Second Opinion LIVE!

Listen as Second Opinion Live speaks with guest Dr. Michael Barratt — physician, astronaut, and the man who literally wrote the book on space medicine. Dr. Barratt returned to Earth in October, 2009, after 200 days on board the International Space Station. Plus, hosts Dr. Matt Birnholz and Dr. Michael Greenberg debate the latest mammogram guidelines, whether heart disease is the real "Curse of the Mummy," and more.

Listen as Second Opinion Live speaks with guest Dr. Michael Barratt — physician, astronaut, and the man who literally wrote the book on space medicine. Dr. Barratt returned to Earth in October, 2009, after 200 days on board the International Space Station. Plus, hosts Dr. Matt Birnholz and Dr. Michael Greenberg debate the latest mammogram guidelines, whether heart disease is the real "Curse of the Mummy," and more.

Dr. Lisa Sanders writes the monthly "Diagnosis" column for the New York Times Magazine, which became the inspiration for the television show "House, M.D." But her first love is still teaching about clinical reasoning and diagnostic errors. Her new book, Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis, is about embracing the role of detective as a physician. They discuss patient stories — how to encourage them, how to listen, and what we can learn from them.

Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Birnholz also look at a new study suggesting that taking family history as part of the standard patient work-up may not improve clinical decision-making. And, can we kill cancer cells with curry?

Dr. Lisa Sanders writes the monthly "Diagnosis" column for the New York Times Magazine, which became the inspiration for the television show "House, M.D." But her first love is still teaching about clinical reasoning and diagnostic errors. Her new book, Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis, is about embracing the role of detective as a physician. They discuss patient stories — how to encourage them, how to listen, and what we can learn from them.

Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Birnholz also look at a new study suggesting that taking family history as part of the standard patient work-up may not improve clinical decision-making. And, can we kill cancer cells with curry?

Medical practices across the country are dealing with financial pressures, the likes of which we haven't seen before. It has put a premium on our ability to maximize efficiency while still maintaining the standard of patient care. In many cases, revenues are down, as some patients are forced to adjust to the current economic environment. Those patients who do come in may not be able to pay as quickly as they have in the past, and as a result, you may be planning to put off capital improvements or a new auxillary service until another time. Karen Zupko, president of the national firm Karen Zupko & Associates, answers your practice management questions and speaks with hosts Dr. Michael Greenberg and Dr. Matt Birnholz about a range of current business issues in medicine.

Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Birnholz also riff on an intriguing new British study of innovative ways to improve hand washing rates; they challenge you to reconsider your views on organ donation and pursue a lively debate on the need for science and medicine to add a little style to its substance.

Medical practices across the country are dealing with financial pressures, the likes of which we haven't seen before. It has put a premium on our ability to maximize efficiency while still maintaining the standard of patient care. In many cases, revenues are down, as some patients are forced to adjust to the current economic environment. Those patients who do come in may not be able to pay as quickly as they have in the past, and as a result, you may be planning to put off capital improvements or a new auxillary service until another time. Karen Zupko, president of the national firm Karen Zupko & Associates, answers your practice management questions and speaks with hosts Dr. Michael Greenberg and Dr. Matt Birnholz about a range of current business issues in medicine.

Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Birnholz also riff on an intriguing new British study of innovative ways to improve hand washing rates; they challenge you to reconsider your views on organ donation and pursue a lively debate on the need for science and medicine to add a little style to its substance.

The need for quality medical care outstrips the capacity of local providers in many cities and towns across the United States. Remote Area Medical (RAM) is one organization working to meet this demand, recruiting volunteers in medicine, dentistry, optometry and beyond to donate their time and energy by participating in coordinated free health care events. At a major health camp in Los Angeles in August, over 15,000 people turned out to receive care, but RAM was only able to provide services to less than half of the people who showed up. The problem? In California, as in nearly every other state, state laws prohibit physicians and other care providers from coming across state lines to secure a temporary medical license to participate in these health camps. With the leadership of founder Stan Brock, RAM is working hard to loosen these restrictions and provide an opportunity for altruistic practitioners to lend a hand. Mr. Brock details these efforts and explains what you can do to help in a conversation with hosts Dr. Michael Greenberg and Dr. Matthew Birnholz.

Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Birnholz assess the back-and-forth over the most recent HIV vaccine trial, and give you their reaction to a new …

The need for quality medical care outstrips the capacity of local providers in many cities and towns across the United States. Remote Area Medical (RAM) is one organization working to meet this demand, recruiting volunteers in medicine, dentistry, optometry and beyond to donate their time and energy by participating in coordinated free health care events. At a major health camp in Los Angeles in August, over 15,000 people turned out to receive care, but RAM was only able to provide services to less than half of the people who showed up. The problem? In California, as in nearly every other state, state laws prohibit physicians and other care providers from coming across state lines to secure a temporary medical license to participate in these health camps. With the leadership of founder Stan Brock, RAM is working hard to loosen these restrictions and provide an opportunity for altruistic practitioners to lend a hand. Mr. Brock details these efforts and explains what you can do to help in a conversation with hosts Dr. Michael Greenberg and Dr. Matthew Birnholz.

Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Birnholz assess the back-and-forth over the most recent HIV vaccine trial, and give you their reaction to a new …

We are moving closer to the height of what many feel will be an extraordinarily busy flu season, with H1N1 and the seasonal flu both central parts of the discussion. We don't know exactly how serious H1N1 will be, but we do know that it's here, that many more people could get sick, and that we have to be prepared to deal with it. Hosts Dr. Michael Greenberg and Dr. Matt Birnholz speak with Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association and a professor of preventive medicine and internal medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Dr. Birnholz and Dr. Greenberg will also give you their take on an amusing recitation of the health reform bill in the House known as HR 3200. They will also play back the winning entry in an entertaining yet informative contest to create a public service announcement on H1N1, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You won't want to miss it!

We are moving closer to the height of what many feel will be an extraordinarily busy flu season, with H1N1 and the seasonal flu both central parts of the discussion. We don't know exactly how serious H1N1 will be, but we do know that it's here, that many more people could get sick, and that we have to be prepared to deal with it. Hosts Dr. Michael Greenberg and Dr. Matt Birnholz speak with Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association and a professor of preventive medicine and internal medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Dr. Birnholz and Dr. Greenberg will also give you their take on an amusing recitation of the health reform bill in the House known as HR 3200. They will also play back the winning entry in an entertaining yet informative contest to create a public service announcement on H1N1, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You won't want to miss it!