberships
Even better than more cowbell: Doctors are prescribing bikeshare memberships Great idea and a reduction in pill dependancy.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Gizmag visits "3D: printing the future" at the London Science Museum
Gizmag visits "3D: printing the future" at the London Science Museum
The future of medicine......
Print your own body parts?
The future of medicine......

Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Private clinics misleading Ontario patients, advocates say - Toronto - CBC News
Private clinics misleading Ontario patients, advocates say - Toronto - CBC News
Mathews insists the specialty clinics are not for-profit operations and are providing care that is currently provided in hospitals.
"It's easier for patients and it brings down wait times and we're assured of the highest possible quality," she said.
"Why would we say no to patients, you must go to hospital."
But Mehra points to the auditor general's 2012 annual report, which said most of the 825 independent health facilities in Ontario were owned and operated by for-profit companies. Only three per cent are non-profit organizations.
The report said the government estimates that about half are fully owned or controlled by physicians, many of whom are radiologists who interpret X-rays and ultrasounds, for example.
The report also found that the Ministry of Health paid the clinics about $408 million in 2010-11 in so-called "facility fees" for overhead costs such as rent, staff, supplies and equipment. It also pays physicians a standard fee for each service provided.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Reversing the epidemic of drug overdoses
Reversing the epidemic of drug overdoses
Take away the longer a person takes these medications, the higher the dose needed to achieve the same level of pain relief, putting them at greater and greater risk of overdose. The risk of overdose and respiratory depression increases dramatically in patients who also have been prescribed muscle relaxants or benzodiazepines like Valium.
Take away the longer a person takes these medications, the higher the dose needed to achieve the same level of pain relief, putting them at greater and greater risk of overdose. The risk of overdose and respiratory depression increases dramatically in patients who also have been prescribed muscle relaxants or benzodiazepines like Valium.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
EyeGo adapters let you perform eye exams with a smartphone
EyeGo adapters let you perform eye exams with a smartphone
This is part of the abundance series How technology makes a differene
This is part of the abundance series How technology makes a differene
- http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Foffers.hubspot.com%2Fcall-to-action-templates%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin
When it comes to thoroughly assessing the condition of someone's eyes, it's usually necessary to utilize large, expensive contraptions such as those found in an ophthalmologist's office. While that's OK in some situations, physicians in rural areas or developing nations might not have access to such technology. Additionally, emergency room personnel typically need information on-the-spot, ASAP. That's why two scientists from Stanford University have created the EyeGo system, which allows smartphones to do the job.
Developed by assistant professor of ophthalmology Dr. Robert Chang and ophthalmology resident Dr. David Myung, the system consists of two adapters that are simply added to an existing smartphone camera – one of them gets shots of the front surface of the eye, while the other focuses light through the pupil to get pics of the retina, along the back of the eye.
According to the university, EyeGo is designed to "make it easy for anyone with minimal training to take a picture of the eye and share it securely with other health practitioners or store it in the patient’s electronic record."

Sunday, March 09, 2014
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Wello iPhone case tracks heart rate, temperature, ECG, lung functions, plus blood pressure & oxygen levels
Wello iPhone case tracks heart rate, temperature, ECG, lung functions, plus blood pressure & oxygen levels
In the age of abundance you can have the information to get healthy? ( The 200$ not 10000$ government solution)
In the age of abundance you can have the information to get healthy? ( The 200$ not 10000$ government solution)
A hospital stay provides new insights into the patient experience
A hospital stay provides new insights into the patient experience
However, when a patient is ill and hospitalized, a entirely new level of complexity is added to the communication mix. The role of patient places one in a difficult position — you lose control, you lose your individuality and you may often become frightened due to the uncertainty of the clinical outcome. The dynamic of communication in the acute hospital setting may be quite different in that the patient may be interacting with a new team of health care providers that they have no previous relationship with.
However, when a patient is ill and hospitalized, a entirely new level of complexity is added to the communication mix. The role of patient places one in a difficult position — you lose control, you lose your individuality and you may often become frightened due to the uncertainty of the clinical outcome. The dynamic of communication in the acute hospital setting may be quite different in that the patient may be interacting with a new team of health care providers that they have no previous relationship with.
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Drugmakers Slash Spending On Doctors' Sales Talks : Shots - Health News : NPR
Drugmakers Slash Spending On Doctors' Sales Talks : Shots - Health News : NPR
Good news the bribe doctor strategy is being cut in half , Excellent good for the consumer.
Market rules apply-the market works
Next step -have the natural alternative be permitted to legally compete with higher priced branded products
Good news the bribe doctor strategy is being cut in half , Excellent good for the consumer.
Market rules apply-the market works

Next step -have the natural alternative be permitted to legally compete with higher priced branded products
Monday, March 03, 2014
SOLA 1.2 Question Authority - YouTube
SOLA 1.2 Question Authority - YouTube Who benefits interesting question....... food for thought.
Do not be a prisoner of your own mind .
Do not be a prisoner of your own mind .
A culture of contempt has led to medicine's downfall
A culture of contempt has led to medicine's downfall
This culture of contempt is spreading, growing in intensity, and the results will be catastrophic. Our current direction won’t just lead to patients not liking or trusting us; it will lead to patients viewing us as insignificant and irrelevant. More importantly, while greater access to care, public health education, and the dissemination of medical information are necessary and beneficial in the right context, the propagation of the message that sound medical advice is a cheap commodity that may be procured anywhere, from the internet to the local pharmacy to the grocery store on the corner, is dangerous.
This culture of contempt is spreading, growing in intensity, and the results will be catastrophic. Our current direction won’t just lead to patients not liking or trusting us; it will lead to patients viewing us as insignificant and irrelevant. More importantly, while greater access to care, public health education, and the dissemination of medical information are necessary and beneficial in the right context, the propagation of the message that sound medical advice is a cheap commodity that may be procured anywhere, from the internet to the local pharmacy to the grocery store on the corner, is dangerous.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Framing an ethical dilemma: 4 basic concepts of medical ethics
Framing an ethical dilemma: 4 basic concepts of medical ethics
Framing an ethical dilemma: 4 basic concepts of medical ethics
It seems lately that questions of medical ethics are coming up more and more in the news, things like the rights of patients to make decisions, definitions of futile care, and end of life care. The way to look at these things is not in a vacuum. All of us may have our own opinions about right and wrong, but the field of medical ethics is actually one that has a body of research and accepted practice. It certainly is something we deal with frequently in the PICU. It may sound esoteric, but generally it isn’t. Even so, it can be complicated.
But complicated or not, it’s also something all of us should know a little about. This is because, in fact, many of us will encounter these issues quite suddenly and unexpectedly with our loved ones, or even ourselves. It is good to be prepared and knowledgeable. The cartoon above suggests it’s all about the law and medical tradition. Really, it’s more complicated than that — and more interesting.
So what are the accepted principles of medical ethics?
There are four main principles, which on the surface are quite simple. They are these:
1. Beneficence (or, only do good things)
2. Nonmaleficence (or, don’t do bad things)
3. Autonomy (or, the patient decides important things)
4. Justice (or, be fair to everyone)
2. Nonmaleficence (or, don’t do bad things)
3. Autonomy (or, the patient decides important things)
4. Justice (or, be fair to everyone)
Beneficence
The first of these principles, beneficence, is the straightforward imperative that whatever we do should, before all else, benefit the patient. At first glance this seems an obvious statement. Why would we do anything that does not help the patient? In reality, we in the PICU, for example, are frequently tempted to do (or asked to do by families or other physicians) things that are of marginal or even no benefit to the patient. Common examples include a treatment or a test we think is unlikely to help, but just might. Should we do it just because somebody wants it?
Nonmaleficence
There is a long tradition in medicine, one encapsulated in the Latin phrase primum non nocere (“first do no harm”), which admonishes physicians to avoid harming our patients. This is the principle of nonmaleficence. Again, this seems obvious. Why would we do anything to harm our patients? But let’s consider the example of tests or treatments we consider long shots — those which probably won’t help, but possibly could. It is one thing when someone asks us to mix an innocuous herbal remedy into a child’s feeding formula. It is quite another when we’re considering giving a child with advanced cancer a highly toxic drug that may or may not treat the cancer, but will certainly cause the child pain and suffering. Should we do it?
Autonomy
Our daily discussions in the PICU about the proper action to take, and particularly about who should decide, often lead us directly to the third key principle of medical ethics, which is autonomy. Autonomy means physicians should respect a patient’s wishes regarding what medical care he or she wants to receive. Years ago patients tended to believe, along with their physicians, that the doctor always knew best. The world has changed since that time, and today patients and their families have become much more involved in decisions regarding their care. This is a good thing. Recent legal decisions have emphasized the principle that patients who are fully competent mentally may choose to ignore medical advice and do (or not do) to their own bodies as they wish.
The issue of autonomy becomes much more complicated for children, or in the situation of an adult who is not able to decide things for himself. Who decides what to do? In the PICU, the principle of autonomy generally applies to the wishes of the family for their child. But what if they want something the doctors believe is wrong or dangerous? What if the family cannot decide what they want for their child? Finally, what if the child does not want what his or her parents want — at what age and to what extent should we honor the child’s wishes? (I’ve written about that issue here.) As you can see, the simple issue of autonomy is often not simple at all.
Justice
The fourth key principle of medical ethics, justice, stands somewhat apart from the other three. Justice means physicians are obligated to treat every patient the same, irrespective of age, race, sex, personality, income, or insurance status.
You can see how these ethical principles, at first glance so seemingly straightforward, can weave themselves together into a tangled knot of conflicting opinions and desires. The devil is often in the details. For example, as a practical matter, we often encounter a sort of tug-of-war between the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence — the imperative to do only helpful things and not do unhelpful ones. This is because everything we do carries some risk. We have different ways of describing the interaction between them, but we often speak of the “risk benefit ratio.” Simply put: Is the expected or potential benefit to the child worth the risk the contemplated test, treatment, or procedure will carry?
The difficult situations, of course, are those painted in shades of grey, and this includes a good number of them. In spite of that, thinking about how these four principles relate to each other is an excellent way of framing your thought process.
If you are interested in medical ethics, there are many good sites where you can read more. Here is a good site from the University of Washington, here is a link to the President’s Council on Bioethics (which discusses many specific issues), and here is an excellent blog specifically about the issues of end of life care maintained by Thaddeus Pope, a law professor who is expert in the legal ramifications. If you want a really detailed discussion, an excellent standard book is Principles of Biomedical Ethics, by Beauchamp and Childress.
Christopher Johnson is a pediatric intensive care physician and author of Your Critically Ill Child: Life and Death Choices Parents Must Face, How to Talk to Your Child’s Doctor: A Handbook for Parents, and How Your Child Heals: An Inside Look At Common Childhood Ailments. He blogs at his self-titled site, Christopher Johnson, MD.
Monday, February 24, 2014
How to fix executive compensation in Ontario’s public sector | Toronto Star
How to fix executive compensation in Ontario’s public sector | Toronto Star
'The example of home care that inspired Hepburn’s columns. He cited the substantial wages of CCAC executives who are responsible for overseeing the provision of community care service in 14 regions across the province. The average salary of a CCAC executive is $234,000 and has been growing at an annual rate of 12 per cent over the past three years. This is clearly unsustainable."
It is our money what should we do?
'The example of home care that inspired Hepburn’s columns. He cited the substantial wages of CCAC executives who are responsible for overseeing the provision of community care service in 14 regions across the province. The average salary of a CCAC executive is $234,000 and has been growing at an annual rate of 12 per cent over the past three years. This is clearly unsustainable."
It is our money what should we do?
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Is Big Pharma evil? Doctors should share the blame
Is Big Pharma evil? Doctors should share the blame
Despite their limited statistical significance, however, the data are quite intellectually significant. They help us understand that pharmaceuticals don’t cure all, that over-reliance on prescription drugs is quite possibly not only costly but also stunningly ineffective. They help us see that many of the clinical trials touted as “evidence” of a drug’s efficacy are poor indicators of the drug’s impact in real-world situations. Even with cardiovascular disease, where pharmaceutical drugs may have slightly improved aggregate mortality, the costs associated with exceedingly modest gains should give us pause.
Despite their limited statistical significance, however, the data are quite intellectually significant. They help us understand that pharmaceuticals don’t cure all, that over-reliance on prescription drugs is quite possibly not only costly but also stunningly ineffective. They help us see that many of the clinical trials touted as “evidence” of a drug’s efficacy are poor indicators of the drug’s impact in real-world situations. Even with cardiovascular disease, where pharmaceutical drugs may have slightly improved aggregate mortality, the costs associated with exceedingly modest gains should give us pause.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Online Etymology Dictionary
Online Etymology Dictionary
find ot what t really means
What is nice
m Old French nice (12c.) "careless, clumsy; weak; poor, needy; simple, stupid, silly, foolish," from Latin nescius "ignorant, unaware," literally "not-knowing," from ne- "not" (see un-) + stem of scire "to know" (see science). "The sense development has been extraordinary, even for an adj." [Weekley] -- from "timid" (pre-1300); to "fussy, fastidious" (late 14c.); to "dainty, delicate" (c.1400); to "precise, careful" (1500s, preserved in such terms as a nice distinction and nice and early); to "agreeable, delightful" (1769); to "kind, thoughtful" (1830).
find ot what t really means
What is nice
m Old French nice (12c.) "careless, clumsy; weak; poor, needy; simple, stupid, silly, foolish," from Latin nescius "ignorant, unaware," literally "not-knowing," from ne- "not" (see un-) + stem of scire "to know" (see science). "The sense development has been extraordinary, even for an adj." [Weekley] -- from "timid" (pre-1300); to "fussy, fastidious" (late 14c.); to "dainty, delicate" (c.1400); to "precise, careful" (1500s, preserved in such terms as a nice distinction and nice and early); to "agreeable, delightful" (1769); to "kind, thoughtful" (1830).
Thursday, January 02, 2014
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Fight against the soda tax | Douglass Report - Official Site
Fight against the soda tax | Douglass Report - Official Site
I don’t know about you, but if there’s anything that makes me madder than yet another new tax, it’s a know-nothing government bureaucrat trying to tell me what to do.
It’s about CONTROL — and when you let them tax sugar, you’re giving THEM control over what YOU eat and drink. And while it might be something vile like sugar today, you know as well as I do it’ll be something else tomorrow.
I agree with the learned doctor -stop the government nanny cancer culture before it spreads
I don’t know about you, but if there’s anything that makes me madder than yet another new tax, it’s a know-nothing government bureaucrat trying to tell me what to do.
It’s about CONTROL — and when you let them tax sugar, you’re giving THEM control over what YOU eat and drink. And while it might be something vile like sugar today, you know as well as I do it’ll be something else tomorrow.
I agree with the learned doctor -stop the government nanny cancer culture before it spreads
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