The practice of delayed gratification in medical training: a double-edged sword

Physician
August 21, 2024

As I led small group sessions during our medical school’s recent orientation, I was struck by the nervous excitement and hope radiating from our new first-year students. Their enthusiasm was palpable yet tinged with apprehension about the challenging journey ahead. Two themes emerged from our discussions. The first was a desire to dive in and tackle challenges ahead. As one student stated, “Enough talking, let’s start doing.” The second was …

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Spinal revolution: Navigating a digital future in surgical precision

Conditions
August 21, 2024

With an expected 80 percent increase in demand for spinal surgery by 2060, particularly among older patients, the need for advanced technology driving personalized treatment is clear. Achieving optimal spine outcomes while deriving critical data that facilitates continuous improvement is limited in the current state by operating room technology narrowly focused on optimizing safe screw placement. While this is a valuable capability, integrating more advanced surgical navigation and artificial intelligence …

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From marathoner to heart health advocate [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 20, 2024
YouTube video

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We dive into the intriguing world of endurance exercise and cardiovascular health with our guest, John C. Hagan III, an ophthalmologist and veteran endurance athlete. John shares his personal journey with long-distance running …

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Compassion in medicine: How palliative care changes lives

Conditions
August 20, 2024

Health care providers dedicate years to rigorous education and training to optimize medical care, aiming to heal and treat illness. However, historically, there has been a significant gap in training regarding the transition from a treatment-focused approach to focusing on providing comfort in the face of serious illness and death. This leaves health care professionals unprepared to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care. Despite their good intentions, health are providers …

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Your baby is fine; her lips aren’t blue

Conditions
August 20, 2024

I remember these words as if it were yesterday. Those memories are etched into my mind forever. I can’t forget them, nor do I want to, because I know that these experiences are not unique to me but happen all too often.

When my second child was four days old, I had her home with me, surrounded by family. It had been a busy few weeks because, for this pregnancy, I …

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When a patient’s story hits close to home: a doctor’s emotional journey

Physician
August 20, 2024

It had been a busy day. He was the last patient of the day.

In the oncology outpatient department, we have forms for documenting a patient’s medical history. The form has specific sections that need to be filled out in a set order. First, we start with the presenting complaint, followed by the history of presenting illness. Next, we document the patient’s past medical and surgical history, followed by sections for …

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The hidden connection between dementia and PTSD

Conditions
August 20, 2024

Health care professionals working with dementia patients should be aware that a higher-than-average percentage of their patients are likely to have PTSD.

Research has found that people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) appear to have a higher likelihood of developing dementia than those who do not. A meta-analysis of evidence on PTSD and dementia risk, for example, found that people diagnosed with PTSD are up to twice as likely to …

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Balancing values and metrics: the modern physician’s dilemma [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 19, 2024
YouTube video

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Join us for an insightful podcast episode featuring Shideh Shafie, an emergency physician. We’ll delve into the profound values that drive physicians to serve humanity and alleviate suffering, and discuss the impact of …

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A true win for the DEA and society at large

Meds
August 19, 2024

In most physician prosecutions for treating pain or addiction, there is never any actual evidence of criminal intent. Just the nebulous argument that a doctor “ignored the risk of overdose,” “ignored the risk of addiction,” or performed “an insufficient medical exam.” I have a big problem with these because the doctor didn’t ignore anything in about 80 percent of the cases I evaluated. Indeed, the DEA had to lie to …

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How compassionate communities can transform the lives of schizophrenia patients

Conditions
August 19, 2024

While working as psychiatrists, we have the pleasure of working very closely with our patients as well as their friends and family. During these interactions, we get to know a lot about their struggles. In this blog, I want to focus on what we as a community can do to help patients as well as their families dealing with schizophrenia.

I saw an elderly lady admitted to the inpatient psychiatry unit …

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How physicians can fix media bias with science

Physician
August 19, 2024

The assassination attempt is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The “gaslighting” is over. The rules for truth by legacy media are never examined for objectivity. We do not have the Inquisition in the United States; we have the legacy media.

One “fact-checker” measures truth by “Pinocchios.” There is a better way—hypothesis testing. Who better to know about hypothesis testing than a physician?

What if the facts about how Medicare is …

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Why I won’t let my wife see her EOBs anymore

Physician
August 19, 2024

Today, in the mail, I received a claim summary for medical care that my wife received. She saw an orthopedic PA for an achy knee and got a shot of a slippery substance that was supposed to be superior to steroids. “Is this stuff expensive?” she asked him. “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “You have Medicare. It will cover it.”

It didn’t help her knee, though, and she moved on …

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Access to uterine artery embolization for all women [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 18, 2024
YouTube video

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Join Nikki Keefe, an interventional radiologist, as we delve into the complexities of uterine fibroids and the disparities in treatment access. Despite uterine fibroids affecting up to 70 percent of women and causing …

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Caring for our caregivers: Addressing the burnout crisis in health care

Physician
August 18, 2024

The public health crisis of burnout among health care workers is more severe than many realize. With 49% of physicians experiencing burnout, patients face a 1 in 2 chance of being treated by an exhausted, unmotivated, and underperforming doctor. This issue affects all areas of health care, from emergency and urgent care visits to surgeries, deliveries, and cancer screenings. A patient’s well-being hinges on health care professional’s ability to …

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The hidden heroes who fought for women’s reproductive rights in the 1950s

Policy
August 18, 2024

The term “Dainty Maids” could refer to various subjects depending on the context—ranging from historical groups to fictional characters.

Historically, women in service roles, such as maids or attendants, were referred to as Dainty Maids. They were noted for their refined manners and appearance, women who embodied ideals of delicacy and decorum. In literary works, poetry, and plays from various periods, particularly in the Victorian era, Dainty Maids were often described …

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Unmasking online scams: How to stay safe as a visible patient advocate

Tech
August 18, 2024

As a health care writer and patient advocate for people in pain, I spend a lot of time online on venues like Facebook, Quora, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter). I am visible. And because I am visible, many people reach out to me seeking help or doctor referrals to the few clinicians who are still prescribing safe and effective opioid pain relievers. In recent years, I have also been contacted …

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Money dysmorphia: the new financial disorder affecting millions

Finance
August 18, 2024

A new, concerning trend in society has emerged online and across social media: money dysmorphia. It’s the latest version of the comparison trap and aims to describe a distorted view of one’s financial situation and how one is doing financially.

What is money dysmorphia?

Money dysmorphia is a psychological condition where individuals have distorted perceptions of their financial status, often leading to unhealthy behaviors and attitudes toward money. Similar to body dysmorphia, …

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Battling burnout in pediatric intensive care [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 17, 2024
YouTube video

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We delve into the critical issue of physician burnout with Jillian Bybee, a pediatric intensive care physician. Jillian shares her firsthand experiences from the front lines of health care, discussing the unique challenges …

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A doctor’s eye-opening journey as a patient

Physician
August 17, 2024

In 2022, I sought out mental health care, finally able to say, “I need help.” During this experience, my doctor’s brain churned, and a new patient’s brain grew. These allowed me to see both sides of the world of medicine, and the contrast, unfortunately, disappointed me. Below is a spur-of-the-moment writing inspired by a series of unfortunate patient experiences. In sharing these words, I hope I can help the patients …

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The rise of at-home medical tests: Can the hype meet our health care needs?

Physician
August 17, 2024

Recent news feeds are packed with consumer tips for navigating the abundance of at-home medical tests. Within the past month, Healthline, Fortune, Self Magazine, and the New York Times, to name a few, have published articles on “best of” medical tests for a range of health conditions, from herpes and HIV to COVID-19 and thyroid function.

At-home medical tests are a booming market, expected to reach …

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