James Joyce and an unexpected death posted on 2019-01-14
In the early morning of January 13, 1941, James Joyce, age 58, died from unexpected complications after surgery for a perforated duodenal ulcer. The past medical history of the author of Ulysses and Finnegan’s Wake was replete with illnesses that had diminished his quality of life, yet his death was the consequence of complications after [Read More]
Climbing the learning curve posted on 2019-01-05
As bronchology and interventional pulmonology programs around the world increasingly incorporate assessment tools and checklists into their training programs, there is going to be much discussion around learning curves. A learning curve usually represents in graphic form the rate at which something is learned over time or repeated experiences. By plotting learning curves, teachers can [Read More]
Genotype-directed lung cancer: a new frontier for bronchoscopists posted on 2018-12-28
As we quickly approach 2019, I am thinking about what is new and exciting in the field of interventional pulmonology. Among energizing advances, one of the most exciting is how individualized genotype-directed therapy is changing our approach to lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. Fueled by research performed in the United States and Europe, increasing numbers [Read More]
Altruism: a foundational trait of a new generation of bronchoscopy educators posted on 2018-12-24
Altruism is often defined as the belief and practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others. Generally, medical ethicists agree that medical doctors cannot be altruistic in their daily encounters with patients because they act within a professional relationship that entails the obligation to relieve suffering and care for their patients. While [Read More]
Is there a “culture” of bronchoscopy? posted on 2018-12-18
In the early 19th century German philosophers and social scientists sought to define the word “culture” in their studies of human behavior and history. Influenced by the Romanticist concept of Volksgeist (spirit of a people), they proposed that culture described the values, ideals, and higher qualities, i.e. intellectual, artistic, and moral, of a society. Anthropologists [Read More]