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Dependent on the mask my great-grandfather invented

Physician

November 25, 2023

Decades ago, I missed my college graduation ceremony with President Clinton as the commencement speaker because I had to be elsewhere. I was in Shanghai, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Chinese Medical Association—an organization founded by my great-grandfather, Wu Lien-teh, who was the first Chinese person to be nominated for a Nobel Prize. My father, his grandson, had immigrated to the U.S. from Beijing, met my mother in Palo …

Neurosurgeons fail to fix a wayward night owl

Barbara Lazio, MD

Physician

November 25, 2023

My tribe consists of competitive overachievers. We used to call them “gunners” in medical school, and Gunners tend to be morning people, or “larks.” Let’s be honest; people are impressed by those who are up at 4 a.m., training for their next ultramarathon before heading to their noble jobs. A typical conversation among neurosurgeons at a morning conference might go something like this:

Ned: “How are you this morning, Rena?”

Rena: “Great, …

Mastering the art of physician work-life balance [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 24, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Sarah Samaan, a retired cardiologist and a Master Certified Physician Development Coach. We’ll delve into the complex world of work-life balance for physicians, exploring the difference between work-life balance and integration, drawing insights from art theory, …

Navigating the evidence-practice gap in concussion care

Sohaib Kureshi, MD

Conditions

November 24, 2023

Despite a growing body of research and clinical guidelines, a significant evidence-practice gap persists in the management of concussions. This gap represents a challenge that health care professionals and researchers are working diligently to bridge. Here are the basics of how the gap plays out in concussion care and how telemedicine is providing a promising solution to the problem.

What is the evidence-practice gap?

The evidence-practice gap refers to the disparity between …

In the crosshairs: The False Claims Act’s new targets in health care

Scott Ellner, DO, MPH

Policy

November 24, 2023

The practice of medicine involves a delicate interplay between medical expertise and the unique needs of each individual. Ideally, medical decisions should prioritize the health and well-being of patients while being rooted in science and evidence-based practice. However, this noble mission inevitably becomes challenging in the context of reimbursement structures that inadvertently incentivize unnecessary procedures rather than focusing on the quality or necessity of care provided.

In an all-too-common scenario …

Navigating life stories and medical decisions

Nicole M. King, MD

Physician

November 24, 2023

As a physician, I am given both the gift and the burden of another’s most intimate moments or even their indiscretions. There is a cloak of invisibility that wraps around a patient and me when behind a closed door. Almost as if the concept of guilt, innocence, opportunity, loss, life, and death are all present together with us in a room, while the rest of the world goes on outside. …

Drug prices and fast approvals can harm patients

Martha Rosenberg

Meds

November 23, 2023

An excerpt from Big Food, Big Pharma, Big Lies.

Few fail to be shocked at the rising prices of some prescription drugs. “Drug companies have raised prices relentlessly for decades while manipulating the patent system and other laws to delay competition from lower-priced generics,” reported the House Committee on Oversight …

Job stacking for doctors: a modern approach to work-life balance

Tod Stillson, MD

Finance

November 23, 2023

The medical profession has long been associated with intense personal commitment and time-consuming work. However, in recent years, a new concept called job stacking has emerged, and it is revolutionizing the way physicians work.

In this post, I will explore the concept of job stacking for doctors, discuss its benefits, and provide guidance on how to implement it effectively.

What is job stacking?

Job stacking is the practice of working multiple jobs in …

Pain medicine realities: beyond the opioid crisis

Richard A. Lawhern, PhD & Stephen E. Nadeau, MD

Conditions

November 23, 2023

In 1990, Ronald Melzack published a paper in Scientific American titled “The Tragedy of Needless Pain.” Many would regard Melzack as the “father” of pain science and the treatment of pain. In that paper, he described the science behind several observations that many clinicians and public health policy decision-makers would find startling in today’s hostile and fraught regulatory environment surrounding the U.S. opioid crisis.

… the fact is …

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Pain medicine realities: beyond the opioid crisis

Emotional freedom and resilience: a family physician’s inspiring journey [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 22, 2023

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Join Dhruva Gulur, a family physician, to explore his journey from burnout, addiction, and self-hatred to emotional freedom and personal growth. Discover the unique concept of “Empower ACES” and “Disregard FACES” that helped him turn his life …

The brain science behind acupuncture

Marc Arginteanu, MD

Conditions

November 22, 2023

There are those who believe acupuncture to be a bunch of mumbo jumbo. I’m convinced it works, though. Acupuncture was first performed thousands of years ago, and it’s still being done today. That alone should tell you there’s something to it. Early practitioners believed they were balancing life force and rhythm. Modern science has proven that acupuncture may alter brain circuitry, change brain cell anatomy, and improve brain blood flow.

Way …

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The brain science behind acupuncture

A resident’s critical discovery: Advanced cancer unveiled

Dr. Damane Zehra

Conditions

November 22, 2023

It was my first week in the radiation oncology department as a resident. The day had been busy, and most of the consultants and staff had already left the outpatient department (OPD). I was exhausted and famished, with thoughts of dinner dominating my mind.

Just as I was beginning to wind down, the physician assistant (PA) rushed in and informed my consultant that a patient from a local hospital required immediate …

Don’t lose your end bonus to the tax-man

Amarish Dave, DO

Finance

November 22, 2023

As the year draws to a close, many doctors receive year-end bonuses. However, with these bonuses come potential tax implications that can impact the overall financial picture.

Understanding the tax landscape

Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to grasp the tax landscape. Different types of income, including bonuses, may be taxed at varying rates. Knowing the tax implications helps doctors make informed decisions. Seek a financial advisor who understands your situation if …

Doctors and disabled patients [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 21, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Heather Finlay-Morreale, a pediatrician. We’ll delve into the uncomfortable reality of doctors’ attitudes towards disabled patients, drawing from her personal experiences and the broader efforts to create positive change in medical education and practice. Discover how …

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Doctors and disabled patients [PODCAST]

Improving health care access for autism and disabilities

Irene Tanzman

Conditions

November 21, 2023

In September 2023, President Biden announced health care provider training, allocating over $8 million through 18 awards to train primary care medical students, physician assistant students, and medical residents in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate care for individuals with limited English proficiency, as well as those with physical or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Individuals with severe and profound autism deserve special consideration when it comes to accommodating their health care needs, …

The complexity of resilience and the role of medical improv

Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP

Conditions

November 21, 2023

High incidences of burnout, quiet quitting, suicide, workplace violence, excessive and relentless stress, and chronic staffing shortages reveal a huge need for resilience among health care workers. Resilience is a complex competency involving flexibility of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to adversity. Adversity, especially when it comes to working in health care, involves individuals and the cultures they work in. We must keep the culture in mind because, as …

A scientific approach to malpractice defense

Howard Smith, MD

Physician

November 21, 2023

There has always been a “fight club” because there have always been medical malpractice lawsuits. They are predicated on complications, either errors of nature or medical errors, and no doctor is immune. In the United States, roughly 85,000 medical malpractice lawsuits are filed per year, and there are 1 million doctors. For any doctor, the background risk for a medical malpractice lawsuit is 8.5% per year.

Are these statistics acceptable to …

Understanding the lives of women in medicine [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 20, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Angela Walker and Sylvia Morris, co-authors of the book, The Game Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Becoming a Doctor and Living a Life in Medicine. We delve into the complexities of relationships in the world of …

The state of digital health and innovation Q3 2023

Jorge Sanchez, MD and Nirav Shah, MD

Tech

November 20, 2023

We witnessed a digital health explosion during the pandemic, marked by significant investments in telehealth and other sectors. However, the market could not maintain its pace in the post-pandemic era. However, the year 2023 is showing clear signs of market emergence.

Though the last two quarters have shown a reduction in funding and deal volume, the third quarter is satisfactory for investors and startups.

So, what is the state of digital …

Let’s close the gap between physician writers and writers who are physicians

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Physician

November 20, 2023

“Oh, I didn’t know you’re a writer,” my neighbor said as I handed her a complimentary copy of my recently published book.

“Not really,” I replied. “I’m just a physician who likes to write.”

The conversation ended, but later, I began to think: What’s the difference between a physician writer and a writer who is a physician? What should I say to somebody else who makes a comment like my neighbor? I …

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