When my son was a teenager, one of his friends asked him what his dad did for a living. He replied that I was a doctor. When his friend asked what kind of doctor, my son replied "He's just an ordinary doctor." So keep in mind that I am just that – an ordinary doctor.

My name is Kevin M. Johnson, M.D. I've been a diagnostic radiologist for 37 years, most of them at Yale University.  Radiologists are the doctors that supervise medical imaging procedures such as MRI, CT, ultrasound and the like. Our most important role is to accurately diagnose disease. Some radiologists also treat diseases. We analyze medical images and other data to help our fellow doctors (your doctor) understand what is going on with their patients. Without an accurate diagnosis, your doctor cannot select the correct treatment.

I've also spent considerable time in and around medical research clinics and laboratories, so I'll be sharing some of my perspective on those areas as well.

An Ordinary Doctor is intended to explore a variety of ideas about medicine. Its purpose is both educational and also sometimes to be provocative. We will discuss conventional viewpoints, but will also try to push our thinking a little further.

I am committed to the scientific method; you will find no conspiracy or magical thinking here. At the same time, the reigning scientific perspective on both medicine and life is profoundly incomplete. There are vast realms of human experience it does not cover. I shall sometimes venture into those realms.

Disclaimer: I cannot offer medical advice to any specific person, but am open to providing perspective on medical questions and in some cases links to educational resources.

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