Show 125 Preview

The Doctor Anonymous Show proudly welcomes six-time Grand Rounds host Gina from Code Blog to the show. For her post this week, she had a Halloween theme which was very well done. I encourage you to check it out if you haven't had a chance yet.

Something I really enjoyed this week was that on her twitter account, he took us behind the scenes about what it was like being a GR host. We'll talk about that as well. Even the Grand Rounds founder, got a little nostalgic about that.....

We'll also talk about her blog, which according to her archives, goes all the way back to 2002. I could be wrong, but this has to be one of the first medical blogs out there. She and I only met in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago at the Medblog Track at BlogWorld Expo. And, I admit that I wanted to get to talk with her a little more - here is my chance....

So, come and say hello on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 9pm ET/6pm PT. As always we're gonna be live on BlogTalkRadio.com with a chat room, you're ability to call into the show to say hello, and even you're ability to see me do the show live on my webcam. Isn't that exciting? See you for the show!

My Take on H1N1

A lot of people have been asking me what I think of the H1N1 virus and the vaccine that will eventually be made available to the public. Here are some facts to start out with - these come right from the CDC website. More than 9000 hospitalizations and nearly 600 deaths have been reported to CDC associated with H1N1 - of these deaths, approximately 95 have been in children (as of this post 10/26/09).

Now granted, annually, approximately 36,000 deaths occur with regular seasonal flu. This fact alone should at least make you think about getting your seasonal flu shot, if you haven't already done so.

I also agree that the press has been hyping the situation up for the past six months with the H1N1 story - prior to that months and months of stories about the bird flu (remember bird flu?). Plus, with the president declaring an "national emergency" with regard to H1N1 this past weekend, this will add further fuel to the fear fire.

What about the virus? Is it around? I can only speak from where I live and work. And, it wasn't until 7 days ago when I really started seeing cases with my very own eyes. I've heard rumors in the community from docs and patients that "it's out there." This past week in the office was one of the busiest times, at least for me personally, I've had in a while. So, the virus is around here and it's real.

What about the vaccine? Good and bad information about this has been circulating for months. What I can tell you is that the process of making the vaccine is exactly the same as it is for the seasonal flu vaccine. It takes about six months to get a vaccine to market for consumption. The H1N1 was isolated in Mexico in April - and six months from then - is exactly right now. The same manufacturers and the same production plants are used.

How the seasonal flu vaccine is made is that a combination of (killed) viruses are put together to make a vaccine. These are the viruses that are thought to be the most common in the upcoming flu season. The H1N1 vaccine is only made for one virus, because it was too late in the production process to put the virus in the pipeline with the regular seasonal flu vaccine.

It's true that for a majority of the population, an H1N1 infection will be relatively mild. People will feel sick - maybe miss some work or school - but for the most part, no serious complications. However, I'm concerned with those populations who have an increased chance of bad complcations, like pregnant women, young children, and those with chronic medical conditions like asthma. Infection in these high risk populations would set you up for bad stuff like pneumonia, possible hospitalization, and even possible, death.

Adults who would not have a serious feeling infection would have the potential to pass H1N1 to one of these high risk groups who may have serious complications. That is why some in the medical community is pushing so hard for immunization - to protect the high risk groups, and to immunize people who may be in contact with the high risk groups.

When it comes to immunization, it's definitely a personal decision. The only thing I ask is to just ask yourself this question - What is the risk to yourself (and your kids) if you DO get the H1N1 vaccine (mild side effects, in my opinion) verses the risk if you DO NOT get the H1N1 immunization?

Sorry for the extra long answer. But, there is no simple way to explain the situation. I hope this clarifies some issues for you and doesn't muddy the water more. Don't forget to watch the video above and the video below that were recorded on TV news with regard to H1N1. Feel free to leave comments below. If you want to see me talk about other medical topics on a local newscast, I invite you to check out mikesevilla.tv

BWE 09: The Nick Genes Exclusive

Now, you're not gonna here or read this from any other medblog "post BlogWorld" post. So, this is definitely an exclusive. I talked with our good friend and Grand Rounds founder Nick Genes. And, he told me of an adventure he had with the iPod of noted medical blogger Dr. Rob.

Apparently, Dr. Rob is prone to leave technology around, like his iPod. In fact, during the BlogWorld conference, Dr. Rob forgot his laptop cord in the lecture room and it had to be brought to him later (at the bar). Anyway, in the video above, Nick gives us an exclusive look inside the mind of Dr. Rob and the electonic contents of his iPod.

If you enjoyed this silliness, then I Invite you to check out an extended interview I had with Nick Genes back with Doctor Anonymous Show number 13 (beware of the technical glitch about 5 minutes into the show). We talked about his blog, Grand Rounds, and other stuff. As always, you can listen to the show in the player above. Or, if you like, you can download the show and listen to it anytime by clicking here. Enjoy!

BWE 09: The Mother Jones, RN Interview

Yes, that's right. My mother, of sorts, also attended the first ever MedBlog Track at last week's BlogWorld and New Media Expo in Las Vegas. Mother Jones, RN (MJRN) who runs the Nurse Ratched's Place blog, has always been a strong supporter of me, my blog, and my internet radio show. And for all of that, I am very much grateful.

We had a some great conversations about the past, present, and future of medical/healthcare blogging. However, in the video above, we got a little silly, as we usually do. And, it was actually a fun interview to do. If you like that, then, you'll enjoy a more in-depth conversation all the way back on Doctor Anonymous Show number 6. MJRN even called into show number one when I really didn't know what I was doing.

As always, you can listen to show number six in the player above. Or, you can even download the show by clicking here and listening to the show anytime. And, in case you were really curious (or bored), you can download show number one by clicking here. Enjoy!

BWE 09: Why Bongi Blogs

Probably one of the most mysterious medbloggers who everyone wanted to meet (other than me - HA!) was the medblogger we know as "Bongi." We all learned that he actually does have a real name and is actually a real person - duh. Bongi was on one of the panels at the first ever MedBlog Track at BlogWorld Expo last week in Las Vegas. Thanks to MedPage Today and Johnson & Johnson for sponsoring the event.
In the video above, Bongi tells us why he blogs. Simply put, he is a storyteller. That sounds like a great reason to me. If you enjoyed this little clip, I encourage you to check out my extended conversation with Bongi on The Doctor Anonymous Show number 30.

As I was listening to this again, our good friend Kerri from SixUntilMe is also on this show - at the show beginning. And, I totally forgot that the legendary Sid Schwab from SurgeonsBlog was my special co-host during this show. As always, you can listen to the player above. Or, you can download the show by clicking here and listening anytime. Finally, if you want to see me an Bongi on a funny interview segment, I encourage you to check out the video below. Enjoy!

BWE09: Podmedic Interviews Dr. A

One of the people I was looking forward to meeting in person was Jaime Davis who is the founder of the ProMedNetwork of podcasts, of which I am a proud member. If you're looking for new medicine and science related podcasts to check out, I encourage you to check out ProMedNetwork.com
If you enjoyed this little banter in the video above, I encourage you to check out where I turn the tables and interview Jaime on The Doctor Anonymous show number 67. We talked about ProMedNetwork and other topics as well. As always, you can listen on the player above. Or, even download the show by clicking here and listen anytime. Enjoy!

Dr. A Show 124 Tonight!

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 9pm ET

I hope you can join me tonight as I do a wrap-up show on the first ever MedBlog Track at BlogWorld and New Media Expo in Las Vegas last week. Thanks to MedPage Today and Johnson & Johnson for sponsoring the event. You may have been reading a lot about this from my fellow medbloggers.

You may have also been watching some vids from the event. But, tonight, I will also be sharing some "behind the scenes" stories where you not here anywhere else! (Image Credit: Nurse Ratched's Place)

If you are new to the show, I encourage you to catch us live. There is a great chat room that also goes on. You can even see my shining face on the webcam. In addition, you can call into the show to say hello. Can't catch us live? That's ok. You can listen anytime after the show as it is saved as a podcast so you can listen anytime!

For first time Blog Talk Radio listeners:
*Although it is not required to listen to the show, I encourage you to register on the BlogTalkRadio site prior to the show. I think it will make the process easier.

*To get to my show site, click here. As show time gets closer, keep hitting "refresh" on your browser until you see the "Play/Chat" button. Then, of course, press the "Play/Chat" button.

Paul Levy Phones It In - Literally!

I know you have already saw pictures over on the Running A Hospital Blog by Mr. Levy. But here, kids, is the companion video to go along with those pics. I recorded this video at the MedBlog Track at BlogWorld Expo 2009. Thanks to MedPage Today and Johnson & Johnson for sponsoring the track.

In the four minute video above, Paul was asked about his blog - especially why he blogs. He responds by saying, "Why wouldn't you do it" (meaning blog). Another interesting quote was this, "Folks have gotten used to the idea that when they send me an e-mail on a particular topic, it may show up on the blog."

If you enjoyed this little short video, I invite you to check out my extended conversation with Paul on Doctor Anonymous Show number 29. You can listen on the player above. Or, if you like, you can click here and listen to the show anytime. Enjoy!

Dr. A Show 124 Preview

I'd like to invite you to the show this week as we wrap-up the first ever MedBlog Track at BlogWorld Expo 2009 - or, as I am affectionally calling it - MedBlogWorld 2009. You'll see in the video above some of the stuff that I'm scheduled to talk about including some behind the scenes stories which you're not gonna find on any other post-BWE blog post!

So, check us out on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 9pm Eastern Time. As always we're gonna be live on BlogTalkRadio.com with a chat room, you're ability to call into the show to say hello, and even you're ability to see me do the show live on my webcam. Isn't that exciting? See you for the show!

Shows 122 & 123 Wrap-up

With my busy schedule before BlogWorld Expo, I haven't had a chance to post up these archived shows. I have to admit that show 122 was not my best effort. I was on call that night, and just walked into the door following doing an admission at the hospital. In addition, before doing the hospital admission, I was at a soccer game where it was cold, windy, and rainy. So, I was exhausted and tired and frustrated.

In addition, I was having some technical difficulties during the show. If I wasn't so tired, I would have been very angry. But, it was only a 30 minute show, so the pain of me doing a show was relatively short. (As always you can listen to the show in the player above. Or, you can click here and listen to the show anytime)

Show Number 123, however, has an interesting story behind it. Before the BWE meeting, BlogTalkRadio sent out an e-mail to all of its hosts inviting them to do a live show in Las Vegas during the BWE conference. This was something definitely I could not pass up. So, I had the date and time all set up before hand. (You can listen to the show in the link above. Or, you can download here and listen to the show anytime)

I get to the exhibit hall early and scope out the booth. I talked with the great BTR staff, and in my mind, I was already planning out the show. According to the BTR e-mail, all shows would be 20 minutes. So, I knew that I would not have a lot of time to get things set.

About 15 minutes before the show, I get to the BTR booth and see that there is a scheduled interview with a tech superstar scheduled the same time as my show. Naturally, I thought that my show was being bumped, which made me feel sad and angry at the same time. I knew that the medbloggers were going to be there to listen to me do my show live.

I asked the staff and they said that my show would be the priority since I scheduled first. I felt pretty good that I was "bumping" a tech superstar for just my show. I won't mention who it is here, but will probably mention the name on my show - hehe. Anyway, as I get set up for my show, I start to see the medbloggers start to arrive at the BTR booth. (Photo Credit: SixUntilMe)

I admit that felt pretty full of myself as I saw this small crowd of people start to overwhelm this small exhibit booth - just to see me do my show. One of the things that really frustrated me was that there were speakers hooked up to the laptop I was using. However, the speakers were not working. So, that the people who showed up - they couldn't actually hear me during the broadcast. That frustrated me.

The show itself went ok. I was so nervous and I felt like I was talking a mile a minute. You can be the judge of that. But, it was a lot of fun. And, some of my medblog friends took a picture of the group behind me - and that was a cool feeling. So, overall I feel pretty good about show 123. (BTW, thanks to BlogTalkRadio for featuring the show at the top of their webpage. It has definitely increased the number of downloads for this show. I appreciate it)

Finally, I was going to do a show on the night that I got back from Vegas. But, I was so tired, that I slept most of the day and night when I returned from BlogWorld. So, I subsequently cancelled my show for that night.....