About Me
I am a physician and behavioral scientist. My research and writing explore the quirks in human nature that influence our lives -- the mixture of rational and irrational forces that affect our health, our happiness, and the way our society functions. (more...)- Have a question or just want to get in touch? Email me at peter.ubel@duke.edu
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Remember: Suicidal Killers Are Suicidal
In the book review section of the New York Times, Andrew Solomon poses a reflection on Adam Lanza, the deranged elementary school shooter in Connecticut: “If we want to stem violence, we need to begin by stemming despair.” How we … Continue reading
Posted in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized
What Homer Simpson Can Teach Oncologists About Math
Let’s warm up with a quick arithmetic problem, which I want you to do in your head. What is one thousand plus forty? Now add another thousand And thirty more Plus twenty Plus another thousand And finally, add an additional … Continue reading
Posted in Medical Decision Making, Uncategorized
Tagged doctor-patient communication, shared decision making
My Take on Shared Decision Making
Put simply, shared decision making is the gold standard — the sine qua non* — for how medical decisions ought to be made. The pipe medical choice is rarely a function of medical facts alone. Tough decisions require value judgments, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Autographed Copies of Critical Decisions Available
I’m happy to say that my favorite independent bookstore, Flyleaf Books, is working with me to make autographed copies of Critical Decisions available to anyone who orders through them. You can order on their website: www.flyleafbooks.com If you do, add … Continue reading
Posted in Critical Decisions, Uncategorized
Physicians, Psychopaths, and Reality T.V. Stars
Charlotte Scott had an eye for madness—for just the right amount of madness. As a booker for The Springer Show, her job was to find—and forgive me if I’m getting too technical here—minor nut jobs, the kind of people who were … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Video Introduction to Critical Decisions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vWFY1ZzKNs&feature=youtu.be
Want a sneak peak into why I wrote Critical Decisions? Take a look at this 5 minute video. Feel free to send links to all your friends, so they won’t fall behind the times! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post … Continue reading
Posted in Critical Decisions, Medical Decision Making, Uncategorized
Critical Decisions is Finally Available for Public Consumption!
At long last, my new book Critical Decisions is out there, ready to reach (fingers crossed!) a wide and appreciative audience. I’m really excited about this book. It pulls together ideas that have been smoldering in my brain for two … Continue reading
Posted in Critical Decisions, Medical Decision Making, Uncategorized
Should Chemotherapy Cost More on Hot Days?
It was 93 degrees and humid. Jimmy Lawrence put his first five quarters into the vending machine and selected a Coke. The machine refused to give him his beverage. Because the temperature was more than 90 degrees, the computer program … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Does Your Oncologist Care About Your Quality of Life?
Facing advanced cancer, who among us wouldn’t look to our oncologist for expert advice on whether another round of chemotherapy makes sense? But do you know what your oncologist cares about, and can you be sure her recommendations map onto … Continue reading
The Early Hours After the SCOTUS Decision
See my local TV interview in the early hours after the SCOTUS decision on the individual mandate
And see some of my quotes from local and national reporters at the links below:
Posted in Uncategorized
