Back in the 1980's, we started hearing about all the new ways to get a tan. I believe at that time we were discussing the "Big Hole in the Ozone Layer" and how the UV rays were coming through our skin like wildfire. That's why a lot of people started to use spry-on tans. That seems like forever ago, but there is always someone out there trying to put the "fear factor" into society's mind.



Prepare yourself to feel bad medicals. Doctors enter medicine with the hope of making patients feel better. However, when delivering bad news, that's not what happens. No matter how people feel before I give them bad news, afterward they always feel worse. If I don't recognize this as normal, that working hard to make people feel good about bad news is not only counterproductive to the grieving process but potentially deleterious for our doctor-patient relationship, in the long run I'll add to my patients' pain rather than diminish it.

Taking the time to laugh at life is another natural stress reliever. Just like when you exercise, when you laugh your brain releases endorphins. These endorphins help medicals fake to promote a sense of well-being. Try to see the humor in life on a daily basis. This can be accomplished by adding funny stickers to your surroundings. Placing funny stickers around your home, car and workplace or anywhere appropriate will help remind you to laugh. Funny stickers can be used on several different locations throughout your home and office. For instance, if you find a funny sticker that really puts a smile on your face, stick it in your desk drawer at work. Then whenever, you are having a bad day at work, you need only to open your desk drawer to bring a smile to your face.

I felt like I just existed through much of 1996. I really have few memories of that year, and the few I do have are medicals bad and fake ones. An aunt died in an accident and my brother almost died in an apartment fire.

Express your commitment of support. I always make a point to say to every person to whom I deliver bad news, "I will not abandon you." I am continually amazed at the level of relief this provides. Just knowing there is someone in a position of confidence and authority who genuinely cares about what happens to them, who can explain the things that occur during the course of their illness and simply be available to them, is enormously relieving to most people. I also add, if it applies, "I will not let you suffer." Adequate training in pain relief is woefully sparse in most medical schools and residency programs, but the technology exists to mitigate, if not completely control, the pain of most (though not all) illnesses.

Designate a particular staff member to take care of patient needs in the reception. In most hospitals and clinics, the receptionist has to take care of the telephone calls, scheduling the doctor's activity, filling out forms, and meeting incoming patients.

When you consider doing any sort of business online, look over this list and see if the appeal sounds like one or more of these scams. If so, check it out carefully before sending money.