Cool Websites for Doctors

Nicholas Genes, MD, PhD

February 27, 2014

Cool Websites for Doctors
About a year ago, I recommended 10 great Websites that could help clinicians improve their practice of medicine and expand their understanding of health economics and information technology. A year is a long time in the Internet world, so I have compiled 10 new recommendations that are well worth your time to check out.

Photo courtesy of Nicholas Genes

Web M&M

Morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences can be tense and intimidating because they probe potential medical errors, but Web M&M offers a safe environment for such scrutiny. The Website, presented by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, is a cornerstone of residency education, reviewing the factors behind medical errors and incorrect decisions through anonymous cases, evidence-based discussions, and commentary from leaders in the field of patient safety.

Screenshot of webmm.ahrq.gov

The Incidental Economist

If you're tired of mainstream media's tendency to transform all health policy discussion into a kind of "horserace journalism," you will probably enjoy this frequently updated blog. The Incidental Economist is the kind of site you can skim several times a day, or invest hours at a time, following the provided links. Led by health policy researchers Aaron Carroll and Austin Frakt, a variety of contributors offer short, thoughtful posts, asking tough questions about US healthcare -- and using the best evidence available to answer them.

Screenshot of theincidentaleconomist.com

1 Minute Ultrasound

1 Minute Ultrasound has become a powerful tool across many specialties. Mike and Matt, the guys behind this venture, have produced a book, a podcast, and a powerful app to give you short but thorough guides on something as simple as how to hold the probe, to more complex issues such as how to recognize normal and pathologic images. The app is handy in the educational setting as well as at the bedside when a quick refresher is welcome.

Screenshot of omus.ultrasoundpodcast.com

ZDogg, MD

You may not have heard of Stanford-trained internist Zubin Damania, but you probably have seen one of his hilarious YouTube music videos. The comedic rapper is better known as ZDogg, MD and his Website provides links to videos such as a parody of an emergency department admission set to tunes from Les Misérables. But the collection goes beyond just humorous videos, including a link to his TEDMED talk and to the site of the new clinic and healthcare model he's building in Las Vegas.

Screenshot of zdoggmd.com

Life in the Fastlane

It's hard to believe that Mike Cadogan and Chris Nickson started this electronic resource 7 years ago, when it was "ground zero" for the FOAM movement (free open-access medical education). After all the cases, tips, and reviews on aspects of emergency medicine, critical care, ultrasonography, physical exams, and ECGs, it still feels as fresh and groundbreaking as ever. If visiting the Website seems too old-fashioned for you, follow their activity on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.

Screenshot of lifeinthefastlane.com

Radiology Signs (Facebook)

Facebook can get old pretty quickly if you're only using it to see your friends' vacation photos. Mix it up by following Radiology Signs and get a regular dose of imaging stumpers in your news feed. From the folks behind Radiopaedia.org, the answers and commentary to these CT and x-ray oddities will have you looking forward to using Facebook again.

Screenshot of facebook.com/radiologysigns

EMR & EHR

John Lynn is the man behind the @techguy twitter feed and the EMR & EHR Website, 2 resources that explain the complex, confusing world of healthcare information technology. By perusing the interviews, guest posts, and links to related Websites, you will come to understand why your electronic health record is so cumbersome to use, and where technology and regulations will take it in the coming years.

Screenshot of emrandehr.com

TweetMap Alpha

If you feel like indulging your inner epidemiologist, or you'd like to imagine what biosurveillance will look like in the near future, take some time to explore TweetMap Alpha. A collaboration of Harvard and MIT researchers, this Web service allows you to see who's talking on what, and where. Simply enter an item you want to track -- a symptom, disease, or even a celebrity name -- and you will see Twitter traffic plotted on the world map for the specified time period.

Screenshot of worldmap.harvard.edu/tweetmap

GomerBlog

Fans of The Onion will enjoy GomerBlog, a lampoon of the daily ins and outs of medicine. Some recent headlines:
Cardiologist Admits to Just Reading EKG Computer Interpretation for over 15 Years
New Ventilator Alarm to Play Top 40 Hits Instead of Eye-Gouging Beeps
Match Applicants Shocked to Find Med School Personal Statement was Legally Binding

Screenshot of gomerblog.com

Mark Reid, MD (Twitter)

Do you miss the booming voice of authority from your medical school days? If so, you will want to follow Dr. Mark Reid's Twitter account (or check out his less frequently updated Website, MedicalAxioms.com).

With its wisdom and constant exhortations to be compassionate, MedicalAxioms always seems to say something provocative or thoughtful:

"One reason doctors' kids turn out funny is that it's so hard to get their parents' attention. At least that's what my kid just told me."

"Bacteria are like cops. The good ones outnumber the bad ones many times over. But they get less press."

Screenshot of twitter.com/medicalaxioms