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We sit down with Roxanne Becker, a lifestyle medicine physician, to discuss the urgent implications of the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza contracted from a dairy cow. We explore how zoonotic …
From farm to pandemic: the urgent need for dietary changes [PODCAST]
When we go charging in blood vessels at breathtaking speed to relieve the blockade that otherwise may bring a sad end to life, we expect to be doing it for the mature and elderly. The stress and strains upon the heart through the journey that is life upend the natural rhythm and flow, with the turbulence churning up clots like butter from milk that flow downstream till the narrowed channels …
Young lives at risk: the unseen dangers of fentanyl addiction
After 45 years as an ICU nurse specializing in surgical trauma ICU and eventually PACU nursing, Marsha wasn’t ready to retire. She was restless and bored and decided to continue her PACU expertise at a freestanding surgical center. While juggling that job and an endoscopy center, she started to notice a recurring theme: time is money.
The endoscopy freestanding clinic performed colonoscopies, EGDs, and sigmoidoscopies—up to 42 procedures a day. More …
The health care assembly line. Time is money.
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Join us in this episode as we explore the challenges of balancing social media and device use with the essential aspects of life. Our guest, Dawn Baker, an anesthesiologist, shares her insights from …
Social media use and physician wellness [PODCAST]
I tried to get a personal appointment at a large prestigious academic outpatient service. The website had a “contact us” link, which directed me to a very prolonged questionnaire wanting to know details (mainly financial) that practically included turning over my firstborn child. After spending extensive time clicking through the questionnaire, I finally came to a screen that “allowed” me to pick a time over two weeks in the future …
Struggles of navigating prestigious medical systems
It was 2018. Previously, “Max” had steadfastly refused all vaccines. Despite his HIV infection, which was well controlled, and my pleading with him over multiple years to get a flu shot, he was firmly opposed. He was intelligent and very matter-of-fact, and we had discussed this often. It was obvious that he did not want to be vaccinated, …
Patients and immunizations: It’s a matter of trust
During a recent palliative conference, the discussion turned to the challenges of translating our work to the public and our colleagues. Despite the growth of our field and increasing access, there remains major confusion about palliative care and hospice. Much of the misunderstanding originates from within the medical profession. Having worked in the palliative care and hospice arena for nearly two decades, I have seen many examples of the confusion …
Palliative care is plagued by misunderstanding
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Join Maryal Concepcion, a family physician, as she shares her inspiring story of transitioning from a traditional health care role to direct primary care (DPC). Discover how the values of social harmony and …
Transforming patient care with cultural values in direct primary care [PODCAST]
“You’ve got some guts starting your residency pregnant!” I was that intern.
It was June 2011. A few months earlier, on Match Day—the day when the National Residency Matching Program releases results to applicants seeking residency in a specialty of their choice in the U.S.—I had found out that I’d gotten into my first-choice hospital residency program in pediatrics. I started my residency four months pregnant, and one of my attendings …
It’s time to pass federally mandated paid parental leave
As a physician who grew up in a small town in central Illinois, I’ve witnessed firsthand the decline of rural health care in America. The hospital where I first became interested in medicine is now half its original size, merged with a larger health system, and struggling to stay afloat. This story is all too common across rural America, where health care access is becoming increasingly scarce, and the challenges …
Revitalizing rural health care with technology and policy
The initial psychiatric interview of a patient is often a crucial part of the developing relationship between patient and physician. Establishing rapport, reaching a diagnosis, discussing treatment options, and formulating a plan, are the main frameworks of the interview. There remain, however, increasing pressures to reach the final diagnosis, often from patients and caregivers on initial meetings with providers that can lead to rushed or overlooked symptoms. Where, then, does …
Time to educate the psychiatric patient
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Join us for a conversation with George M. Abraham, former president of the American College of Physicians (2021-2022) and a professor of medicine. We’ll explore the vital role of international medical graduates (IMGs) …
How international medical graduates shape U.S. health care [PODCAST]
Terminology has changed over the years.
When I was in training (1996-2000), we were called physicians. Nurses were called nurses. Nurse practitioners (NPs) were called nurse practitioners. Physician assistants (PAs) were called physician assistants. Patient care assistants (PCAs) were called patient care assistants. And the suits were just that … the suits. They kept the lights on and the doors open. They didn’t provide any direct …
Not all healers wear scrubs or lab coats: Paying homage to our modern-day Santa Claus
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Howera is a twenty-nine-year-old Ethiopian woman. She saw me in the neurology clinic for headaches. Two years previously, she had come to America to join her husband. Since her arrival, he beat her physically and abused her sexually. Being a stranger in a strange land and not speaking English, she suffered in silence. Finally, she could take it no longer. She ran away. For the past six months, she had …
Healing in a new land: the power of community and kindness
Negotiating a contract can be daunting, but it’s a critical skill every physician must master. When I received my first contract, I was overwhelmed by the legal jargon and the sheer number of clauses. It wasn’t just about the salary; it was about securing a fair and comprehensive agreement that would set the stage for my entire career. Through trial and error and a lot of research, I’ve gathered these …
10 essential tips for doctors: Mastering contract negotiations
When actress, model, and reality star Denise Richards came into my office, she had been suffering from chronic pelvic pain for years. Doctor after doctor had given her the same advice: ignore it.
It’s just a hernia.
By the time Richards consulted me, she was experiencing more than just a hernia. It was four: two inguinal hernias and two femoral hernias, all needing immediate repair.
Richards’ situation is far from unique.
In case after …
Ignored and misdiagnosed: the truth about hernias in women
One of the best safety strategies in anesthesia is the anticipation and prevention of complications and errors at every step of preparation. An intact intravenous drug delivery system is essential for almost every anesthetic plan. In this article, we will specifically discuss the intravenous drug delivery system, focusing on its vulnerabilities, strategies for preparation against potential complications, and error prevention. We visualize this concept as an educational endeavor and as …
Essential safety strategies in anesthesia: anticipation and prevention of complication
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In this episode, we delve into the profound emotional experiences of Ryan McCarthy, an internal medicine physician. Ryan shares heart-wrenching moments from his practice, including the day his heart metaphorically rolled off his …
Inside the heart of an internal medicine doctor [PODCAST]
On my outpatient clinical rotations last year, I saw ample management of heart disease and smoking cessation counseling. I also saw the annual physicals and checkups. But what surprised me was how many patients were on medications that were just now becoming more mainstream. I’m sure you’ve heard of one in particular—Ozempic. But it wasn’t just Ozempic. There was also Wegovy and Mounjaro. These medications, in the family of semaglutides, …
How weight loss drugs are creating a medical dilemma
The wait is over! The highly anticipated 2024 MGMA DataDive, a federally recognized gold standard for physician compensation data, has finally arrived. This comprehensive analysis offers unparalleled insights into physician and advanced practice provider (APP) compensation, making it a crucial resource for staying informed in today’s health care landscape. While some may consider it the current “gold standard,” it is essential to remember that even the best data sets can …
2024 MGMA DataDive: Unveiling key trends in physician compensation
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