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America’s democracy is on the brink: Will leaders act before it’s too late?

Policy

December 11, 2024

At age 80, I’m an “old guy.” I’ve been an avid reader and writer on multiple subjects all of my life. Though I write primarily about U.S. health care, I maintain a lively interest in politics generally. Since election day, I’ve been hearing stories that express a profound sense of trauma in millions of us. Many feel themselves to be in mourning for their beloved country. Others feel vindicated and …

The impact of digital health tools on preventing chronic disease: a public health revolution

Lujain Mattar

Tech

December 11, 2024

Imagine a world where chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension—long-standing giants of global health care burden—are intercepted before they take root. A smartwatch buzzing with a warning of an irregular heartbeat. An app gently nudging someone to take a short walk after hours of inactivity. For millions, these digital whispers are not just reminders but lifelines. In an age where chronic illnesses claim over 41 million lives annually, …

How emotional intelligence turns medical challenges into opportunities [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 10, 2024

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Join us for an insightful conversation with Ben Reinking, a board-certified pediatric cardiologist, medical educator, and certified physician development coach, as we explore the profound impact of emotional intelligence in health care. Ben …

How physician burnout silently creeps in and takes over

Devina Maya Wadhwa, MD

Conditions

December 10, 2024

I don’t know when the word burnout came into my vocabulary, but I feel that we use it constantly in our health care world today. I always thought I was immune to this concept of burnout. My self-talk was that I was strong and nothing would ever happen to me. As a psychiatrist and a yoga practitioner, I thought I was better equipped to “handle my feelings” and be in …

How to run a successful group therapy session

Ram Krishnan, MBA

Conditions

December 10, 2024

Group therapy can be a powerful treatment modality when done right. Research affirms it as equally effective compared to individual therapy, and the relatively lower cost puts this service within reach of patients who struggle to access behavioral health care due to financial constraints.

Meeting the growing need for mental health support in the United States, recent research published by American Psychologist states that group therapy could save more than $5.6 …

Why is no one listening? The urgent impact of marijuana on fertility

Oluyemisi Famuyiwa, MD

Conditions

December 10, 2024

The growing concern

In the age of marijuana legalization, a troubling health concern is emerging—its impact on fertility. While cannabis enjoys increased social acceptance, its unintended consequences on reproductive health are often overlooked. Daily marijuana use now surpasses high-frequency alcohol consumption, marking a cultural shift that demands urgent attention. Yet, despite accumulating evidence, why does it feel like no one is listening?

As fertility specialists, we are witnessing an alarming trend: couples …

Doing residency interviews while tired on a Friday afternoon

Ryan McCarthy, MD

Physician

December 10, 2024

“I want to use the art of medicine to meet the individual needs of my patients.” These words emanated from the computer as I stared at the Zoom screen. Two large, soft brown eyes, accompanied by a toothy smile, stared straight at me, all framed within a silk hijab, one which was ocean blue with a wisp of pink at the edge. My heart skipped a beat as the reflected …

How technology can free up nurses for better care [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 9, 2024

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We explore the evolving landscape of health care data management with nurse executive Betsy Castillo. Drawing on her decades of experience, Betsy discusses the importance of timely registry data, the critical role of …

Cannabis advertising takes a page from the tobacco playbook

Gary Kirkilas, DO

Conditions

December 9, 2024

Imagine seeing a commercial featuring Ryder and Marshall from the popular kids’ cartoon Paw Patrol lighting up cigarettes and enjoying a smoke together. It’s hard to fathom that happening, but in 1961 beloved cartoon characters Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble happily smoked cigarettes in an ad for Winston. Most children of that era could easily recite the ad slogan: “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.”

With that sort of youth …

Overlooked problems in individuals with autism

Maria Mba Wright, MD

Conditions

December 9, 2024

A series of behaviors in autistic children, not well addressed by medical providers today, include self-harming, hitting, biting, mouthing, licking objects, pickiness with food, clothing textures, and touching private areas – otherwise known as “sensory behaviors.” Some of these behaviors, often found to be embarrassing, can remain prevalent and persist into adulthood. Part of the problem is that medical providers typically are not educated regarding the nuances of these unique …

Why medical training is pushing residents to their breaking point [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 8, 2024

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We sit down with medical student Medha Venigalla to explore the urgent issue of resident sleep deprivation and its impact on health care. We discuss the systemic challenges residents face, including long hours, …

Resilience whispers: the silent triumph through a surgeon’s lens

Dr. Bhushan Kathuria

Physician

December 8, 2024

In the silence of a rural village, where dreams were often tethered to survival, I first learned the language of resilience. Life’s trials were as persistent as the dusty winds, shaping every step of my journey from those humble beginnings to becoming a surgeon. My story, like that of many others in the medical field, is one of quiet perseverance—a journey marked not by loud victories but by the soft …

Physical exams: the life-saving tool doctors must reclaim in modern medicine

Francisco M. Torres, MD

Physician

December 8, 2024

As a pain management specialist, I have often found that the course of treatment for a patient requires a careful balance of many factors before making a recommendation. But sometimes, the best course seems obvious. That was the case with Mr. Bautista (name replaced to protect identity). He was an older gentleman, and his imaging scans showed spinal stenosis that was likely to lead to nerve pain. And what was …

How a physician’s COVID-19 scare revealed a hidden health condition

Meredith Milligan, MD, MPH

Physician

December 8, 2024

“Just take a deep breath.”

It’s the first thing we say when we see someone upset or overwhelmed, and generally, it’s good advice. There is a wealth of evidence supporting the benefits of deep breathing, and it is not uncommon for me to pull out a handout during a patient visit to walk someone through a breathing technique. I’m a family physician—anxiety, asthma, COPD, cancer—it’s all relevant; it’s all primary care. …

Bitcoin $100K: a game-changer for physicians’ financial freedom? [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 7, 2024

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

Join us as emergency physician and digital asset consultant Noah Kaufman dives into the evolving role of Bitcoin in investment strategies. From its early days as a speculative asset to its current standing …

Do you think the needle is moving in health care?

Dawn Ellison, MD & Denise Wiseman, PhD, MBA & Kim Downey, PT

Physician

December 7, 2024

I’ve heard this question asked in interviews, and I’ve been asked it myself.

Over the past year and a half, I’ve become involved with several organizations that are working hard and taking positive action in this regard. I’m a proud ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, I’m on the traction team for Medicine Forward (MF), and I’m a strong collaborator and supporter of the Health Care Reinvention Collaborative (HRC).

As …

The answer is gratitude and it puts you in a good place

American College of Physicians

Physician

December 7, 2024

Regardless of how one might have voted in the election, the aftermath now includes a dizzying array of proposed cabinet and other health-related appointments and rumors about what they and the new administration might do. How do we in medicine navigate all of this? The answer may not be intuitive: gratitude. We’re not talking here about insincere gratitude, …

Reasons why you should consider having your surgery at an ASC

Shakeel Ahmed, MD

Physician

December 7, 2024

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
– Henry Ford.

The changing landscape of health care, along with a rising trend among patients for more affordable, manageable, and specialized solutions, has made ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) gain noticeable traction as a preferred surgical option. The value ASCs provide to patients, providers, and insurers is a perfect combination of convenience, safety, and cost savings. Here are ten data- …

Faster sepsis diagnosis in emergency departments [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 6, 2024

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We sit down with pulmonary and critical care physicians Tonya Jagneaux and Hollis O’Neal to explore the complex challenges emergency departments face when diagnosing and treating sepsis. With overcrowded EDs, rising patient volumes, …

The future of orthopedic care: Embracing the ASC-urgent care model

Alejandro Badia, MD

Physician

December 6, 2024

The landscape of orthopedic care is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by rising health care costs, patient demand for convenience, and the increasing popularity of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). As an orthopedic surgeon dedicated to advancing minimally invasive techniques and maximizing patient outcomes, I believe the key to navigating this evolving landscape lies in prioritizing patient access to the appropriate clinician via seamless care delivery. Simply put, “the right clinician …

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