Author Archives: Heather Thompson Buum

As a medical student in the mid 1990s, a few of the women in my class followed a popular fad diet called the Cabbage Soup Diet prior to a trip to Cozumel. It’s basically a very low carb diet, with lean protein added here and there, with the claim to fame of losing up toContinue reading “March Miracle? Or Madness?”

Last week, I had the rare opportunity to have my work day end early on a Friday.  I finished morning clinic on time; I attended virtual Morbidity and Mortality conference at noon via Zoom; I worked on curriculum from about 1:30 to 3:30, but couldn’t really do more until other faculty turned in their materials. Continue reading “Gym and Tonic”

It is interesting to note what can amuse us, generally speaking, as a society these days.  Humor is often found in everyday things that strike us as ironic, idiosyncratic, or absurd; think Jerry Seinfeld and his observations about “nothing.” Recently, technology has become such an integral part of our lives, that it too has becomeContinue reading “Chicken Breast Cancer”

In recent years–and even more so in the last 11 months–I have been hearing a lot of the “S” word lately.  And no, not the expletive that would actually very appropriately describe the last 11 months, but rather, references to science. We have all heard the phrases “Follow the science.”  “The science is clear.” “TheContinue reading “The Science is Never Settled”

I recently read the book, “Breaking and Mending” by Dr. Joanna Cannon, a memoir of a doctor’s training experience in the UK.  In it, she writes, “In our first lecture on day one of medical school, as we were welcomed into our medical career, we were told something else—that there are two kinds of doctors,Continue reading “White Coats and Cardigans”

I’ve been conducting virtual clinic visits for almost a full year now.  At first, mostly telephone, then gradually transitioning to video encounters; it was helpful to be able to “lay eyes” on my patient.  Actually, I have been pleasantly surprised by how much we can accomplish during a virtual visit. And not just reviewing bloodContinue reading “Continuity of Care: Now More Than Ever”

Over the years I’ve observed that advances in technology, when applied to medicine, are often a double edged sword.  Many good things can come from it, such as the electronic health record and the ability to access charts from anywhere and also track outcomes.  But usually, there is a downside or a trade off, andContinue reading “Doctor Google”

In an effort to pass the time during these pandemic months, I’ve been binge watching many shows, including of course several Netflix series but also some old favorites such as Seinfeld and the Simpsons. Recently, I watched an episode of the Simpsons (S30/E5) entitled: Baby You Can’t Drive My Car. In this episode, a self-drivingContinue reading “The Wisdom of Homer”

I have observed a unique phenomenon in that patients will mention certain diseases or diagnoses prefaced by “the.”  Such as gout:  it’s never, “I had gout” it’s “I had the gout.” Or, when a husband and wife are together in the room and he’s complaining of foot pain, she will say, “He has the gout,Continue reading ““The” Covid”

Needless to say, the pandemic has fundamentally changed numerous aspects of our lives, including the ability to connect with friends, family, and loved ones.  It’s even more challenging as cold weather sets in, impeding the ability to gather outdoors. Over the summer, hosting small gatherings on the patio felt very safe and a welcome breakContinue reading “Bridge Over Troubled Water”