Unintended consequences of Health Care Quality Improvement Act: a violation of physicians’ civil and constitutional rights
The Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements, as well as the Human Rights Campaign for the LGBTQ+ community, are a few examples of where American democracy and values have triumphed in restoring dignity and civil and constitutional rights to marginalized individuals. Although much work remains to be done, the enlightenment brought about by these movements will undoubtedly continue to strengthen American democracy. However, it is concerning that during the …
We need a new approach to Black mental health
In recent weeks, an outpouring of new research has highlighted the severity of the Black mental health crisis. One new poll shows that 77% of Black and Latinx women face mental health barriers related to racism. Another new study found that Black women are undertreated for depression. Yet another shows that even vicarious experiences of racial discrimination increase anxiety. All this is on top of research showing …
ChatGPT: How generative AI is revolutionizing health care
Over the past decade, I’ve kept a close eye on the emergence of artificial intelligence in health care. One truth remained constant: Despite all the hype, AI-focused startups and established tech companies alike have failed to move the needle on the nation’s overall health and medical costs.
Finally, after a decade of underperformance in AI-driven medicine, success is approaching faster than physicians and patients currently …
Healing from the pandemic: a journey to recovery
While it appears we are on the downhill slope of COVID-19’s integration into everyday life, burnout rates are rising, and organizational trust is taking a nose-dive. Aren’t we supposed to be in the post-disaster recovery phase? What is the bottleneck holding us back from moving toward our new horizon? On the surface, issues like operating losses, staffing shortages, and scarcity of supplies appear to be a few of the big …
Be like Mike (Jordan) and build your personal doctor brand
Gatorade’s commercial featuring Michael Jordan from 1992 and its catchy song, “Like Mike,” is now part of pop culture history. The lyrics were likable. “I dream I move, I dream I groove, like Mike, if I could be like Mike, oh if I could be like Mike.” Let’s face it, growing up, many of us dreamed to be like Mike. As their first athlete endorser, Michael Jordan elevated the Gatorade …
The holistic solution to obesity: Addressing mind, body, and behaviors for lasting weight loss
Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro. These names have entered our common parlance within the last year via news articles, television stories, and celebrity exposes. Everyone from Hollywood to your neighbor seems to be on medication for weight loss or trying to find a way to access one via their medical provider, from primary care physicians to dermatologists. The widespread demand for these medications has resulted in a shortage for those who could …
A personal journey through hospital-acquired psychosis [PODCAST]
The secret to success in medical school: self-awareness and courage
Self-awareness and courage. Out of all the information and knowledge you gain during medical school, from a personal development standpoint, I would say that self-awareness and consistent courage are what make the difference between a good student and an excellent student. As a third-year medical student, I can confidently say that beginning medical school with these traits and continuing to keep these traits close during medical school will take you …
Loving our pets through loss: Coping with the death of a family member
My husband passed away six months ago, and it is quite evident to me that not only do I miss him, but so does our dog Grace. She adored Bill and would scamper to find him if I directed her to “Go find dad!” I no longer use the word dad, as that sets her off on a sad but fruitless chase around the house.
Very soon after Bill died, it …
The paradox of health IT: Improving care, impeding communication
Advancements in health IT have created ease and efficiency in delivering health care that has never been seen before. Electronic ordering and prescribing have reduced medication errors from misinterpreting handwritten information. The interoperable transmission of critical patient history, lab work, and digital imaging from one hospital to another has reduced costs and unnecessary extraneous tests. Virtual care and telehealth utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized how patient encounters are …
Sleep matters: Addressing the neglected vital sign
It wasn’t until I reflected upon how many times the highway rumble strip had potentially saved my life that I sought the help of a physician trained in sleep medicine. Prior to that, no doctor had ever asked me about my intractable insomnia.
Sleep is increasingly being recognized as an underappreciated vital sign. An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans may have a sleep disorder, and according to the Centers …
The rise of chatbots for patient empowerment
Giving patients the information, abilities, and resources they need to actively participate in their care is at the heart of the critical health care concept known as patient empowerment. Health care professionals can increase patient involvement, boost health outcomes, and maximize the use of health care resources by empowering people. In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in using technology to encourage patient empowerment. Chatbots, in particular, …
ADVERTISEMENT
An inside look at the orphan drug revolution [PODCAST]
The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters
As an OB/GYN, I know that medication abortion is safe, commonly used, and effective. Women’s rights, family building, and abortion are recognized in many international human rights documents. The United Nations’ 1966 Human Rights Treaty states that all people have a right to the highest attainable standard of health. The ability for someone to choose when and if they want to have a child is the basis of the Reproductive Justice framework and is paramount …
Help is out there: a waitress’ story of hope and inspiration
I treat myself to the same restaurant for breakfast once or twice a month. There she is again, the same waitress with those same sad eyes. She knows my name, but I don’t know hers. Sometimes she has a bruise on her forehead or bruises up and down her arms, and I can see through her makeup.
My heart aches because even though I don’t know her, I know her. It’s …
ADVERTISEMENT
The collaboration between radiologists and clinicians for optimal diagnostic outcomes
When I was doing my transitional year in internal medicine, I was essentially bullied for going into diagnostic radiology by my co-residents and the internal medicine attending doctors I worked with. They used to tell me that my “forever job” would be to sit on a chair in a dark room and dictate “correlate clinically” all day long. And I would immediately argue: No! That’s terrible! I would never do …
A hands-off approach to medical exams is potentially deadly
My mother passed away in early December. She had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years. Her communication was poor due to the disease. The caregivers in the memory care unit where she was located stated that she had been vomiting the night before her death. The next morning, she was moaning, and they believed she was in pain. An ambulance was called, and she was taken to the local …
The dangers of sharing personal health information online: Protecting your privacy and health
As the internet has become increasingly accessible, many individuals have turned to online platforms, such as ChatGPT and “Doctor Google,” to search for information about their symptoms and health concerns. While these resources can help provide individuals with a general understanding of their symptoms, there are risks associated with self-diagnosis and relying on online resources for medical advice. Another trend is patients inadvertently putting their personal medical information at risk …
ADVERTISEMENT
COVID-19 is still a global health issue but we can responsibly live with it
The World Health Organization (WHO) first declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020, when, outside of China, there were fewer than 100 cases, and there were no deaths. This formal declaration by the WHO has been renewed 12 times, most recently last month the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee advised the WHO that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to be …
Past Week
-
Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
-
Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?
-
The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain
-
Why patients and doctors are ditching insurance for personalized care
-
Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam
-
The hidden impact of denials on health care systems
-
Past 6 Months
-
How trade wars could destroy the U.S. health care system
-
Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
-
The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors
-
Doctors don’t need yoga, they need time to smoke
-
What happened to real care in health care?
-
How to build a culture where physicians feel valued [PODCAST]
-
Recent Posts
-
Avoiding leadership pitfalls: strategies for success in health care [PODCAST]
-
Doctors speak out: Why we’re saying no to burnout
-
When doctors die in silence: Confronting the epidemic of violence against physicians
-
When asking one more question can change everything
-
The geriatrician who prescribes matzah and meaning in Miami Beach
-
Understanding the ADHD brain: support, empowerment, and managing challenges [PODCAST]
-
Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!
Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.
492
pages
Past Week
-
Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
-
Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?
-
The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain
-
Why patients and doctors are ditching insurance for personalized care
-
Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam
-
The hidden impact of denials on health care systems
-
Past 6 Months
-
How trade wars could destroy the U.S. health care system
-
Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
-
The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors
-
Doctors don’t need yoga, they need time to smoke
-
What happened to real care in health care?
-
How to build a culture where physicians feel valued [PODCAST]
-
Recent Posts
-
Avoiding leadership pitfalls: strategies for success in health care [PODCAST]
-
Doctors speak out: Why we’re saying no to burnout
-
When doctors die in silence: Confronting the epidemic of violence against physicians
-
When asking one more question can change everything
-
The geriatrician who prescribes matzah and meaning in Miami Beach
-
Understanding the ADHD brain: support, empowerment, and managing challenges [PODCAST]
-
