I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

Physician
September 19, 2023
YouTube video

There is an alarming health crisis happening in the U.S.–– Black women are dying at a disproportionate rate during pregnancy and childbirth.

According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. Though childbirth complications are not exclusive to Black women, these shocking statistics underscore systemic challenges and distinct issues that other racial groups may not encounter. These …

Read more…

Lessons taught by Bell’s palsy

Conditions
September 19, 2023

Recently, after a week of a viral illness that I most likely picked up from one of my patients as a pediatrician, I noticed that one side of my tongue felt as though I had dental anesthesia. During the day, this slowly progressed, but as night came, the progression rapidly intensified with my lips and eyelids on this same side now drooping. While I suspected Bell’s palsy, considering that I’m …

Read more…

Samuel Shem on 50 years of American medicine [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 18, 2023
YouTube video

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

Join Samuel Shem, a renowned novelist, playwright, activist, Rhodes Scholar, and professor in medical humanities at NYU School of Medicine. We’ll dive into his latest novel, Our Hospital, which marks the culmination of The Healing Quartet, spanning …

Read more…

The role of income in medical school acceptance

Education
September 18, 2023

It was during my general surgery rotation that I had an encounter with a urologist attending while waiting for pending surgery to occur. As we made small talk about the medical field, our conversation gravitated toward the topic of medical school admissions. The attending shared their opinion on the pressing issue of diversity among medical students, specifically in terms of socioeconomic status (SES). They discussed how the lack of representation …

Read more…

Ketamine for mental health conditions: What every primary care physician needs to know

Meds
September 18, 2023

Wait times to find high-quality mental health support continue to be an issue, lagging from weeks to months in, leading to primary care physicians (PCPs) assuming a large role in addressing the pressing shortage of mental health services. Acting as the point of entry into the mental health care system, PCPs are encountering patients with complex mental health challenges who are often unable to secure appointments with specialists for …

Read more…

Maximizing care amidst provider shortages: the power of measurement-based care

Policy
September 18, 2023

Since the pandemic, the shortage of behavioral health professionals has become more dire as the need for more comprehensive mental health care has increased. As of March 2023, 160 million Americans lived in areas with mental health professional shortages. 55% of counties in the U.S. have no psychiatrists, and 77% report a severe shortage.

In some states, such as Maine, there was a 50% drop in the number of …

Read more…

Unthinkable choices in childbirth emergencies

Conditions
September 18, 2023

Firefighters and doctors stand beside you on your worst days. On our best days, we help you sidestep disaster. On our worst days, we make gruesome decisions, so you don’t have to.

Andrea’s family barely survived the pandemic. Her husband lost his job and her beloved grandmother lost her life. But after years of setbacks, today was move-in day.

The seaside bungalow was not as big as she’d hoped, but still perfect. …

Read more…

How compassionate leadership saved this physician [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 17, 2023
YouTube video

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

Join Anjani Mahabashya, a physician advisor, as she shares her remarkable journey from hospitalist to her current role. Discover how hope, networking, and empathy played pivotal roles in her transformation. Explore the power of compassionate leadership in …

Read more…

The link between orofacial myofunctional disorders and dental health

Conditions
September 17, 2023

How many rabbits have you seen with crooked teeth? How about bears or dogs? Why are humans the only mammals with crooked teeth?

An orofacial myofunctional disorder, or OMD, describes abnormal lip, jaw, or tongue positions during rest, swallowing, or speech. There are many distinct points at which a child or adult’s system may experience a breakdown, leading to subsequent events known as craniofacial sequences. Allowing these events to persist without …

Read more…

A message of hope for physicians

Physician
September 17, 2023

Physicians are struggling with challenges navigating the health care system while trying to provide the best possible care for their patients. Sometimes, struggles at work are compounded by struggles at home as we all face stressors during our travel through life; doctors are no exception.

Many physicians who went through a period of burnout have sought and are seeking help. They are feeling hope for the future. I asked three physicians …

Read more…

Motorcycle helmet laws: Balancing freedom and financial impact

Conditions
September 17, 2023

Several years ago, I cared for a young man who crashed his motorcycle at highway speeds. He arrived, slightly dazed, with a few broken bones. Because he was wearing a full-face helmet, he had sustained only a concussion. The paramedics brought in his helmet as they often do, this one with the metal side buffed down to the inner plastic cushion from the grinding contact with the asphalt. Had he …

Read more…

Crying to be heard: women in emotional pain

Conditions
September 17, 2023

I am struck by how often crying is overlooked or trivialized by doctors despite its therapeutic value and need for recognition. Crying can play a significant role in healing and overall well-being. Research has shown that crying serves as an emotional release, provides pain relief, reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances communication. Encouraging a culture of acceptance and understanding around crying in medical settings can contribute to holistic and empathetic …

Read more…

From aversion to office politics to embracing independence

Physician
September 17, 2023

Though often described as friendly and a great team player, I sometimes find myself harboring strong opinions. When pushed, my personality occasionally veers towards the rebellious. I disdain formal meetings, struggle with office politics, and lack the art of flattery. These qualities collectively render me less than an ideal candidate for any conventional employment, or so I surmise.

Antecedent to the culmination of my residency and fellowship, a pivotal decision crystallized …

Read more…

ADVERTISEMENT

Empathy and compassion in palliative care [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 16, 2023
YouTube video

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

Join Vickie Leff and Terry Altilio, both palliative care social workers, as we delve into their book, Mirrors and Windows: Reflections on the Journey in Serious Illness Practice, which offers a profound exploration of the experiences of health care professionals, including palliative social workers, in the world …

Read more…

Navigating medical decision-making: Embracing limits and growth

Physician
September 16, 2023

“Ms. Smith is going to the MICU,” the resident on the other end of the line informs me.  My stomach tightens as that visceral sense of guilt and frustration sets in, familiar by now but this time with a newfound intensity.  It is my second week as an attending physician during my chief residency year, and Ms. Smith will now be the first patient transferred to the intensive care unit …

Read more…

ADVERTISEMENT

The importance of “I statements” in health care settings

Conditions
September 16, 2023

Three nurses are at the nurses’ station. Two are talking about managing a patient’s pain, and a third, Donna, is reviewing a patient’s lab results and finding it difficult to concentrate.

Which is Donna’s best statement?

1) Shhh, stop talking!
2) I’m frustrated with your talking. It’s hard to concentrate, and I’d appreciate it if you would quiet down.

Answer: It depends on the relationships and Donna’s preferences. If Donna has a positive history …

Read more…

Chronic health issues and homelessness

Policy
September 16, 2023

In 2022, over 500,000 people in the United States found themselves homeless, without a permanent shelter to offer a sense of stability in their lives. This poses a far-reaching problem for the individuals who find themselves in this situation, but also for our society as a whole.

Homelessness can be caused by a combination of factors, such as poverty, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, mental and substance disorders, trauma,, and violence, …

Read more…

ADVERTISEMENT

Transformative lessons from a pandemic experience [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 15, 2023
YouTube video

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

Join Lee Scheinbart, a medical oncologist, as he shares his transformative experience during the height of the COVID pandemic. Discover the power of intrinsic motivation, advocacy, and empathy in health care. In this episode, we delve into the lessons learned from a …

Read more…

544
pages