During my 25 years of clinical practice, I have seen my share of patients tagged with the "complex" label. Many of the patients that I see in the clinic come to me after having failed other treatments. Colleagues will refer patients for case review or for second opinion. I truly enjoy the process of problem solving and being the clinician charged with the task of finding the essence of the patient's problem.

Sometimes, complex patients are truly complex. They may have co-morbidities or confounding variables. It may be a challenge to sift through their history. They may present with confusing signs and symptoms.

But more often than not, complex patients aren't so complex. They are complex in our minds as we become victims of our own poor clinical reasoning processes.

Read more...

It is official: Formula One will indeed be heading to Austin on November 18, 2012. Hallelujah. Sanity prevailed in all of this. Circuit officials reached an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone just hours before the World Motor Sports Council confirmed the 2012 F1 calendar. The race organizers survived the last gasp extension from Ecclestone. All systems are go once again. Whew.

Though no official contract details have been released, the rumor mill is full of reports of anywhere from $25 to $35 million per year. The original contract proposal from Ecclestone – while Tavo Hellmund was an integral part of the planning – was $25 million per year, a relative steal in F1 terms these days.

But when Bernie talks, people listen – especially if they are intent on bringing a Formula One race to their locale.

Read more...

I think that the true colors of the 2011 Longhorns made an appearance in Waco this past weekend.

First of all, the harsh reality: Baylor 48, Texas 24. Ouch. Baylor now has a two game winning streak against the Horns. Double ouch.

Perhaps it is fitting that the Horns ended the season at 7 – 5, just two games better than the nightmare of last year. Maybe they were “better enough” to keep the Longhorn Nation in suspense throughout the offseason and to keep Mack Brown off the hot seat. Maybe.

This game was, in fact, a pretty fair barometer of the season – even if they were beaten by a should-rightfully-be Heisman Trophy winner.

Read more...

I have been a true fan of Formula One for a very long time. My exposure to it all started when I was a youth. I had an uncle that went to England to race Formula Fords and build fiberglass moldings for, well, a number of teams, Formula One included if my memory serves me correctly. Of course, this was in the day when cars were still made of aluminum and fiberglass, not carbon fiber – circa 1971 or so.

That year, Bernie Ecclestone became the owner and team manager for the Brabham F1 team. His power in the sport expanded to being the chief executive of the Formula One Constructors Association in 1978, now the President and CEO of Formula One Management. He is, without question, the most powerful man in Formula One.

I have been witness to 40 years of Formula One history. When you stand back and take a look at the big picture, it becomes readily apparent to this F1 aficionado there are four rules that must be obeyed in order to get an F1 event in any locale. Circuit Of The Americas (COTA), please take note.

Read more...