Monday, December 3, 2012

Using Medical Music


Although not directly related to Health Information Music, I hope this will inspire physicians to think about how they can use music to share information.

One of the first things fetuses pay attention to in the outside world is music; studies have shown children who study a musical instrument do better at math. Public places use music to create safe zones, buying frenzies and cultural appeals for specific clientele. Yet our western culture tends to think listening to music as an adult is frivolous. In this article, I’m going to look at how medicine can use and is using music.

Training Doctors 

Medical trainees have vast amounts of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology to memorize. Some of those students would benefit from using music in that process. Some examples are Songs of Anatomy and Physiology, and Medical Terminology Concerto.

Illustrating procedures can be made more memorable by using videos such as Colon is a Mighty Big River and da Vinci Robotic Hysterectomy.

There are also great videos to kick start a lecture such as Breathe, Bad Project, Diagnosis Wenckebach, Children's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities and Eternal Clerking.

Teaching students to be medical advocates can be aided by great examples like Unbreakable and Don't Smoke Ya Life Away.

To help them relieve stress, try Med Life Stress, lose yourself and Waiting for the Beep.

Finally creating music can take learning to a deeper level, relieve stress and/or add to the resources available to others. Why not start something musical at your school.
  
 

Practising Medicine 

Imagine having a screen or iPad available in the waiting room where patients could watch videos like Immunize: The Vaccine Anthem!, The Ulcer Rap or the more risky Manhood in the Mirror.

For more ideas, see my website or follow my new Scoop.it.
Deirdre Bonnycastle
Fellow
The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Saturday, December 1, 2012

The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues

From the ACMImimi Archives...



This rare footage of "The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues" was discovered by ACMImimi archivists.  The song was written and performed by ACMImimi's President and Founder, Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi back in December 1998 in his hometown of Fairborn, Ohio at the Fairborn Actor's Theatre as part of a double billed event including a concert by Dr. Martin and a performance of his 1996 original musical, A Carol's Christmas.

The Smokey Gray Carcinogen Blues 

I know you can't tell I'm a superhero just from the sound of my voice, but it's true — I'm Babyman — fighting for truth, justice, and the eradication of diaper rash from the planet! Of course, I haven't always been a superhero. Like most superheroes before me, my transformation involved a freak accident. I make my living as an obstetrician, and one day during a delivery, I was bitten by a radioactive baby. Over time, I became Babyman! And, like most superheroes, I have acquired amazing superpowers. I can projectile vomit thirty feet in any direction. When backed into a corner, I can emit an ear-piercing scream that not only deafens my would-be assailant, but also summons any mother within a three-mile radius to come running to my aid. But the most important superpower I possess is the ability to understand babytalk. You see, most people assume that babies cry when they're born because they're cold or hungry. Not true. They've been cooped up for nine months listening to everyone else talk without being able to get a word in edgewise and they are ticked! Most of them, of course, are upset about the fiscal cliff. And they were totally fed up with all the election ads, which sounded very scary in utero. deficit. But a while back, a baby came out and said, "Look, pal, could you do something about the cigarettes already? I was dying in there!" In consideration of his plea, I offer this song about smoking in pregnancy — from the baby's perspective...

Well, I started out life a' thinkin' I was cool
Just floatin' around in my private swimmin' pool
Not a care in the world, though sometimes I'd get bored
So I'd pass the time playing jump rope with my cord
Then one day I woke up with a ringing in my ears
My head was a' spinning — I cried amniotic tears
I couldn't throw up a window in my womb without a view
So I kicked my Ma to say I needed more O2.
I said, "Yo, Ma! What gives? How bad's it gonna get?"
That's when I knew she was puffin' on a stinkin' cigarette!
My Mama's smokin' cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues.

Now I start off each morning feelin' weak and turnin' green
'Cause my mom feeds me breakfast made with tar and nicotine
My body's always hungry, looking for some descent eats
I'm just wastin' away from my head down to my feets
I keep strugglin' along 'cause I got nowhere else to go
But I can tell by my size I'm gettin' insufficient flow
My Mama's hooked on cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues

Oh, Doctor, can't you help me? Aren't you an M.D.?
Living in this smoke-filled womb is not my cup of tea
But you keep leading Mom on, saying everything is fine
Hey, Doctor, can't you read the "No Smoking" sign?

My placenta's so old, it's gonna have a heart attack
So I'm checkin' out early from this dirty one-room shack
My Mama's smokin' cigarettes — oh, what can I do?
I've got the smoky gray carcinogen blues

I said, my Mom won't kick the habit — oh, what can I do?
I've got the dingy brown got-me-down...
Stinkin' black heart attack...
The grimy green nicotine blues.

(c)1995 Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi
The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Thursday, November 8, 2012

ACMImimi Inducts Eight New Fellows

The American College of Medical Informatimusicology is pleased to announce the induction of eight new Fellows into The College, bringing to 58 the total number of Fellows:

  • Brian Ralston, MD, FAAFP, FACMImimi
  • David Day, FACMImimi
  • Nikolai Kirienko
  • Deirdre Bonnycastle, MEd, FACMImimi
  • Jeffrey Brick, PMP, FACMImimi
  • Jiea Rutland-Simpson, FACMImimi
  • Eta S. Berner, Ed.D., FACMI, FHIMSS, FACMImimi
  • Robert C. McClure, MD, FACMImimi
The College regrets the delay in inducting these Fellows as Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi, our President and Founder, has been unavailable for Selection Committee meetings since his wife, Kymberly Martin, MBA, FACMImimi, was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Fortunately, Kym has a very good prognosis and is a long-term survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and melanoma, so she is well equipped to take on a third cancer experience.  Dr. Martin is blogging about their cancer experience at http://rossmartinmd.blogspot.com

You can learn more about the new Fellows as well as all Fellows of The College on the Members and Fellows page.

If these fine Fellows seem like your kind of people and you would like to join them, please complete an application.  

I Wanna Wash My Hands

Newly inducted Fellow of The College, Dr. Brian Ralston, wrote some new lyrics to classic tunes to promote handwashing and other safety measures.  They are published here with Dr. Ralston's permission (who wishes to apologize to BTO, John Lennon and Paul McCartney)...

Safety at MacNeal 
(to the tune of "Takin' Care of Business")
by Brian Ralston, MD, FACMImimi

They get up every morning from the alarm clock's warning
Take the train to the medical center
There's announcing up above and people wearing gown and glove
And the students who follow their mentor
And if your train’s on time you can get to work by nine
And do your early rounds and your 5 P’s
It’s the behavior we admire we use two identifiers
And do it with a thank you and please 

And that’s Safety at MacNeal everyday
Safety at MacNeal everyway
Safety at MacNeal check wristbands
Safety at MacNeal everybody wash your hands
Wash up

Learning lessons from flyin’ keeps our patients from dyin’
We use STAR to avoid a distraction
If you follow SBAR chances are you'll go far
And your patients will get satisfaction
People see you being merry, and oh so sanitary
Tell them that you like it this way
It’s the behavior we admire we use two identifiers
We love to work at safety all day

And that’s Safety at MacNeal everyday
Safety at MacNeal everyway
Safety at MacNeal check wristbands
Safety at MacNeal everybody wash your hands
Wash up

Good catch
Near miss
Time out
Like this

They get up every morning from the alarm clock's warning
Take the train to the medical center
There's announcing up above and people wearing gown and glove
And the students who follow their mentor
And if your train’s on time you can get to work by nine
And do your early rounds and your 5 P’s
It’s the behavior we admire we use two identifiers
And do it with a thank you and please 

And that’s Safety at MacNeal...


I’m Gonna Wash My Hands
(to the tune of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand")
Lyrics by Brian Ralston, MD, FACMImimi

Oh yeah, I'll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I see a patient
I’m gonna wash my hands
I’m gonna wash my hands
I’m gonna wash my hands

Oh please, keep them clean
There is a simple plan
So please, say with me
I’m gonna wash my hands
I’m gonna wash my hands
I’m gonna wash my hands

For particulate matter use soap and water, and rinse well
Before and after each patient you must always
Use the gel, use the gel, use the gel!

Yeah, you, can fight infection
And make the MRSA scram
Just follow, this direction
You gotta wash your hands
You gotta wash your hands
You gotta wash your hands

For particulate matter use soap and water, and rinse well
Before and after each patient you must always
Use the gel, use the gel, use the gel!

Our example, it is so vital
We gotta take a stand,
Let’s all be, bactericidal!
We’re gonna wash our hands
We’re gonna wash our hands
We’re gonna wash our hands

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

We Want ObamaCare

The American College of Medical Informatimusicology is a nonpartisan institution, though we remain shameless promoters of music with a medical message. With this perspective in mind, we share this video presented by the "Southern Doctors for Affordable Medical Care."


We give these physicians an A for effort and for their willingness to put their views out in a creative way. The College also appreciates the positive message they have created in their approach to the topic.  We would, however, encourage a little more rehearsal and perhaps some better microphone placement.

In the interest of nonpartisan balance, if there are other medical professionals out there who have a pro-Romney medically related video to share, we would be happy to post this as well.  Note that we retain the right to reject submissions that are hostile, crude or otherwise in poor taste.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Gimme My DaM Data


This video can also be viewed on Vimeo.


The American College of Medical Informatimusicology (ACMImimi.org) is proud to present this collaboration with e-Patient Dave, aka Dave deBronkart, FACMImimi*. Written, performed, produced and edited by our esteemed President and Founder, Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi, with contributions by the Sons of Artemis (Harry Greenspun, MD, FACMImimi, Ben Greenspun, FACMImimi and Chris Brancato, RRT, RCP, FACMImimi), Todd Park (US CTO), Jamie Heywood (PatientsLikeMe), Danny Sands, MD (Dave's doctor), Kym Martin, FACMImimi, RobotBoy2001, FACMImimi, and a cast of dozens.  Thanks to all who contributed!

*Fellow of The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Gimme My DaM Data (Data about Me)

Well it's one for the doctor
Two for the nurse
You say you're tryin' to treat me
So don't make me feel worse

Gimme my DaM data
(Data about Me!)
Gimme My DaM Data
(Data about Me!)
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can cut out my heart
Take it to the dump
Feed it to the dogs
Replace it with a pump
You can make me pop pills
Just to keep me alive
But there's one more thing
I gotta have to survive

Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can knock me out
To treat my gloom
Lock me up
In a rubber room
You can tie me down
And shock my brain
But just one cure's
Gonna ease my pain

Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can send me your bill
Charge me anything
Drive a nice car
Live like a king
With all the dough
That I pay
Tell me why is it so hard
To get my data right away

Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
Gimme my DaM data
It's all about me so it's mine

Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi
(c)2012 The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Friday, July 13, 2012

Congrats and Controversy Surround the #HIT100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
13 July 2012
The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

For the last two years, Michael Planchart (@theEHRGuy on Twitter) has run a nomination process via Twitter for the top 100 Health IT Social Media-istasFor the second year in a row, Dr. Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi, President and Founder of the American College of Medical Informatimusicology (@RossMartin), has been named to the list, moving from being tied for #63 in 2011 to #42 in 2012.  

Dr. Martin is very pleased with the results as it further locks in his prospects as remaining top dog in the #ACMImimi100, which recognizes the top 100 Medical Informatimusicologists (Tweet your nominations now: “I nominate @RossMartin for the #ACMImimi100 list”). 

ACMImimi is thrilled to note that The College was extremely well represented on the list, with a total of eight Fellows named, two of whom were in the top 10:
Two individuals who are eligible for Fellowship, but who have not yet completed their applications are:
  • #18 Gregg Masters (@2healthguru) -- Eligibility based on his work on "The Rainbow Button Initiative" 
  • #28 Harry Greenspun (@harrygreenspun) -- Eligibility based on his work on "Gimme My DaM Data"

But all is not well in La-La Land. The ACMImimi Ethics in Elections Committee has opened an investigation into Dr. Greenspun's inexplicable meteoric rise from being tied for #76 in the 2011 list to #28. Rumors abound that Dr. Greenspun used staff members in Deloitte's Center for Health Solutions, where Dr. Greenspun serves as a Senior Advisor, to advance his campaign. Such misuse of official firm resources in elections may be in violation of campaign finance rules. Greenspun, who would only comment, "Ha!" for this press release, may have found a loophole in the rules by leveraging funding from the “I’m Just Wild about Harry” Super-PAC in financing the campaign.

While the investigation continues, if Dr. Greenspun does in fact apply to become a Fellow of The College and is successful in his application, all investigations will cease under the Executive Privilege clause that covers all Fellows in good standing.  

The complete list for the 2012 HIT100 can be found at Healthcare IT News.


Monday, July 2, 2012

Meet Up

I wrote this song a couple of months ago, but need to do a recording.  I'm inspired to post the lyrics because of a Twitter exchange between Keith Boone, Regina Holliday and David Harlow on the #HIT100 nominations for leading social media folks in HIT.  Keith said of David: "I think @healthblawg [that's David] has the harder job. I just deal with 1s and 0s. He has to deal with everything in between."

The tune to the song is pretty much Blues Brothers.  Horns, bass and drums, baby!

Here's to the folks who live in the shady area...

Meet Up

I see shades of gray
In a world of black and white
I get your point to a point
But I'm not saying you're right
So point your loaded argument
In a different direction
And let's sit down and talk it out
And find some clear connection
We might go bust but can't we just
Agree to disagree
At least we'll share one blessed beat
Of synchronicity
Then maybe we can finally
Find a way to give a little
Meet me in the middle
Oh, yeah, meet me in the middle

Meet me at the corner bar
You can choose the brew
I'll pick up the first round
You grab number two
Before they call out last call
We'll lose the bottle count 
As we guzzle down our grievance
Our agreements will mount
You'll show me pictures of your kids
I'll tell you 'bout my wife
We'll swap our favorite stories
And philosophies for life
Then we'll step into the dawn
To breathe the air so fine
Meet me in the sunshine
Oh, yeah, meet me in the sunshine

Meet me in the aisle
Enough with Blue v Red
Time to kick this rhetoric
And pass some bills instead
Remember back to early days
When we were full of fire
We came here with the urge to serve
Now we're votes for hire
Sure we've got our principles
I ain't asking you to switch
But there's gotta be an issue
Where my scratch fixes your itch
Common ground can be found
If we dare to enter
Meet me in the center
Oh, yeah, meet me in the center

Meet up, meet up
Speak, friend, and enter
Think of all the stuff we'll solve
When we come together
Meet me in the middle
Meet me in the center
Meet me in the sunshine
Come on and meet me
Come on and meet me
Meet up, meet up

(c)2012 Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi

Sunday, June 17, 2012

The Money Machine -- First Look Video

As seen on TV! Get yours today while supplies last! Those days of worrying about making money are finally over! Sound too good to be true? Wait there's More!
 

Written and performed by Ross D. Martin (www.RossMartinMD.com).
Inspired by David Wilcox (www.DavidWilcox.com).
Tuning B-B-F#-B-D#-F# (cut capo 4th fret)

The Money Machine

Tired of living in fear of the repo man?
Wishing you could tear up all those bills?
Dreaming of vacations in Milan?
Or living in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills?
Why keep slogging at that old McJob?
You can quit today and have it all
No need to scout out a bank to rob
Achieve your dreams with just one call

Introducing The Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
Five easy payments of nine ninety-nine
And watch your future start to shine
(plus shipping and handling)

You blink your eyes and can't believe your luck
As you dial the number on the TV screen
It'll be so easy to make a buck
As the owner of your very own Money Machine
Next day delivery just a ten dollar fee
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back
Sign up today as a VIP
We'll throw in the supersize drying rack

Jump in front of the pack with The Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
Comes with everything that you see here
You'll make a million within the year
(some assembly required)

Trucks roll in to deposit your dream
You didn't expect such a massive machine
Won't fit in the house but that's okay
There's space for lease ten miles away

Get started today with The Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
Our coupon add-on is all the rage
The more you spend the more you save
(void where prohibited)

Start-up was rough but you're finally online
You tell your friends it's going well
You'll be back in the black with some overtime
And after a while you get used to the smell
You've made a million, maybe more
So have a million other guys
Dollar's worth half as much as before
Gotta double next run to afford supplies

Come feast your eyes on The Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
The more you make the more you need
You have an industry to feed

Come join the fun -- get The Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
Call now before they disappear
You'll make a million within the year
(your results may vary)

(c)2012 The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Monday, May 28, 2012

It Isn't Nice

Kudos to NPR and Hugo Campos for airing this story on Hugo's quest to get the data from his Implanted Cardiac Device (ICD). The story highlights the importance of putting the patient in the center and giving them full access to what is already their data. Hugo's original blog post with his song video and lyrics is here.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Money Machine

Went to see my therapist in North Carolina, "Dr. Dave" Wilcox at the Wilcox Weekend last weekend. I was hoping he would offer some of his musical medicine for a dilemma I'm facing. He did in a way, but just gave me an idea for and an assignment to write a song instead of writing one for me. So I penned the lyrics this weekend. Still working out the guitar part, but it has a groove something like Cat Stevens' "It's a Wild World" or Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet" (or, if you're a Wilcox fan, something like "Rule #1" or "Start with the Ending".  Let me know what you think!

Money Machine

Tired of living in fear of the repo man?
Wishing you could tear up all those bills?
Dreaming of vacations in Milan?
Or having a mansion in the Hollywood Hills?
Why keep slogging through that old McJob?
You can quit today and have it all
No need to scout out a bank to rob
Achieve your dreams with just one call

Introducing the Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
Three easy installments of nine ninety-nine
And watch your future start to shine
(plus shipping and handling)

You blink you eyes and can't believe your luck
As you dial the number on the TV screen
Who knew it was so easy to make a buck
Soon you'll own your very own Money Machine
Next-day deliv'ry just a ten-dollar fee
Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back
Sign up today as a VIP
We'll throw in the super-size drying rack

Get yours today -- it's the Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
Comes with everything that you see here
You'll be making millions within the year
(some assembly required)

BRIDGE
Truck rolls in and deposits your dream
You didn't expect such a massive machine
Doesn't fit the den, but that's okay
An industrial park's a couple miles away

Make your dreams come true with the Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
Get the coupon add-on to save even more
A brighter future is in store
(void where prohibited)

It takes some time, now you're finally on line
You're still in the red but it's too early to tell
You tell all your friends that it's all going fine
Besides after a while you get used to the smell
Now that China's in the game the dollar is low
If you're going to survive you need to double in size
Your capacity's peaked, but you still need to grow
You can make your alimony if you start a franchise

Come and join in the fun -- get the Money Machine
Just a turn of the crank and you'll be rolling in green
Three easy installments of nine ninety-nine
And watch your future start to shine
(your results may vary)

(c)2012 Ross D. Martin
www.ACMImimi.org

Monday, May 7, 2012

e-Patient Dave’s PHR


Dave deBronkart (aka, e-Patient Dave) inspired our President and Founder Dr. Ross Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi to write this little ditty, which we pitched as a TED Talk submission to this year's TEDMED conference at the Kennedy Center. It would have been the pinnacle of any Medical Informatimusicologist's career to play the Kennedy Center, but sadly, this did not come to pass. So here are the lyrics. You can listen to the demo version of the song by clicking on the ReverbNation box on the right or by visiting Dr. Martin's ReverbNation playlist. The College would be delighted to entertain requests to perform this at a live venue where thousands join in on the chorus.

E-Patient Dave's PHR

This song is called "e-Patient Dave's PHR." It is more or less based on the actual and true story of Dave and his PHR -- which is short for "personal health record" -- and about how Dave came to be known by the name of e-Patient Dave.

All I want is a PHR
Just like e-Patient Dave
All I want is a PHR
Just like e-Patient Dave
All my information
In the right configuration
So I can choose to share it
Anywhere across the nation
All I want is a PHR
Just like e-Patient Dave


Now some of you out there listening to this song who are of a certain age and who may have partaken of certain mind-altering botanicals in your youths will perhaps note that this particular song about Dave and his PHR is somewhat reminiscent of another song about Alice and her restaurant. I cannot tell a lie -- your song association abilities may have been adversely affected by the partaking of those mind-altering botanicals.

Okay, the truth of the matter is that it seemed high time for a revival of that fine song by Mr. Arlo Guthrie seeing as it was so successful in ending the Vietnam War and all. But starting that war all over again just so this song could have a revival seemed a bit excessive. So I figured it would be easier just to find a new cause to sing about and getting folks electronic access to their personal health records seemed about as good a cause as any.

Now some others of you out there listening to this song whose powers of observation have not been adversely affected by the use of certain mind-altering botanicals may have noted that, while the guitar part of this song has repeated unabated, my actual playing of the guitar itself has not. Truth be told, I am using what is known as a "stomp box looper" – that black box sitting there at my feet – and I have recorded a single bar of the guitar part, which is now repeating courtesy of the aforementioned stomp box looper. And having thus freed myself of the burden of playing the guitar, I am able to put my mind to other things… things like the things I am saying to you right now.

It is curious to note that, while I have, over the course of many years of singing and playing the guitar, grown fairly comfortable with singing and playing at the very same time, I have never mastered the art of talking and playing at the very same time, a feat which seems to employ parts of my brain that don't in my experience particularly enjoy working together.

This curious situation is not unlike the situation that Dave -- you remember Dave? This is a song about Dave. And this particular situation of using a stomp box looper so I can focus on talking -- instead of playing and talking -- is very similar to the situation in which Dave found himself back in 2007 when he learned that his body was all full of cancer and that, more than likely, he would be dead within six months.

All of a sudden, he had a whole lot of things to think about -- things like answering the WTF question -- you know, “Where's this from?” -- as in “Where did this cancer in my brain and bones actually start off?” so he could find  the right doctors and the right treatments.  And other things like what he wanted to tell his daughter so she wouldn't hurry up and marry her promising but not-yet-betrothed boyfriend just so her dyin’ Daddy could walk her down the aisle.

Well Dave didn't have a lot of time and he needed the little time he did have to think about and do all the things that only he could think about and do instead of all those things plus all the things that a computer could think about and do at least as well as -- if not better than -- he could do himself. Things like remembering all of his lab values or sharing radiology images with experts hundreds of miles away or keeping track of every single doctor's visit, drug or medical procedure he'd ever had.

And so Dave used his above average intelligence and skills to cobble together a personal health record that he shared with pretty much everybody on the planet through his blogs and tweets.

Because Dave was able to use a computer for all the things a computer does well so he could focus on the things only he could do well, Dave was able to find an infrequently considered treatment that saved his life.

And so Dave lived to tell his story to the world, advocate for the rights of patients to get electronic copies of their personal health data, and walk his daughter down the aisle so she could marry her still promising and now betrothed fiancé.

And somewhere along the way, Dave came to be known as e-Patient Dave. But I didn't come here to talk about Dave -- I came here to talk about getting folks empowered, engaged, equipped and enabled with electronic personal health records as a first step in getting involved in all kinds of groovy things like sending messages to your doctors and connecting with other folks with conditions like your own and taking care of your aging parents back in their own homes instead of sticking ’em in some facility just ’cause they need a little help with their meds and appointments. And the only reason I'm singing you this song today is ’cause you may know someone in a similar situation or perhaps you yourself may be in a similar situation.

And if you're in a situation like that, there's only one thing you should do and that's walk into your doctor's office and sing – ”All I want is a PHR just like e-Patient Dave”-- and walk out.

You know, if just one person does it, they might think he’s a crazed terrorist and they'll send the records so he won’t blow the place up. And if two people do it--two people--in harmony,
they'll think they’re door-to-door missionaries and they'll give 'em their records just to get rid of ’em. And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day walking in and singing a bar of “e-Patient Dave's PHR” and walking out, they'll think it's a revolution. And that's what it is -- “The e-Patient Dave's PHR Revolution” -- and all you have to do to join is sing the chorus the next time it comes around on the guitar.

With feeling. Here it comes now...

All I want is a PHR just like e-Patient Dave
All I want is a PHR just like e-Patient Dave
All my information in the right configuration
So I can choose to share it anywhere across the nation
All I want is a PHR just like e-Patient Dave


Once more, in harmony now...

All I want is a PHR just like e-Patient Dave
(A personal health record)
All I want is a PHR just like e-Patient Dave
All my information in the right configuration
So I can choose to share it anywhere across the nation
All I want is a PHR just like e-Patient Dave


Why don’t you give me my data and I’ll sing you a song

©2012 Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA
The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Francis Collins - NIH Director, Rock Star

Dr. Francis Collins - Director of the National Institutes of Health, started his TEDMED talk about pursuing cures of rare or challenging diseases with a song--"Let's Knock Out Disease." It was a fun blues riff with catchy lyrics about how it doesn't matter where you come from or your status or station in life--disease doesn't care... so let's knock out disease.

Even cooler than his song was his guitar -- wish I had snapped a picture of it, but the mother of pearl inlay was a two wispy lines down the middle of the fretboard that formed a double helix.

Oh, yeah, his talk was awesome too...
www.tedmed.com

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

One Day Without Shoes

Today, ACMImimi President and Founder, Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, is supporting Toms by going without shoes. Every day, millions of men, women and children go without shoes. Check out www.onedaywithoutshoes.com to learn more.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

ZDoggMD, ACMImimi's Newest Fellow

Yo!  The College is very pleased to welcome ZDoggMD as the newest ACMImimi Fellow.  ZDogg is a board-certified internist and hospitalist who seeks to entertain and educate about medicine through his rap and other music videos.

He includes a great interview with TechCrunch on his About page that The College found very informative.



Visit his website at www.ZDoggMD.com and follow him on Facebook.

The Science of Beer

The American College of Medical Informatimusicology (ACMImimi) would like to raise a pint to Cadamole for his Informatimusicological treatise on that gift of biochemistry, the magical work of Saccharomyces cerevisiae -- known commonly as brewer's yeast -- that reduces acetaldehyde into carbon dioxide and, far more importantly, ethyl alcohol.

We wish a Happy St. Patrick's Day to Informatimusicologists everywhere, and invite the gifted Cadamole to join the ranks of Fellows of The College.

Monday, March 5, 2012

A Healthcare 2.0 Solution

ACMImimi is very pleased to share this video on A Healthcare 2.0 Solution created and produced by The College's newest Fellow, Tom Chelton, RN, FACMImimi.

Even more remarkable than this video was Tom's application to The College, which we felt was worth posting here as an exemplary example of how to present one's case for acceptance as a Fellow:


Dear esteemed colleagues, 
I am a nurse without a purse, an informatics geek and a frustrated singer songwriter with alot of really fancy equipment but very little actual musical talent. I also like pizza and long walks with Barry Manilow on my iPod. 
Set your way-back machines to 2001. I met Josh Seidman while the Information Therapy Center was in launch mode and we collaborated on several songs to bring awareness to the concept and delivery of Information Therapy for the masses. From a customized "There's Just Something About Mary" to several Beatles cover tunes, we reached dozens if not slightly more than dozens of healthcare visionaries at the first few Information Therapy conferences. My official title of Information Therapy Troubadour was changed in 2009 during the Boston 2.0 conference where I returned to the stage and became the unofficial Healthcare Troubadour. Now, it's 2012 and Josh has shared your link and your mission. I seek entry with the solemn  commitment that I will pen  new songs to support the very foundation of Medical Informatimusicology (all while juggling the menial day job). With a little luck, my trusty rhyming dictionary and some very strong espresso, I will one day share the edge of Dr. Martin's well deserved greatness!

Gimme My Damn Data Video Project


ACMImimi is inviting anyone wanting to promote access to their electronic health information to contribute to the creation of a music video of "Gimme My Damn Data" - debuted at HIStalkapalooza by The King of Rock and Roll, Mr. Elvis Presley, FACMImimi and recorded last weekend at Greenspun Studios in Bethesda, MD with Dr Harry Greenspun, his son Ben Greenspun, Chris Brancato, FACMImimi and our President and Founder, Dr. Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi. Take a look at the video of our recording. Here is the rough-cut of the audio (note that the audio will be remastered once we have submissions from everyone). This will be published under a Creative Commons attribution/share-alike license.

What we need:

  • Video
    • Clips (can just be a few seconds) of people jamming to the song:
      • Lip syncing
      • Air guitar
      • Dancing
      • Acting out the words
      • Anything of reasonable taste - use your creativity!
    • Submit your video in HD (widescreen, 16:9 ratio) in the highest resolution you can in AVI, MPG or MOV formats.
  • Audio
    • Audio of VOCALS ONLY should be recorded separately from the video and submitted in high quality MP3 or WAV files.  Then lip sync to your audio when recording your video.  Shouts of "Gimme my data!" (as a call back to the main "Gimme my damn data!"), versions of the chorus or verses are all welcome.  You don't need to submit audio if you only want to offer video.
  • If you want to contribute audio/video to the video, please send an email to ACMImimi and we will provide information on uploading files.

Lyrics for the song are below:

Gimme My Damn Data
(in Honor of Dave (e-Patient Dave) deBronkart--to "Blue Suede Shoes")

Well it's one for the doctor
Two for the nurse
You say you're tryin' to treat me
So don't make me feel worse

Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can cut out my heart
Take it to the dump
Feed it to the dogs
Replace it with a pump
You can make me pop pills
Just to keep me alive
But there's one more thing
I gotta have to survive

Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can knock me out*
To treat my gloom
Lock me up
In a rubber room
You can tie me down
And shock my brain
But just one cure's
Gonna ease my pain

Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can send me your bill
Charge me anything
Drive a nice car
Live like a king
With all the dough
That I pay
Tell me why is it so hard
To get my data right away

Gimme My Damn Data (gimme my data!)
Gimme My Damn Data (gimme my data!)
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

Gimme, gimme - gimme it's mine
Gimme, gimme - gimme it's mine
Gimme, gimme - gimme it's mine, mine, mine
Gimme, gimme - gimme it's mine
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi
21 February 2012
(c)2012 The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Sunday, February 26, 2012

ACMImimi Eminence through Fashion

Erica Galvez, FACMImimi, shows her pride in her new status as Fellow and demonstrates eminence by making a musical fashion statement with her choice in accouterments at HIMSS12. In addition to her wearing of the ACMImimi Fellow button and Member and Fellow ribbons on her badge, Erica is wearing treble clef earrings.

The College commends Erica on her commitment to all things informatimusicological.
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Elvis--Our Newest Fellow

The American College of Medical Informatimusicology is pleased to announce that Elvis Presley--the King of Rock and Roll himself--has come out of retirement to become our Official Celebrity Spokesperson. Elvis debuted in his new role (and, in doing so, became one of our newest Fellows) at HIStalkapalooza at HIMSS12 in Las Vegas last night. (ESD sponsor's highlights video is also availble.)

Elvis performed remakes of two of his classic songs written just for the occasion by our President and Founder, Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi.  The Lyrics are below.  ACMImimi will be posting more about this historic night and all of the new Fellows of The College in the coming days.


HIStalk Rock
(To "Jailhouse Rock")

The warden threw a party in the county jail
Prison band was there and they began to wail
Band was jumpin' down the joint began to swing
But all them jailbirds wanted just one thing--

HIStalk
They were readin' HIStalk
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was loggin' on to read HIStalk

Number forty-seven said to number two
I can't wait to see a pic of Inga's shoes
HIStalkapalooza is the place to be
If we break out together you can dance with me at

HIStalk
Let's go to HIStalk
Everybody in the whole cell block
Is bustin' out to go to HIStalk (and here they are...)

Mr. Greg Wilson's here to host the show
Little Johnny Bush knows where the HISsies go
We'll have a fashion show and name the King and Queen
You can wow the judges if you make a scene

So let's rock
Everybody let's rock
Everybody here who loves HIStalk
Start dancin' to the HIStalk Rock

Sad sack Neal says, "For heaven sakes
I really don't want another pie in the face"
Judy says, "What about the spot I'm in
I get nominated but I just can't win"

So let's rock
C'mon Glen, baby, let's rock
All the nominees who love HIStalk
Keep dancin' to the HIStalk Rock

The party's gettin' started so we'd be remiss
If we didn't raise our glasses now and blow a kiss
To tonight's judges and to ESD
For giving all the food and drinks for free

Now let's rock
Everybody let's rock
Everybody here who loves HIStalk
Start shoutin' "Mr. HIStalk ROCKS!" (come on now...)
Shout "Mr. HIStalk ROCKS!" (that's right...)
Keep shoutin' "Mr. HIStalk ROCKS!"
Shout "Mr. HIStalk ROCKS!" (one more time)
Shout "Mr. HIStalk ROCKS!"



Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi
21 February 2012
(c)2012 The American College of Medical Informatimusicology




Gimme My Damn Data
(in Honor of Dave (e-Patient Dave) deBronkart--to "Blue Suede Shoes")

Well it's one for the doctor
Two for the nurse
You say you're tryin' to treat me
So don't make me feel worse

Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can cut out my heart
Take it to the dump
Feed it to the dogs
Replace it with a pump
You can fill me with drugs
Just to keep me alive
But there's one more thing
I gotta have to survive

Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can feed me pills
To treat my gloom
Lock me up
In a rubber room
You can tie me down
And shock my brain
But just one cure's
Gonna ease my pain

Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

You can send me your bill
Charge anything
Drive a nice car
Live like a king
With all the dough
That I pay
Tell me why is it so hard
To get my data right away

Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
Gimme My Damn Data
It's all about me so it's mine

Ross D. Martin, MD, MHA, FACMImimi
21 February 2012
(c)2012 The American College of Medical Informatimusicology

Thursday, February 16, 2012

The ACMImimi Theme Song

The ACMImimi Theme Song is now live and can be heard here.  One of the easiest ways to become a Fellow of The College is to be able to sing the ACMImimi Theme Song in its entirety -- not too hard since it's only six seconds long.

If that is too tough, you can just sing "ACMI-mi-mi" in one sustained note (like the end of the theme song) and qualify to be a Member.

Applications are available on the Membership Application Page.  Please include evidence of your accomplishments or have it witnessed by a Fellow in good standing with The College.