Physicians divided: SCOTUS affirmative action ban sparks debate

Policy
September 2, 2023

The fallout from the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) to ban racially conscious admissions at Harvard and The University of North Carolina has had major repercussions throughout the medical profession. I would say that physicians are highly divided on the issue of affirmative action, with many believing that meritorious performance should determine admission to medical school rather than race and ethnicity. In fact, a Read more…

The impact of assumptions on patient communication in medical training

Education
September 2, 2023

At one of the medical schools where I am a standardized patient (SP), a student recently failed a portion of the exam because he did not ask his SP questions that were integral to her medical care. When asked by his faculty preceptors why he didn’t ask the SP key questions about her background (she was a Hasidic Jew who couldn’t take her medication on the Sabbath), the student, who …

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Ragweed allergy peaks during college football season

Conditions
September 2, 2023

Not only is it kickoff time for college football season, but it’s also prime time for fall allergies. For the 50 million Americans who suffer from ragweed allergy, the late summer and early fall signal the onset of runny noses, sneezing, congestion, cough, itchy watery eyes, and in more severe cases, sinus infections and asthma exacerbations.

Seasonal allergies are a huge source of frustration and fatigue for many of us, causing …

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5 things that are helping us through a miscarriage

Conditions
September 2, 2023

In March 2023, I had a miscarriage when I was 10.5 weeks pregnant. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband and loving family, two healthy sons, and supportive friends, though I still grieve at times. I share what is helping us below, in the hope of helping others:

1. Early pregnancy assessment clinic (EPAC) and caring providers at my OB office. My obstetric office has an EPAC (also called Pregnancy …

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Pediatric mental health care access [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 1, 2023
YouTube video

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Join J. Wesley Boyd, a psychiatrist, to dive into the critical issue of child and adolescent mental health care accessibility. Drawing insights from a recent study, we’ll explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in obtaining …

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The top 5 reasons to attend live, virtual CME/CE

Sponsored
September 1, 2023

This article is sponsored by Pri-Med, a leader in primary care education since 1995. Pri-Med partners with expert advisors, renowned clinician-educators, and world-class academics to provide conferences, content, and courses—whenever and wherever medical professionals need it.

With the ever-evolving landscape of primary care, it’s crucial for clinicians to stay up to date with the latest guidelines and clinical insights. It’s also …

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Hospital as a river: Navigating uncertainty and empathy

Physician
September 1, 2023

The hospital is like a river. Patients float downstream into our care, stay in sight for a moment, and leave after we have done everything we can to help them. Regardless of why they arrive or how long they stay, every person in the hospital will always leave, whether for recovery, rehabilitation, transfer, or death. Meanwhile, the hospital staff guard the river banks, keeping watch over the steady flow of …

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Reactions to eliminating race conscious admissions from medical schools

Education
September 1, 2023

The medical community was rocked by the United States Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) decision in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and SFFA v. University of North Carolina, et al. The ruling essentially banned race in consideration for admitting students to colleges and universities. Several medical schools and professional organizations retaliated by vowing to continue affirmative action practices, or at least figure …

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Biological weapons: a history and emerging risks

Conditions
September 1, 2023

Biological weapons are not new. Their use by armies has taken place for centuries. Take the Plague, for example. The pandemic was reportedly first introduced to Europe during the siege of the Genoese trading port of Kaffa in Crimea by the Golden Horde army of Jani Beg in 1347. It decimated 30 percent of the European population. Paradoxically, the resultant labor shortage and lack of faith in the prevailing order …

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Leveraging ChatGPT’s high IQ to assist doctors

Tech
September 1, 2023

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about significant advancements in various fields, including health care. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is one such AI that has shown great promise in assisting professionals, particularly doctors, in their daily tasks. This article will discuss the average human IQ, the estimated IQs of notable individuals, the average IQ of doctors, the IQ of ChatGPT, its strengths and limitations, and how it can …

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Psilocybin therapy explained [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 31, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Lynn Marie Morski, a physician, attorney, and president of the Psychedelic Medicine Association. We’ll explore the historical roots of psilocybin, its emerging clinical applications, safety considerations, and the role of health care professionals in educating patients.

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1 in 4 attempt suicide: the persecution of autistic physicians

Physician
August 31, 2023

A young autistic surgeon makes several social faux pas, leading to clashing with his boss repeatedly. This eventually leads to the young autist being transferred to pathology against his will. Unable to cope with the change, he stands up to his boss to seek reinstatement as a surgeon, and he is consequently fired for disrespecting authority by standing his ground.

Sound familiar? That’s because it’s one arc of Read more…

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We must protest our moral outrage

Physician
August 31, 2023

I’ve finally figured out why we – physicians – are called “providers.” It’s not merely because we render services. In addition, our role has become a commodity, genericized and stripped of autonomy. We are no longer free to practice as we wish. We have lost the ability to take medical matters into our own hands, to control them, and to resolve them ourselves. Having lost ownership of medical practice to …

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What is intersex? What do you know about your patient’s sexual development?

Conditions
August 31, 2023

I don’t know about you, but I learned very little about variations in sexual development during my medical education over a decade ago. Commonly presented topics were usually of a genetic nature—this person has XXY or XO chromosomes and the “abnormalities” such chromosomal variations can bring. That’s about the extent of my education regarding sex development and gender, with the impression conveyed that these were minor topics.

Fast forward to now, …

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Unveiling a journey marked by talents and turmoil

Conditions
August 31, 2023

His 5-year-old daughter asked her mom, “Today is daddy’s birthday. Can we have a picnic at his grave?”

Bryan was 49 years old. He could really do anything. He could do renovations, carpentry, electrical work, play music, be a father and a husband, a son, an uncle, a brother, and a brother-in-law. He had an incredible sense of humor, was down-to-earth, and a big teddy bear to his children. No one …

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Bias and inequity in health care [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 30, 2023
YouTube video

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Join podiatrist Amol Saxena as we delve into the often overlooked disparities in the U.S. health care system. We discuss the historical underrepresentation of BIPOC individuals in both patient care and medical leadership, shedding light on biases, …

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Navigating feminism in medicine

Physician
August 30, 2023

“Become the doctor your parents always wanted you to marry,” said the T-shirt I purchased from the women in medicine interest group during my first year of medical school. I remember feeling like I should buy that T-shirt (and I did), yet it was also something I was never quite comfortable wearing. It was a “women’s cut” (how appropriate), which meant it fit snugly across the chest and sat high …

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Large income doesn’t always result in greater wealth

Finance
August 30, 2023

Meet the doctors: Dr. Emily Carter and Dr. Carlos Martinez.

Dr. Carter is a primary care doctor, and Dr. Martinez is an allergist. Both doctors are committed to their medical careers. Dr. Carter earns about $180,000 a year, while Dr. Martinez earns about $400,000 a year. However, Dr. Carter is taking a proactive approach to her financial security, thinking early on about taxes, investing, and time. Dr. Martinez is enjoying his …

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The emotional intelligence of physicians: Understanding and managing emotions for better care

Physician
August 30, 2023

The role of a physician is not only to diagnose and treat physical ailments but also to provide emotional support to patients. Understanding and managing emotions is a crucial skill for physicians, impacting their ability to provide empathetic and effective care. Moreover, emotional intelligence also affects a physician’s well-being and relationships in their personal life. In this article, we will explore the eight primary emotions identified by psychologist Robert Plutchik …

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