Colin Kopes-Kerr, MD
6444 Timber Springs Drive
Santa Rosa CA 95409
E-mail: cpkerr@nni.com
Kopes-eticHealth.com:
A New Dawn for Health Care Information
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My two all time favorites appear on the next page, but here many of the best... Most Recent Update: 12/3/08
"I'd like
to thank you for the terrific information you are disseminating via your
e-newsletter. An attending of mine showed me an email of yours and I signed-up
soon after to receive it myself.
"This last newsletter seems to be even more disturbing. I
believe that this is the result of a many pressures. One of them you have
clearly defined and is well-known, drug companies. They make money when we
prescribe drugs. Two, patients expect to be given drugs. Three, we expect to
give drugs because we are doing "something" that can be counted, tabulated, and
measured (particularly for quality of care measurements). We are terribly
trained in medical school and residency concerning diet, exercise, and lifestyle
measures. I am embarrassed by my lack of knowledge and only have my
undergraduate degree in human nutrition to have any advantage on my colleagues.
So, as you mention, we are stuck. By trying to get our patients to follow
healthier lifestyles, we are not doing what we have been trained to do, what
we KNOW how to do best. For most of us, it is uncharted waters. It is scary
that we have spent all of this time learning how to do things that may actually
not be the best thing for our patients. Patients will begin to mistrust doctors
even more by us doing the right thing for them. We will have to spend so much
time saying that the drugs are not as effective or as safe as previously
thought. My question is when and how will this get better? When can we trust
journals and authors again? When will national organizations like NCEP and the
ADA abstain from industry contributions?
"I have a great book for you to take a look at; Food
Politics by Marion Nestle. It is a fantastic read and shows what we as
consumers of food are up against when trying to consume a healthy diet.
"Thank you for your commitment to our patients,"
MM Scottsdale AZ
"You were an iconoclast back in '88/'89 at Hershey Medical Centre, when I was in
the FP residency and you were my residency director, and an iconoclast you
remain!
"Colin, I have been a faithful subscriber to your newsletter
since '89. You just keep getting better. While I have been in full time
Emergency medicine practice since '89, I continue to find your articles thought
provoking, interesting and often challenging to my own moral and ethical
foundation. I often buy and read books that you review - I have already ordered
"Overdosed in America". "Trauma Stewardship" helped me to understand some of my
own emotions and feelings.
"I really just wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing your ideas
with the rest of us."
CF Hummelstown PA
"I couldn't
agree more with your recent issues about Big Pharma and also the JUPITER study.
Thanks in part to listening to you, I always look at total mortality when I hear
about these great break through studies - headlined in the newspaper. I noted
that the overall survival curves in the JUPITER study were converging at the end
of 2 years - maybe they may have even come together or crossed over if the study
had continued. That alone has cautioned me not to implement this strategy.
"I am a huge proponent of lifestyle changes as you are. In my
opinion, studies like the HALE project are landmark articles in our field. No
drug or surgical intervention can come close.
"On the other hand, I realize that many people have
difficulty making these lifestyle changes. I have heard you articulate elegantly
about the "poly pill" concept to lower overall mortality on a population basis.
How do you reconcile that approach (which calls for a statin as part of the Poly
pill) vs. being against using Crestor as in the JUPITER study. Is expense
the issue? (it is with me). I prefer lifestyle changes over the polypill
concept. Where do you stand? It might be worth a discussion in what of the
upcoming issues??
SF Cleveland OH
"I was meaning to say that it is great that
AAFP has you on its magazine [editorial board]...
"You stand for all that is good about medicine (AND PLEASE
show this letter to your colleagues as I want them to know this.)...You are a
very perceptive man; out of the ordinary. You have an instinct to look at fads
and decipher bullshit.
"There are good perceptive writers: Chesterton, Belloc,
Tolkien, etc., now we have Buchanan, Sobran, Charlie Rose, etc., Tom Fleming,
and in medicine we have Kopes-Kerr..."
DS, Natural Bridge NY
"Another great issue! I could almost picture myself doing this again, if I were to be well enough, or if I had to punch a clock somewhere. It was my style before, but this gives a 'style' a structure. Thank you."
JS, Willits CA
"I need to re-read this letter. It's fantastic. I wonder if something like this could be developed for the ED."
DT, Andover MA
"Finally, and for the first time, I started reading 'Medical Nemesis.' I am astonished how many insights I share with this writer of the 60s and 70s. He had gone into it deeper than I, and to the question on which I've been struggling (can the medical profession fix itself) he had found the answer (no). I'm grateful to you for recommending this book. I experience a kind of intellectual joy reading him. It is rare to be able to read something written in thoughtful and precise language. It seems inevitable, though scary, that I have to leave the system. I look more to poetry and less to medical journals, to provide me with answers."
OR, Portland OR
"Thanks for reminding us about trying to find happiness or fulfillment in this profession. You should totally check out re-evaluation counseling and the work of Harvey Jackins. I have a lot of opportunity to work on those early hurts and therby not running my chronic distress recordings at the world."
NN, NYC NY
"I always appreciate your willingness to tackle the big issues. Thanks. I sent the link to your latest around to all our faculty--and I hope it will provoke some discussion."
PG, NY, NY
"I want to express my deep gratitude to you for such a generous, thoughtful, thorough, interesting, kind, and meticulous article you wrote about Trauma Stewardship and its meaning to the healthcare fields. I cannot thank you enough for helping move this material and these invitations to do things differently out into the world. I am very moved by your dedication. I will look forward to our paths crossing in person one day.
LV, Seattle WA
"I've been dealing with this exact issue. How many people and how many times do I have to tell people bad news? What effect does it have on all of u s? I am reading the book."
DT, Andover MA
"Good stuff as always! I get fired up after
reading FP Revolution--it makes me wanta to
revolt!
"One comment about the 'journal'
Osteoporosis International, which is online, freely available, and
mysteriously pushed out to physicians (ever wonder how it came to your inbox?)
I'm pretty sure this is a totally pharma fronted publication. A fabricated
'journal' used to hawk their stuff. It's a new step in evolution, for which we
need more revolution: first is ghost written articles, then ghost written
supplements, and now a ghost written 'journal.' If you have some time sometime,
check out www.PharmedOut.org which
exposes this sort of stuff."
JS, Georgetown DC
"I have just had the pleasure to read this edition of "FP Revolution". I am offering you my solid thanks for your writing and whole hearted agreement. As a brand new FM intern in Madison, W, I will do my utmost to retain Family Medicine's respect and to move the field forward in a direction of honesty, integrity, and pursuit of truth. Thank you for your dedication and voice!"
MC, Madison WI
"Pretty invigorating. I like the idea, '...if it's not more important than the other 7-10prioriteis we struggle to accomplish, then don't bother us with it.'"
RF, Santa Rosa CA
"Again--fantastic job. (I think I wrote
you last month after I felt like cheering after reading your editorial re: Hep C
and what's wrong with academic medicine.
"Something I thought would be great to hear your perspective
on is with the move toward "Pay for Performance" and clinic and
individually-based "quality measures", what you might anticipate as a cost to
patient autonomy and decision-making.
"For example, a 60 year old uninsured woman declines a
mammogram (or HbA1C, or whatever), but physicians feel pressured to not just
document DISCUSSION of the issues, but to actually get the test done to help
their numbers.
"One of the measures that is tracked here in Wisconsin--and
actually posted publicly--is last blood pressure reading in diabetic patients.
No one cares about the big picture, patient wishes, side effects of meds--just
track the BP (or A1C or LDL). As we all know, these numbers don't track real
quality--they are just easy to find, so they become horrifically poor
substitutes for measuring real quality, however defined.
"I'd be interested in your perspective on this, or seeing you
write about it..."
"All the best,"
KO, U Wisc WI
"I’m so glad you appropriately skewered this study. It had me fuming when I read it a few weeks ago, but you did a better job with your critique than I possibly could have. I’m not sure if the publication of this study in a (until now, perhaps) well-regarded family medicine journal better illustrates 1) lax peer review / editorial standards or 2) the poor quality of other research being done by FPs that could and should have pushed this sorry study into the “reject” pile. Kudos on your call for improved, industry-free, primary care relevant scholarship."
KL, Bethesda MD
"You are fantastic!! I read this and smiled and wanted to cheer!!
Keep it up!!!"
KO, Portland, OR
"Just read it... loved it. And needed it after spending a day at the homeless clinic so frustrated with our system. Thanks. :-)
SB (a resident) Santa Rosa CA
"A particularly inspiring one! Very good! If you can easily lay your hands on the references for the relationship importance, please forward them or the entire article. Thanks."
RA, Santa Rosa CA
"I think you hit a home run with FP
Revolution Volume 2 Number 10 May 5, 2008 'What’s Wrong Medicine (in the
U.S.)?'"
EM, Marietta OH
"I read your e-newsletter with interest,
and it is first-rate work. Congratulations. I am a doctor, an E.D.
physician, and a former editor of periodicals. Mostly, I just want to say thank
you for carrying this torch. I have been a relentless but constructive critic of
the American system since my undergrad days at Stanford, and its often been a
lonely soliloquy about "How To Do The Right Thing".
"One comment I have to offer (by way of unsolicited advice)
is that the current article is way too long. I would suggest breaking up
monumental pieces like this one into smaller units that can be sent out over a
period of days or weeks. When an article is extremely lengthy you run the risk
of the reader dropping out of the read part-way through. As a one-time newspaper
editor, I know there is no easy solution to the problem of
length...but my reaction was that the article was unmanageably
long." [Editor's comment: True enough.]
"Keep up the great work. There are many of us out there
trying to do "The Right Thing", and change is a ' comin', yes it is."
MG Boulder CO
"I wanted to let you know that I thought you newsletter this
week was especially excellent."
Andrew Rich, CEO, MakingCarePrimary.com Minneapolis, MN
"Thank you so much for your insights. one of the best pieces
I've read all year. and please keep your 'beacon in the fog' alight and burning
with a passion for doing the right thing. Our profession and our country need it
more than they care to admit."
KB, Santa Rosa CA
"Well, this is the best thing you have ever done; I can't
imagine you would not get some fireworks from the status quo who are killing
us."
RG, Rocklin CA
"Not only did I read it, I sent it to just about everyone I know (who really cares). It gives me great pleasure to have had a small part in helping to inspire your commentary and absolutely fantastic proposal for reform. Keep up the great work. As I have said before, it often is the only thing that reminds me that I am not alone."
GH, Hershey PA
To Read What They're Talking About Above -- Click Here.
"What an issue! I hadn't found the time to
read the last few issues . . . (lots else going on) - but was drawn to this
one. I agree with your piece on "A Duty to Serve?"-
and you have guts for the forthright way you addressed this . . . . (the
officials probably coming after you first is a pandemic strikes) - ... [I]t
does sound a bit much to make it a crime if one doesn't risk one's life to serve
in something potentially futile and also neglect other personal
responsibilities one might have like caring for one's children in the face of a
pandemic . . . . but then again our President sends our young men and
women into futile combat- killing thousands and maiming physically 10 X that
number, and psychologically maiming most of the rest at a price that is
literally breaking our country so there is no money left at home to protect
ourselves or care for our own ill - so what is this potential legislation
surprising . . . . . a SAD story, but I better stop . . . .
"And my eye was caught with your article on cancer screening.
You make some excellent points. I for one have become highly comfortable in
asking patients what they want, and then accepting their answers as long as I'm
comfortable their decision was made with informed consent. One can question the
overall benefit of all of the cancer screening measures weighed against cost,
risk of false positives and worry induced in patients who are not specially
predisposed to developing a certain kind of cancer (i.e., negative family
history). And lifestyle intervention I agree is by
far (hands down) the most important preventive measure one can institute-
yet our population gets heavier and heavier and more sedentary every day . . . .
"I'm glad I dance! Me & my partner love this activity we
share 3-4 times each week with each other.
"Take care- and you have courage to match your smarts."
Editor's Comment: To this I say, "Dance on!"
To Read What He's Talking about -- Click here.
KG, Gainesville FL
"Great newsletter, as usual, but special kudos for the hypertension segment and highlighting the need for policy change to really impact this issue."
MM, Santa Rosa CA
"Congratulations. This [3/28/08 issue] is truly a masterpiece.
I have never seen the situation so accurately and concisely described. For what
its worth, I could not agree with you more on every point. Just another quick
thought. It continues to gall me that our professional organizations that
supposedly represent our interests continue to perpetuate the system to our
patient's (most importantly) and our detriment. They continue to get in bed with
big pharma and grovel at the feet of the legislators and insurance companies to
fight over the ever decreasing crumbs that are condescendingly thrown our way.
They then brag (and ask for yet more money to perpetuate themselves and the
system) about how much they've done. They need to walk away from it all and quit
the crap of "fighting the cuts etc". We need to let these things happen and
happen as soon as possible. As you have so eloquently stated, nothing will
happen until the system collapses and its time to let it unravel. Each day it
goes on the profiteers suck more and more out and deprive our population of
basic care. Several years ago big business saw that this was putting them at a
disadvantage and something seemed like to might happen. However, they were
permitted to move their operations overseas (where healthcare is provided for
workers) and leave the American worker to twirl in the wind with low paying
service jobs and crappy, expensive or no healthcare. And the rich get richer.
Keep up the good work..."
GH, Hershey PA
"I just checked out your news letter. I will pass it on. Thank you again for your insight, honesty, and wisdom in caring a truthful heart. The students and Doctors working with you are lucky and blessed, may your seeds of wisdom, that you share with others sprout with in each person you share it with, helping to open doors, minds, making it better more harmonious world."
JE, Santa Rosa CA
"When reading your newsletters I find myself shouting out loud, "yeah!", "you tell 'em!", "right on!". I'm proud to say that I was a resident under you, and I'm hoping there will be more chance to learn from you in the future. Take care,"
JP, Santa Rosa CA
"I am
absolutely thrilled to have met you at the STFM in Pittsburgh. It has
to rank as one of the most fruitful networkings of my past year in
academia. I have forwarded your newsletter and outlook to colleagues at U.
Mass. They are thrilled to sign on for their own copies.
"...This is what strikes me so hard and stops me in my
tracks befuddled. I have always taken it as obvious that the best of medicine,
like so many other worthwhile pursuits, should be based in social justice.
Almost all physicians, though, are oblivious to this and seem to hold no such
idea as self-evident or true.
So I find myself outside of the mainstream medical culture trying to understand
how to effect change in it. Toes are usually a pleasure, though I too must admit
that there are some homeless fellows whose trench foot took my breath away and
nearly my consciousness too.
"Thank you for your advocacy of good causes. I hope that you
get kind supportive feedback from everyone."
"...Regarding the DVT prophylaxis (and many other
associated discussions you've raised), I do find myself up against a wall of
resistance that I can't break down. Specifically, I can ignore and I do
ignore the insurance 'quality' measures that punish me in the longer term for
caring for my patients first and doubting their reliance on poor screening
tests, HgbA1c measures and others.
"In my work in hospital, however, I am a hospital-employed
hospitalist and have no leeway - all the discussion in the world won't change
the immediate pressure to meet all 'quality' measures including DVT
prophylaxis. If I don't, there will be no shifts offered me to continue working
in the hospitalist setting. Then patients are deprived of another good doctor.
"I would guess one could educate the patient and have them
decline said tests or treatments. But then my care will come up as an outlier
and at some point powers that be will ask - "well, what exactly are you
telling your patients... that they keep refusing care they 'need' ?
"Ideas? Suggestions? I'd love to hear from you."
ST, Shellburne Falls, MA
[COMMENT: Isn't it outrageous that doctors are not allowed to vote their conscience in the face of non-evidence-based, industry sponsored guidelines? Only the good doctors really know how Semmelweiss felt.]
"Happy Birthday, Colin. You have become my medical conscience."
IW, January 31, 2008
"Keep cooking up great advice. Thanks for all you do for primary care. Happy Birthday!"
DJ, January 31, 2008
"Hope all finds you well for the new year. I continue to appreciate and am amazed at the amount of material that you continue to provide that is so worthwhile on a daily basis, that I try and incorporate into my practice. With that premise, I’m hoping to return the favor by providing you with a web site that I read about and have found to be extremely helpful. I would think your readership would also find this site useful. It is www.fingertipformulary.com. Let me know what you think if you haven’t already used this before. I’ll keep trying to use your wise words of wisdom in my efforts to be a good family doc."
PB, Pittsburgh PA
" Hats off for another terrific edition of FP Revolution. You nailed so many of my frustrations concerns and questions with revealing literature and opinions. Most direct to my heart was your piece on the quality improvement movement. Of course it also gets caught up by all sorts of "quality" evaluations for determining whether or not we are "bad doctors". By the way, nothing has changed in that regard here at Hershey. Just a few other examples in that regard are repeated bone density scans in osteoporosis (great if you own a Dexa scanner) or determinations of microalbuminuria-especially repeated ones. I could go on. Oh yes and the very elderly-I won't get going on that because you did us another great service. It is so reassuring to have someone validate my (our) thinking. Some of the least critical and evidence based thinking is manifest in academic medical centers."
GH, Hershey PA
"One of my colleagues sent out a mass email forwarding one of your newsletters to me. You are amazing—and you must be hypomanic to be so well-read and prolific!! Who are you and what’s the story behind your site? I love, love, love it—please keep up the great work. Finally, it’d be great if the old newsletters were in a more printer-friendly format and if you could browse the content when looking through them rather than just seeing dates. But—you’re fantastic—keep up the good work!!"
KO, U Wisc Sch of Med
"Believe it or not, I enjoyed this article. Don't get soft on us, but every once in a while good advice makes for good medicine."
GK, Stony Brook NY
"For years I have enjoyed being educated and entertained by your refreshing approach to CME. Recently I came accross your "Steps to Health" universal health education tool which is excellent, but one element baffles me. Why is the avoidance of dairy products so important in the Mediterranean diet? It seems that they provide calcium, vitamin D and protein which are needed by those who eschew meats as part of their healthy diet. Please advise and keep up the good work!"
TD, Dansville NY
"Just a note to reiterate my gratitude for you newsletter. Your way of looking at western culture through Oslerian eyes has made these last years of my practice exciting and hopeful. I was musing with my wife (who also receives your newsletter) this morning, and it occurred to me that what you write and how you view the world is more about 'soul' than anything else. I think of 'soul' as defining that movement through life where we are aware of the 'right behavior' that spiritual seekers from every corner of the earth finally arrive at and agree upon. It is so lovely once you arrive, but so arduous getting there. And of course, it is the latter that is our 'practice,' the ever winding road of medical practice. Thanks for being a good guide on this journey."
MKG, Ashland OR
"As usual fantastic job. Keep it coming. Only sorry that I can't take the computer to the breakfast table (or wherever else one might take it to read-yeah I could print it out). Your commentary on Cervical cancer was right on target as far as i am concerned. Overtest, overtreat etc..."
GH, Hershey PA
"Great issue! Practical, concise, well written. Thanks."
EM, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
"These
articles are, as before, great! The tension in the questions that you raise, and
your scholarly
approach make medicine fun again. I'll share them and if you come up with a
figure for all this great work,
bill me. Thanks." (1/16/07)
MG, Ashland OR
"I was very sorry to get your letter announcing the end of Action Advisor. I have not only found it useful over the years during which I subscribed to it; I also found it enjoyable. I have appreciated the way you reviewed the literature and synopsized it for those of us who didn't have the time or diligence to do it ourselves. Beyond that, I liked the fact that you expressed opinions about the validity and usefulness of the info presented. There is no lack of information out there, but it is a challenge to figure out what is actually worthwhile. I will look forward to getting your e-updates."
PB, Portland OR
"Your site is great. Useful for patients and physicians alike!"
KJ (Email:12/24/06)
"Dear Dr. Colin – looking forward to your weekly E-zine. I always benefit from your incisive and informed summation of the literature, with your practical and reality based bottom lines."
LW, Columbus GA
"Please sign me up for your email publication. I want to personally thank you for the information you have disseminated and the time you put into your Practical Medicine Letter . There are very few sources of practical nuts and bolts information for the family practitioner in this day and age of expensive specialty care and your newsletter has been a welcome tool to use in my practice. Hope you are able to continue to do what you so obviously enjoy in the future in some other capacity."
JT, Mt Laurel NJ
"What happened to you and your wonderful newsletter? It was a wonderful part of my medical life."
MKG, Ashland OR
"Your newsletter was often a breath of
fresh air in my office and it has changed my practice of medicine more than any
other medical source. I look forward to your FP
Revolution with keen anticipation."
SB, Allentown PA
"Your scope of reading and commentary have been very helpful
to me, as you 'tell it like it is,' often months ahead of other
commentators/observers.
"I would be honored to remain on your 'mailing list' for the
new E-zine, "FP Revolution."
DS, Houghton Lake MI
"KEEP FIGHTING THE FIGHT"
JK, Kingwood WV
"As usual, you present an issue well and make a practical point...As always, your points are well made and scientifically backed up. I came to love the "punchiness" of the ACTION ADVISOR, with the backup there if you chose to read it."
DS, Houghton
Lake, MI
"I have been getting both the FPN and the Action
Advisor for Primary Care. I love them both. Yes, I want to get 'FP
Revolution'.
TH, Proctorville OH
"I am sorry that you will no longer provide this [FPN
& Action Advisor] service and most importantly a focused and real
medicine based knowledge. I've enjoyed sharing some of your life, personality,
etc., which has been special."
JD, Kelseyville CA
"I'm curious with all the wonderful advice and comments that
you make in your FPN and Action Advisor, have you had a great impact on the way
medicine is done at your hospital both by the FP that you have in your program
and the medical staff itself? ...
"I feel like I just got a “Dear John Letter” when I read your
letter letting me know that your Newsletter and Action Advisor is ending. I
really looked forward to getting these newsletters, and actually tried to
practice as much as I could based on the info they provided. I am glad that you
will still be available in an electronic form and look forward to getting these
emails (one of the few emails I will actually look forward to getting and
reading). Sign me up as a life time subscriber if possible."
PB, Grove City PA
"I don't know if any of you know of this man, his work, but I
think he's fascinating, helpful and ALWAYS provocative. He was the FM residency
director at Stony Brook when I was
there. He scours the literature for the latest on evidence-based decision making
and boils it down, weighs and sifts it..."
JG, Stony Brook NY
"...loyal subscriber for most of those 20 years. I've enjoyed
your humor and relied on your advice and analysis."
JS, Baltimore MD
"I am a family physician who has taken your newsletter for
most of my professional career of 32 years and has thoroughly enjoyed it.
You're one of the few physicians that can apply common sense to the literature
and complex topics to come up with useful answers for busy primary care
physicians. I've never seen anything similar and hope your not considering
retiring anytime soon...As a long time reader of Family Practice Newsletter, I'm
saddened to see it end. Sign me up. Keep plugging for us old buggers!"
DS, Palm Desert
CA
"I loved your newsletter and found it a very concise source.
Keep up the good work. Your newsletter is a great find for us docs in the
trenches of primary care. I am a busy solo practitioner and used it a a great
review of journals."
JB, Belvidere NJ
"I have read and benefited from your wonderful newsletters
since meeting you during my FP residency at ECU. I have passed along several
issues to colleagues over the years. I have almost always found something in the
letter which I could put to use with patients or something that backed up what I
suspected all along about medical dogma that you revealed to be essentially
without merit."
"Thanks for all you do.
"By all means, sign me up for FP
Revolution."
TW, Asheboro NC
"Thank you, I will look forward to your e-zine, especially
since I have been called back to active duty in the Army - it will keep me
connected to the US side of Family Practice."
AJK, Stuttgart Germany
"I would definitely want to be included in your venture. All
Stony Brook residents look forward to your musings and evidence based reviews."
SS, Stony Brook NY
"I have always enjoyed your newsletter, both in terms of the
content and your perspective."
ME, Worcester MA
"Sorry to hear of the passing of the news letter but am
thankful to hear of your willingness to continue providing your opinions and
analyses. Please sign me up for the e-mails."
JH, Kirksville MO
"I was saddened to hear of the 'demise' of the Action Advisor
and wanted to write a thank you for your enlightening commentary and perspective
on the medical literature. I'm hoping your
e-zine will be like the phoenix rising from the ashes, so to speak."
SNL, McKees Rocks, PA
"Very sorry to hear of the end of your publications. Honestly, I don't know
how you did it as long as you did. Yours was a refreshing critical yet objective
voice in the cacophony of sometimes ridiculous, often inappropriate and
unjustified, 'guidance and advice' that those of us practicing medicine today
receive.
"Please sign me up for FP Revolution."
GFH, Hershey PA
"I have always valued your insights and perspectives. Thank
you for your work."
DM, New Rochelle NY
"Your publications have always been a joy to read and a great
help in improving the quality of my practice and those that I work with. I often
feel like a lone wolf in the wilderness, but reading the FPN and AD reassured me
that I was not totally alone, but now it seems that we are a vanishing breed."
PS, Louisburg NC
"Please sign me up and thanks for years of insightful, provocative commentary"
DS, Solon OH
"Thank you for...
"1) Sending your CHADS2 article and
the original JAMA article.
"2) Your practical distillation of
the JAMA article in a manner that is useful for clinical practice.
"3) Sending your article in RTF which
allowed me to copy it and keep in in the "Pearls" section of my Palm. This
allows me to have the information to share with patients at the point of care.
"4) Making your index and back issues
available with Adobe Reader and as a download instead of the old CD. It worked
flawlessly with my Mac OS 10.3.6 and Adobe Reader 6.0.
"5) For FPN...
"Good luck with your new endeavor. Thank you for all the
information over the years."
EM, Marietta OH
"I was sorry to read you're stopping the newsletters, which
have been an incredible synthesis of information for me and for the house staff
at BI (NY). Then I saw this 'e-zine' and I was relieved!"
"Thanks for all your great work."
JC, New York NY
"Thank you for your perspective and good work...As a long
time subscriber and supporter of your approach to data driven health care, I was
saddened to hear of the demise of FPN. However, on-line educational tools
certainly do seem to be the future. Being able (as with Epocrates) to
continually up-date information as it is discovered, certainly carries risks,
but is also quite empowering.
"I commend you for your stances and your fortitude."
MW, Point Reyes Station CA
"I will miss your thought-provoking reviews and discussions.
Will definitely want to continue to see what you are reading and thinking about
in FP Revolution."
RK, Cleveland OH
"Thanks for all your input and expertise of the last several
years. You seem like a trusted colleague, though we have not met."
RDB, Joseph OR
"I was saddened to hear that your newsletters will be
discontinued. I enjoyed your style and the practical content of your
newsletters."
MK, Clovis CA
"I was so sorry to get the letter about the dissolution of
the Family Practice Newsletter and The Action Advisor. I actually
looked forward to doing CME. You were informative and kept it interesting and
cutting edge-thanks for the work that you did and I'd like to try "FP
Revolution" so please sign me up."
LC, Mifflin PA
"Thanks for continuing your efforts after the demise of the
printed newsletter. I find your columns refreshing and invigorating and would
hate to lose that in this challenging and frustrating time in the practice of
medicine."
BK, Camden ME
"I have subscribed to, and enjoyed The Family Practice
Newsletter for years. I find myself 'philosophically' in sync with you. But
I am curious about your practice. I do not understand how you can be so familiar
with so many subjects, and claim to have seen so many patients with so many
diseases....And if you have as busy a practice as your newsletter suggests, how
do you have time for the newsletter? I do not mean to sound critical. I must
admit I am a bit jealous, or, should I say, in admiration...
"Of course I am interested in continuing to receive
clinical information of the "Kopes-Kerr variety",
so please sign me up
JH, Elk Grove CA
"Thanks for your wonderful set of publications; they
are enormously helpful in the practical delivery of medical care...
Although it's great to hear you'll be plugging along on-line,
not having a pile of FPN's and AA's to go through next to my bed
will be a distinct disappointment....If you ever resume a print publication,
I'll be an immediate subscriber. In the meantime, please do sign me up for the
FP Revolution.
DJ, Eden Prairie MN
"I am sorry that your newsletter will stop...on the other
hand I look forward to more insight in the FP
Revolution."
DL, Camp Hill PA
"Yes, please sign me up. Your approach to continuing medical
education for the busy family doc is too good to pass up. Thanks for your
efforts."
TD, Dansville NY
"Looking forward to continue to hear your thoughts and
analysis of issues in FM!"
MR, Clearwater FL
"I could not help but smile. I let my colleagues know your
comments about Vioxx as soon as I read it and 2 days later its national
news. Pretty astute timing for your article in the last Action Advisor...
"I am saddened to see your newsletters die. Hope to see a
phoenix rising in some new incarnation of your newsletters as they were always a
breath of a fresh perspective."
CL, San Diego CA
"Thanks for all your work. Your publication and comments
have helped shape my practice and my medical student teaching for years, to the
benefit of both, and most importantly also to the patients."
GN, Monticello MN
"Thanks for the years of enlightenment."
TM, Pasadena TX
"I always enjoy your newsletters and advisor. Sorry to hear
of your troubles, but am glad you will still be sending out the delightful info
you do. Thanks."
WC, San Diego CA
"I just got your note regarding collapse of your newsletter
biz. I'm really sorry to hear about this, though not totally surprised. I know
how brutal it is out there. Not specifically for med publishing, but in general
for small time operators. Yours and the Rick and Jerry show have been my only
CE stuff for years. I always, ALWAYS appreciate your scan and take on things.
I'll miss your newsletter and would love to get whatever you continue to
generate (and would happily contribute to the cause."
JS, Willits CA
"What an interesting turn of events. I have so much
appreciated the practical straight-shooting style of your newsletters. Thanks
for your commitment to the profession!"
DC, Norfolk VA
"I am sorry to know about the recent
change. It was a very condensed and to the point letter..."
HSS, Stockton CA
"I just received your letter announcing the end of your publication. It really burns me out to hear this, as I've enjoyed your writing for quite some time, and like to think that I may be a little better clinician on account of that. I will look forward to 'FP Revolution.'
MD, Napoleon OH
"...I am a new subscriber but I have
found it quite
thought-provoking."
SF, Cleveland OH
"Firstly, thanks for a couple of great newsletters. I've been
going through quite a few accumulated FPN's and AA's recently, and
love them.
"Secondly, thanks very much for allowing us to access all the
old issues!"
"Third, thanks for allowing us to request info on specific
topics."
DJ, Cleveland OH
"I just read your article in the Action Advisor about
how most conclusions of studies are wrong because multiple hypotheses are always
at play. For me this was one of those highly precious jewels that you have out a
couple of times a year, an idea that could revolutionize the thinking of someone
who understands it."
OR, Portland OR
"Just a quick note to let you know I appreciated reading your
tip regarding preparing for the next pandemic. Although it is a frightening
subject, you present a clear picture of our unfortunate realities. My suggestion
is that you submit this article as an op-ed to the newspaper or newspapers of
your choice. In addition to your many other talents, you are a gifted writer
with an important message."
TC, Setauket NY
"I enjoy and benefit from reading 'The Family Practice
Newsletter'."
CM, Buckhannon WV
"Have enjoyed the FPN for many years as an informative way to
get evidence-based knowledge and CME's at the same time."
RA, Mission Viejo
CA
"Thank you for keeping me on the Action Advisor list,
I am glad to see it is still running."
GK, Stony Brook NY
"I think Sarah brought a copy of the AA into the
office and I realized how much I missed it! I'd like to sign up, please..."
"I just got my first edition in the mail! What a delightful
dose of skepticism. I thought the update on OM was great in light of JFP
reiterating the high dose regime as first line. I'm going to paste the strep
article on my nursing station."
LL, Allentown PA
"Kudos on the FP Revolution. I’ll look forward to following the issues as they come on line. However, I will miss greatly sitting in front of the fire with a hot cup of tea or cocoa and reviewing the FP Newsletter and the Action Advisor. Nevertheless, the times are changing and I will simply print off the issue and not keep my face in the monitor screen…..I prefer to keep the computer out of the exam room. I do appreciate all your efforts. I will miss the cme.
RDB, Joseph OR
"Over the years I have stopped reading The Medical Letter,
Journal Watch from NEJM, and the Clinical Alert Series from
Atlanta. But I did read them for periods of 5-10 years. I highly recommend
Colin Kopes-Kerr Family
Practice Newsletter and especially his Primary Care Action Advisor."
WMR, Memphis TN
"Hi Dr. Kopes-Kerr: I would like to take this opportunity to
let you know how much I enjoy and look forward to receiving your newsletters, I
believe I've been a subscriber since 1998. I also would like you to know that I
am very interested in the on line access to the database. Thanks for making this
possible..."
AB, Staten Island NY
"What a great "extra added value" to an already excellent
service!!...I continue to find your newsletter the most valuable, practical tool
I receive..."
IGW, North Palm Beach FL
"Thank you and Happy Holidays to you, too! A PDF database of
your excellent publication, the best present yet!"
LH, Arcadia CA
"Thank you for the files... the Polypill presentation
is awesome!!! I will work on this for the next few months!"
RM, Hartford CT
"It hit me while reviewing your manuscript that your greatest
contribution to family medicine education is your vision to teach residents to
question specialists on the basis of well researched, thoughtful,
evidenced-based data in matters having to do with primary patient care. We have
all been raised to believe that the specialist automatically knows more, is
better versed on a given topic, and thus speaks 'ex cathedra'. Not to follow his
guidelines is a form of heresy. Your diabetes review is an excellent example of
this point.
"Your gift has been to give family practice residents
permission to disagree with specialists if their recommendations do not coincide
with the patient's best interests from the primary care physician's point of
view.
I salute you for this"
GS, Palmyra PA
"Just wanted to say I really appreciated your newsletter...I
subscribed for several years."
BP, Naperville IL
"Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for your very
helpful and prescient approach to primary care. Your skepticism and care with
respect to all the pseudo-science passing for 'new breakthroughs', especially
in the area of screening and preventive care, is refreshing and reassuring, to
say the least."
MW, Petaluma CA
"How is one of the world's finest medical educators?
"I have a quick question: Can you tell me which edition
contains your comments on an article that demonstrated how (basically) worthless
our cardiac auscultation skills are?
Thanks! Keep up the good work!"
CK, Broken Arrow OK
"Thanks again for your newsletter. This appears to be the
year the rubber really hits the road cost-wise in the Detroit area. The car
companies think highly of HMOs, which sell a package of goods and services that
no primary care doctor can implement under the given budget. The HMOs say they
can't limit any coverage on the plan level because of the UAW, then just throw
it on us to make it work somehow. I need the reviews that show what doesn't work
and what isn't needed so I can limit some interventions without causing harm."
NS, Maybee MI
"I couldn't agree more with your assessment! The difference,
perhaps is that you and I are thinking as "family physicians" with patient
foremost in mind. Not everyone does...
"...Ganglions- THANKS so much for this! It supports what I
wondered about and wanted to do!
"Take care- and keep up the good job you do with FP
Newsletter."
KG, Gainesville FL
"Thanks a million!!!! You still have one of the best
Family Practice reviews in existence and I hope that it can keep going. I
want to stay involved, so anything new, - just let me know."
FB, St Paul MN
"Thank
you for all you do for family physicians."
KW, Clovis CA
"I am a subscriber and fairly regular reader of the Family
Practice Newsletter, which I find to be quite a helpful publication."
JM, Merrill WI
"You're still missed @LVFHC & I'm going through Action
Advisor & FPN withdrawal."
JB, Allentown PA
"I'm sorry to see FPN go. I've found it valuable as well as enjoyable. I expect no less from FP Revolution."
GS, Drexel Hill PA
Start Your Own Subscription to FP Revolution e-zine.
(Just click on the link below.)
[This screen shot is from our old web site for the Family Practice Newsletter and the Action Advisor for Primary Care]
