Whatcom: Chronic & Acute

  February 2019

Northwest Healthcare Reformers Cornered

by Robert A. Duke ©2018 Editor’s Note: We’re sorry to announce this is the last columnwritten by Robert A. Duke, who wrote his first Whatcom: Chronic & Acute column for Whatcom Watch in August 2014, and continued writing more than 25 articles, … Continue reading

Comments Off on Northwest Healthcare Reformers Cornered

  January 2019

A Lawyer Looks at Health Insurance

by Robert A. Duke I think we all understand that insurance is protection against the threat of unaffordable loss. That’s all insurance, including healthcare insurance. But, Tom (not his actual name), Professor Emeritus of Law, and check-writing patient, sees health … Continue reading

Comments Off on A Lawyer Looks at Health Insurance

  December 2018

Shopping for Anesthesia? I Did

by Robert A. Duke Author’s Note: We are grateful to the physicians who contributed to this article under the condition of anonymity and the understanding that they “… obviously do not speak for PeaceHealth or their profession, but have the … Continue reading

Comments Off on Shopping for Anesthesia? I Did

  October-November 2018

Is It Really You Your Doctor Is Treating? Or Is It a Surrogate?

by Robert A. Duke Is it the biologically unique you your doctor is treating and counseling during an office visit? Yes, to the extent your history, gender and age matter. Mainly, though, she is providing preventive care recommended by the … Continue reading

Comments Off on Is It Really You Your Doctor Is Treating? Or Is It a Surrogate?

  September 2018

Confounding Health Care

by Robert A. Duke Humor Man goes into Doctor’s office. “Doc, I have pain in my right shoulder.” Doc consults, examines and orders ultrasound and X-rays. Man gives X-ray order to imaging Reception and follows Tech to X-ray machine. “Why … Continue reading

Comments Off on Confounding Health Care

  August 2018

Back Door Open to Guided Health Care System Tour

by Robert A. Duke Enter and Look Around — Free and Easy The front entrance to the doctor’s office is typically a patients’-only view of the health care system, but Whatcom offers a back door with a welcome mat inviting … Continue reading

Comments Off on Back Door Open to Guided Health Care System Tour

  July 2018

When Preparation to Die Is Too Good to Be True

by Robert A. Duke Whatcom County, WA vs. La Crosse County, WI Because 96 percent of people who die in La Crosse, WI. are claimed to have an advance directive (AD), Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement (WAHA) publicized La Crosse’s … Continue reading

Comments Off on When Preparation to Die Is Too Good to Be True

  June 2018

Ten Tips For Device Surgery

by Robert A. Duke 1. Learn the name or brand of the device to be implanted so you can search for its success rate and its recall history. I discovered devices similar to my fusion spacers were available from Taiwan … Continue reading

Comments Off on Ten Tips For Device Surgery

  June 2018

Ask Questions Before Device Or Implant Surgery

by Robert A. Duke Don’t expect to be told everything you need to know when electing surgery. Despite the length and thoroughness of pre-surgery preparations, you’ll discover most information is for the surgeon, not the patient. First, the surgeon is … Continue reading

Comments Off on Ask Questions Before Device Or Implant Surgery

  May 2018

Who Will Be There For You When You’re Dying?

When I heard specialist physicians, titled hospitalists, were hired to care for hospital inpatients, I asked the hospital for a job description so I might judge their impact on patients, especially at the end of life. PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical … Continue reading

Comments Off on Who Will Be There For You When You’re Dying?