Physician

Physicians writing on KevinMD about the life of the profession: the work itself, the exhaustion, what women physicians are paid and asked to carry, the losses the profession has been slow to name, and who decides how physicians work. Five maintained records draw on this archive: Physician burnout: what physicians say, in their own words, Primary care: what physicians say, in their own words, Women in medicine: what women physicians say, in their own words,, Physician suicide: what physicians say, in their own words, and Physicians and administrators: what physicians say about who runs medicine, in their own words.

Unconventional health care, flawed studies, and biases: Navigating the complexities for optimal well-being

Kara Wada, MD

Physician

June 1, 2023

When I speak with my less “crunchy” peers, I encounter a considerable amount of resistance to ideas that have initially gained traction in naturopathic or integrative spaces: food as medicine, making “non-toxic” swaps, meditation, or reiki, to name a few.

As humans, we certainly love a good us vs. them mentality, tribalism and all.

But the reality is, many of us have witnessed harm inflicted on patients who sought care in less …

Finding your ideal work-life balance: tips for prioritizing personal life and achieving professional success

Zahid Awan, MD

Physician

May 31, 2023

Recently, someone mentioned that the whole work-life balance issue is overrated. They argue that they have enjoyed focusing on academics and work most of their life and feel very satisfied despite the lack of balance. There was also an assertion of a happy family life despite that so-called lack of balance.

That point is well taken, but the work-life balance is subjective, and everyone has their own preferences and priorities in …

Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Physician

May 31, 2023

The extraordinary stories of Mike Tyson and George Foreman, two esteemed boxers who’ve shaped the sport’s landscapes, are peppered with life lessons extending far beyond a boxing ring’s confines. These lessons, borne out of sweat, determination, and a relentless drive to rise above adversity, apply to various sectors, including the often challenging and constantly evolving health care field.

One key lesson from Tyson’s remarkable journey is the sheer power of resilience …

7 ways to beat burnout: a guide for health care professionals to reduce stress and reclaim their passion

Marie Livesey, DO

Physician

May 31, 2023

The burnout bags health care professionals carry are enough to tip the scales of any airline. And just like the fees airlines slap on oversized suitcases, the costs for health care workers are at an all-time high. Staffing shortages, increased patient loads (both their own and those they supervise), medicine costs, resource shortfalls, and everyone’s favorite bag- the never-ending administrative burdens all add to the weight.

The cost? While a distinct …

Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH

Physician

May 30, 2023

I felt uneasy starting my oncology and leukemia rotations. These patients were so sick, and many of them had incurable cancer, often just weeks or days away from death. I wondered how I could help them, what we could do if we couldn’t treat their cancer. I’m grateful that these patients taught me not just much about how we can always help our patients and support them but also much …

We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

Jeffrey A. Singer, MD

Physician

May 30, 2023

May is the month most American medical students finally see four years of grueling work bear fruit. Most U.S. medical schools hold commencement exercises in May, conferring “doctor of medicine” degrees in elaborate ceremonies. During these ceremonies, graduates recite oaths inspired by the 5th-century B.C. oath of Hippocrates of Kos, the “father of medicine.”

In the mid-20th century, medical schools began administering modernized …

The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

Ton La, Jr., MD, JD

Physician

May 30, 2023

Death is an inevitable part of life, and in medicine, it is a topic that is frequently encountered. As medical professionals, we see patients who are faced with terminal illnesses and inevitably nearing the end of their lives. Dealing with death can be a daunting task, and it’s a topic that requires sensitivity, empathy, and compassion.

At the forefront of end-of-life care are the principles of compassionate care. It is about …

How can there be joy in medicine if there is no joy in Mudville?

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Physician

May 29, 2023

The following article is part satire and part imagination.

The classic poem “Casey at the Bat” delves into the dashed dreams of 5,000 frenzied fans who gathered to watch the “Mudville Nine” play baseball, pinning their hopes on their star player, Casey. Do they have unrealistic expectations of Casey, or is his prowess over-hyped? And what implications does this time-honored poem have for medical practice?

Parables – short stories that teach a …

Physician entrepreneurs offer hope for burned out doctors

Cindy Rubin, MD

Physician

May 29, 2023

As I leave a conference organized for a group of physician entrepreneurs, I have so many thoughts running through my head. Some of these thoughts revolve around making my small, fledgling medical practice run more smoothly, reaching more people (and serving them better), and always remembering my why. These are the “business mastermind” skills I signed up to learn at the conference. But I may have come out of this …

The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

Elizabeth Cerceo, MD

Physician

May 28, 2023

Anyone who practiced medicine in the past decade will be well acquainted with the myriad discussions about epidemic of burnout and the eroding of well-being among health care providers that has accelerated with the pandemic. With 63 percent of physicians having at least one symptom of burnout and professional fulfillment dropping from 40 to 20 percent in 2021, there are no shortage of culprits. Increased workload, documentation, and administrative …

Raw humanity on night float: inspiring patient encounters and overcoming challenges

Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH

Physician

May 27, 2023

Night float had always been this mythical monster to me, an intimidating prospect that conjured up some of my greatest fears about a residency rotation – jetlag, nocturnal clock, lack of continuity with patients or a day team, multiple pagers and multiple admissions every night. Maybe it was the uncertainty of the unknown that had seemed so daunting.

Somehow, after three admissions on my first night, I found myself still awake …

Revolutionizing emergency medicine: Overcoming long-term challenges with innovative solutions for physicians and patients

Anonymous

Physician

May 26, 2023

My previous post on this topic described long-term cultural and organizational challenges facing emergency medicine (EM) that pose greater threats to the specialty than temporal challenges (e.g., overproduction of emergency physicians (EPs)). Some challenges are not remediable; they are inherent to the specialty:

short-term patient relationships
unpredictable workload/intensity
frequent, rapid fluctuations of stressful and less-stressful periods

However, many detrimental aspects of EM can be substantially …

The pediatric health care system tested to the limits: an inside look at the “at capacity” period during the tripledemic

Jacqueline Bolt, MD

Physician

May 25, 2023

Where should I begin when describing a period that seemed to have no end in sight? When we, as pediatric emergency department (ED) providers, felt like we were drowning in a tsunami of pediatric patients coming from every direction – from adult EDs needing to transfer seizing children for a higher level of care, from EMS coming in with apneic neonates, and from the endless supply of those from the …

How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

Juliet Morgan, MD and Meghan Jobson, MD, PhD

Physician

May 24, 2023

Let’s say that you have it all together: you are accepting your illness and it is enriching your life. Now turn on the TV, pick up …

How biased language and stigmatizing labels affect patient care and treatment

Joan Naidorf, DO

Physician

May 23, 2023

During her treatment for acute leukemia, my friend Susan came to me for help and advice while she was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy. I also did her laundry. She went to one of the specialists at a major tertiary care center and had access to the lengthy consultation written by the oncologist. Susan had a career as a highly respected and much-loved elementary school principal in our county school …

Emulating Michael Jordan’s winning mindset: a path to success for health care professionals and entrepreneurs

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Physician

May 23, 2023

Michael Jordan, an iconic figure in basketball, is revered not only for his athletic prowess but also for his relentless dedication, perseverance, and strong work ethic. His career is filled with great lessons that apply universally, transcending the boundaries of sports. They are particularly relevant to health care professionals and entrepreneurs, two roles requiring a similar level of dedication, resilience, and a ceaseless hunger for growth and achievement.

Firstly, Michael Jordan …

Reflections on 500 patients, unique cases, and making a difference in health care

Ton La, Jr., MD, JD

Physician

May 23, 2023

As I reflect on my first year of residency, it’s hard to believe that I’ve cared for nearly 500 patients spanning across multiple departments; floor medicine, ICU, ER, neurology, cardiology, and surgery. I’ve had the opportunity to perform one central line placement, three intubations, ran a code blue, and performed CPR in both the ICU and the ER. Though these procedures may seem daunting, I learned that confidence comes not …

How electronic health records preserve patients’ legacies in the words of oncologists

Marc Braunstein, MD, PhD

Physician

May 22, 2023

It’s 10 p.m., do you know where your doctor is? I chuckle to myself, recalling a familiar public service announcement of the past meant to remind adults about the whereabouts of their children. I know exactly where I am at this typical hour, sitting in front of a glaring computer screen trying in vain to clear out my inbox in our practice’s electronic health record (EHR) and “win the game” …

Unlocking the secret to more time and energy: How saying no can change your life as a doctor

Shiraz Rahim, MD

Physician

May 22, 2023

I am someone who consistently makes New Year’s resolutions. I find New Year’s to be a great time to reassess how all the aspects of my life are going and whether they continue to align with the direction I want to take.

In previous years my resolutions have ranged from the cliche “going to the gym and losing weight” to listening to a podcast every day, exploring my city, or learning …

Navigating the complexity of “first do no harm” in modern medicine

M. Bennet Broner, PhD

Physician

May 21, 2023

“First do no harm” is the opening line of the Hippocratic Oath, and virtually everyone is familiar with it, as it is quoted on every TV medical drama at least once a season. We tend to think that the oath was highly influential in medical training and practice when it was written circa 400 BCE. Still, it had limited applicability, as it only applied to students trained in Hippocrates’ style …

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