When calling Gastroenterology (GI) for a consult for bleeding, there are many descriptors you should provide to help determine the location of a bleed and the urgency in which a bleed needs management. The first and most important descriptor is color. Describing the color of the stool accurately, helps the GI team to determine the... Continue Reading →
The Butt Stops Here: the story of tobacco and adenomatous polyps
The past two months have been an exciting time for me as I embark on my fellowship experience. I started out on my endoscopy month scoping routine outpatient cases. During this time, I noticed a trend. Patients that smoked had more polyps in their colon. This isn’t a new concept. In fact, there is strong... Continue Reading →
Let’s get personal: Digital rectal exams
Residents, let’s get serious for a minute. How often are you performing digital rectal exams (DRE) for patients that have an indication? An informal poll of the audience revealed that even some gastroenterologists, let alone medical residents, were skipping the rectal exam despite having patients with lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. I know that during a... Continue Reading →
Steps to Holding a Successful Family Meeting
I’ve come a long way when it comes to family meetings. I remember how nervous I was walking into my very first family meeting where two members broke out into a physical fight over their differing views regarding palliative extubation. It took me many trials and tribulations to establish a structure for my meetings. Through... Continue Reading →
Let’s Get Down and Dirty: Addressing End of Life
we are left having difficult conversations in acute settings trying to gain an understanding of people’s wishes. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE!