Redefining failure in neurosurgery: a student’s perspective on growth and learning

Education
September 30, 2024

Failure is a word that carries a heavy burden, particularly in the field of neurosurgery, where precision is paramount and the stakes are often life and death. As a 4th-year medical student preparing to enter this demanding specialty, I have come to realize that failure is not something to be feared, but rather an essential part of the learning process. During my rotations, I have witnessed and experienced firsthand how …

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What you need to know about near-death experiences

Conditions
September 30, 2024

Imagine a medical syndrome so common that as many as one in five patients who nearly die in a medical setting experience it. Also, imagine that this syndrome has a profound, lifelong effect on both the patient and their family. Finally, imagine that if this syndrome is mishandled by the patient’s physician, it may have major adverse consequences for the patient and their loved ones.

Sounds like something all physicians and …

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Performing in the clutch: lessons from a pediatric airway surgeon

Physician
September 30, 2024

I have a confession to make: I have blood on my hands. My actions have led to the death of children. Now, that sounds extreme, and in reality, it is. Not in the course of everyday life, of course. But as a pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT) and airway surgeon, I have had to make near-instantaneous decisions with life-or-death consequences for the patient. Fortunately, the vast majority of the time, things go …

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Why postpartum care is failing new mothers [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 29, 2024
YouTube video

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We sit down with Phindile Chowa, an emergency medicine physician, to discuss her personal and professional journey through postpartum care. Phindile shares her harrowing experience of childbirth and postpartum depression, shedding light on …

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Failure is not the end: Creating space for grace in the medical field

Education
September 29, 2024

A medical school classmate recently said to me, “You won’t be remembered for your failures.” Her words were exactly what I needed to hear after failing my medical school licensing exam. She was right—I am more than my failures. I have failed, but I am not a failure. There is a difference. Failing is something that happens to you. Failure is what can define you, but only if you allow …

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Celebrating silver: 3 best practices for meeting people where they are with diabetes adherence

Policy
September 29, 2024

During the Olympics and Paralympics, all eyes turn to the best of the best: incredible athletes who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of greatness in hopes of earning one of the most sought-after titles in the world.

“Gold medalist” has a glorious ring to it, and the athletes who earn this honor have every right to be proud. But the mantra of the Olympic movement isn’t “get gold or …

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How one food truck saved a chaotic hospital shift

Physician
September 29, 2024

“Thank God for the food truck,” said the charge nurse to no one in particular.

It hadn’t been a great morning at the no-name hospital in Upstate New York. They were short-staffed to begin with, and a nurse had called in sick. Her staff was used to working with bad ratios, but today was worse than usual. Everyone and their mother had decided to come to the ER. She knew not …

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Postpartum crisis: a physician’s call for comprehensive maternal support

Conditions
September 29, 2024

The moment my daughter was placed on my chest, I knew something was wrong. Her skin had a blue-purple tinge, and she barely cried. I instinctively began rubbing her tiny body, trying to stimulate her, but she remained quiet and minimally responsive. When I tried to put her on my chest to nurse, she did nothing. My doctor quietly left the room, and soon after, a team of medical professionals …

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Teaming in health care: Why the future of patient care depends on collaboration [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 28, 2024
YouTube video

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We explore the evolving dynamics of health care teams with guests Matthew Sherrer, an anesthesiologist, and Brooke Vining, a nurse anesthetist. We discuss the shift from traditional team structures to a “teaming” mindset, …

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How drivers of health screenings led to immediate patient impact and practice sustainability

Policy
September 28, 2024

Recently, an elderly patient at my practice unexpectedly began to miss her monthly appointments.

I was alarmed. The patient has atrial fibrillation—a condition characterized by irregular heart rhythms and an increased risk of stroke. The condition demands consistent and timely medical care. For elderly patients like the one in our care, these appointments are not just check-ups. They are vital for adjusting medications, monitoring heart health, and preventing serious complications like …

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The role of AI in improving health care: artificial intelligence and appreciative inquiry

Tech
September 28, 2024

Kim Downey:

Part of my work supporting physicians involves facilitating connections, both among physicians and with others who assist them. In this vein, I introduced Dr. Wael Saasouh to Lisa Scardina. Our discussion touched on AI, with Dr. Saasouh sharing positive ways we can use technology and Lisa offering her perspective on AI, which also stands for Appreciative Inquiry. How we connect and have conversations matters! We talked about hope and …

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Solving the health care dilemma: Why older adults are skipping vital care

Conditions
September 28, 2024

As a gerontologist, it is disheartening to engage with older adults who express disinterest in routine medical check-ups. Many of these individuals outright refuse to follow doctors’ orders or take prescribed medications. This troubling trend is not only a growing problem in America but also a critical issue that warrants our collective attention and action.

The advancements in modern medicine have significantly prolonged life spans and improved the quality of life …

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Money dysmorphia: Why you feel like you’ll never have enough [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 27, 2024
YouTube video

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In this episode, we dive into the emerging trend of money dysmorphia—a distorted perception of one’s financial situation that’s affecting people across all income levels, especially younger generations. Our guest, Shane Tenny, a …

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The choice between integrity and power in a world of chaos

Physician
September 27, 2024

The world is benefited by a variety of human beings. Almost everyone can contribute greatly to our societies, no matter what their personal drives. Even the selfish and hate-filled can give us people like Henry Ford, the antisemitic supporter of Hitler who had union organizers beaten, but also doubled the standard wage for his workers and gave us the assembly line, standardized production, and vertical integration. His closest parallel today …

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Internal medicine physicians: leaders and the foundation of comprehensive health care

Physician
September 27, 2024

American College of Physicians  

The nickname bestowed on us residents by our internal medicine residency program director was “city savages.” There was a tremendous amount of pride amongst the residency programs in Boston back in the late 1980s, and it was no different in my program.

I recall exploring residencies in Boston. While interviewing at another highly regarded Boston Hospital, I asked the …

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7 principles for happiness as a surgical resident

Physician
September 27, 2024

1. Accept that your life is never going to be “normal.” What type of people decide to be surgeons? The type who have something a bit “wrong” with them, that’s who. The type who are OK with having their career occupy most of their identity. If you’re considering surgical residency, this is probably you. Accept it. Each person’s path is different, and there is no absolute correct one. A work-life …

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How pre-procedure optimization could save your life—and the economy

Physician
September 27, 2024

The term “organ harvesting,” once a misnomer for organ procurement after organ donation, echoes in the phrase “procedure harvesting,” which could be an inadvertent misnomer for procedure procurement following procedure donation. Who knows if some may even suggest preemptive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation when cardiac arrest seems imminent during an elective non-cardiac procedure? Regardless, while pre-procedure optimization is always a goal for elective procedure procurement—and may even be achievable in emergent …

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AI-driven anesthesia: a threat to jobs or a new era of care? [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 26, 2024
YouTube video

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In this episode, anesthesiologist Matthew Sherrer and health care consultant Martin Nowak join us to explore the evolving landscape of anesthesia care in the era of AI and automation. We’ll discuss the rise …

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A new approach to antidepressants and anxiolytics: the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Conditions
September 26, 2024

Our understanding of anxiety and depression has evolved over the years, leading to advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and clinical management. However, their prevalence has not lessened; in fact, it has heightened in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its effects will last for years to come, so all mechanisms that can influence its incidence should be thoroughly considered, and the gut microbiota is the newest emerging target for antidepressant …

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The power of emotional intelligence: a personal story and lessons for physicians

Physician
September 26, 2024

The student I worked with quietly said, “Dr. Reinking, I think you multiplied wrong.” My shoulders tensed slightly, and my stomach dropped. We had just spent the better part of an hour working through a feeding and fluid plan with a patient’s family. The child had recently undergone open heart surgery. Feeding intolerance is relatively common after surgery and in children with congenital heart disease. Fluid management is also important …

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