The challenge of seeking joy: Navigating the current health care maze

Physician
December 17, 2023

Before delving into the heart of joy’s pursuit, it’s essential to grasp the complexities faced by medical professionals in today’s health care environment. The modern health care system, with all its advancements, presents unique challenges that can often overshadow the intrinsic joys of the profession.

The burden of bureaucracy. One of the significant hindrances to joy in medicine is the ever-increasing administrative demands. Doctors find themselves spending more time on paperwork and …

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The double-edged sword of AI in health care

Tech
December 17, 2023

What will your workday look and feel like when it has eliminated your need to document, answer messages, or deal with your inbox? Isn’t that what we all want: freedom from electronic medical records and all the other documentation tasks? Yes? For decades now, the physician’s lament has been, “I just want to see patients.” A recent article, revealing the Mayo Clinic’s AI task automation strategy, hints at a future …

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Behind closed doors of traveling: the concerns often overlooked

Conditions
December 17, 2023

One thing is for sure: in today’s modern world, and as we recover from the impact of a pandemic, we are busier than ever. Another certainty is just how many of us are constantly on the move, with over 900 million people traveling internationally every year. Whether you’re traveling for pleasure or business, many do so without ever considering the health risks and security concerns to which we are exposed. …

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Inside Appalachia’s health crisis [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 16, 2023
YouTube video

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We welcome Ryan McCarthy, an internal medicine physician, to delve into the multifaceted challenges of providing primary care in Appalachia. Ryan shares his firsthand experiences from Martinsburg, West Virginia, a region grappling with the invisible effects of …

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Employer health plans need a makeover

Physician
December 16, 2023

Are you satisfied with your health benefits plan? That’s one of the many questions asked of over 2,000 employers, running large and small businesses, by the annual survey from KFF. Approximately 153 million workers and their families receive health benefits from employers in the U.S. Therefore, the survey results offer a window on the current satisfaction (or lack thereof) of health plans, whether by self-insured entities or as part …

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A test of medical leadership for Penn’s new president

Education
December 16, 2023

When the University of Pennsylvania’s president Liz Magill was forced to resign her position due to her equivocal stance regarding antisemitic harassment on Penn’s campus, J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, was soon announced as her interim successor. Jameson had served as executive vice president of Penn’s health system and dean of the Perelman School of Medicine since 2011.

Jameson is a prominent molecular endocrinologist, author of over 350 scientific …

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From task-oriented to goal-driven: the power of habits in “magnet” hospitals

Physician
December 16, 2023

The banner in front of the ED where I work proclaims “magnet hospital.” “Magnet” status tells patients and visitors that the care from nurses (and ED technicians and patient care associates staff under their auspices) is so good that the ED should be a magnet, attracting patients and nurses to come here and inspiring other EDs emulation.

For many years, our ED’s annual census has been 100,000 patients. One might think …

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Physician burnout’s little voice [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 15, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Dike Drummond, a family practice physician, as he brings his rich experience and deep understanding of the medical profession to discuss a critical issue that touches many in the health care field: physician burnout. Through our …

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Unlocking the healing power: Bridging medicine and psychotherapy

Conditions
December 15, 2023

I’ve been conceptualizing this for several years now – ideas about what I would like to do with perspectives from my long-time practice as a physician and those always developing as a psychotherapist. I love both; each brings a unique skill set and way of being in the world, and I am well-immersed in the confusions one has for the other. I am an adult therapist with a deep love …

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Is it noble or selfish to never practice medicine after getting a medical degree?

Education
December 15, 2023

A Harvard medical school student realized in his third year that he had lost his desire to become a doctor. Nevertheless, the student decided to complete his fourth year and obtain his MD degree. The student is now planning for a career in pharma or even comedy. Some individuals who read his online essay found the student’s decision-making comical in itself. Overall, their comments were evenly divided about the …

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Gathering clinician feedback at a growing practice 

Tech
December 15, 2023

Provider feedback is a powerful tool for behavioral health practices, as it is a valuable indicator of whether or not patient care is on the right track. Gathering feedback, and then acting on it, can also improve a practice’s efficiency.

Fostering an open environment, one where providers feel heard and valued improves provider retention. Provider retention is key for any behavioral health practice because when a provider leaves, there is a …

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Protect your brain with a good night’s sleep

Conditions
December 15, 2023

No one knows exactly why we need to sleep, but we certainly do. Although the brain can’t thrive on sleep alone, good sleep is an essential ingredient necessary to keep your brain functioning at its best. New research is shedding light on how a good night’s sleep may protect your brain from neurodegenerative diseases.

In 2022, Canadian scientists evaluated the medical literature regarding sleep apnea and its link to the risk …

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A pediatrician’s quest for self-discovery [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 14, 2023
YouTube video

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We sit down with Sogol Pahlavan, a pediatrician, and hear her powerful story of personal transformation. Join us as she shares her journey from achieving the American dream to discovering the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance. Learn …

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Why physicians are leaving: Exploring the burnout crisis

Physician
December 14, 2023

The alarming rise in physicians resigning from their roles is a testament to the severity of the crisis. Where physicians were once the pillars of health care, delivering vital services to their communities, they now find themselves struggling with diminishing job satisfaction, declining productivity, and inadequate self-care routines. The result is a mass exodus from the profession, leading to a shortage of health care professionals and jeopardizing patient care.

The advent …

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How gene editing and immunotherapy are changing lives

Meds
December 14, 2023

When I started medical school thirty years ago, and learned about the discovery of streptomycin, I wondered what it must have been like for the doctors who first used it to cure the “white death.” How satisfying it must have been to tell a previously hopeless patient, “We can cure you.”

What brought this to mind was my rotation at an old part of the hospital where I was training. I …

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What to put in Roth vs. traditional IRAs: It can make big differences

Finance
December 14, 2023

Before diving into the allocation strategy, let’s briefly revisit the fundamental differences between Roth and traditional IRAs.

Roth IRA: Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals, including earnings, are tax-free.

Traditional IRA: Contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, providing an immediate tax deduction. Withdrawals, however, are subject to income tax.

Assessing current and future tax scenarios

To craft a personalized strategy, it’s crucial to evaluate the current and anticipated future tax scenarios …

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8 tips to engage patients, improve outcomes, and increase provider satisfaction

Conditions
December 14, 2023

The media is full of stories about providers’ influence on the patient experience. Less common are articles about how patient engagement influences provider satisfaction—and the vicious cycle generated by lack of patient engagement, provider dissatisfaction, and poor outcomes.

Consider these statistics:

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A cardiologist’s COVID-19 frontline journey [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 13, 2023
YouTube video

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We sit down with Marissa Lombardo, a cardiologist, to delve into her deeply moving experiences on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Join us as Marissa shares her journey, from delivering heart-wrenching news …

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