The cost of ineffective technology: Why your practice’s tech stack may be contributing to employee burnout and high turnover rates

Tech
June 8, 2024

A recent survey by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) revealed that 75 percent of medical group owners report that work-related stress levels have increased this year. A previous MGMA poll found that nearly 30 percent of medical groups had a physician leave the practice or retire early because of burnout.

When asked what factors were contributing to burnout in a Harris Poll online survey conducted by HealthDay, 58 percent of …

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5 lessons for a better life: observations from a front row seat for the highs and lows

Physician
June 8, 2024

Recently, I had the privilege of being shadowed by a medical student who is interested in becoming a pediatric critical care medicine physician like I am. On the day she came to observe me, we were navigating a busy and heartbreaking time in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). I was curious how the experience would affect her and her decision, but I figured it was as good of a …

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The adverse labor and delivery experiences faced by Black women

Conditions
June 8, 2024

Women of color, particularly Black women, encounter distinct challenges during pregnancy and childbirth. This results in disproportionately adverse outcomes such as invasive treatments, infant mortality, severe complications, and even death experienced by these women. The role of racism and discrimination are highlighted even when controlling for certain underlying social and economic factors. For example, education and income are not protective of poor outcomes, and inequity in health care persists …

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How compassion can fix the health care system [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 7, 2024
YouTube video

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Join Drew Remignanti, an emergency physician, as we delve into the intersection of compassion, health care, and spirituality. Explore the vital role of compassion in medical care, the challenges of balancing health care …

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Why doctors rely on nurses more than you think

Physician
June 7, 2024

I think we spend more working hours with nurses than with any other colleagues. They not only solve the problems of the patients, but most of the time, they even know more than doctors about the progress of every patient. I really rely on their assessment, and sometimes we make better decisions with a little discussion about the situation with each other. We have the same problems, we hate the …

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Black maternal mortality crisis: Preventable deaths demand action

Conditions
June 7, 2024

The racial and ethnic divide within health care remains largely unaddressed. One aspect I wish to highlight is the impact of mortality rates after childbirth, particularly among African American women. They face the highest mortality rates postpartum, presenting a concerning health disparity that verges on a public health crisis. According to the CDC, black women are two to three times more likely to succumb to pregnancy-related complications compared to other …

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Physician burnout: We’re partly to blame, here’s how to fix it

Physician
June 7, 2024

From the heart of one doctor to another, let’s address the evil spirit haunting our halls: burnout. It has become the unwelcome companion of many physicians, including myself, who frequently lament our moral injuries and the mistreatment that seems to shadow us. We seek refuge as wellness coaches or in the serene embrace of time away, hoping for respite. We call for laws and policies to protect us from the …

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The demise of doctor-owned medicine?

Physician
June 6, 2024

When I joined The Everett Clinic forty-two years ago, we were thirty-some physicians. The main campus consisted of what’s now called the Founders’ Building and a couple of parking lots. The building was industrial and off-putting, guiding patients to various locations by way of colored stripes on the floor. TEC had just opened its first satellite office in Marysville and had negotiated an exclusive contract with a now-defunct health insurance …

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Health care administrators: a call for equal transparency and accountability

Physician
June 6, 2024

While physicians are constantly being asked to prove their value with a growing constellation of metrics, health care administrators seem to have escaped a similarly high degree of transparency and accountability about the value of their specific roles. What I mean is that physicians are certainly not equally informed by objective measures of the performance of their administrators. Given the remarkable growth in the health care administrator to physician ratio …

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The many losses of a long psychiatry career

Conditions
June 6, 2024

At the beginning of a career – sometimes when viewed through rose-colored glasses not yet spoiled by reality – you hope to be able to lose loss to stay away. Somehow you feel like if you just try hard enough – practice psychiatry in the best way possible you can somehow prevent death by suicide. This is obviously magical thinking, and you begin to realize that there will be a …

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How to manage employee turnover in your practice [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 5, 2024
YouTube video

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Join Amy Vertrees, a general surgeon, as she shares her journey navigating workplace dynamics in the medical field. From identifying early signs of toxicity to fostering open communication and embracing change, Amy provides …

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Understanding autoimmune flares: triggers, symptoms, and treatment options

Conditions
June 5, 2024

Just when you think your autoimmune disease(s) are calming down and you feel better, a dramatic worsening of disease signs and symptoms can happen without warning. They are unpredictable and disruptive, and can cause a disturbing influence in your every attempt to feel well.

Taking medications, following a healthy diet and exercise program, and getting enough sleep don’t seem to stop “flares.” These are the markers of autoimmune disease activity, meaning …

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It is time to change the conversation and eliminate the stigma attached to diabetes

Conditions
June 5, 2024

The Canadian federal government’s decision to cover diabetes medication and devices under its new pharmacare plan is a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for the millions of Canadians with diabetes, especially those who struggle to afford treatments.

However, access to medication and devices is not the only factor affecting the well-being of those living with diabetes. That title may be reserved for something we don’t …

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Navigating the challenges of breast cancer-related lymphedema

Conditions
June 5, 2024

As advancements in breast cancer treatments have led to improved patient survival rates, the focus has begun to shift to addressing the significant long-term side effects, particularly lymphedema. This condition, often resulting from cancer therapies, presents substantial health care challenges and negatively impacts patients’ quality of life. With a staggering up to 82 percent of breast cancer patients having a risk factor for developing limb lymphedema due to treatment, …

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Dance, play, heal: a nurse’s guide to processing trauma [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 4, 2024
YouTube video

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Join us as we sit down with Tara Rynders, a nurse, dancer, and choreographer, as she shares her journey of healing and resilience in the face of trauma. From her experiences in nursing …

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Why every picture tells a medical story

Physician
June 4, 2024

The ancient adage, “Every picture paints a story,” is a testament to the power of visual imagery in conveying narratives, emotions, and ideas. This phrase encapsulates the ability of images to tell tales without using a single word, to transport viewers to different realities, and to evoke a myriad of emotions. However, the communicative power of stories should not be underestimated either. In fact, stories can paint pictures just as …

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Costly care vs. cutting-edge treatments: the state of cancer today

Conditions
June 4, 2024

For decades, many patients, their children, and grandkids have strived to answer, “What is cancer?” As a doctor and scientist, over the past 16 months, I have learned the latest cancer information from experts at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and MD Anderson in Houston. With that, I have also become aware some patients are either denied state-of-the-art care or just kept in the dark about potential treatment because it is …

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Resident struggles: How hierarchical health care systems impact IMGs

Physician
June 4, 2024

Residents, particularly international medical graduates (IMGs), often navigate a challenging position within health care institutions, where hierarchical structures overshadow their authority and autonomy. This dynamic can leave residents feeling disempowered and vulnerable, underscoring the importance of understanding their rights and protections within their programs. For IMGs, cultural and systemic differences may further amplify these challenges, making knowledge of their rights especially crucial as they enter residency programs.

As a final-year resident, …

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A doctor’s broken heart: lessons learned from a failed relationship

Physician
June 4, 2024

It was something out of an Indian Bollywood movie. My best friend, Raj, found a girl he liked and was completely captivated by her. We had never seen Raj with such a glow – but for our group of friends, we knew something was different with Raj, and I dare say he was in “love.” For reference, he is the kind of man who is honest, loyal, trustworthy, and …

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