Physician

Unlocking the hidden potential of physician scientists: the key to research breakthroughs and health care innovation

Physician
June 25, 2023

Ten years ago, as a new graduate, I sought an academic job that would protect my time for research. I was surprised to find that I was “unqualified”: I had no research funding and few published manuscripts. With these deficits, no institution was willing to give me a research job. Eventually, I was offered a clinical job that would protect my time at 20 percent. With this time, I was …

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The Little Mermaid inspires a health care revolution: Breaking silos for equitable, accessible, and innovative solutions

Physician
June 25, 2023

The Little Mermaid remake was recently released, and I was excited to experience the film for a few reasons. First, it was my favorite animated Disney film of all time. It came out when I was three years old, and I watched the VHS tape until it didn’t work anymore. Yes, I’m dating myself. Second, there were updated lyrics and a Black Ariel. Although it was strangely controversial that Ariel …

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Unveiling the truth: How headlines shape our world and the urgent need for reliable news

Physician
June 24, 2023

This is a story of headlines and the power they wield for good and evil (apologies for the melodrama). Words matter, and I, for one, am frustrated with the words in headlines often doing more harm than good.

I am a family doctor whose passion in life is preventing disease. I don’t want to see my patients suffering from diabetes or heart failure, nor from a contagious disease that is preventable …

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From doubts to triumph: The inspiring journey of a nocturnist doctor

Physician
June 24, 2023

As I stood there, my mentor, Dr. S, spoke in his gentle, wise voice, “Congratulations! You have been selected as the hospital’s new nocturnist.” The news hit me like a wave of disbelief, and a surge of emotions rushed through me. The competition for this position had been intense, leaving me uncertain about my chances. But now, at this moment, all those doubts were swept away. A whirlwind of feelings …

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Powerful lessons from a tragic hospital incident: the importance of living wills and last goodbyes

Physician
June 24, 2023

As an emergency physician, I’m a strong proponent of living wills, POLST forms, and discussing uncomfortable topics with your loved ones. Even making decisions about your child being an organ donor, if, Heaven forbid, something happened. You never know when the “last time” might be.

A recent case I had served as a reminder of this. The patient and their spouse came to the hospital for what was supposed to be …

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Breaking the chains of medical burnout: How physicians are reclaiming their well-being and transforming patient care

Physician
June 22, 2023

When I was an OB/GYN intern, I made the mistake of admitting that I was able to get a short nap during my night shift. I was immediately met with comments that made it clear that rest during downtime was not something to be proud of. I felt so ashamed that once I became an attending, I was always afraid to admit when I had a relatively “easy” call shift …

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How a lack of business education is destroying private medical practice

Physician
June 20, 2023

Over a million intelligent American physicians are walking around in the medical practice environment today, patting themselves on the back while believing they have reached their ultimate success in medical practice. They have absolutely no idea that they have never come close to their optimal potential. It’s a tragedy that has been disregarded yet tolerated by medical school scholars and administrators for at least the last century.

What every physician should …

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Emotional intelligence in entrepreneurship: the significance and application of the 5 core pillars

Physician
June 20, 2023

Emotional intelligence (EI) represents an essential suite of abilities that dictate our capacity to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. This skill set significantly influences our decision-making process, conflict resolution abilities, empathy towards others, and how we handle stress. EI plays a fundamental role in entrepreneurship and forms the bedrock of successful leadership, effective team dynamics, and robust client relationships.

Pioneered by psychologist Daniel Goleman, …

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The magic of human connections

Physician
June 20, 2023

I was doing laundry last week when my engagement ring snagged on a shirt. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that one of the four prongs holding the diamond in place was sticking up and on the verge of breaking.

Quickly, I took off the ring and placed it in a safe spot, relieved that it hadn’t accidentally gone down the drain.

Shortly after, a …

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Understanding the mind’s role and embracing contentment for a flourishing life

Physician
June 18, 2023

It is challenging to open a medical journal in any specialty without coming across an article on burnout. These articles present statistics, trends, and various causes in detail. Some even propose sensible solutions such as flexible scheduling, peer support, delegation of clerical work, and an increased focus on personal well-being activities as steps in the right direction.

I have previously emphasized that “the absence of burnout does not equal wellness,” …

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3 myths about ECMO that are costing hospitals and patients

Physician
June 17, 2023

Although the global pandemic is officially over, it has left a permanent mark on the health care landscape, reshaping the dynamics of hospitals in the United States. While staffing crises often dominate the headlines, health care institutions face an underlying financial crisis that remains largely underreported.

In 2022, a startling 50% of all U.S. hospitals concluded the year with a negative margin. Due to factors like elective surgical …

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How to maximize your dermatology appointment for effective care

Physician
June 17, 2023

An office visit with a health care professional can seem like a race against time and money. With rising co-pays and shorter appointments, arriving prepared for a health care appointment will maximize the likelihood of addressing as many concerns as possible and developing a personalized treatment plan. Below are the ways you can prepare for your upcoming dermatologist appointment.

Keep track of your scheduled appointments and arrive early.

Know the day and …

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Unlearning perfectionism: Embracing imperfection and finding my true self through improv

Physician
June 16, 2023

I walked into my local improvisational comedy theater a few years ago and started taking classes to escape burnout and have some fun. It was so freaking difficult. Here I was, a frazzled, tightly-wound mid-career pediatrician, surrounded by all these creative, quirky folks from all walks of life who were just so funny. I kept hearing, “We don’t want to hear you on stage, Wendy,” meaning they wanted me to …

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Unveiling the true origin of “first, do no harm” in medicine: Discover the father of clinical medicine

Physician
June 15, 2023

A recent essay on this blog, “Navigating the complexity of ‘first do no harm’ in modern medicine,” provided an excellent review of this principle. However, as is so often the case, it misattributed the statement to the Hippocratic Oath.

Certainly, this does contain elements of this sentiment, more fully expressed in another work of Hippocrates called “Of the Epidemics.” But the term does not originate with this Greek physician.

Scholars have …

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The journey through loss: a personal reflection on healing and hope

Physician
June 14, 2023

Losing a loved one is an experience that leaves an indelible mark on your soul. It changes your world, shaking the foundations of what you once thought stable, leaving you to navigate an ocean of grief. For me, this was my reality when I lost someone dear to me. During my journey, I found solace and guidance in the themes of enduring love, nostalgia, resilience, and hope, beautifully depicted in …

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The power of small teams: communication complexity and its impact on health care leadership

Physician
June 13, 2023

In organizational leadership, the adage “less is more” often rings accurate, particularly regarding team size. Small teams, with their inherent communication advantages, often outperform larger ones. This phenomenon, communication complexity, is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in team success. In this article, we will explore the concept of communication complexity, its application in health care leadership, and how it influences various team structures such as grand rounds, regular teaching …

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