Massachusetts Medical Society's Physician Focus

Joint Replacements
The number of joint replacements is soaring in the U.S., as more than a million people year are getting total replacements, usually for their hip or knee. As baby boomers age with arthritis and other conditions but still wish to remain active, these operations are expected to continue to increase. Who are the best candidates for these replacements? How expensive are they and how long do they last? What should patients know, pre- and post-surgery, about these procedures? And how successful have they been?

Physician Focus is a monthly, half-hour educational talk show that brings important health and medical information from practicing physicians and health care professionals to people and patients of all ages.

Produced for public access television stations, Physician Focus is a collaborative effort of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the statewide organization of physicians, and HCAM-TV, Hopkinton. The program is distributed each month to 195 Massachusetts public access television stations, reaching some 272 communities and an estimated 1.9 million cable households.* The program also has a national reach, available to public access stations across the U.S. via download from the transfer site, pegmedia.org. It is also available on iTunes. With statewide and national broadcasts, Physician Focus reaches an estimated 2.5 million households.

In each edition, members of the Medical Society share their knowledge and expertise in patient-friendly discussions with a physician host. The principal program host is Bruce Karlin, M.D., a primary care physician in Worcester, Mass. Other regular hosts include Mavis Jaworski, M.D., a primary care physician, James Kenealy, M.D., an otolaryngologist; Lynda Young, M.D., a pediatrician; and John Fromson, M.D., a psychiatrist. Other physicians may appear as guest hosts from time to time.

The Massachusetts Medical Society develops the content and distributes the programs to public access stations as a public service. HCAM-TV provides the studio and production facilities. The show is taped two months in advance of distribution.

Executive Producer of the show is Richard Gulla of the Medical Society’s media relations office. The program is produced by HCAM Station Manager Jim Cozzens and directed by HCAM’s Michael Torosian. Mr. Cozzens has over 25 years experience producing programs and overseeing community access television stations, and Mr. Gulla has more than 25 years experience in public relations and communications for some of the region's largest nonprofit and media organizations. The producers welcome inquiries and comments. Write to PhysicianFocus@mms.org.

*Subscriber figures from Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy, Cable Television Division

Weight Loss Surgery: Myths and Realities
Weight loss surgery has been touted as one solution to the problem of obesity, and in some cases, it’s also been known to eliminate diabetes. It’s a complex undertaking, however, that involves a lifetime of commitment, discipline, and attention to detail. Who are the best candidates for these procedures? What steps does a patient need to take for success? What are the surgical options available and what are the differences between them? What results can a patient reasonably expect, and what are the risks?

Disaster Medicine
The bombing at the Boston Marathon is the latest example of the role medical professionals and first responders play in meeting unexpected events. Whether natural or man-made disasters, medical personnel seem always ready to react quickly, to save lives and care for those in harm’s way. What goes into preparing for such events? What kinds of training and resources are necessary? And what is the impact on physicians, nurses and other first responders?