In the crosshairs: The False Claims Act’s new targets in health care

Policy
November 24, 2023

The practice of medicine involves a delicate interplay between medical expertise and the unique needs of each individual. Ideally, medical decisions should prioritize the health and well-being of patients while being rooted in science and evidence-based practice. However, this noble mission inevitably becomes challenging in the context of reimbursement structures that inadvertently incentivize unnecessary procedures rather than focusing on the quality or necessity of care provided.

In an all-too-common scenario …

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Navigating life stories and medical decisions

Physician
November 24, 2023

As a physician, I am given both the gift and the burden of another’s most intimate moments or even their indiscretions. There is a cloak of invisibility that wraps around a patient and me when behind a closed door. Almost as if the concept of guilt, innocence, opportunity, loss, life, and death are all present together with us in a room, while the rest of the world goes on outside. …

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Job stacking for doctors: a modern approach to work-life balance

Finance
November 23, 2023

The medical profession has long been associated with intense personal commitment and time-consuming work. However, in recent years, a new concept called job stacking has emerged, and it is revolutionizing the way physicians work.

In this post, I will explore the concept of job stacking for doctors, discuss its benefits, and provide guidance on how to implement it effectively.

What is job stacking?

Job stacking is the practice of working multiple jobs in …

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Pain medicine realities: beyond the opioid crisis

Conditions
November 23, 2023

In 1990, Ronald Melzack published a paper in Scientific American titled “The Tragedy of Needless Pain.” Many would regard Melzack as the “father” of pain science and the treatment of pain. In that paper, he described the science behind several observations that many clinicians and public health policy decision-makers would find startling in today’s hostile and fraught regulatory environment surrounding the U.S. opioid crisis.

… the fact is …

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Emotional freedom and resilience: a family physician’s inspiring journey [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 22, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Dhruva Gulur, a family physician, to explore his journey from burnout, addiction, and self-hatred to emotional freedom and personal growth. Discover the unique concept of “Empower ACES” and “Disregard FACES” that helped him turn his life …

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The brain science behind acupuncture

Conditions
November 22, 2023

There are those who believe acupuncture to be a bunch of mumbo jumbo. I’m convinced it works, though. Acupuncture was first performed thousands of years ago, and it’s still being done today. That alone should tell you there’s something to it. Early practitioners believed they were balancing life force and rhythm. Modern science has proven that acupuncture may alter brain circuitry, change brain cell anatomy, and improve brain blood flow.

Way …

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A resident’s critical discovery: Advanced cancer unveiled

Conditions
November 22, 2023

It was my first week in the radiation oncology department as a resident. The day had been busy, and most of the consultants and staff had already left the outpatient department (OPD). I was exhausted and famished, with thoughts of dinner dominating my mind.

Just as I was beginning to wind down, the physician assistant (PA) rushed in and informed my consultant that a patient from a local hospital required immediate …

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Don’t lose your end bonus to the tax-man

Finance
November 22, 2023

As the year draws to a close, many doctors receive year-end bonuses. However, with these bonuses come potential tax implications that can impact the overall financial picture.

Understanding the tax landscape

Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to grasp the tax landscape. Different types of income, including bonuses, may be taxed at varying rates. Knowing the tax implications helps doctors make informed decisions. Seek a financial advisor who understands your situation if …

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Doctors and disabled patients [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 21, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Heather Finlay-Morreale, a pediatrician. We’ll delve into the uncomfortable reality of doctors’ attitudes towards disabled patients, drawing from her personal experiences and the broader efforts to create positive change in medical education and practice. Discover how …

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Improving health care access for autism and disabilities

Conditions
November 21, 2023

In September 2023, President Biden announced health care provider training, allocating over $8 million through 18 awards to train primary care medical students, physician assistant students, and medical residents in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate care for individuals with limited English proficiency, as well as those with physical or intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Individuals with severe and profound autism deserve special consideration when it comes to accommodating their health care needs, …

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The complexity of resilience and the role of medical improv

Conditions
November 21, 2023

High incidences of burnout, quiet quitting, suicide, workplace violence, excessive and relentless stress, and chronic staffing shortages reveal a huge need for resilience among health care workers. Resilience is a complex competency involving flexibility of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to adversity. Adversity, especially when it comes to working in health care, involves individuals and the cultures they work in. We must keep the culture in mind because, as …

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A scientific approach to malpractice defense

Physician
November 21, 2023

There has always been a “fight club” because there have always been medical malpractice lawsuits. They are predicated on complications, either errors of nature or medical errors, and no doctor is immune. In the United States, roughly 85,000 medical malpractice lawsuits are filed per year, and there are 1 million doctors. For any doctor, the background risk for a medical malpractice lawsuit is 8.5% per year.

Are these statistics acceptable to …

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Understanding the lives of women in medicine [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 20, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Angela Walker and Sylvia Morris, co-authors of the book, The Game Plan: A Woman’s Guide to Becoming a Doctor and Living a Life in Medicine. We delve into the complexities of relationships in the world of …

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The state of digital health and innovation Q3 2023

Tech
November 20, 2023

We witnessed a digital health explosion during the pandemic, marked by significant investments in telehealth and other sectors. However, the market could not maintain its pace in the post-pandemic era. However, the year 2023 is showing clear signs of market emergence.

Though the last two quarters have shown a reduction in funding and deal volume, the third quarter is satisfactory for investors and startups.

So, what is the state of digital …

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Let’s close the gap between physician writers and writers who are physicians

Physician
November 20, 2023

“Oh, I didn’t know you’re a writer,” my neighbor said as I handed her a complimentary copy of my recently published book.

“Not really,” I replied. “I’m just a physician who likes to write.”

The conversation ended, but later, I began to think: What’s the difference between a physician writer and a writer who is a physician? What should I say to somebody else who makes a comment like my neighbor? I …

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Ikigai in health care: Mastering work-life balance and purpose for medical professionals

Physician
November 20, 2023

In the high-pressure health care environment, finding purpose and fulfillment is a significant challenge. The Japanese concept of ikigai offers a unique perspective, helping health care professionals discover deeper meaning in their work and personal lives. This article explores ikigai’s essence, its benefits and challenges in health care, and practical steps for embarking on this transformative journey.

Understanding ikigai

Ikigai is a Japanese term …

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The shoulders of giants

Physician
November 20, 2023

I regretfully told my 65-year-old patient in the preoperative area, “I’m going to have to cancel your case.” We both knew this was coming. He suffered from a large inguinoscrotal hernia that was symptomatic but not dangerous, a condition that had threatened his welfare for the past several months. Given his education level and social issues, his career prospects were limited to manual labor. I sensed his desperation to return …

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Are clinicians complicit in the Fentanyl epidemic?

Meds
November 19, 2023

I have a friend. He is non-medical, just a person who knows a lot of people. He grew up on the rough side of town.

He has lost five friends or relatives this past year, he tells me. All to Fentanyl overdoses.

Most were young, in their twenties or thirties. Two were friends of his son, who is in his early thirties.

Most had been on prescribed opioids for a confirmed back injury—a …

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Advocating for health and humanity: a physician’s call to action amidst conflict

Physician
November 19, 2023

The unfolding events in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank present a complex and deeply concerning situation. The entire area is smaller than the state of Vermont. My experiences in the West Bank, supported by a U.S. Scholar Fulbright award, have given me firsthand insight into the disruptions faced by individuals in these regions. The war may be focused in Gaza, but routine life is also disrupted in the West …

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