Electronic Nicotine Delivery systems (ENDS) are the newest emerging technology in the epidemic of novel tobacco products that has been spilling out of start-up companies for the last 13 years. So physicians wonder, “How should I respond when my patients seek advice about using these electronic devices?”

Asking one’s physician for a “favor” generally means asking for something outside of what the physician would normally and customarily do. When that favor also involves asking the physician to step outside his or her specialty, the warning bells should start ringing.

An appellate court has ruled that a hospital’s attempt to manage a staff physician’s behavior through a written agreement went too far because the physician’s summary loss of privileges could be traced back to patient care issues.

What can physicians do to help educate and quell the fears of the parents and patients when discussing vaccinations? Taking a bit more time with them, explaining the facts and science of vaccinations, may more likely lead them to choose vaccination for their children.

When this column addresses adverse events, we frequently try to identify some action or inaction that, if addressed differently, might have led to a better outcome. Though thankfully rare, errors nevertheless can occur even with a spotless work-up.