Timothy Meagher

ChatGPT is about to make major inroads into clinical medicine. This article discusses the pros and cons of its use.

NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) are time-honored acronyms, with widely popular acceptance. Experts now recommend discarding them in favor of MASLD for “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease” and MASH for “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.” The reasons for this change are explored and an argument about why the change is confusing, is advanced. Should these acronyms become clinically popular, risk assessment manuals will require updates.

ChatGPT is about to make major inroads into clinical medicine. This article discusses the pros and cons of its use.

ChatGPT is about to make major inroads into clinical medicine. This article discusses the pros and cons of its use.

Pituitary adenomas were recently reclassified as “neuroendocrine tumors,” and are now considered to be cancers. The evolution and justification for this change are described. Critical illness policies, which currently provide coverage of pituitary adenomas under the “Benign Brain Tumor” provision must now be modified to reflect this new taxonomy. This change also prompts questions about the use of the words ‘benign’ and ‘tumor’ in critical illness policies.

NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) are time-honored acronyms, with widely popular acceptance. Experts now recommend discarding them in favor of MASLD for “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease” and MASH for “metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.” The reasons for this change are explored and an argument about why the change is confusing, is advanced. Should these acronyms become clinically popular, risk assessment manuals will require updates.

As the COVID-19 pandemic reaches the end of its third year, and as COVID-related mortality in North America wanes, long Covid and its disabling symptoms are attracting more attention. Some individuals report symptoms lasting more than 2 years, and a subset report continuing disability. This article will provide an update on long Covid, with a particular focus on disease prevalence, disability, symptom clustering and risk factors. It will also discuss the longer-term outlook for individuals with long Covid.

Critical illness insurance was introduced 40 years ago. Medical directors continue to be challenged and frustrated with the complexities that critical illness claims offer. This article provides insights into the continued issues and possible solutions.