Healthcare Archive

For many people, a visit to the doctor causes anxiety, and discussing sensitive subjects like sexual problems, substance use, or mental health issues is even more likely to induce discomfort. But these discussions can be less anxiety-inducing and more productive if people know what to expect.

Many diseases occur because of defects in particular proteins—the workhorses of every cell. But developing a drug that targets a defective protein requires knowing that protein's shape. Protein shapes have always been difficult to predict. Then in July 2021, a company called DeepMind reported that its software predicted the structures for 98% of human proteins. By the end of 2021, DeepMind says it will publish the shape of 50% of the 280 million nonhuman proteins, up from 0.01%. These breakthroughs are expected to lead to new medicines.

A Harvard study published online March 29, 2021, by JAMA Network Open found that people who looked up health symptoms online were able to correctly diagnosis a condition about half the time.

Because medical exams are invasive, and because many people have experienced some form of trauma and may be uncomfortable with aspects of the exam, healthcare providers should approach care with consideration for what patients may have experienced.