Docnotes

Faughnan's pointer

John's got a clinical post today: Gordon's Notes: Avian Influenza: A guide for the interested layperson.  Well done. I especially like John's summary of this AFP paper.

NNT Online: Sinusitis, otitis, pharyngitis

Long before I met Bill Heuston - I knew I would like him. He's done great research and is very organized. (an asset I envy) Chris Cates is the same - yest I have yet to meet him to validate that opinion. Christ posted a great summary page on Treatment of common infections - December Newsletter 2006 It's a must-bookmark/digg, etc.

technorati tags:otitis, media, sinusitis

My Invention was already patented.

A few years ago - I had a great idea and invented a Balloon member for cerumen removal but the nurses in my office told me I was a nutcase for dreaming up such crazy ideas all of the time.

Turns out that Stephen A Carter (see link above) beat me to it.  Great idea, Stephen!  Where can I buy one?

Relax NG

Dave says we should all Choose RELAX insteat of xsd.  I'm convinced.  It'll take a lot more than this to move HL7 and ASTM (among others) as WC3 is seen as 'the authority.'

Lenovo X60

This Review of the Lenovo X60 is pretty accurate.  I used one for a few hours today thanks to our pals down the road at Lenovo.  Some unbiased thoughts:

• This is - by far - the best tablet PC I've ever used.
• Tangibly taster than my Toshiba M400
• Waaaay faster than the Lenovo X41
• Same wonderful form-factor as the X41
• Beautiful screen
• Long battery life
  
• Quiet
• Light

Vista drivers not out yet for this (1/30/07) - but many XP drivers apparently work.  YMMV.

Reminder: If you are using a laptop or tablet in an outpatient setting - battery life is NOT a criterion for choosing a laptop.  Why not?  Because you should buy an AC adaptor for every exam room.  When you put the tablet/notebook down - plug it in.  You'll never need to change batteries and you will be plugged-in at least 1/2 of the time.

technorati tags:X60, Lenovo, Tablet

More links for today

(from Kevin, MD) - Indian parts too small for prophylactics.

Useful holiday tips for diabeteic patients.

Patients who ask for antibiotcs are actually asking for pain

relief.  Address pain relieft and don't rx abtibiotics:


Antibiotics don't improve outcomes in rhinosinusitis (duh).

P4P?

retired doc's thoughts: AMA President nails P4P for what it is at AMA Interim meeting

I don't think that this is really how the AMA feels.  I've been involved with a project in which the AMA is quite supportive of P4P.  Hmmm

technorati tags:p4p

Men on Finasteride for Hair Loss Have Lowered PSAs

Men on Finasteride for Hair Loss Have Lowered PSAs - Physician's First Watch

Bottom line: double the PSA for any man on any dose of finasteride. But why did you check the PSA in the 1st place?