Clinician's Roundtable

What does pathological data tell us about vulnerable plaque and how can we detect it before it’s too late? Join internationally recognized cardio pathologist, Dr. Renu Virmani talking about what she has discovered in the path lab about patients who have died from plaque rupture. She discusses with Dr. Kaskel the variations in soft and hard plaque, the role of the vaso vasorum in disease and whether or not non-invasive techniques can lead to a diagnosis about plaque.

What is the one screening question you can ask your patient to identify if they have a drinking problem? What solutions can you offer as a general physician, outside of counseling programs to help your patient stop drinking? What pharmalogical options are on the market to help patients stop drinking? Do they work? Dr. Mark Willenbring, director of the Treatment and Recovery Research Division of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism talks with Dr. Larry Kaskel about the role a general physician can take in screening and treating patients who drink too much.

Given the pervasiveness of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in the United States, Dr. Mark Willenbring says, “we need to be intervening at a much earlier stage and providing treatment to a much broader range of people then we currently do.” Dr. Willenbring, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Division of Treatment and Recovery Research, joins host Dr. Larry Kaskel to talk about new information from epidemiologic research on the prevalence and progression of heavy drinking and alcohol use disorders. In addition, Dr. Willenbring discusses the subtypes of alcohol dependence, and the nature of AUDs, in the context of DSM revisions.

Understanding the unique stressors of growing up in today’s world is an important part of treating children and adolescents. One of the most challenging events that our children endure is the college application process. Competition for spots at top colleges is at an all-time high. How does this affect our children and their families? Author of Fat Envelope Frenzy, Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Dartmouth College, Joie Jager-Hyman joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt.

The time to first antibiotic dose in patients with community-acquired pneumonia is a core quality measure by which hospitals and physicians are evaluated. Might this time pressure have a negative effect on the accuracy of diagnosis of pneumonia? Dr. James Welker, the Director of the Franklin Square Clinical Research Center, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss his research in this area.

Dr. Leon Sloman has developed a new comprehensive evolutionary model of depression and anxiety which may prompt a radically new approach to psychotherapy. He joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss IDS – the involuntary defeat strategy.

Athletes, always looking for an edge, are experimenting with a litany of products touted as performance enhancers. What are our athletic patients sampling these days? Will these items give them the extra boost they crave? Dr. Christine Rosenbloom, professor of nutrition at the College of Health and Human Sciences at Georgia State University, breaks down the latest evidence on performance-enhancing nutritional supplements. Dr. Leslie Lundt hosts.

Some complications are so common that we overlook them. The lack of sleep in the ICU is a potent example. Host Dr. Leslie Lundt welcomes Dr. Randall Friese, Assistant Professor of Surgery at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and author of a recent study on sleep in the ICU.

How do the age of first sexual intercourse and the emotional aspects of that experience contribute to later adult sexual functioning? Dr. Lori Brotto joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss her research in this area.

Selenium functions as a dietary antioxidant and may play a role in many chronic diseases. When should we consider selenium augmentation? Dr. Maria Boosalis joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss this exciting new area of nutritional research.