Kate Scannell, MD

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated columnist; First Published in Print: 03/31/2012

Two studies published in last week's New England Journal of Medicine generated much media attention and hope that maybe, just maybe, a swift surgical fix could cure two notoriously chronic and intertwined medical conditions that affect millions of people worldwide: obesity and Type 2 diabetes. But it would be wise -- and healthy -- to scale back any unbridled enthusiasm about that until many more facts weigh in.  Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated columnist; First Published in Print: 03/15/2012

If you've been feeling somewhat anxious about our wobbly world, imagining hoof beats from the four horses of the Apocalypse every time a squirrel scampers across your roof -- you might derive some comfort in news events of the prior week.

For example, if you're reading this column on its publication date -- Sunday, March 18th -- you can rest assured that, despite what many doomsayers had predicted, the end of the world did not occur March 16th when the Large Hadron Collider CMS detector was switched on "somewhere" near the French-Swiss border.

You also might let out a sigh of relief that fiery solar storms did not incinerate the Earth to a crispy nubbin last week -- contrary to several grim prophesies.

Finally, solace may come from knowing that preacher Harold Camping announced last week that he would cease making predictions about the world's end. After spending millions of dollars informing and preparing followers for the Rapture on two separate but failed occasions in 2011, he humbly conceded that he'd been wrong to even try. He furthermore declared that "we have no new evidence pointing to another date for the end of the world."

Yes, last week was a white-knuckled, roller-coaster ride for Apocalypse spotters. Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated columnist; First published in print 02/18/2012

Last week, the journal Health Affairs published a study exploring physicians' attitudes about truth-telling that generated abundant media attention. Many public commentators deemed the results "shocking" -- although few seem to have read the fine print. You almost needed a tranquilizer to withstand headlines that "asked" whether YOUR DOCTOR IS LYING TO YOU!

In comparison, the study's actual title reads less sensationally: "Survey shows that at least some physicians are not always open or honest with patients." Although not much of an attention grabber, it concisely summarizes the researchers' main conclusion based upon a survey of 1,891 practicing physicians in the United States.

The actual media reports about the content of the new survey also tended to be off-key and misleading.  Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated Columnist
First published in print: February 5, 2012

It's often said that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Now, according to new research, we also know that a picture might be worth "the price of a meal ticket" to healthier eating habits for young children.

This week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, University of Minnesota researchers reported that elementary-school children ate more vegetables when the compartments in their lunch trays were lined with photographs of vegetables. Pictures of carrots served as . . . well, carrots, and led three times as many children to that veggie in the cafeteria line. Images of green beans inspired twice as many children to give beans a chance.

That's the good news.  Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated Columnist
First Published in Print: 01/22/12

In the early 1970s, my friend's father died on stage while receiving a golden watch from his boss to mark his retirement. Grasping the watch in one hand, he reportedly clutched his chest with the other and collapsed. He could not be revived. His sudden death had been completely unexpected, and his family was devastated. His death was officially attributed to a heart attack.

Afterward, my grieving friend speculated that her father's death had been triggered by the stress and heightened emotions he'd been experiencing over the unwelcome prospect of retirement. He'd been a dedicated "company man" his entire adult life, someone who had found meaning and personal fulfillment through his job at the auto plant. He couldn't imagine living without the satisfying daily routine of his work and the companionship of co-workers.

I knew nothing at the time about cardiology, the heart's autonomic neural regulation or the body's powerful, smoldering brew of stress hormones. However, I was convinced by what had happened to my friend's father that a heart could be broken by grief and loss. That it could shatter under the unbearable weight of despair.

Years later, after becoming a physician, I often was reminded of my friend's father.  Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated Columnist
First Published in Print: 01/07/2012

Is it OK for an anesthesiologist to play Angry Birds on his iPhone while administering anesthesia during a gallbladder surgery? During your gallbladder surgery?

What do you think about a surgeon voice-dialing her colleagues or chatting with family during the operation?

Although we've inhabited the Digital Age for many years, only recently have we begun to examine how it might affect us personally as patients and doctors, and whether overall patient safety and care have actually improved.

This inquiry is long overdue, and, as recent studies suggest, urgent.  Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated columnist
First published in print: 12/25/2011

The top 10 medical stories chosen for 2011 are distinguished for their broad reach into people's lives. I look to the new year with hope that 2012's list contains much good health news for us.

Drug shortage: Our nationwide prescription drug shortage worsened this year, compromising some patients' health while also revealing systemic problems with pharmaceutical production and regulation. At least 250 drug shortages were reported, with hospitals facing worrisome scarcity of lifesaving medications including chemotherapies, heart drugs and antibiotics. An executive order signed in October by President Obama broadened the Food and Drug Administration's authority to expand its reporting of potential drug shortages, expedite regulatory reviews and monitor for opportunistic price-gouging on sales of scarce drugs. Still, the FDA cannot require pharmaceutical companies to resume or increase drug supplies -- and pharmaceutical companies are not legally obligated to do so.

Celebs help: Celebrities can influence societal views about health and disease. They can share the spotlight with public health issues to make them more visible to millions of people. The death of 27-year-old singer Amy Winehouse in July sadly illuminated the health hazards of excessive drinking. In November, the involuntary manslaughter conviction of Michael Jackson's physician cast a dark light on prescription drug abuse. When former first lady Betty Ford died in July, we were reminded about the power of one person's voice to speak truth to silence in changing how people viewed illnesses such as cancers and addictions.  Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated columnist
First published in print: 12/11/2011

We should not need to make certain laws. Without requiring state or federal legislation, we should automatically know that it's wrong to, say, kick a puppy. To bully gay students in public schools. To maliciously impersonate someone through social media with the aim of harmingthem. To not inform your customers when their personal information has been stolen from your company's computer databases.

Yet, admittedly, laws against these behaviors arose precisely because puppies were being abused, gay students were being harassed, people were ruthlessly slandered on the Internet, and unwitting consumers were falling prey to identity theft. And while such laws may fail to convince a puppy-kicker or cyberbully of their moral merit, still, they serve to discourage some bad behavior with threats of penalties and public sanction.

This brings us to current news about our nation's critical prescription drug shortage and a related bill being introduced next week in Congress. The new bill aims to penalize "unscrupulous drug distributors" w ho price-gouge hospitals for lifesaving medications in current short supply. If the bill is enacted, it would become a federal crime for distributors to demand hugely marked-up prices for these scarce drugs -- as many of them are now doing.  Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated columnist
First Published in Print: November 27, 2011

Like many Americans this past week, my friends and I shared a turkey feast and gave thanks for all that was good in our lives and the world. But this annual ritual is always difficult for me, because I also think about things for which I am not grateful -- the economic and political turmoil in the world, people starving and homeless, my patients who have suffered and died, and ...

Still, I routinely manage to keep my sadness private, off the proverbial table. Pumpkin pie helps. So does a little wine.

While listening to my friends' expressions of gratitude, I am profoundly impressed with the role that happenstance has played in shaping everyone's fortunes (and hardships). Personal intention and deliberate actions have certainly played defining roles, but, to a large extent, our lot in life is the "real" estate of providence and serendipity. Through no free choice or conscious planning, we are born into poverty or wealth, in times and places associated with war or peace, to good or bad parents, and with variable genetic odds of living healthy lives. Our survival and opportunities to flourish in the world largely begin "as luck would have it." Read More 

By Dr. Kate Scannell, Syndicated columnist
First publised in print: 11/12/2011

I was checking out the broccoli at the local grocery store when an ex-patient tapped me on the shoulder and began a conversation. I was relieved that he found me in the fresh produce section rather than the wine or bakery aisles.

Naturally, he updated me about his chronic medical problems. I was sorry to hear that his diabetes had become difficult to control, all the while registering the high-calorie, processed foods in his shopping cart -- along with the discounted post-Halloween candy.

Nonetheless, he started complaining about his current doctor -- her "uncaring nature." He was annoyed by her slowness in responding to his recent request for a prescription. He was frustrated with her for "looking at the computer screen all the time" they were together in clinic. And after reciting a sad litany of further grievances, he paused dramatically for a moment before asking, "But you know what irks me the most about her?"

He stared intensely at me and waited, with an expectant smile on his face. Not knowing the answer, I began to wilt faster than the broccoli in my sweaty hands. The "doctor in me" wanted to answer his question correctly and assuredly, because he seemed to be suffering such estrangement from his current physician. He needed a healing dose of connection with an MD, I thought.

Luckily, a grocery clerk appeared and asked whether she could help us. My ex-patient instantly replied, "No. I'm just telling my old doctor here how my new doctor has never examined me."  Read More