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Heartbreaking stories of famous lives lost to suicide and a community’s fight for awareness

Zoran Naumovski, MD

Physician

December 2, 2024

Famous artists and athletes who succumbed to suicide:

Robin Williams (American actor and comedian) – August 11, 2014; 63 years old.

Anthony Bourdain (American celebrity chef, author, travel documentarian) – June 8, 2018; 61 years old.

Robert Enke (German goalkeeper, part of German national soccer team) – November 10, 2009; 32 years old.

Goo Hara (South Korean singer and actor) – November 24, 2019; 28 years old.

Ruslana Korshunova (Kazakhstani model) – June 28, 2008; …

You don’t need to be a doctor to save lives and make a difference

Dr. Hafsa Shamim

Physician

December 2, 2024

If you ask aspiring doctors, “Why do you want to become a doctor?” they often reply, “I want to help people” or “I want to save people.”

The intention to help is commendable, but many careers work toward protecting and supporting us.

It is much easier to view doctors as “knights in shining armor,” “heroes,” or “saviors.” In some cultures, they may even be seen as deities. This perception can sometimes unintentionally …

How biomarkers are revolutionizing dementia diagnosis and care [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 1, 2024

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

Join us for an enlightening discussion with neurologist Amy E. Sanders as we explore the evolution of biomarkers in diagnosing and monitoring Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. We’ll delve into the significance of …

The debate over Alzheimer’s diagnosis: biological markers vs. symptoms

Laura García-Pupo, PhD

Conditions

December 1, 2024

The field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is seeing a heated debate about the best way to diagnose this devastating condition. On one side, the Alzheimer Association (AA) proposed new criteria that rely solely on biological markers—such as proteins seen in brain scans or found in the liquid bathing the brain and spine, called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—even in individuals who show no symptoms. These biomarkers, which include amyloid and tau proteins, …

How physicians can get started in digital health and health care innovation

Miguel Villagra, MD

Physician

December 1, 2024

In the rapidly evolving landscape of health care, the urgent need for innovation has never been more critical. As a physician, you are uniquely positioned to drive transformative changes that can improve patient outcomes, enhance care delivery, and reduce costs. However, despite the opportunities, stepping into the realm of digital health and health care innovation can seem daunting.

The importance of understanding the imperative for innovation in health care

Health care systems …

New treatment guidelines transform care for restless legs syndrome [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 30, 2024

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

We dive into the evolving landscape of treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS) with neurologist Andrew Spector. For decades, patients have been prescribed dopamine agonists like ropinirole and pramipexole, often unaware that these …

Hero’s journey: Letting go of self-hate and choosing love instead

Jillian Rigert, MD, DMD

Physician

November 30, 2024

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on my hero’s journey is the importance of learning to accept ourselves (our full selves).

I couldn’t sit across from patients, clients, friends, or family members the way I wanted to until I started to love all parts of me. When I am grounded in love for all parts of me, I show up differently. I show up better able to love all parts …

What Chadwick Boseman’s death reveals about cancer prevention and risk factors

Arnold R. Eiser, MD

Conditions

November 30, 2024

We lost a very talented actor and director, Chadwick Boseman, way too early to colorectal cancer in 2023. When I recently became aware of his enormous talent, I resolved to examine his premature death as best I could with the hope of sparing others such a life snuffed out in the midst of a highly successful career.

Although I usually work in the sphere of neurodegenerative disorders, a curious phenomenon links …

Discover how AI and appreciative inquiry can transform health care [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 29, 2024

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

We explore the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and appreciative inquiry (AI) in health care. Anesthesiologist Wael Saasouh and health care executive Lisa Scardina share their insights on how technology can support …

18 words in medical records that restore principles in a medical malpractice lawsuit

Howard Smith, MD

Physician

November 29, 2024

There are 85,000 medical malpractice lawsuits filed per year. There are 1 million physicians. Therefore, your odds as a doctor for being sued for malpractice are 8.5 percent per year, which corresponds to one lawsuit every 12 years. To make matters worse, two-thirds of lawsuits have questionable merit.

A malpractice lawsuit is inevitable because a complication is inevitable. It just takes one complication. The problem arises when a complication is a …

Why ADHD in adults is more common than you think

Muhamad Aly Rifai, MD

Conditions

November 29, 2024

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs focus, attention, and behavioral control. ADHD hinders and compromises major life activities. Initially considered exclusively a disorder afflicting children and adolescents, it is now widely accepted that ADHD continues into adulthood, impacting the lives of those plagued by this impairment and disability. Furthermore, ADHD symptoms may fluctuate over the lifespan of an individual who struggles with a myriad of …

How a minimally invasive procedure is transforming hypertension treatment [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 28, 2024

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

Join us as we discuss the global epidemic of hypertension with cardiologist Jeremy Bock. With over a third of the adult population affected and traditional treatments missing the mark for millions, Jeremy dives …

Seeing the unseen: How racism manifests in professional spaces and how you can help

Tera Frederick Howard, MD

Physician

November 28, 2024

My sister and I speak almost every day. Sometimes we talk about our kids, our husbands, and our jobs. She is an attorney in the military and part of the JAG corps. I am an academic obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN), which means my practice involves education. We are both Black women in majority-white professions. Our morning conversations about our respective jobs are sometimes about the work itself, which we are both passionate …

Why health care professionals must ask, “How am I doing?” [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 27, 2024

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

We sit down with Perrette St. Preux, a nurse, to explore the realities of work-life balance in health care. We discuss the personal and professional challenges that come with maintaining well-being in a …

How a community rebuilds from devastation day by day

Lauretta Stombaugh, DO

Physician

November 27, 2024

If you make a wrong turn and end up in the heart of it all, there’s a light brown hue over things. The leftover mud. Sometimes on the trees. Other times on the asphalt. Up the rock walls while driving. A reminder that destruction happened here.

If you make a wrong (or right) turn, you can see piles of wreckage. An office chair. Metal debris. Plastic things. Relief and aid workers …

Why Americans are failing to keep up with essential knowledge

Richard A. Lawhern, PhD

Conditions

November 27, 2024

At age 80, I am an old man. I am also an experienced writer and voracious reader. I’ve been active in internet bulletin boards and social media interest groups since the 1980s—in what we used to call “users net” (USENET)—before the emergence of the World Wide Web.

In the 1980s, I briefly moderated a community on the internet called “Internet Village Elders.” The forum was intended to share information between librarians …

Why a football legend’s prostate cancer advice sparked controversy

Catherine Diamond, MD

Conditions

November 27, 2024

I didn’t know who Emmitt Smith was. I didn’t know September was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. I didn’t know what was going on in the weekend football game my husband was watching next to me on the couch. I was typing a clinic note because, in general, that is what I am doing if I am sitting down, regardless of the day or time. I am an academic physician with …

How to navigate stipend offers [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 26, 2024

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

We dive into navigating stipend structures for final-year medical residents with insights from Jon Appino, the CEO of Contract Diagnostics. He shares expert advice on what to consider when evaluating stipend offers, understanding …

How Pixar’s Soul teaches us to live in the moment

Troy Jackson, MD

Physician

November 26, 2024

It is not every day that a children’s movie can touch and challenge the soul of an adult. This is how I felt recently during one part of Pixar’s movie Soul. Whether you’ve seen this movie or not, I want to write about one particular scene that has really affected how I approach life.

The setup (no spoilers!): the main character Joe has received the job opportunity of a lifetime only …

Addressing the mental health crisis with virtual on demand

Sonja Tarrago, MD

Tech

November 26, 2024

The U.S. is grappling with a mental health crisis. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that one in five US adults live with a mental illness. This includes disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more, ranging in severity from mild-moderate to severe.

Telehealth has proven to be an effective tool in addressing the crisis by improving access to care, reducing stigma, and providing flexible, timely support.

Imagine …

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