Real Physicians = Real Results, Technology's Race to Replace Physicians Still a Long Way Off

I love the Iphone, and asking Siri mundane questions elicits many chuckles.  My wife and I can pass the long hours on a road trip asking her questions.  You can ask Siri nearly anything and she has an answer.  It may not be the right answer, but she can search the web if you want.  She answers easy questions, locates addresses, and can carry a short conversation. 

Being a doctor, I decided to see how far technology still has to go with medical care.    Hence the following conversation with Siri:

Me: “I have a headache."

Siri: "I don't know where you are but you can help me find out.  Go to location settings and turn on Siri.

Me: "It's sharp and achy."

Siri: "I don't understand “it's sharp and achy.”

Me: "My right eye feels like it's coming out."

Siri: "I don't know what you mean by “my right eye is coming out."

Me: “Can you help me get a doctor please.”

Siri: “I don't know where you are at but you can help me find out…..”

So as you can see technology has a way to go before people start relying on it for medical advice. Don’t ask Siri for any medical advice.  Until further advancements are made, stick with the old fashion family doc. 

Vaccines, Texting, and Festivals

Regarding local county health information, the influenza numbers are good.  An update on the Influenza epidemic shows so far this year GRMC has cultured 115 Influenza-like illnesses (Ili), and 14% have been positive for Influenza A or B.  That is better than the national average quoted by the CDC in its weekly Fluview at 21%.  Congratulations on the efforts of GRMC during its vaccine drive. 

We have received updates on the Zostavax- the vaccine for Shingles.  The FDA approves it for ages 50 and up, but recently the ACIP (committee on immunizations) doesn't recommend for ages 50-59 because of supply issues.  The safety of the vaccines is not questioned, and it remains important for anyone above the age 50 to get their Zostavax.

Don't Text and Drive!  Recent reports detail ability to drive is decreased significantly similar to being impaired with alcohol. 

How about a festival?  I am very interested in starting a weekend festival here in Glen Rose, and would like any input from readers as to what we could do to increase the sense of community while improving health and wellness.  Being a transplant doesn’t hamper my idealism for this community, and hope that we can offer something annually we all look forward to.

It seems that every small town I grew up in had a major festival.  In Oxford Kansas, they had the Watermelon Festival.  In Okmulgee Oklahoma they had the Pecan Festival.  Okmulgee has been competing with another small town for largest Pecan Pie ever made.  The local university cooking school claimed the prize when they made a large 30 foot diameter pecan pie. 

Please email me any questions or concerns to runsinthewynd@gmail.com