Scola is a Cylon. There are many copies.

I, for one, welcome our new genially smiling, photographically talented overlords.

I really like the computerized records at this medical place, too. I don't have to give my history to each doctor individually, and if I'm seeing multiple doctors (which I am), then each one can see all the records from all the others. Plus, the computer gives alerts to the doctors when there's anything that I need done -- yesterday, based on my age and whatever other data it had, it came up with a list of things that I should have done, checked it against the list of things that it had records of me doing, and the computer told the doctor to tell me to go to a gynecologist for my yearly checkup, get a flu shot, and get a TDaP vaccine. I told them that I'd already gotten a flu shot, and the nurse told me to check with my insurance about the TDaP to see if it's covered, so that just left the referral to gynecology. So, when I went to the receptionist to pay after the appointment was over, the computer told the receptionist that I needed the gynecology appointment, and she asked me if I'd like to schedule it then with one of the doctors at this practice. And when I went in today for my blood test, I didn't have to bring any paperwork -- they just pulled up my records on the computer and saw which tests the doctor had ordered yesterday. I don't have to remember paper prescription forms, either -- I told them which pharmacy I use, and whatever prescriptions the doctor orders get automatically sent to the pharmacy through the computer.

Where I went in DC, it usually took several weeks and at least four phone calls before the doctor could even find my blood test results to look at.

Love me, love my clones.

It sounds like a great practice, Hil - I'm glad you're getting good care after all the bad experiences in the past! It also makes me profoundly sad that that kind of info management isn't the norm. Screw the flying cars, man, I want useful and important information to be as seamless as the fact that 87 People Liked This.

Even Obama says it's a good practice! [link]

That's great, Hil. This is what we got our certification on last week, that our medical records software works like it should. One of the best features that is required now is that the patient must have real time access to their own records. Time was when doctors thought patients weren't smart enough to read their own records. Most of the certification process we endured was for the proper encryption for exchange of data between labs, hospital, physician, and the patient portal. It was a lot of work, but it is awesome to see the system working the way it should.

Sounds like the VA.

Scola is a Cylon. There are many copies.

SO for this.

Part of the reason I'm getting the most expensive version of the NYS Health insurance for poor-ish people (there is another one that's free for children and v. poor adults) is to keep my doctors who have a practice like Hil's.

The only one I lost was my ObGyn (who wasn't in the practice but would speakerphone my Primary, who was ALSO his patient, when there was a question to work out) by my practice is finally getting one of their own so I'm not all that bugged.

It's pretty sweet. And when I need x-rays I walk two blocks, get them, and bring them back.

Sometimes I think I should go back to school and get an advanced degree in neurochemistry/neurobiology (I realize that I am the boss of me and could, therefore, go back to school if I wanted to). Last night Tim's ADD support group had a presentation about ADD/ADHD and addiction/substance abuse. REALLY fascinating. The presenter got into the neurochemical/genetic/physical reasons behind most addictive behaviors, and it just blew my mind. There's a whole lot of dopamine receptor stuff going on (though, of course, it's WAY more complex than I just made it sound).

Apparently clinical studies (as opposed to anecdata) have shown fairly conclusively that people with ADD/ADHD are *vastly* more likely to develop addictions than are people without ADD/ADHD.

The good part, though, is that studies have ALSO shown that when people with ADD/ADHD take meds for their ADD/ADHD, it markedly reduces the risk of developing addictions, and the earlier the meds are started, the better (though, as the presenter said, it's never "too late" to start meds).

Purely selfishly, I am so glad that Tim takes Ritalin. He has a history of pot smoking pre-diagnosis, which he calls an addiction. And I like to see him healthy.

Anyway, the whole brain chemistry/structure/genetic link thing fascinates me, and I would totally love to study it.

t /nerd-o-rama

I saw a friend of mine who I assume has ADD take a hit off a joint and then get quicker at the game we were playing. It was like that episode of WKRP where Dr. Johnny Fever's reaction gets better the more he drinks.

B's focus is an interesting thing. When its on, its ON -- or he's all over the room.