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Research in the midst of a pandemic

Conditions and Diseases

October 11, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists, physicians, and public health epidemiologists have come together, and there has been a surge in research worldwide. Basic science research has been leading the way in developing vaccines and genome sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 strains. The industry has ramped up research on developing antibody tests and viral tests to keep up with the increased need for COVID-19 testing. Clinical research and trials have drastically increased to …

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Research in the midst of a pandemic

Applying the growth mindset to health care

Bailey Wolding

Medical Education

October 11, 2020

I love to mountain bike. The thrill of watching trees zip by and of “sending it” through rock gardens is intoxicating, and this thrill is accompanied by a feeling of accomplishment unlike any other I’ve experienced. However, two of my good friends are professional mountain bike guides, and for a long time, I did not love biking with them – I was unable to bike as fast as they could, …

A hospitalist’s COVID reflection

Sameen Farooq, MD

Conditions and Diseases

October 10, 2020

Amidst the height of the COVID pandemic in New York City, I turned to Netflix to find morsels of yesterday, which seemed so distant then. During this time, I discovered Mindy Kaling’s creation, Never Have I Ever. The show tries to tell the story of a protagonist who is struggling to find compassion for her identity as a South Asian girl living in California after the tragic loss of her …

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A hospitalist’s COVID reflection

Health care from the trenches: Change must come from us

Alejandro Badia, MD

Health Policy

October 10, 2020

A patient came to see me with terrible shoulder pain, which I suspected was caused by an acute rotator cuff tear. As any good orthopedic surgeon would, I ordered an MRI. My radiology tech, however, was not permitted by Medicare to perform the study.

Now, my patient needed to secure an appointment for an MRI across town. Then, after the MRI, she needed to schedule another appointment with me so I …

Thank a health care worker. Get a flu shot.

Russell Johnson, MD

Conditions and Diseases

October 10, 2020

I evaluated the patient in one of our designated exam rooms for persons under investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19, fully doffed in personal protective equipment (PPE): an uncomfortable, resonant face shield over my surgical mask, looking like Big Bird in a bright yellow gown. It was a false alarm. But like many other clinic visits these days, we ended up talking about COVID-19.

“I can’t wait until we have a COVID vaccine …

5 situations when you should get a second opinion

Miles J. Varn, MD

Physician

October 10, 2020

A second opinion can be a powerful tool. It can help lower your risk of experiencing a medical error or misdiagnosis, allow you to explore all treatment options and their benefits and risks, connect you with physicians who have experience and success treating people with your diagnosis, and provide peace of that mind that your diagnosis and treatment plan are appropriate.

Research from the Mayo Clinic highlights the value of second …

A young doctor’s thoughts on our disaster response system, and why we need to change it

Giselle Malina, MD

Physician

October 10, 2020

That first day of mid-March in the call center that was later to become the headquarters of our student lead COVID-19 hotline, the disorganization and confusion were almost palpable. I remember the other fourth-year student at the time, Eda, trying to manage the newly arriving group of student volunteers while simultaneously answering a phone line that was ringing off the hook. I remember the blur of motion as three nurses …

Meet the physician who loves his job

Hans Duvefelt, MD

Physician

October 9, 2020

I only applied to one medical school. Maybe that was hubris, but I didn’t think so at the time. Then, in a moment of sudden insecurity, I asked myself, “What if I don’t get accepted?”

During the six months between my military service and the beginning of classes at Uppsala University, I worked as a substitute teacher in my hometown, teaching second to eleventh grade depending on where there was a …

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Meet the physician who loves his job

Giving little moments of joy reminds us of the human side of medicine

Andy Lamb, MD

Physician

October 9, 2020

The cab driver pulled up to a small house, typical of the post – WWII era. He honked his horn and waited. He honked a second time, but no one came. He contemplated leaving, as it was near the end of his shift, but decided to go knock on the door. Through the door, he heard a voice and something scraping across the floor. The door slowly opened and a …

Why socialized health care is not right for America

Mary Tipton, MD

Health Policy

October 9, 2020

I have been a doctor for twenty years, but I’m also a patient. We are all patients. This summer, my previously mild heart rhythm problem got a lot worse. By July, I was having frequent episodes of heart rates four times normal, causing me to almost lose consciousness. It was dangerous and scary. I consulted with a highly specialized doctor to fix this for good. He threaded four wires …

Can we separate Donald Trump, the patient, from Donald Trump, the politician?

Anonymous

Conditions and Diseases

October 9, 2020

When the president of the United States contracts a dangerous disease, the story is big news. When the same disease has taken the lives of 200,000 people and the same president has been under fire for grossly mishandling the response, the tale takes on a much bigger, almost biblical significance. Americans have been on tenterhooks since the news broke that Donald Trump tested positive for COVID-19, and emotion and speculation …

Fortune favors the bold: How a physician lives up to that motto

Sandra R. Weitz, MD

Physician

October 9, 2020

My seven-year-old son’s soccer club motto was “Audentes Fortuna Juvat,” which translates as “fortune favors the bold.” Many years later, I discovered that this concisely stated philosophy is adhered to by the Trumbull College at Yale University, several U.S. Navy ships, and the 80th TAC Fighter Squadron, among others. In reflecting on my own path in life, I cannot think of a more fitting model that is likely to ensure …

A medical student’s summer of 2020: Family matters

Rohan Sehgal

Medical Education

October 8, 2020

The summer of 2020 is easily one that I would rather forget but has been one that, I believe, will be etched in my memory for a very long time.

After a brief vacation to visit my maternal relatives in India during last winter break, I welcomed 2020 with some good news: I had been selected for a clinical research internship on an aging population study at the National Institute of …

Put nutrition counseling in primary care

Melinda Mesmer, MD

Conditions and Diseases

October 8, 2020

The United Nations designated 2016 to 2025 the “Decade of Action on Nutrition” in recognition of the growing importance of food and diet as it relates to all aspects of human health. We’re almost halfway through, and we’re not making the progress we need to.

A comprehensive study of scientific evidence for global diet goals and sustainability, the EAT-Lancet Commission Summary Report, stated, “Read more…

Put nutrition counseling in primary care

How blessed was I to witness this true love story

StorytellERdoc, MD

Physician

October 8, 2020

The little things?

The little moments?

They aren’t little …

I noticed the two of them shortly after I arrived for my shift. I was standing at the counter, immersed in a chart, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw them walk out of their treatment room. Together.

Slowly, they walked into the hallway, looking first to their left and then to their right, wondering which way to go. One of …

Assisted suicide: a change of heart

Dr. Eunice J. Minford

Physician

October 8, 2020

When I was training as a surgeon, I was pro assisted suicide. I believed it was a humane act of kindness and compassion. I imagined myself to be in the place of the other and at times felt if that was me, I’d rather be dead than live with that condition or this condition. I understand how easy it is to think and feel like this and not even question: …

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Assisted suicide: a change of heart

When interviewing, remember it goes both ways

Yoo Jung Kim, MD

Medical Education

October 8, 2020

I’ve just completed traveling around the country for residency interviews, so I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to ask and answer personal questions.

In my desired specialty of dermatology, a typical interview day consists of short, intense bursts of eight to 12 interviews lasting around 10 minutes each, akin to speed dating. Because dermatology is a small specialty, a large portion of the department tends to …

Inadequate COVID testing leaves New York City schools vulnerable

Susannah Hills, MD

Conditions and Diseases

October 7, 2020

New York City has the largest public school system in the country. More than a million students, and tens of thousands of teachers, administrators, and support staff. If you read the papers, the biggest issue is how to organize teaching. The debate is over on-line learning versus in-person learning and everything in between. But, as the city works to reopen schools, last-minute changes and concerns for inadequate infection prevention measures …

The poignant message in the balloon

Kellie Lease Stecher, MD

Physician

October 7, 2020

After the combination of COVID-19 and George Floyd’s death, it felt like time stood still across the Twin Cities. As a physician, I couldn’t understand how a pandemic response could be partisan. However, I became even more shocked at the partisan divide when it came time to discuss racism and gender equity. As a physician, we take an oath to protect life. We are trained to care for people in …

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The poignant message in the balloon

Doctors are killing themselves, and who is taking notice?

Courtney Markham-Abedi, MD

Conditions and Diseases

October 7, 2020

I am a psychiatrist. My field has been marred with human rights violations and treatments that though well-meaning, did not yield the results that were intended. I have always been at the watch and helm of speaking out when I see gaps and places where my colleagues and I are called to do better. I have been treating patients for over 15 years now. I have remained silent …

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