| KevinMD.com

January 6, 2023Jan 6, 2023

"My father’s struggle to exist as a father after getting married was evident. But at the same time, the birth of his children changed his world forever. His march towards success through hard work, unmatched anger, and repression prevented him…

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“My father’s struggle to exist as a father after getting married was evident. But at the same time, the birth of his children changed his world forever. His march towards success through hard work, unmatched anger, and repression prevented him from rising out of his poverty mindset, even though he was …

Physician voices

Understanding patients’ religious and spiritual beliefs promotes healing

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

January 6, 2023Jan 6, 2023

Religious and spiritual experiences have shaped my worldview since I was a teenager. At age 13, I celebrated my bar mitzvah. Later that year, I underwent an appendectomy. A priest asked my mother if he could pray for me prior to the operation. My mother did not hesitate to accept the priest’s blessing. I learned at an early age that prayers for one’s well-being should be welcomed regardless of …

Physician voices

How to deal with challenging patients

Jean Paul Brutus, MD

January 6, 2023Jan 6, 2023

Dealing with challenging patients can be difficult and stressful for doctors and health care professionals. It can be helpful to remember that they can be difficult for a variety of reasons, such as pain, fear, confusion, or unmet expectations that…

Dealing with challenging patients can be difficult and stressful for doctors and health care professionals.

It can be helpful to remember that they can be difficult for a variety of reasons, such as pain, fear, confusion, or unmet expectations that were expressed or not — reasonable or not. To effectively handle challenging patients, a few key points must be kept in mind.

Remain calm and professional. This will help keep the situation …

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How to deal with challenging patients

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Physician voices

Learn to earn end-of-life respect

Kevin Haselhorst, MD

January 6, 2023Jan 6, 2023

Pele, the famous Brazilian soccer star, reportedly stopped medical treatment for colon cancer. Media outlets stated he was receiving various iterations of comfort, hospice, and palliative care which were perceived as criminal and disrespectful. His daughter denied these allegations on…

How often are those with serious illnesses treated like criminals for wrongdoing?

When medical treatment is withdrawn or withheld, it seems the person has lost the battle or chose not …

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Learn to earn end-of-life respect

The Podcast by KevinMD

How a positive staff helped an uncertain hospital stay [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

January 5, 2023Jan 5, 2023

"Hospitals and health systems should bolster the skills of care teams through education to improve patient outcomes by minimizing variations in obstetric care and being equipped to prevent, identify, and address any possible maternal emergency. Our obstetrics team provided invaluable…

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“Hospitals and health systems should bolster the skills of care teams through education to improve patient outcomes by minimizing variations in obstetric care and being equipped to prevent, identify, and address any possible maternal emergency. Our obstetrics team provided invaluable care through communication, physical and emotional assistance, and reliable services. My …

Conditions and diseases

Clinicians serving under-resourced populations should seize opportunity for free lifestyle medicine education

Qadira Huff, MD, MPH

January 5, 2023Jan 5, 2023

As a pediatrician serving under-resourced families in Washington, D.C., I was glad to see health leaders converge for the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Solutions to food insecurity and diet-related diseases are urgently needed to address the…

One of the important issues discussed at the conference is the critical need for more education and training in nutrition …

Physician voices

How to prevent a frivolous medical malpractice lawsuit

Howard Smith, MD

January 5, 2023Jan 5, 20239

There are 50,000 medical malpractice lawsuits filed per year. Each doctor has a 5 percent chance of being sued each year, and every doctor will be sued at least once in 20 years. 70 percent of medical malpractice lawsuits are non-meritorious and are dropped. These represent 35,000 frivolous lawsuits. Until now, there is no way to prevent a frivolous medical malpractice lawsuit.

America is a litigious society. The medical liability …

Conditions and diseases

The emotional side of CPR: Reflecting on the challenges of resuscitation in the wake of Damar Hamlin’s collapse

Mick Connors, MD

January 5, 2023Jan 5, 2023

First, I want to extend my thoughts, wishes, and prayers to Damar Hamlin, his family, and his teammates. Seeing his collapse on television stirred many emotions in me; I can't imagine what those who were on the field or in…

First, I want to extend my thoughts, wishes, and prayers to Damar Hamlin, his family, and his teammates. Seeing his collapse on television stirred many emotions in me; I can’t imagine what those who were on the field or in the stadium experienced.

As a pediatric emergency physician, I can tell you that anything related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is difficult. America got a real glimpse of the horrors of CPR …

Conditions and diseases

My journey parenting with chronic depression as a physician mom

Karla Lester, MD

January 5, 2023Jan 5, 2023

I remember feeling like I was on an island, and any time I separated from her and put her down, I frantically looked around for her, daydreaming she was lost at sea. When I was pregnant, everything was contained and…

I remember feeling like I was on an island, and any time I separated from her and put her down, I frantically looked around for her, daydreaming she was lost at sea.

When I was pregnant, everything was contained and controlled. Her womb gymnastics, even at night, were welcome interruptions to my sleep.

It was my first time breastfeeding, and even though I was a pediatrician, getting her to get a good …

The Podcast by KevinMD

Treating rare, multi-system illnesses [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

January 4, 2023Jan 4, 2023

"If patients had an accurate diagnosis and their physicians knew the root of their illness and could treat it effectively, then the medical care costs would go down. The effect on patients of being diagnosed years earlier and having a…

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“If patients had an accurate diagnosis and their physicians knew the root of their illness and could treat it effectively, then the medical care costs would go down. The effect on patients of being diagnosed years earlier and having a shorter diagnostic odyssey is impossible to quantify. We need more elephantologists. …

Physician voices

Breaking the silence: a doctor’s plea for clarity in end-of-life care

Alan Lindemann, MD

January 4, 2023Jan 4, 2023

Six years ago, I met a man who was 93 years old. I sat down to listen to him, something we physicians don't do as often as we should in the long-term care setting. "I want you to treat me…

Six years ago, I met a man who was 93 years old. I sat down to listen to him, something we physicians don’t do as often as we should in the long-term care setting.

“I want you to treat me like I’m 73,” he said,

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I don’t want to be denied treatment just because I am 93 years old. I want you to give me the same …

Conditions and diseases

Care aides in long-term care were traumatized during COVID-19

Carole A. Estabrooks, PhD, RN

January 4, 2023Jan 4, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on long-term care in Canada. During the first two waves in 2020, over 80 percent of all Canadian COVID-19 deaths happened in long-term care homes. While vaccination and policy changes have helped to reduce the number of deaths, long-term care homes are still experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and severe staffing shortages.

The people who provide front-line care to our most vulnerable seniors in long-term care have experienced …

Drugs and prescribing

Timely treatment decisions: the promise of surrogate markers

Layla Parast, PhD

January 4, 2023Jan 4, 2023

Driving around, searching for children's Tylenol and a pharmacy that had the antibiotics my son needed, was not how I wanted to spend the holidays. I am not alone - shelves are bare, and antibiotics are in short supply as…

Driving around, searching for children’s Tylenol and a pharmacy that had the antibiotics my son needed, was not how I wanted to spend the holidays. I am not alone – shelves are bare, and antibiotics are in short supply as we head into the new year in the midst of a triple threat of COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

While this drug shortage is incredibly frustrating, at least there is …

The Podcast by KevinMD

Why the internet of things (IoT) must pivot to achieve health care potential [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

January 3, 2023Jan 3, 2023

"In many ways, internet of things (IoT) is a double-edged sword: connected devices are capturing huge volumes and varieties of data that can be mined for everything from potentially life-saving health care information to guidance toward peak athletic performance, but…

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“In many ways, internet of things (IoT) is a double-edged sword: connected devices are capturing huge volumes and varieties of data that can be mined for everything from potentially life-saving health care information to guidance toward peak athletic performance, but it is incredibly difficult to convert that raw data into truly …

Physician voices

Why perfectionists in medicine need to practice compassion

Paul Pender, MD

January 3, 2023Jan 3, 2023

I recently read the article, "Perfectionism will kill you." Our perfectionism is often worn like a badge of honor. It signifies our complete commitment, at times at the expense of others. Wanting to do your best job is what drives…

I recently read the article, “Perfectionism will kill you.”

Our perfectionism is often worn like a badge of honor. It signifies our complete commitment, at times at the expense of others. Wanting to do your best job is what drives “good” perfectionism. Woody Allen quipped, “80 percent of life is just showing up.” And the other 20 percent is reserved for perfectionists.

Success often comes from attention to detail, something perfectionists …

Conditions and diseases

From cough to cancer: one woman’s determination to find answers and relief

Mikel Segal, MD

January 3, 2023Jan 3, 2023

My mom is putting garlic oil in her ears because her house cleaner told her it would help with her recent hearing loss. When I asked her why she was continuing to do this even after being assessed by two physicians, including an ear, nose, and throat specialist, she just shrugged and told me she wants to fix the problem.

You see, she has recently been through a difficult six months …

Tragedy strikes Monday Night Football as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffers cardiac arrest. Is commotio cordis to blame?

Kevin Pho, MD

January 3, 2023Jan 3, 20233

A shocking scene during the Monday night football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. According to the New York Times: During a Monday Night Football game, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin tackled Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. After…

A shocking scene during the Monday night football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. According to the New York Times:

During a Monday Night Football game, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin tackled Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins. After the tackle, Hamlin quickly stood up and took a few steps before collapsing and becoming unconscious. Medical personnel administered CPR and attended to Hamlin for 10 minutes before

…

Conditions and diseases

Keep the faith: Why the role of spiritual care in health care is critical

Jung Kwak, PhD, MSW & Rev. Brian Hughes

January 3, 2023Jan 3, 2023

This time of year, advice abounds on how to develop New Year's resolutions that last. Some assert the need for resolutions and goals that reflect the deep desire for meaning-making, living life to the fullest extent possible, and establishing healthier,…

This time of year, advice abounds on how to develop New Year’s resolutions that last. Some assert the need for resolutions and goals that reflect the deep desire for meaning-making, living life to the fullest extent possible, and establishing healthier, fuller lives moving forward.

Spiritual care is an essential part of any health care resolution.

Some describe a recent Journal of the American Medical Association study as “the most rigorous …

The Podcast by KevinMD

Secrets from a physician-entrepreneur [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

January 2, 2023Jan 2, 2023

"Health care has changed dramatically in the last decades, from the introduction of electronic medical records to the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a catalyst for telehealth and virtual care options to the increased familiarity with digital therapeutics, etc. Just as…

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“Health care has changed dramatically in the last decades, from the introduction of electronic medical records to the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a catalyst for telehealth and virtual care options to the increased familiarity with digital therapeutics, etc. Just as the industry has transformed over time, the physician’s role has similarly …

Physician voices

Reflections from a (former) self-compassion and boundary setting skeptic

Jillian Rigert, MD, DMD

January 2, 2023Jan 2, 2023

Self-compassion does not make you soft. Boundaries do not make you closed off or selfish. I had to repeat this many times before I started to understand how true and how essential self-compassion and boundaries are in our lives. I…

Self-compassion does not make you soft. Boundaries do not make you closed off or selfish.

I had to repeat this many times before I started to understand how true and how essential self-compassion and boundaries are in our lives.

I did not realize how much I maintained my resistance to these ideas until Dr. Brené Brown provided her research findings at a conference held in Houston this year. Dr. Brown shared her …