Aint that Tweet?
Twitter (twĭt’ər) v. To utter a succession of light chirping or tremulous sounds; chirrup. To speak rapidly and in a tremulous manner: twittering over office gossip. To giggle nervously; or tremble with nervous agitation or excitemen In anticipation of the upcoming conference, I have been experimenting with some alternative forms of new media. I reme
Going Back to Cali: From ‘Cease and Desist’ to This?
California (Kal ee for neah) n. The most populous state in the United States of America Bell weather state for multiple social, cultural, and legal issues Currently governed by the Governator and a health regulatory staff that needs some technology tutoring Three months ago, there was a huge hubbub about genetic testing in California. In […]
Health Fool Point Oh!
Disintegrate (dĭs-ĭn‘tĭ-grāt‘) v. To become reduced to components, fragments, or particles. To lose cohesion or unity To decompose, decay, or undergo a nuclear transformation. Ouch. I remember attending a high school football game as a wide-eyed sixth grader. Not only did I get to hang with the big kids, but I got to see big […]
Capitalism in Health Care – Do you still believe?
Capitalism (kăp’ĭ-tl-ĭz’əm) 1. An economic system based on a free market, open competition, profit motive and private ownership of the means of production. 2. Descriptive of a system that encourages private investment and business, compared to a government-controlled economy where investment money is obtained from private sources (shareholder
Between Retail and Concierge – Is there a place for branded primary care clinics?
Retail (rē’tāl) n. Of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of goods or commodities To sell in small quantities directly to consumers The “retailization” of health care continues to advance in fits and starts. There are multiple fronts of attack in this movement – everything from general transparency issues such as pricing to physici
Home on the Range – The New Frontier for the Medical Home
Frontiers (frŭn-tîr‘) A region just beyond or at the edge of a settled area An undeveloped area or field for discovery or research The September/October issue of Health Affairs is dedicated to reviewing concepts of the medical home. It is most likely the most current, authoritative, and impressive review of this emerging idea. Health Affairs [&hellip
Membership-based Practices: Does It Have It’s Privileges or is it just for The Privileged?
Membership (mĕm’bər-shĭp) The state of being a member The total number of members in a group I have watched the meteoric rise of popular term “Medical Home”. While I personally dislike this phrase, it has caught on in the popular vernacular and looks like it is here to stay. In conjunction with the rise of […]
Balloon Mania: Happy Birthday Health 2.0
Balloon Mania (bə-lūn mā’nē-ə) n. An excessively intense enthusiasm, interest, or desire over balloons; a craze of interest of the same; A focus on all aspects of balloons that inspires lively interest. Having been around for the beginning of the Health 2.0 movement, it is good to see the conference continuing into its sophomore year. […]
Speaking Circuit: Coming to a Conference Near You
Circuit (sûr’kĭt) n. A path or route the complete traversal of which without local change of direction requires returning to the starting point. An association of theaters in which plays, acts, or films move from theater to theater for presentation. A group of nightclubs, show halls, or resorts at which entertainers appear in turn. We […]
Healthcare Dysincentives: Who is left holding the bag?
Holding the Bag (hōl’dĭng thə băg) N. Abandon someone, force someone to bear the responsibility or blame. This idiom grew out of the earlier give one the bag (to hold), which dates from about 1600 and alludes to being left with an empty bag while others have taken the valuable contents. I grow weary of […]