Patient Zero

Chronic Pain

Do Patients Have a Right to Complete Pain Relief?

Robert C. Smith M.D. on February 11, 2023

A new concept can serve as the basis for a more effective and more humane approach to problematic chronic pain care.

A new concept can serve as the basis for a more effective and more humane approach to problematic chronic pain care.

Addiction

Are CDC Guidelines Too Liberal Around Prescribing Opioids?

Robert C. Smith M.D. on December 14, 2022

Should opioid use be encouraged by clinicians not trained in mental and addictive disorders?

Should opioid use be encouraged by clinicians not trained in mental and addictive disorders?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Dangers of Medicine’s Pernicious Culture

Robert C. Smith M.D. on September 18, 2022

What's medicine's biggest problem? You might be surprised.

What's medicine's biggest problem? You might be surprised.

Education

America Needs a National Institute of Healthcare Education

Robert C. Smith M.D. on June 11, 2022

Why mental health care hasn't improved—and what can be done to turn it around.

Why mental health care hasn't improved—and what can be done to turn it around.

Psychiatry

Poor U.S. Mental Health Care Is Confirmed by a Top Authority

Robert C. Smith M.D. on March 19, 2022

Former NIMH director Thomas Insel’s new book makes poor mental health care a human rights issue.

Former NIMH director Thomas Insel’s new book makes poor mental health care a human rights issue.

Psychiatry

We Miss Many Psychiatric Diagnoses

Robert C. Smith M.D. on January 8, 2022

Want to know how to better help your patients with chronic physical disorders?

Want to know how to better help your patients with chronic physical disorders?

Empathy

How to Effectively Communicate with Others

Robert C. Smith M.D. on October 2, 2021

Empathic skills pave the way for successful communication.

Empathic skills pave the way for successful communication.

Psychiatry

Psychiatry’s Mismatch with Primary Care

Robert C. Smith M.D. on July 24, 2021

Is psychiatry actually steering earnest primary-care clinicians the wrong way?

Is psychiatry actually steering earnest primary-care clinicians the wrong way?

Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain Is a Symptom

Robert C. Smith M.D. on May 23, 2021

How would you conduct diagnostic evaluation in the chronic pain patient?

How would you conduct diagnostic evaluation in the chronic pain patient?

Empathy

Improving the Mental Health Care of Those Close to You

Robert C. Smith M.D. on February 28, 2021

Non-professionals can improve others’ mental health care—by inquiring.

Non-professionals can improve others’ mental health care—by inquiring.

Education

We Must Train the Physicians Who Provide Mental Health Care

Robert C. Smith M.D. on December 19, 2020

Medical faculty could teach mental health care—if they were first trained.

Medical faculty could teach mental health care—if they were first trained.

Education

Hope for Improved Mental Health Care

Robert C. Smith M.D. on October 4, 2020

Medical education embraces the personal dimensions of medicine.

Medical education embraces the personal dimensions of medicine.

Suicide

You Can Prevent Suicide in Someone Close to You

Robert C. Smith M.D. on August 1, 2020

How you, as in individual, can save valuable lives.

How you, as in individual, can save valuable lives.

Psychiatry

Medicine’s Way of Thinking Prevents Progress in Psychiatry

Robert C. Smith M.D. on May 28, 2020

“Looking where the light is.”

“Looking where the light is.”

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Why Do People Develop a Mental Disorder?

Robert C. Smith M.D. on April 4, 2020

Your response to the coronavirus stems from evolution.

Your response to the coronavirus stems from evolution.

Psychiatry

Medicine Can Improve Physical Diseases Care

Robert C. Smith M.D. on January 31, 2020

Your doctor may not be prepared to best manage your chronic disease.

Your doctor may not be prepared to best manage your chronic disease.

Psychiatry

The Crisis in Psychiatry

Robert C. Smith M.D. on December 8, 2019

Psychiatry is regressing.

Psychiatry is regressing.

Depression

How We Interfere with Our Own Mental Health Care

Robert C. Smith M.D. on October 5, 2019

How do individuals contribute to societal mental health stigma?

How do individuals contribute to societal mental health stigma?

Health

Presidential Candidate’s Plan to Improve Mental Health Care

Robert C. Smith M.D. on August 11, 2019

Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) recently spearheaded and then signed into law in Washington state one of the most far-reaching mental health initiatives in recent history.

Governor Jay Inslee (D-WA) recently spearheaded and then signed into law in Washington state one of the most far-reaching mental health initiatives in recent history.

Addiction

The Humane Use of Opioids

Robert C. Smith M.D. on July 12, 2019

Are chronic pain patients being mistreated when physicians stop opioids?

Are chronic pain patients being mistreated when physicians stop opioids?