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What a patient’s death taught me, and what it can teach you

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Cancer Vixen

One of the very first patients I cared for as a medical student here at Ohio State was a young man with end-stage AIDS.  Since there wasn’t much to do for him medically; and since AIDS still made lots of people – including doctors – pretty antsy at the time; and since a 3rd year medical student is about as useful on the wards as a screen door is on a submarine, he quickly became “my” patient.

He and I spent a lot of time together as he succumbed to the cruel attacks being waged against his weakened immune system.  He was scared; I was scared; he was pissed off at dying with only a clueless med student for company; I was pissed off at being so useless.

So we talked.  Or rather, he talked and I listened.  It was driving me nuts to not be “doing” anything, and as his condition detioriated the stories became less and less coherent, but I discovered something pretty amazing.  It helped.  It didn’t cure him, or even forestall his death, but it helped ease his suffering in a very real way.  It’s one of the most important lessons I learned in all of my years of medical training.

That is why I am very excited to announce that Professor Jim Phelan and I are offering a new course next quarter: English 361, Narrative and Medicine.  Not only will the class fulfill an arts & humanities GEC requirement, it will allow you to explore how telling and listening to stories of illness – yours or someone else’s – can often be more helpful than any medication or surgery.  The course will also offer some distinctive views of illness and treatment and how both patients and practitioners deal with their experiences.

It should be a great class.  Professor Phelan is a world-renowned expert in the field of Narrative Studies and a winner of the Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award.  I will bring my perspective as someone who practices both the art of medicine and the art of narrative.  We’ll investigate a range of perspectives offered by classic writers such as Tolstoy and Chekhov as well as those offered by some contemporary writers employing new narrative forms such as Marissa Marchetto in her graphic memoir Cancer Vixen. 

BTW, if you’re interested in hearing more about my experience with that patient, I wrote an essay about it in the Los Angeles Times a few years ago.  Or better yet – enroll in English 361!

John A. Vaughn, MD
Student Health Services
The Ohio State University

Nothing says “I love you” like peeing in a cup!

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Love - Fear

Order-It-Yourself Testing

The Student Health Center

Stumped as to what to get that special someone in your life this Valentine’s Day?   A box of chocolates is so ‘been there done that’.   Those handmade “coupons” for a free back rub or carrying her books to class were cute last year, but she ain’t falling for that again.  And while checking out The Mechanic would be a blast with your buddies, it just doesn’t set that romantic tone you’re looking for.

Well, fret no more my friends.  Student Health Services has the perfect gift for your valentine this year – Order-It-Yourself lab testing!!

What says “I love you” better than a pee-in-the-cup Chlamydia test? 

Feeling tired, honey?  Well why don’t you go to the Student Health Center and get screened for anemia and diabetes?  It’s on me.

The man in your life putting on a few extra pounds?  Well nothing will get him more motivated for Speedo season than a quick peek at his cholesterol levels.

All of these wonderful tests and more are available at the Student Health Center.  And the best part is that you don’t need an appointment or even have to see a health care provider to get them.  Check out our information page for prices and other information.

Just one word of caution.  Nothing lights the flames of passion like a visit to the Student Health Center so be careful that you don’t get burned by those fireworks tonight!

John A. Vaughn, MD
Student Health Services
The Ohio State University

Would you like to be interviewed by the OSU Alumni Magazine?

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Hello loyal BuckMD readers,

The Ohio State Alumni magazine is writing a feature story on how we are reaching students online through BuckMD and they would like to interview a student who is a regular reader of the blog.  

If you are around campus over the next couple of weeks and would be interested in talking to the magazine (and telling them how wonderful BuckMD is), let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the editor.  You can email me at vaughn.7@osu.edu.

And just as an FYI, we’ll be cutting back to a once-a-week posting schedule over the holiday break.  We’ll be returning to our regular schedule after the New Year, when we will kick things off with a really cool contest, so be on the lookout!

Happy Holidays!

John A. Vaughn, MD
Student Health Services
The Ohio State University

Student Health FAQs for New Students

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The Wilce Student Health Center

We know you’re bombarded with a lot of information in a small amount of time during orientation and it’s hard to retain it all.  So we thought we’d put the highlights here on the blog so that you can refer to them when you’re not so swamped.  Feel free to stop in or call if you have any questions.

Insurance  

We reviewed how insurance works at the Student Health Center in a previous post but before arriving on campus you should learn the basics – in-network vs. out-of-network, how co-pays work, etc. – and be sure to bring your insurance ID card with you to school. 

If you are not on the Student Health Insurance Plan, you should definitely consider purchasing the WilceCare Supplement.  For only $187 for the entire academic year, it supplements the health insurance that you already have by providing prepaid coverage for medical care delivered at the Student Health Center.  Routine x-rays, laboratory tests, physical therapy, minor office procedures, prescribed medical supplies, office visits for illness and injury and prescriptions are all covered.

Medical Records

We are under strict rules to keep all of your medical information confidential and we take those rules very seriously.  You’ll need to sign an authorization form for us to release your health information to anyone, including your parents.  An authorization form can only be completed for health services that have already been rendered which means that we can’t honor any requests like, “you can just let my Mom have access to my records for as long as I’m at Ohio State.”

Immunizations

There are no immunization requirements for most students entering Ohio State.  However, there are some program-specific requirements (for instance, health professional schools like medicine and nursing may require you to get certain immunizations) so be sure to check with your program coordinator.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends the following immunizations for all college students: Meningococcal Meningitis for students living in the dorm, Hepatitis B, HPV, MMR, Polio, Varicella (Chickenpox), Tetanus-Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Whooping Cough).  Hepatitis A, Influenza, and Pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for students with specific health risk factors.

All of these immunizations are available at the Student Health Center if you aren’t able to get them before you start school.  If you can get a copy of your Immunization records, that would be really helpful and keep you from getting immunizations you don’t need.   

Allergy Injections

You can get your allergy shots at the Student Health Center while you’re here for school.  You need to submit the required paperwork prior to scheduling an appointment.  You can bring the allergen vials to the health center yourself or have them mailed to our facility.  We will store them for you and we can release them back to you as needed for injections during times away from the university.

Pharmacy

You can transfer a prescription from home to our pharmacy.  All you need is the prescription number and the name/phone number of the original pharmacy – all of which are on the package label.  Our pharmacy is contracted with many insurance companies but not all.  You can stop by or call 614-292-0125 to find out if we can bill your specific insurance.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and welcome to Ohio State!

Questions About Insurance and the Wilce Student Health Center

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photo: whig.com

I don’t have the Ohio State Student Health Insurance.  Can I still be treated at the Wilce Student Health Center?

Yes, all enrolled students are eligible to use the Wilce Student Health Center.  

Will my insurance pay for my visit at the Student Health Center?

At this time, Student Health Services does not participate as a network provider with most commercial insurances so you should verify your insurance plan’s out-of-network coverage before seeking care at our facility.  When speaking with your insurance company, it is helpful to give them our tax ID number – 31-1657245 – so that they know you’re talking about the Student Health Center.  Even though we’re all “Ohio State,” in the eyes of insurance companies our practice is separate and distinct from other physician groups and medical facilities associated with the university. 

Can I use my Prescription Drug Card at the Wilce Student Health Center pharmacy?

The Wilce Student Health Center Pharmacy does participate with most prescription drug card programs. You can call our pharmacy at 614-292-0125 to verify that we participate with your prescription card program.

I gave you my health insurance information when I waived the Student Health Insurance Plan. Why do I need to give it to you again?

The health insurance information you provided the university when completing your insurance waiver is currently used for registration and enrollment purposes only. In order for Student Health Services to bill your medical insurance company directly, you will need to register your medical insurance with our office.

Kristen Kelly
Student Health Services
The Ohio State University

Still Open for Business!

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Wilce Student Health Center

insidesocal.com

Surfer on the Beach

Q: Does the Student Health Center stay open over the summer?

A: Absolutely!   We are here all summer to take care of your health care needs.  In fact, we’re not so jam-packed over the summer since many students do leave campus, so it is a great time to take care of those routine visits you didn’t have time to get to during the school year: eye exams, dental cleanings, women’s annual exams (pap smears) or STI screenings.  To schedule an appointment, just call our appointment desk at (614) 292-4321.

If you have Student Health Insurance, be sure to schedule your appointment before June 20, 2010 – that’s when your spring quarter coverage ends.  If you want to keep your insurance coverage over the summer, be sure to purchase off-term summer coverage no later than June 20, 2010 at the Student Health Insurance website.  Summer quarter coverage is in effect from 6/21/10 – 9/14/10.

If you get your health insurance through another company, be sure to contact them directly to confirm what type of coverage you have at the Student Health Center.  We are happy to bill outside insurance companies, but for us to do that effectively you need to register your insurance with us.  You can call (614-292-0113) or visit our Patient Relations Department on the 3rd floor of the Wilce Student Health Centerfor help with that. 

Enjoy your summer!

Susan Henn

Manager, Patient Relations (OSU SHS)

What do I do for health insurance now that I’ve graduated!?

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aps.org

Don't get lost in the crowd!

womenshealthmag.com

Q: I’m graduating but don’t have a job yet.  What do I do for health insurance?

A: Graduating from THE Ohio State University is a major accomplishment.  It’s a time for excitement and celebration – you earned it. 

But once the speeches end and you turn the cap and gown back in to the bookstore, you’ve got to face the “real world” and that can be kind of a scary place.  Especially if you don’t have a job.  Or the job you do have doesn’t provide you with health insurance.

So as a graduation present to all of our newly minted Buckeye alums, we’ve compiled a list of resources that can help you find affordable (relatively speaking) health coverage.  We know it ain’t a new car or a Rolex (talk to your parents about that),  but it may be even more valuable to you – one illness or accident without insurance can cost you big bucks in a hurry. 

Congratulations on everything you’ve accomplished.   Now go out there, work hard, stay healthy and take the world by storm!

Go Bucks!

COBRA insurance They have an alternative plan that can provide temporary health insurance for 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. The length of coverage might be able to be adjusted to meet the consumer’s needs. Visit http://cobrainsurance.com/ for details.

Compare 6 plans and receive a free prescription plan http://www.consumerbenefits.net/cobra-insurance.htm. This is an alternative to COBRA insurance. You can compare all 6 plans on their website and receive a free prescription plan when applying through this site.

GradMed http://www.gradmed.com. This is an official program of the Ohio State University Alumni Association. It is recognized by almost 200 colleges/alumni associations. Comprehensive coverage for alumni and family members under age 65 is available. Great for new grads and other alumni between jobs. The graduate would have a deductible between $500 and $2500. After deductible is met, GradMed will pay 100% of the usual and customary medical expenses up to $1 million. 

The best perk with this option is that there is no co-pay for office visits and no list or network of health care providers to select from. You can go to any licensed doctor or hospital of your choice.  Policy can go into effect the very next day.  Coverage period can range from 30 to 180 days, but you can request an extension of coverage.

Temporary Insurance Quotes http://www.temporaryinsurancequotes.com/ This website is similar to shopping for car insurance. You plug in the required information and health insurance companies will respond with quotes for temporary health insurance coverage.

Free Health Clinic There might be a free health clinic where you are move. Some places do charge a very little fee ($20) while some will ask for a small donation. Some are for low income people. Some only serve the local community residents, etc. You can visit http://www.freemedicalcamps.com to access the listing of free health clinics. If this does not work; consider contacting the local county Health Department.

The Real Big O

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About one third of students here at Ohio State are Overweight or Obese.    The good news is that we’re no worse off than other universities across the country.  The bad news is that things may get a lot worse after graduation – almost twice that many people (63.4% to be exact) are overweight or obese in the general population!  Wow!  Why?

It’s a simple answer to a very complicated problem: too many calories and not enough activity.

In a recent survey, only about 60% of Ohio States students reported eating the minimal recommendation of 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day.  And only 40% said they took part in intense cardio or aerobic activity in the last week.  We’ve got to correct this balance between calorie intake and expenditure if we’re going to keep Buckeye Nation fit, and luckily we are surrounded by resources right here on campus to help us! 

Campus Dining Services lets you see the nutritional content of food served at Ohio State here.  Take a few minutes to see how many calories you’re actually taking in – you might be surprised.

If you need help coming up with a healthy eating plan, you can consult with registered dieticians here at Student Health or with our friends at Student Wellness.

And while the RPAC is the crown jewel of campus physical fitness, there are many other awesome facilities and programs here at Ohio State: 5 indoor facilities, 20 outdoor facilities, more than 60 organized clubs dedicated to fitness, 15 intramural leagues each quarter, and more than 50 PE classes per quarter.  You can learn more about them here. 

As great as these facilities are, we know that they can be intimidating – you don’t know where to go, how to use the equipment, or you feel like the super-buff regulars might give you a dirty look.  If that’s the case, then start off with something you already do every day – go for a walk! 

Rec Sports has some great maps for walking/jogging trails on campus that range in distance from 1.0 to 4.6 miles.  Grab your iPod or a friend and hit the road!

College is a watershed time in your life, so try to shed (pun intended) those old habits and gain new healthy ones.  What you learn during your time at Ohio State will shape the rest of your life and we want you to make the Big “O” at Ohio State mean “Outstanding” in every way.

Jo Hanna Friend D’Epiro, PA-C, MPH (OSU SHS)

Ride with the Pelotonia Student Team

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Buckeyes Riding to Beat Cancer!

Did you know that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with cancer?

Help change this startling statistic by riding with us on August 21st in Pelotonia! Pelotonia is a grass roots bike tour with one goal: to end cancer. In its inaugural year, Pelotonia raised $4.5 million for life saving cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, every dollar raised by riders goes directly to cancer research.  As a Buckeye, the registration fee is waived and your fund raising minimum is only $500. All funds must be raised by Friday, August 13, 2010.

Every rider will receive a Pelotonia rider jersey, goodie bag, food, drinks, entertainment, transportation and overnight lodging at Ohio University if they do the two-day ride.  Ohio State students also get a 10% discount and another 10% re-contribution towards your fundraising at Roll: bike stores. 

To register, visit here and contact pelotoniastudentteam@gmail.com about submitting the completed registration form!

Thanks and Go Bucks!

There’s a Harlot on campus you’ve got to meet!

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click to enlarge

Harlot: A Revealing Look at the Arts of Persuasion, an outstanding online magazine created and edited by graduate students in our very own English Department, just published their 4th issue – Rhetoric at Work.  This issue of Harlot “offers fresh insights into our everyday experiences by examining the curious and powerful ways persuasion operates within the workplace.” 

What does an online literary magazine about rhetoric have to do with health care?  Well, it contains an essay I wrote about a patient encounter that taught me the powerful impact – both good and bad – that persuasion can have on a patient’s relationship with her doctor and her illness.  My goal was to get people thinking about their health care in a new way; please check it out and let me know if I was successful or not.

In addition to my essay, the issue includes a sculptor gently refusing to explain what her art “means;” a chaplain shaping her spiritual identity as professional development; two professors not-so-gently poking fun at J.CREW’s catalog of gender norms; and a police officer explaining what’s really going on when you get pulled over.  Thought provoking stuff – and it’s all thanks to the efforts of your fellow students. 

So take a few minutes and visit Harlot.  It’s always inspiring to see what amazing things are being done right here on our campus, and who knows – maybe you’ll be inspired to think about how the art of persuasion impacts your life and share it with others.  I’m sure they would love to hear from you.   

John A. Vaughn, MD (OSU SHS)