In theory the iPad was poised to change the lives of clinicians and patients forever by delivering mobile health solutions that allow for a dramatic increase in efficiency, the accurate flow of information, and plenty of other benefits across the entire value chain from clinician to patient, specialist, pharmacist, and so on.

You may be aware that we have been growing our business since 2007, and we’re exceedingly grateful to the community of medical professionals that have embraced us. We set out from the beginning to make the finest Lab Coats and Scrubs available; if you own any of our products, you’ll know that they sell themselves. We have decided to transform our blog, The Right Fit, into a place that gives back. We will, henceforward, be featuring topics of interest to our medical community, including:

• Healthcare News
• Healthy Living for Medical Professionals
• Medical History
• Medical Technology
• Resident Life
• Medical Jobs

We are pleased to be partnering with Medical Doctors, PAs and other Medical Professionals who will be advising us on our journey. We will also be featuring some of the best guest bloggers on the web, and will constantly be seeking your input as to the topics that are most pressing to you. If you are interesting in submitting blog posts, or know a medical professional that is, please  email us. As always, we are very interested in hearing from our community; welcome to The Right Fit Blog, and please, send us your ideas, comments, and criticisms.

The medical field is at times fast moving and exciting; sometimes it is impossible to keep up with.  Every week or so we'll be bringing you the 5 most fascinating stories in Medical News.   Here's our first shortlist:

1. Virtual Reality Simulators to Practice Surgery

Physicians at the University of Minnesota are using virtual surgery to hone their skills. Dr. Robert M. Sweet, director of the U’s Medical School Simulation Programs, thought of the idea while he was a resident, training to conduct prostrate surgery.

The simulator will allow surgeons in training to get (nearly) real life experience before attempting surgery on a living patient.  Read the entire Star Tribune article here.

[caption id="attachment_2674" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE)[/caption]  

2. Medical Glasses Allow You to See Through Skin

Evena Medical has developed glasses that allow nurses and other medical professionals to 'see through' skin to allow them to more easily target veins for needles and IV drips.  The glasses can be worn over other eye wear and can record images for future use.  Read more here.

   

3. Surgeon Live Streams Knee Surgery Using Google Glass

Dr. Christopher Kaeding of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center wore Google Glass and live streamed  ACL surgery to colleagues and students.  He said once he put the glasses on he almost forgot they were there.

Watch the report here:

 

4. Patient Sues Doctor for Posting Unflattering Pictures on Social Media

This story has more to do with common sense than breaking news, but with the rise in Social Media use by patients and physicians, we thought it an important story to include. The patient and doctor knew each other prior to her ER visit for consuming too much alcohol, but she never expected him to take and post images of her while in the ER. Read the full story here.  

5. Head Transplants

Yes, you read that correctly.  The  June Issue of Surgical Neurology International told the story of neuroscientist/neurosurgeon Dr. Sergio Canavero and his project to conduct the first human head transplantation with spinal linkage within the next two years.   The process involves putting the head to be transplanted into "hypothermia mode" for up to 45 minutes.

Read the full article on Medical News Today.

[caption id="attachment_2684" align="aligncenter" width="277"] MNT Photo[/caption]

For those of us who are not working in medicine, this is definitely the most mind blowing story we've read in quite some time.

We'd love to hear about the stories that fascinated you this week.

At the end of a long day at my medical practice, I am sitting at my computer catching up with friends via Facebook. Suddenly, a notification pops up: one of the patients I saw today has sent me a friend request. I know that the ACP, AMA and every other physician organization recommends strongly that doctors not connect with patients via social media, so I quickly click to decline the invitation. I spend the rest of the evening imagining the awkward conversation when the patient next comes to see me, where I have to explain why I had to decline the request. I know that digital communication with patients can lead to blurring of personal and professional boundaries, miscommunications and confidentiality breaches. But I wonder whether the dangers really outweigh the benefits. I have limited time available to see each patient in the office and an out-of-office communication channel such as Facebook could allow me to be more accessible to patients. I would be available to answer non-urgent questions in my free time and I could also take advantage of my social networks to send out public health announcements and advocate for important health causes.

Are Doctors Blurring Professional Lines with Social Media?

But what of that blurring of personal and professional? This is a question that goes far beyond the issue of social media. Doctors are constantly faced with the dilemma of how much to share of their own personal lives. Can empathy help a patient suffering from an ailment the doctor has experienced himself? Can a personal story make the patient feel closer to the physician and instill confidence in her? Numerous studies show that a positive relationship with the doctor promotes confidence, encourages compliance with treatment, and aids healing. I have occasionally shared a personal anecdote when it seemed to be in the patient’s best interests. My personal problems are of course not the concern of the patients, and they need to feel that I am giving them 100% of my energy. But on the other hand, I don’t want to be one dimensional and inaccessible. A small amount of sharing can go a long way in sending a patient home with a spring in his step and the hope that he will be healed.

Digital Communication Can Supplement, not Replace, Personal Attention

Miscommunications can happen through social media, but they can happen in short office visits as well. Social networking is not a short-lived trend; a whole generation has grown up communicating in a digital format. Patients are coming to see the doctor after they have Googled their symptoms and compiled a list of possible diagnoses. This being the case, a social network where the doctor can respond and explain has distinct advantages over the anonymous and often inaccurate information available on the Internet. Digital communication is obviously not a substitute for in-person medical exams, but can serve as a helpful supplement. Confidentiality breaches are a real issue but can be solved with strict guidelines regarding which types of content are appropriate for digital sharing and using technology to ensure safe communication.

A Glimpse Behind the White Coat

I think the strongest argument for the use of social media for patient-doctor communication is the sheer number of Facebook requests I have declined over the last few years. Patients are reaching out to doctors, wanting to have a direct line of communication without feeling they are intruding on their personal time with a phone call. They are telling us with each friend request that they want a glimpse into the real person behind the white coat. They are saying that they want to be more proactive and involved in their own care, letting their doctors know about their progress in between clinic visits. What kind of message does it send to our patients when they reach out and we take a step backwards? Perhaps some entrepreneurial, tech savvy person can develop a separate social network to handle patient requests, but until that happens we must decide how we'll deal with the networks as they exist, and the inevitable requests that come our way. Nathalie Majorek is co-founder, MDCapsule and can be reached on Twitter and LinkedIn. Note: This post originally ran on www.KevinMD.com

In April of 2012 the New York Times published an article on Enclothed Cognition that not only caught our interest here at Medelita, but it reinforced what most people intuitively understand:  what you wear impacts your level of self confidence. The thought process behind the common phrase 'the clothes make the woman/man,'  has been applied to situations throughout our lives, especially when we're striving to succeed.  Job interviews, special occasions; when there is a moment of importance in our lives, we step up our appearance to signify that importance. The New York Times article focused specifically on how wearing a white coat effected the cognitive process and made people  "think like doctors," citing that

physicians tend to be careful, rigorous and good at paying attention.

In the  Study on Enclothed Cognition, Hajo Adam and Adam Galinksy introduced the term “enclothed cognition to describe the systematic influence that clothes have on the wearer's psychological processes."  Three experiments were conducted with the following results:

1. Physically wearing a lab coat increased selective attention compared to not wearing a lab coat.

2. Wearing a lab coat described as a doctor's coat increased sustained attention compared to wearing a lab coat described as a painter's coat, and compared to simply seeing or even identifying with a lab coat described as a doctor's coat.

Testing the White Coat

The British Psychological Society's Blog describes how researches came to their conclusions about Enclothed Cognition; here is a quick snapshot of their post describing the tests:

58 students took part in a test of their powers of selective attention known as the Stroop Test

Half the students performed the task in a scientist's white lab coat

The other students just wore their own clothes.

The Key Finding: - students in the lab coats made half as many errors on the critical trials of the Stroop Test.

Next researches tested whether enclothed cognition effects depended upon the meaning or the wearing of the clothes.

The results?  Participants who donned a lab coat performed  far better than those who only  saw a lab coat on the desk or those who wore a coat but believed it belonged to a painter.

Doctors Who Choose Not to Wear a White Coat

Last week I spoke to an MD in his 3rd year of residency in relation to what the White Coat means to a young MD.   This doctor has a friend who is a chiropractor and had some insight into the chiropractor's practice, where the white coat is not standard uniform.  Our conversation centered on doctors who choose not to wear a white coat and why.

 My immediate question was: Why would a doctor choose not to wear a white coat?

There is a school of thought and some evidence that individual patients, especially children, find the white coat intimidating and therefore some doctors choose not to wear them.  Examples of a patient's blood pressure rising upon seeing their white coat-clad physician are fairly common.

This condition, sometimes known as "White Coat Hypertension," was once thought to be a purely temporary condition, but is now being considered as a possible indicator of future issues.  Perhaps that momentary spike in blood pressure brought on by the white coat can signal that special care in regards to blood pressure should be taken.

Why the White Coat Matters to Patients

In seeking out opinions on what the white coat means to those working in the profession, I came across this post by Dr. Michael Edmund, Professor of Internal Medicine and Chair, Division of Infectious Diseases, VCU Medical Center,  describing his stance on why it is ok for Physicians to shed the white coat.  I considered how I (a layperson and non-medical professional) would feel as a patient if my doctor walked into an appointment in jeans and a sweater.

At the beginning of his post, Dr. Edmund cites a paper from  JAMA Internal Medicine, where hundreds of people whose family members were ICU patients viewed photographs of physicians dressed in a variety of attire, casual, business, and in white coats.

Then the subjects matched  the doctors images with with specific characteristics.   Dr. Edmund writes, "...in a nutshell, they found that families deemed the doctors in white coats to be most knowledgeable, most honest, and best overall. Doctors in scrubs and white coats were deemed equally most competent and most caring."    Dr. Edmund rejects the findings based on his own interaction with patients, stating that he " never met a patient who chose their doctor on a sartorial basis."

I respect Dr. Edmund's experience and opinion of course, but needed to understand more.  In reading on the study I found that it was based on the experience of ICU patients. One note that stood out for me was "Patients admitted to the ICU typically do not have a preexisting long-term relationship with their ICU physician, and therefore trust needs to be established over a short time frame.7 "

A Patient's Perspective

I am not a doctor; I write this post clearly from a patient and layperson's perspective.  Because of my work with Medelita, I am in close and constant contact with many people who do work in the medical profession on a daily basis, which gives me a small insight into what life is like for them, and of course we talk constantly about 'the white coat' because it is one of Medelita's key products.

We found the Enclothed Cognition study interesting not only because it is impressive, but because it carries with it a sort of deja vu, or deep familiarity.  The idea that the clothes you wear impact how you feel reinforces something many of us understand: to look good, and to dress smartly, changes how we feel about ourselves, and how others perceive us.

The extra layer of depth that the study brings is that we now know is it isn't only about perception, but wearing a professional white lab coat actually effects the way we think; it directly impacts our cognitive process.  Considering that there are differing views on the topic, we'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences about the white coat and how it impacts your perception of the profession.

In my life family will always be my greatest priority. I love my patients like I love life itself, but I love my family even more than life itself.Years ago I dreampt of being an MD. Since I was a small child in fact. To me this would be the pinnacle of life. Stethoscope around my neck, working in the trenches. Saving lives! This was my childhood dream, as well as my young adult dream, all the way through college. Not even Organic Chemistry could stop me. I just pushed through it, head to the grindstone, determined to reach my goal.Then one year away from finishing all my pre-med training something happened: I met a Physician Assistant! To me life has always been more than my job. The reason I created this my website, www.thepalife.com, is because I love art, photography and technology.I love kids, the outdoors and my family. I love to surf, to bike and to take my son and daughter for long walks. I love to make shapes out of the clouds, go on long weekend getaways, take my wife out dancing.

More than a PA; I love life!

If you don't know already being a doctor requires a TON of sacrifices. If you are considering becoming a physician and you are not prepared to give your life over to medicine, then I want you to take a long deep inward look at yourself and decide if what you want is really MD. Prior to many hours working in the University of Washington Medical Center I thought being a Dr. was fun, like Michael J. Fox in the movie "Doc Hollywood," or rugged like the doctors on Mash. I wanted to be like George Clooney in the TV show ER. This is an illusion. Being a Dr. means long hours, late nights on call, missed birthdays, missed anniversary's often second marriages. That last one is the part that is like the movies.

Want vs. Need

I realized that what I wanted most out of life was to help people be healthy. I love the human body, I love anatomy and I love science. I loved the thought of propping a young child up on the exam room table making a funny face and treating their ear infection. I loved the idea of sewing up a wound, setting a fracture, being there when another human being needed someone to hold onto. Helping someone come to terms with death while helping another come to terms with life. I didn't want MD, I wanted all of the above; to me there was no other way.

Balance

I have met more doctors who want to be PA's than PA's who want to be doctors. Why? Because there is more to life than medicine. PA's have the unique opportunity to live this. It is not about being lazy, it is not about lack of dedication. PA's tend to be some of the most dedicated and hard working people I know.

PA is the sweet spot!

PA is where life and medicine meet in the middle. I truly believe you can be better at compassion when you are more grounded. Having a life outside of work justifies life; it makes for a happy person which translates to better patient care. I realized after quite a bit of soul searching that I never really needed to be a Doctor, but I wanted to feel like one. If you are on this journey to being a health care provider, just know that a life exists beyond MD. It is a wonderful life, it has fulfilled every single one of my dreams of being a wonderful health care provider. And every time I prop a small child up on the exam room table and write the script to make their ear feel better, I smile. Then I go home in the evening and give my kids, and my wife, a big hug and a kiss. In my life family will always be my greatest priority. I love my patients like I love life itself, but I love my family even more than life itself. Click to Tweet I don't think I could have found this balance as an MD and I thank my lucky stars that life, or God or whatever directed me to UMDNJ, to PA School, to the job of my dreams. Being a PA is truly where life and medicine have found the perfect balance. I hope you too will give the Physician Assistant profession consideration as you go about life and pursue a rewarding career in the field of medicine. This post ran originally on author Stephan Pasquini's www.thepalife.com blog. Stephan Pasquini is a rural family practice Physician Assistant since 2004 and creator of thepalife.com. A National Health Service Corps Scholar and graduate from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (Rutgers) PA program and the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Stephen's goal is to provide one of a kind online resources for those interested in or practicing in the PA profession, to promote better access to healthcare for all and foster universal recognition/awareness of the PA profession

[caption id="attachment_2832" align="aligncenter" width="640"] MIT's Shape Shifting Tablet showcased on Fast Company[/caption] Every week in our 5 Most Fascinating Series we take a look back at the new stories (or new to us) that made us think again and again.   Often they concern technology and medical advancements, but sometimes it will simply be the very humanity of the story that touches us. Whatever the topic, we hope our round up is interesting to you, and if we've missed a Big Story, we'd love to hear about it from you.

 1. BioPen  to Rewrite Orthopaedic Implants Surgery

If you  follow Medelita you'll know that we are tech geeks and especially enamored of technological advancements that effect healthcare.  When we read about Australia's University of Wollongong's development of a bio-pen capable of 'drawing' live cells onto injured bones to  accelerate regeneration of functional damaged bone and cartilage, we were amazed.     The pen was built using 3D printing equipment, and is indicative of what the future may hold for this technology.  Read the full article here. Better yet, check out the video.

2. UK Surgeon Branded Patient's Liver

Diane Sokel, a London based medical ethicist, captured our attention with her piece on the BBC's Blog that told the story of a Birmingham surgeon branding his patient's liver during surgery. We were of course horrified, but our faith was restored by the fact that a colleague discovered the incident and turned the surgeon in; that surgeon is currently on unpaid leave.  Read the full article here.

3. University of Iowa Researchers Create New Staph Infection Vaccine

MedCity News helps us keep on top of medical news, and this story was certainly a hope-inducing one.    Researchers at the University of Iowa  developed a new vaccine to protect against pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus. Professor Patrick Schlievert, chair of microbiology in the UI Carver College of Medicine, inspired our hope by stating

"We could bring the flu death rate down to near zero."

Read the full article here.

4. MIT Invents A Shapeshifting Display You Can Reach Through And Touch

Although this story is not purely medical, we can't help but imagine the possibilities for remote care with a tablet that gives users the ability to reach out and touch someone thousands of miles away. Design is still in the early stages, but we encourage you to read the full article and watch the video; it's as inspiring as tech gets.

5.  3-D Printed Cast May be Revolutionary

  Med City news brings us another story of an innovator using 3D technology to potentially transform healthcare.  The not so aptly named  Jake Evill made the 'cast' using a 3D printer and nylon plastic and mimicking the honeycomb structure of the trabecular. The product is still in development, but we can only imagine the possibilities.  Read the full article here. 2013 has been an incredible year, and as we build our blog into a news and information source for our community of medical professionals, we look forward to sharing even more exciting events with you in 2014.  Be safe, and have a very Happy New Year.  

Her face has been compared to the Mona Lisa - yet she bears her enigmatic smile in the absence of life. It is a face that I am willing to bet everyone reading this has seen. I'm even willing to bet that you've kissed her once or twice.

Physician Assistants function in many capacities across the medical spectrum, from preventive measures in family medicine to prepping saphenous veins in cardiothoracic surgery.

The ability to freely move from one medical specialty to another is a very attractive aspect of the profession. PAs have many choices when it comes to clinical care.

Graduating from Medical School and beginning Residency is perhaps the single most exciting time in a Physician's life; what you learn when speaking to Residents is that the euphoria doesn't last too long. The pressures of working as a Resident become very real, very quickly; paying back student debt and navigating the intricate labyrinth of Residency is intense.  Considering that Residents have already made it through the long, harrowing journey to Medical School graduation, most of them handle the Residency years without many incidents. What does often go overlooked by Medical Residents is the necessity of planning and preparation to find and land the right job in their chosen area as they work their way closer to their post Residency career.  Without planning and foresight a Resident may end up in a job that they are not suited for, or worse, they may spend many months unemployed and job hunting.

Pre-Interview Tips for Medical Residents

Preparing for an interview is one thing; first you must land the opportunity to have the interview.  Here are some basic tips that should help you get that appointment:

1. Your Reputation Matters: Well before the interview, you should understand that your reputation, both professionally and online, matters.  Being snide to the people you work with is never smart, so the way you carry yourself throughout your Residency is important.  You never know if the person you will be interviewing with has relationships with your colleagues.
2. Social Media Can Be Dangerous: Playing off of #1, make sure you are not a bonehead on Social Media.  Yes, you may be an avid Twitter addict, and bemoaning your work schedule and lack of personal time may make you feel better, but NOTHING is private once you cast it out into the great social media universe. Be smart. Be professional online, and never, ever think anything is private that you post.
3. Begin the Search Early: Yes, your Residency is time consuming, but the early bird does get the worm, especially when it comes to finding the right job.  Waiting until your final year of Residency and then hitting the panic button and rushing to find a job may mean that you have to accept any job that comes along.  Give yourself at least 18 months to find the right position.
4. Make Lists: Making lists may not be your standard method for getting organized, but it will certainly help you figure out what type of job you want to pursue.  What works well with your personality? Where do you want to live? What are your income requirements?  Do you have a spouse or dependents who will be effected by your decision?  Writing all of this down and prioritizing your requirements and goals will help you drill down to the right job for you.
5. Consider Hiring a Placement Specialist: You may already have a mentor and many connections in the specialty you want to pursue; finding and landing the interview for your dream job may come easily. If that isn't your situation, hiring a professional who works with Physicians and practices as a headhunter may speed up the process and widen the possibilities, as their network is usually vast.

Medical Resident Interview Advice

As with most things in life, preparation is key; preparing  for the interview is as important as lining it up.  Here is some advice that will help you do your best in the interview:

1.  Do Your Research: Of course we know that you have been on a very long journey and gained a ton of knowledge along the way, but you need to do more.  Get to know as much as you can about the hospital, practice or organization you are meeting with.  Work your network and see if anyone you know is connected to anyone who works for or has worked for the organization.  Learn as much as you can, because you cannot know too much about the place where you may begin  your career.Don't Overlook the Basics: You may do everything right but lose the job because you overlooked some basic points. Show up on time, bring your resume, and make sure you are very clear on the pronunciation of your interviewer's name.
2. Be Professional Throughout: The first impression you make on your interviewer is of tantamount importance.  Dress professionally - showing up in dirty scrubs will not cut it (and yes, we have heard of this occurring more than once).  If you've read anything about Enclothed Cognition, believe me, it matters.  What you wear will impact not only how you are perceived, but how you feel and think in the interview.  Make eye contact and be friendly and personable.
3. Practice, A Lot: You may be incredibly prepared when it comes to knowledge of the specialty or organization you are applying to, but that does not mean it will all come out in the interview. Have a friend or mentor, particularly someone who has applied for a job as a Physician already, role play with you so that you are practicing, out loud, for the interview.
4. Ask Questions: Yes, you must be prepared to answer questions, but you must have a list of your own prepared, not only to show obvious interest in the job, but so that you can ensure that the job is right for you. Remember, you are interviewing each other. Here is a great (and long) list from the AAFP site that will get you thinking.

 Post Physician Interview Tips

The interview is over and you think it went well; it may be that you think it went very well and you're feeling confident about your prospects.  Our final piece of advice is commonplace perhaps, but often overlooked: don't count your chickens. Take a few moments and send  a thank you letter to your interviewer.  No, an email will not suffice.  In today's hurried age of electronic communications, that written thank you will go a long way to shore up the impression you made. We hope these tips help ease the stressful process of landing your first job as a Physician. If you have tips or advice you think we left out, we'd love to hear it in the comment section below.