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Ikigai in health care: Mastering work-life balance and purpose for medical professionals

Physician

November 20, 2023

In the high-pressure health care environment, finding purpose and fulfillment is a significant challenge. The Japanese concept of ikigai offers a unique perspective, helping health care professionals discover deeper meaning in their work and personal lives. This article explores ikigai’s essence, its benefits and challenges in health care, and practical steps for embarking on this transformative journey.

Understanding ikigai

Ikigai is a Japanese term …

The shoulders of giants

Farah Karipineni, MD, MPH

Physician

November 20, 2023

I regretfully told my 65-year-old patient in the preoperative area, “I’m going to have to cancel your case.” We both knew this was coming. He suffered from a large inguinoscrotal hernia that was symptomatic but not dangerous, a condition that had threatened his welfare for the past several months. Given his education level and social issues, his career prospects were limited to manual labor. I sensed his desperation to return …

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The shoulders of giants

Are clinicians complicit in the Fentanyl epidemic?

Janet Tamaren, MD

Meds

November 19, 2023

I have a friend. He is non-medical, just a person who knows a lot of people. He grew up on the rough side of town.

He has lost five friends or relatives this past year, he tells me. All to Fentanyl overdoses.

Most were young, in their twenties or thirties. Two were friends of his son, who is in his early thirties.

Most had been on prescribed opioids for a confirmed back injury—a …

Advocating for health and humanity: a physician’s call to action amidst conflict

Therese Zink, MD, MPH

Physician

November 19, 2023

The unfolding events in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank present a complex and deeply concerning situation. The entire area is smaller than the state of Vermont. My experiences in the West Bank, supported by a U.S. Scholar Fulbright award, have given me firsthand insight into the disruptions faced by individuals in these regions. The war may be focused in Gaza, but routine life is also disrupted in the West …

From mental illness to maximum sentence

Lloyd Flatt, MD

Conditions

November 19, 2023

An excerpt from Mars Hospital: A Doctor’s Novel.

“Patient’s ready. This one will be interesting,” Sally said with a smirk. “Mom brought her nineteen-year-old son in, and she says he’s the devil.” I rolled my eyes.

Terrific. I entered the room with trepidation and saw the patient sitting quietly on the exam …

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From mental illness to maximum sentence

Prayer in the COVID ICU [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 18, 2023

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

We sit down with Robert Raschke, a critical care physician and the author of One Hundred Prayers: God’s Answer to Prayer in a COVID ICU. We explore the power of prayer in the midst of a health …

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Prayer in the COVID ICU [PODCAST]

The fine line between childhood illnesses and Munchausen syndrome by proxy

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Conditions

November 18, 2023

“Fine lines” in medicine often refer to situations where decisions are not clear-cut and require careful judgment. Perhaps the most tenuous of lines is the one between “real” childhood illnesses and those caused by Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), also known as factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), refers to a specific form of child abuse in which a caregiver, typically a parent or guardian, fabricates, exaggerates, …

Adolescent exposure to alcohol may predispose to addiction

L. Joseph Parker, MD

Conditions

November 18, 2023

Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to be in pain? Or why someone can receive a prescription for a minor procedure and immediately feel drawn to drug use?

Scientists may have recently figured out one of the reasons for these behaviors, and they may start early in life. The developing neuron is remarkably similar to a tree. The branches are the dendrites that receive electrochemical signals from the …

Why physicians need financial independence and how to achieve it

Brian Hudes, MD

Finance

November 18, 2023

In the modern world, physicians are respected and highly regarded for their compassion, dedication, skill, and knowledge. People value the effort physicians put into taking care of others often before taking care of themselves. While this noble profession was once lucrative, many now find it challenging to make ends meet, given falling reimbursements, lack of independence, and exorbitant student loans. Achieving financial independence is not just a personal goal; it …

The crisis of physician burnout and the promise of technology

Yimdriuska Magan Mendoza, MD, MPH

Physician

November 17, 2023

“I am no longer a physician. I have become the typist.”

This is a sentiment echoing in the hallways of medical practices across the nation. This transformation encapsulates the growing disillusionment among doctors, particularly those in primary care. As a resident physician in family medicine, I am acutely aware of the escalating rates of physician burnout, exacerbated by the expectation to see between 18 and 24 patients daily. One must …

Volunteering near the Dead Sea: compassion amid refugees

Dikla Agur Cohen, MD

Physician

November 17, 2023

A mere week following the events of October 7, I heeded the call to volunteer at a medical facility nestled on the shores of the Dead Sea. As a medical practitioner, my sense of duty compelled me to extend my expertise to those in need. What made this mission truly distinctive was the presence of my 15-year-old daughter, Hadar, who had taken on the role of clinic administrator. An exceptional …

Meditation: the ancient practice with science-backed benefits

Sarah Samaan, MD

Physician

November 17, 2023

Meditation is a hot topic with deep roots, but sometimes it feels like it’s being pushed as a modern-day version of snake oil for what ails the spirit. Often touted as an antidote to burnout, many of us know that a meditation app won’t solve the systemic issues plaguing health care today, leading some physicians to be skeptical.

I was introduced to mindfulness meditation years ago while practicing yoga. Initially, making …

Will GLP-1s allow our society to eschew its responsibility to create a healthy environment?

Monica Ball-Zondervan, MD

Meds

November 17, 2023

Since Ozempic entered the cultural zeitgeist, I have been overwhelmed with requests from my patients – both those who meet criteria to start the medication and those who do not – for this new class of “miracle” drug. While it does work like a miracle for some, there are also those for whom the promise rings hollow – those who are unable to tolerate the medications due to side effects, …

Digital innovation in oncology [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 16, 2023

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

We’re joined by Andrew Norden, a physician executive, to dive into the world of digital transformation in oncology. We explore why oncology has been slower to adopt digital innovations compared to other health care fields, debunking myths …

The significance of Mental Health First Aid in communities: a comprehensive exploration

Charlotte Nwogwugwu, DrPH, RN

Conditions

November 16, 2023

In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in global awareness surrounding the subject of mental health. As it becomes increasingly evident that mental well-being is just as crucial as physical health, community interventions such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) have gained prominence. Originally conceived in Australia in 2000, MHFA has since been adopted in various countries and tailored to meet the specific mental health needs of different …

Navigating the new minefield of ER medical practice

L. Joseph Parker, MD

Physician

November 16, 2023

The practice of medicine has always been difficult. In the best of times, physicians must make fast decisions under very stressful conditions. Every time a doctor navigates a crisis, they reflect on what decisions they made and how they might improve. At least the good ones do. This soul-searching often involves discussions with colleagues and staff on the events and decisions made.

Mortality and morbidity discussions, M&M as we say, are …

Confirmation bias can lead to wrong conclusions

Olapeju Simoyan, MD

Physician

November 16, 2023

I met Dr. David Zylneck through a mutual friend when he was in the final year of his pediatrics residency. Even as a trainee, he was heavily involved in international relief work and had made several trips to Southern Africa. Over time, Dr. Zylneck and I lost contact as our careers took us in different directions. Several years later, as I was about to move to a new location to …

Improving medical specialty selection with pre-training examinations

Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD

Education

November 15, 2023

Considering that the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) primarily evaluates candidates’ general medical knowledge, there is a growing need to introduce specialty-specific pre-training examinations (PTEs). This is because the USMLE’s focus on overall medical knowledge may not accurately predict the performance of applicants in their specialty-specific in-training examinations (ITEs). The introduction of PTEs could serve as a more reliable indicator of applicants’ commitment and aptitude for their chosen specialties. …

Understanding and addressing intimate partner violence in health care

Leana Pande and Courtney Chau

Conditions

November 15, 2023

October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people in the United States are physically abused by an intimate partner per minute.

It is important to remember the vital role that health care practitioners can play in raising awareness about this issue and contributing to efforts to prevent it and care for patients impacted by intimate partner …

Bridging law and medicine [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 14, 2023

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

We sit down with Armin Feldman, a medical consultant to attorneys. Join us as Armin shares his valuable insights into the world of medical/legal consulting, where he acts as a bridge between attorneys and treating doctors. Discover …

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Bridging law and medicine [PODCAST]

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