Vague criteria can lead to misdiagnosis and prison

Conditions
September 24, 2023

The definition of addiction, now called substance use disorder, has varied greatly over time. The first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, from 1952, didn’t include specific diagnostic criteria for this condition. Over the next sixty years, the DSM went through six revisions, with a slow evolution of the terms “substance abuse” and “dependence.” The first was limited to substance use causing social and occupational problems, while the last …

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U.S. maternal mortality crisis: a deep dive

Conditions
September 24, 2023

Our increasing maternal mortality rate is gathering attention both nationally and internationally. The U.S. is 33rd among developed nations, and the rate is increasing. Indeed, as Neel Shah notes:

Americans today are 50 percent more likely to die in the period surrounding childbirth than their own mothers.

In 1974, the U.S. maternal mortality rate was 9 per 100,000 live births. By 1980, the rate was 8 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. …

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Lively communication in the service industry

Physician
September 24, 2023

Gaining insight into the customer’s perspective often occurs when one steps into the customer’s shoes, even if it’s in a different service industry. However, it’s crucial to remember that employees are individuals with their own needs. This brings us to a significant question: Should employees engage in lively and perhaps even boisterous conversations while confined to their workplace, where they might be the only sources of human interaction in an …

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Contemporary weight loss: Unveiling the quest for elusive elixir

Conditions
September 24, 2023

Recently, I received a call from an old friend. We had drifted apart over the years, but his purpose in calling wasn’t rooted in a desire to rekindle the embers of yesteryears. No. Rather, it was an explicit inquiry into whether I could assist him in obtaining the elusive elixir of contemporary weight loss. In revealing tones, he shared that the specter of obesity loomed heavily in his family lineage, …

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Balancing efficiency and compassion [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 23, 2023
YouTube video

 

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Join Scott Abramson, a neurologist, as he explores the delicate balance between medical efficiency and genuine compassion in the fast-paced world of health care. Discover practical insights and strategies to nurture empathy, enhance patient care, and find …

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Reigniting after burnout: 3 physician stories

Physician
September 23, 2023

What is working?

I often encounter variations of this question on social media. The response is frequently met with silence or lackluster positivity.

I’ve engaged in conversations with numerous inspirational physicians who have shared their tales of burnout and recovery.

As part of their healing journeys, in addition to their active medical practices, the physicians below have all obtained coaching certifications. These doctors are now even busier than before, but they find fulfillment …

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Why patients write: stress relief, self-care, and sharing experiences

Conditions
September 23, 2023

To compliment and complement the KevinMD article “Why physicians need to write,” by Dr. Louise Aronson, I’ll share why patients, at least this patient, write. I wrote What Patients Want: Anecdotes and Advice because I had been “adrift in a draft, if you get my drift,” in doctors’ offices, and I thought I could share the perspective of the patient in the white paper sack, with health care …

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Inside the grueling life of a surgery intern

Physician
September 23, 2023

One day, you find yourself on the edge, peering into the abyss. Then someone pushes you in. Welcome to the first day as a surgery intern. Few folks outside of medicine fully fathom the rigors a doctor must endure during post-graduate training. From the get-go, we were thrown into the fire, responsible for complicated, sick hospital patients, in what felt like a prolonged boot camp, where ridiculously long hours, horrid …

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Misinformed claims and the offensiveness of discrediting COVID-19 vaccine development

Conditions
September 23, 2023

The development of COVID-19 vaccines has been an extraordinary scientific achievement in the face of a global health crisis. However, an unfortunate consequence has been the emergence of misinformed claims by non-medical individuals who assert that these vaccines were not appropriately vetted for human use. This essay aims to highlight the fatigue and offensiveness caused by such assertions, considering the extensive research, rigorous testing, and regulatory oversight involved in the …

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Bitcoin’s role in diversified portfolios [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 22, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us as we delve into the world of Bitcoin investment with Noah Kaufman, an emergency physician and financial planner. Discover the potential benefits and risks of adding Bitcoin to your portfolio, the significance of the upcoming …

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1 in 5 doctors will become disabled. Are you prepared?

Finance
September 22, 2023

Doctors, like all professionals, are not immune to accidents, illnesses, or injuries. While you dedicate your life to improving the health of others, it’s equally important to safeguard your own financial well-being. Disability insurance acts as a financial lifeline, offering income replacement when you can’t work due to a disability.

1. Protecting your income. Your income is a significant asset; it supports your lifestyle, family, and financial commitments. Disability insurance ensures that …

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The pros and cons of whole life insurance for high-income earners

Finance
September 22, 2023

According to the American Council of Life Insurers, permanent insurance is the most common type of life insurance purchased in the U.S. today. There are various types of permanent life insurance available, but traditional whole life insurance is the most popular. Whole life insurance has pros and cons for high-income earners like physicians.

What is whole life insurance?

Life insurance policies come in two main types: permanent life and term life. Whole …

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Family support is pivotal in the treatment of schizophrenia

Conditions
September 22, 2023

Research reveals that most caregivers of people living with schizophrenia are family members (94 percent), and oftentimes, the journey of the caregiver can be just as challenging as that of the patient, whether they’re newly diagnosed or have been managing the condition for years.

As they navigate the journey together, it’s important that patients have a support system and that caregivers are educated on the disease and treatment options, and …

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Is emergency medicine your calling? [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 21, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Yang Wang, an emergency physician. Explore the unique challenges and rewards of emergency medicine, the evolving landscape of the field, and the qualities that make someone an ideal fit for this demanding profession. Discover insights into …

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AI is living up to its promise as a tool for radiology

Tech
September 21, 2023

For the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been proving itself as an effective tool in breast cancer screening. An ever-growing list of research studies has shown that using AI in mammography can safely and efficiently reduce patient wait times while reducing the pressure on in-demand radiologists.

This is significant, as early detection greatly improves patient outcomes and long-term survival. Imagine how much more significant it would be if AI …

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The shifting landscape of gastroenterology manpower and compensation

Physician
September 21, 2023

The field of gastroenterology in the United States has undergone a significant transformation over the past 5 to 10 years, driven by a confluence of historical changes in training programs, changing demographics among GI doctors due to the relatively new specialty of GI endoscopy, and a dwindling supply of gastroenterologists. These factors have culminated in a notable impact on gastroenterology physician salaries and have raised important questions about the future …

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I’m tired of being a distracted doctor

Tech
September 21, 2023

As I pull into clinic, my intention is always the same: be fully present with each patient. By the time I’m two patients in, the reality is always different.

We’ve all read the mindfulness quotes about the virtues of being “in the moment,” but somewhere after the first couple visits of the day we face a decision—to shift our attention away from patients and toward the computer screen with the aspiration …

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Diverse paths to financial freedom for doctors [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 20, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Cobin Soelberg, an anesthesiologist and financial planner. Discover the secrets to achieving financial independence as a physician, the importance of consistency in wealth-building, and the myriad paths to financial freedom. Gain valuable insights into managing your …

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AI-driven diagnostics and beyond

Tech
September 20, 2023

Years from now, the notion of simple telemedicine will seem quaint. Keep in mind that as recently as a decade ago, most physicians would have denied that telemedicine could ever play a role in the medical profession. Physicians would have argued that this would dismantle the fundamental unit of medical care – the in-person office visit.

Physicians would have rigidly maintained that they had to be face-to-face with their patients. Doctors …

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