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No Place for Politics
(opinion piece – I’m pretty fired up.) My exam rooms are sacred. I offer a safe place where the focus is on the patient. I listen, evaluate and hopefully help them on their life journey. What is said in that room is held in the strictest of confidences. I have nursed patients through death, addiction,…
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Strep Throat
Sore throats cause illness in almost everyone during the winter and spring seasons. There are many causes including viral, allergic, reflux, and bacterial (strep and not strep). Streptococcus pyogenes (aka Group A Strep or “strep throat”) is the culprit 25% of the time. With all the potential causes, how can you tell who has strep…
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Contraception Options
As a physician who has counseled families for almost twenty years, I have had to discuss contraceptive options many times and in my assessment, there is a great deal of misconception about what, where, when, and how they are used. I highly encourage all of my patients to ask questions, then ask more questions so…
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Medical Terminology
Doctors have spent a lot of time studying. We have undergraduate degrees, a medical degree, a completed residency program, then sometimes additional fellowship programs to specialize. During this rigorous journey, most of us are completely immersed in the study of medicine and surrounded by like-minded students. We get used to discussing medicine in clinical terms…
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Urinalysis Interpretation
This “pee in a cup” test is simple and informative. Although used most commonly to detect urinary tract infections, this test is also a valuable tool to screen for other disease processes as well. However, this test is far from perfect and abnormalities often require further testing before a diagnosis can be made. In a…
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She “Booped” Me
It is a routine Thursday of clinic work. Cold and cough, follow up for diabetes and hypertension, shoulder pain, and general physicals. Phone calls, prescription refills, and records are coming in steady, but not overwhelming. My nurse let me know that my next patient is ready. I take a moment to smooth back my hair…
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Surviving the Awkward
The doctor-patient relationship requires a lot of trust. From my side of the table, I listen to patient concerns trying to pull out pertinent information and build a story that leads me to a diagnosis. From the other side of the table, the patient needs a safe space to share their private concerns. There is…
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Basic Asthma Medications
Asthma is a hypersensitivity reaction to a trigger like exercise, allergies, viruses, smoke, etc. Regardless of trigger, the body initiates an allergic response with a release of inflammatory products that result in a constricted airway, mucus production and airway restriction. I compare it to my sister and I in the woods. She stumbles into some…
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Translating Lab: CBC
When it comes to ordering tests, I always start by asking myself two questions: “What am I looking for?” and “How will this change treatment”? The complete blood count (CBC) is a very common test performed for many reasons. I can look at the page of results in a matter of seconds. To those not…
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Decoder Ring for OTC Cold Remedies
Upper respiratory infections are fun for no one. Every time I get sick, I am amazed at how much snot a person’s body can make. And everyone has an opinion on the best way to treat them – ask your neighbor, a family member, and your mailperson. Everyone has a different answer. When staring at…
Primary Care Doctor Sharing Reliable Health Information and Thoughts about Medicine
My name is Dr. Ginnia Bailey. I am a primary care physician on the frontline of medicine serving a population ranging from newborn to geriatric. With 20 years of experience, I learn from my patient encounters every day.
The purpose of this blog is twofold. The looming physician shortage is frightening to me as it is estimated that millions of patients will not have access to a health care professional outside of the emergency room and urgent care setting. I would like to provide studied reference material for common illnesses in a way that makes sense to patients looking for quality information. The second goal of this blog is smaller and a bit less noble. I would like to sometimes share/vent about medical care from my perspective. I’m hoping that sharing both will make it easier for more clear communication and a positive health experience.
Doc-In-A-Blog 