Anecdotal evidence suggests that innovative medical devices often arise from physicians’ inventive activity, but few studies have documented the extent of such physician-engaged innovation. This 2008 paper uses patent data and the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile to provide evidence that physicians contribute to medical device innovation, accounting for almost 20 percent of approximately 26,000 medical device patents filed in the United States during 1990–1996. Moreover, two measures indicate that physician patents had more influence on subsequent inventive activity than nonphysician patents. This finding supports the maintenance of an open environment for physician-industry collaboration in the medical device discovery process.
Nearly half a decade ago, I was a nephrology fellow simultaneously enrolled in graduate school while pregnant with my third child. When I wasn’t on service, I’d go to bed at 8:30pm, wake up 11pm, do homework until 3am, and wake up at 6am for clinic or class. Yet I was still able to remodel my home, go out to eat with friends, and enjoy 4 weeks of vacation a year. I did not believe it when my attending told me that life would only get busier. She was right.
We hold this truth to be self-evident: that humans are adapted to breathe air, not water. But should we, really, hold that as self-evident truth?
In a recent New York Times article, a triumvirate of authorities- including my friend and former Dean, and our former FDA Commissioner, Dr. David Kessler- made the case for a National Institute of Nutrition. Some colleagues appended an “amen” in social media.
Now that there are more and more people who are older, lonely, socially isolated and depressed, we are seeing lots of articles encouraging people to mentor or do something that "leaves a legacy". Consequently, intergenerational websites, platforms and organizations are growing. The lost tribe of medicine is no exception.
The goal of ADHD treatment with stimulant medications is to find a medication that is both effective and has no (or minimal) side effects. Sometimes it takes a couple of different medication trials before finding the best treatment. Most ADHD medication side effects in adults are minor but one side effect, “crashing”, can be so disruptive the person will have to switch medications or stop altogether.
As a physician, it's important to exude and project an image of confidence, knowledge, and decisiveness. After all, the eyes of patients, families, nursing staff, ancillary staff, and trainees are on you. There is no room to question or doubt yourself in the public eye.