Introduction to My Graduate Education: Why is “helping people” in quotes? “Helping people” is a cliché. People entering caring professions to “help people” are sadly too often not helpful or do not deal well with people. This is especially true when one is trying to help people who do not want to be helped. I [...]
Archives for Science and Medicine
NIH and Grant Review
I recently had the dubious distinction to participate in and serve on an national institutes of health grant review called an NIH study section. I’ve done this before and have reviewed lots of grants over the years, but there have been a lot of changes recently and it is a whole new experience that is [...]
Medical Practitioners and Ambulance Personnel
Dear EMS practitioners, I apologize in advance if some of this is indelicate, but it is one person’s opinion and is intended to advance the profession. Yours truly, Joe Clark Prehospital care is medical treatment and care that is given by ambulance personnel, often in an ambulance. EMTs and paramedics provide a wide range services [...]
Is denial part of brain pathology?
I wanted to express an opinion to my EMS colleagues. This is not a policy statement or educational mandate, but simply one person’s opinion and an invitation to think about some types of brain pathology seen in the pre-hospital setting. Please recall that my career is concerning the diagnosis, treatment and work towards improving the [...]
Publishing contracts for dummies
When I write an article, accepting no payment, while trying to educate medical professionals in saving lives; I should not be expected to take on an unlimited financial liability.
Sad Email, Passionate Mother.
I received a heart breaking email recently. Frankly it made me cry.
Big Bang Theory in Real Life
For the fans of big bang theory here is a note to make you miss the show more until next season. I firmly believe that the show’s characters are believable and may be based on real characters, some of whom I have known and worked with. My back-story here is I lived and worked [...]
“Iatrogenic” means physician induced, but it glosses over emotions
Sometimes I am so proud of the system I work in and sometimes it makes me sick. July 25th 2005, was an example of the latter.
Federal Government Spending
The federal government is spending a lot of time and effort on a federal bailout or stimulus package. Some of this stimulus package money is going to medical research. Over ten billion dollars is allotted to the national institutes of health to fund medical research projects. This money is grant funding that is being done [...]
Grants and Research are Killing Me
I just submitted what is likely the most difficult grant application of my career; it nearly killed me. It was not the biggest grant, but it was a pain in the keester. Now, please – please – please understand that when I say “I” submitted a grant application that means I am part of a [...]