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How a medical school gym transformed my perspective on burnout

Physician

March 7, 2025

Etched on the wall of our medical school gym was a quote by Marcel Proust:

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

At first glance, it seemed like an unusual choice for a gym—more philosophy than motivation. But over time, as we pushed ourselves on the treadmill, lifted weights, or found solace in a quiet stretch after a grueling day, the meaning of …

Why patients need a registered dietitian on their health care team

Conditions

March 7, 2025

How’s your cholesterol? Are you getting enough protein? Do you even know? Whether you’re a doctor, a patient, or both, you may be missing out on the powerful benefits of a registered dietitian.

Recently, I received lab results that were concerning, and my doctor suggested adding another medication. I’m focused on reducing medications, so I wanted to explore all possible ways to improve my numbers safely without adding to my pill …

The inspiring journey of a medical physicist and her unbreakable friendship

Dr. Damane Zehra

Physician

March 7, 2025

M has always been very close to me. She joined our hospital’s oncology department over ten years ago as a radiation technologist. Currently, she works as a medical physicist in our department and is the only female physicist in our hospital.

Her presence here is not due to luck or extraordinary circumstances; she has dedicated immense effort to her career. While many of her peers in the same position remain in …

How illegal cosmetic procedures are putting patients at risk [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 6, 2025

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Physician and author Kate Dee discusses her article, “Medspa madness: How illegal practices are putting patients in peril” and book, Med Spa Mayhem: The Good, …

What happens if medical malpractice attorneys take over

Howard Smith, MD

Physician

March 6, 2025

Senator Dick Durbin proudly describes his career in the following quote: “Before I was elected to Congress, I worked in a courtroom. For years, I defended doctors and hospitals, and for years, I sued them on behalf of people who were victims of medical malpractice.”

Thirty percent, 131 members, of the House of Representatives and 51 percent, 51 members, of the Senate are lawyers. Senator Durbin is one of 182 lawyers …

Why ADHD kids struggle and how we can truly help

Paige Kalika, DO

Conditions

March 6, 2025

How do I talk to my kid about ADHD?

You’re not alone. Your child’s pediatrician should be your first stop in this journey. As a neurospicy pediatric neurologist with an ADHD child, this is how I discuss this topic with my patients and their families.

The first thing I ask my patients is, “Are you trying harder?” Because that’s what we keep telling them to do—try harder! Every single child nods eagerly …

Physicians are not quitting medicine—they are expanding their impact

Jawaria Suhail, MD

Physician

March 6, 2025

The moment I was born, my future was decided for me—I was going to be a doctor. My mother had made up her mind, and from that point forward, my path seemed clear: medical school, residency, patient care for life. That was the blueprint.

For many physicians, this is the only path we have ever known. Medicine is not just a career; it is an identity, a commitment, a calling. But …

Breaking the cycle of pain: practical steps to improve medical training

Janet Constance Coleman-Belin

Education

March 6, 2025

Medical training is hard for everyone, but faculty and administration influence trainee success—and have the power to drive change.

This article follows “The hidden cost of medical training: Debt, depression, and despair,” which left one crucial question unanswered: What can be done to improve medical training?

The answer is simple, but not easy: We must fix it.

Mending what’s broken

While mindfulness, meditation, and resilience are valuable tools, they’re too often used to …

How poor doctor-patient communication leads to worse outcomes [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 5, 2025

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Family physician Pamela Buchanan discusses her article, “How poor communication is killing patients and burning out doctors,” exploring the devastating impact of unclear or avoided conversations in health care. Pamela shares firsthand …

Do microplastics cause dementia?

Marc Arginteanu, MD

Conditions

March 5, 2025

Let’s begin by understanding the scope of the dementia problem: According to data from Alzheimer’s Disease International, before you finish reading this sentence, someone, somewhere in the world will have developed dementia. Here comes another sentence, and there goes another new case of dementia. There goes another. And so on.

In 2020, the organization estimated that more than fifty-five million people across the globe were suffering from dementia. What’s more, this …

Read more…

Do microplastics cause dementia?

Understanding Ramadan: a guide for dermatologists treating Muslim patients

Aamir Hussain, MD

Physician

March 5, 2025

As dermatologists, we often encounter patients with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, each presenting unique considerations for treatment planning. For Muslim patients, Ramadan—a month-long period of fasting observed by approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide—can significantly influence dermatological care. This article provides an overview of Ramadan, explores the compatibility of topical medications, injections, and oral medications with fasting, and offers practical guidance for developing treatment plans that respect patients’ religious practices …

Why friendships fade: Understanding the seasons of life

Osmund Agbo, MD

Physician

March 5, 2025

Recently, a close friend of mine reached out, expressing his frustration over our mutual friend, who, for some time now, has ignored his calls and messages. We spoke at length, the conversation charged with emotion, and the underlying theme of our exchange led me to reflect deeply on the nature of friendships in adulthood. I have decided to share these reflections.

John and Darrel (not their real names) were two best …

Our transgender patients need our advocacy now

Amy Philipp, DO

Physician

March 5, 2025

(I will speak here specifically about transgender folks, but also affected are those born intersex and those who identify as non-binary.)

We, as physicians, have a duty to do what is right for our patients. Most, if not all of us, entered this profession with the great intention of helping others with scientifically proven treatments in order to limit or relieve illness and suffering.

LGBTQ+ members of our society have long faced …

How to combat the rise of health care ransomware [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 4, 2025

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Health care executive Cecil Pineda discusses his article, “Under siege: the escalating ransomware crisis in health care,” examining the alarming rise in cyberattacks on hospitals and health systems. Cecil highlights the growing …

Why your EHR’s certification matters more than you think

Sara Pastoor, MD

Tech

March 4, 2025

Modern EHRs and “CEHRT”

Electronic health records (EHRs) and their role in modern health care are inescapable today. But have you ever stopped to ask: Is my EHR certified? And more importantly, why does that matter?

As any EHR user knows, not all EHRs are created equal. A little-known differentiator is that some systems are Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT), while a growing number of newer systems are not. If you’ve …

AI agents in health care: Balancing innovation, trust, and evidence-based implementation

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Tech

March 4, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents significantly transform health care by automating routine tasks, enhancing clinical decision-making, and reducing administrative burdens. These intelligent systems are increasingly applied in medical documentation, diagnostics, and patient engagement, offering substantial potential for improved patient outcomes and reduced physician burnout.

However, substantial challenges in establishing trust, regulation, and evidence-based validation remain critical to achieving widespread adoption. AI in health care has received considerable attention, but clinical …

Artificial intelligence in health care: What your patients want to know

Cory Hayes, MPH, Sailee Bhambere, MPH, and Jeanna Blitz, MD

Tech

March 4, 2025

Most patients feel it is important to be informed when artificial intelligence (AI) will play a role in their care. Although most anticipate that AI will make health care at least somewhat better in the next five years, many express concerns about misdiagnosis, privacy breaches, unintended consequences of AI, and increased costs.

These mixed feelings highlight the importance of addressing patient concerns and providing clear, accessible information. To help patients better …

How doctors’ words can make or break patient care

Scott Abramson, MD

Physician

March 4, 2025

Perhaps almost as important as our history-taking, our diagnosis, and our care of patients are the words we use to communicate that history-taking, that diagnosis, and that care.

Scenario one: the not so good

A while ago, I happened to witness a family hospital conference about their dad’s new diagnosis of cancer. There were ten family members present, all very devoted and concerned, though not particularly …

The infamous Corrupted Blood incident: What a World of Warcraft computer game pandemic can teach physicians about public health crises

Neil Anand, MD

Physician

March 4, 2025

In the fall of 2005, an invisible threat swept across the digital computer game World of Warcraft, spreading panic, overwhelming entire cities, and leaving countless players scrambling for answers. It wasn’t a new raid boss or a cunning video game developer-driven event—it was a computer virus. The Corrupted Blood incident, as it came to be known, started as a simple computer bug in a video game dungeon. Within days, it …

Why physicians must uphold their oath in challenging times [PODCAST]

American College of Physicians & The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 3, 2025

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

Janet A. Jokela, an infectious disease physician, discusses her article, “Doctors, grounded in our oath, must act now more than ever,” reflecting on the physician’s solemn commitment to patient care, integrity, and …

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