In a serendipitous encounter, I crossed paths with an old schoolmate of mine whimsically dubbed Fluffy Carol during our shared medical residency. Famous for her arresting charm and infectious smile, she was, in many ways, the life of the party if we ever had one.
Despite her endearing qualities, one mischievous fellow in our group had bestowed upon her a less-than-ideal nickname that stuck, though it was seldom uttered in her …
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Join Maryna Mammoliti, a psychiatrist, as we explore the complex concept of “defensiveness” in the medical field and beyond. We’ll discuss why labeling reactions as “defensive” can carry negative connotations, the role of defensiveness as a natural …
There is a widespread belief that the emotional distress we feel causes or contributes to many common medical conditions. However, decades of mind/body research performed by research psychologists who strongly believed this failed to confirm these beliefs. Worse, studies also could not confirm any benefit of stress reduction techniques in the management of common medical conditions.
Then, is there a mind/body connection?
The answer is yes, but it is very different from …
Closing a residency program can significantly disrupt a physician’s training. In 2019, the closure of Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia forced 570 residents to find new placements. First-year residents discovered a week before they started that the hospital was closing after its owner filed for bankruptcy.
Fast forward to January 2024. Within days, two additional residency training programs in the Philadelphia area announced closures.
Albert Einstein Medical Center said it was ending its …
The United States is a global medical care leader in many aspects, including the development of new pharmaceuticals, acute stroke care, and cancer screening. Yet, despite our advances and wealth, we lead peer nations in maternal mortality and morbidity.
While the vast majority of the nearly four million women who give birth in America every year do so without complications, maternal deaths have more than doubled over the past two decades.
In …
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Join Daniela Valenti, a psychiatrist, as she brings a unique perspective to her writing, weaving psychological depth into her characters. Today, she discusses her book, Sentinel 10, The Edge of Destiny. We’ll explore the creation of her …
The authors of the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst article urge countries to allocate 1 percent of their health care budgets toward establishing standards and processes for assessing the value of health outcomes. What matters most to patients is the fundamental principle of value-based health care. The cost of unnecessary care amounts to billions every year, not only in the United States but worldwide. This article presents the …
Reports sent back to Washington during the Vietnam War made it clear to everyone. The U.S. was winning. There could be no debate or doubt. It was right there in the numbers. When searching for a metric to measure “success,” U.S. politicians and the military had come to rely on body count comparisons. Defining “winning” as having a higher body count. And by that measure, the U.S. was indeed winning. …
Winters often bring a surge in sicknesses that can overwhelm many health systems. More specifically, a winter-related uptick in the flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses can create overcrowding in physician offices and emergency departments (EDs), which then decreases a health system’s ability to provide timely access to care for non-urgent issues, such as chronic and preventive care needs.
Additionally, EDs see a rise in a wide variety of non-respiratory illness cases …
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Join physician Jill Becker as we delve into the world of medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for opioid use disorder. Discover why MAT is crucial, the challenges patients face, and how Jill’s compassionate approach sets her apart from the …
In the world of medicine, we often encounter the term “defensive” used in various contexts – from patient interactions to professional evaluations. However, it’s crucial to reevaluate our understanding of this term and its implications on our practice and relationships.
Labeling a reaction as “defensive” carries a subjective judgment, often seen as problematic or negative. “Defensive” is often equated to a “bad” and “problematic” reaction or behavior. “Defensive” is a judgment, …
It’s no secret that health care workers are some of the most stressed and burned-out professionals in the workforce. Health care was a tough job even before we had to bear the brunt of the worst of the pandemic. Even now that we’re nearly four years out from the initial outbreak of COVID-19, we’re still contending with a myriad of challenges, such as mental health disorders and ever-diminishing staff.
Amidst …
I read an article yesterday about a teenager who became suicidal after his classmates learned that his mother had an OnlyFans account. Ironically, I have a 12-year-old son, and I had just created my own account. I shared this news with my son, and his first question was, “Is your face on it?” The second question was, “Is your name on it?” and the last question was, “Why are you …
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Studies involving the virtue ethics of a sound medical practitioner have provided insight into the nature of ethical demands on the physician as a moral person. Kotze et al., the authors of “Virtue in Medical Practice: An Exploratory Study,” agree that thinking about virtues contributes to doctors’ and medical students’ thinking about common moral dilemmas in medicine. However, they also acknowledge that the question of what virtuous medical practice …
Most of us fall short of making New Year’s resolutions.
The reason is simple: unrealistic goals. Negotiation or renegotiation of your physician contract is attainable. Your income is paramount to financial freedom, job satisfaction, and avoiding burnout risk and stress.
Hospital or practice employment has increased among physicians. The motivations include financial stability, lower risk, steering clear of managing employees, running a business, and negotiating rates with insurers.
What do physicians look for …
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Federal and state regulators have intensified the scrutiny of physicians in recent years in response to mounting overdose rates and the corresponding rise in mortality. Many in health care see this as a good thing. They would be wrong.
Look no further than the many physicians who were acquitted or exonerated after being charged with prescription-related crimes. Their plight tells the untold story of the collateral damage inflicted on medicine as …
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Join R. Lynn Barnett, a patient advocate. We’ll explore the world of caregiving, its challenges, and the profound impact it has on individuals and families. Discover valuable insights on caregiver stress, self-care, and the importance of respite …
A new health crisis is looming on the horizon in the United States, and it will affect the most vulnerable people. I am not talking about another pandemic, the downstream impact of delayed preventive screenings, or even the ongoing substance use crisis. I am talking about the endangerment of America’s health care safety net, including the providers that serve marginalized communities.
Safety net providers are primarily in unserved and underserved communities, …
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My grandmother had a beautiful garden that she expanded through years of effort in her terraced backyard. Despite rocky soil and areas of deep shade, her flowers blossomed, and the garden thrived. I do not know if her skills as a gardener were innate or learned through trials and failures, but I know my garden could certainly benefit from her guidance now.
In the medical field, there is a long-held misconception …
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