Is unity possible in pediatrics?

Physician
February 6, 2024

I have long held the conviction that pediatricians, either in unison or in partnership with hospitals, have the potential to catalyze positive transformation within health care. The vision is clear: pediatricians leading the way, safeguarding health care from detrimental influences and steering it towards a brighter horizon. Yet, despite the rallying cries for innovation—be it through maintaining private practices, embracing direct primary care, or advocating for physician-owned hospitals—there is an …

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The unseen struggles of Native medical students

Education
February 6, 2024

The average medical student spends anywhere from 40 to 80 hours a week studying to become the future of health care, not to mention the hours outside of work that include family, community, jobs, volunteering, research, and day-to-day necessities. The average student goes to class, studies, goes home and studies some more.

However, this is not the reality for many Native medical students. We crave the ability to wake up, go …

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Hope, healing, and challenges in eating disorder recovery [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 5, 2024
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Join Jillian Rigert, an oral medicine specialist and radiation oncology research fellow. In this episode, we delve into the world of eating disorders, drawing from Jillian’s unique perspective as both a patient and a health care professional. …

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Can collaboration build subject matter expertise? We think so.

Physician
February 5, 2024

At my [Resa] first emergency medicine position leading a clinical ultrasound section, I noticed the impact of organizing a monthly educator series. It started out as a fun way to invite friends to visit me in New York City. Win-win: I could amplify their expertise, they met my team who expanded their networks, and my friend could add a line item to their résumé. At the same time, the resident …

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Treating inflammation provides hope in the fight against Parkinson’s

Conditions
February 5, 2024

The acceleration of new Parkinson’s disease cases outpaces other age-related conditions, and as a result, the patient population is growing quickly. In 2022 there were about 90,000 new diagnoses in the U.S., versus the previous prevailing estimate of 60,000. While some of the increase can doubtless be attributed to improved diagnostics and improved access to health care, those factors affect the statistics of other diseases and cannot explain why …

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NICU tragedy: How new nurses’ nail choices led to a newborn’s heartbreaking fate

Conditions
February 5, 2024

A small, cliquish bevy of nurses was working their way through orientation in the NICU straight out of nursing school. They were happy and thrilled to be accepted into this specialized nursing unit: the NICU.

Practicing good hygiene, washing hands up to the elbows with soap each time one entered a baby’s cubicle, and gowning and gloving was a standard and mandatory protocol before touching the babies.

These were preemies in the …

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The opioid addiction epidemic and its impact on health care costs

Conditions
February 5, 2024

The opioid addiction crisis has escalated into a formidable challenge within the U.S. health care system, causing widespread devastation. The opioid epidemic has not only devastated communities and individual lives but has also inflicted a substantial economic toll on the health care system. The opioid epidemic has led to a surge in health care costs, stemming from the increased demand for addiction treatment, including psychiatric and psychological evaluations, emergency room …

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Solving health care’s staffing crisis [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 4, 2024
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Join Patrick Dotts, a health care executive. We’ll delve into the pressing challenges faced by the health care workforce, including high turnover rates and low employee satisfaction. Patrick will share insights on how health care organizations can …

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Letting go of perfectionism: a New Year’s resolution for self-compassion

Physician
February 4, 2024

Last week I drove to my favorite trails in Point Defiance Park. The roads seemed oddly empty and quiet, even for “the time between the years” as I’ve heard it called. Perhaps I hadn’t noticed it before, since in medicine, it’s always been just another week when most people don’t work, but we always had a full schedule.

The day was overcast, as it so often is during winter in the …

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Taylor Swift in the operating room: the surgeon who found strength in song

Physician
February 4, 2024

Every surgeon dreams of the day when they’ll wield the cold steel of the scalpel independently. Of the day they’ll see their name on the daily operating room (OR) schedule. Of the day they’ll be the one leading the surgery team. Of the day they will finally get to choose the music.

Surgeons are particular people, and our music choice is no exception. …

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Accelerate your career with mentorship

Physician
February 4, 2024

As a lifelong learner who takes pride in self-directed learning, the importance of mentorship has not always been readily obvious to me. When I completed my residency and embarked on a career in academic medicine, little did I realize how important the mentorship of my then department chair, Dr. Janet Townsend, would be in terms of my career progression. In addition to supporting my commitment to staying clinically active while …

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Gene therapy breakthroughs: a new era in genetic disorder treatment

Meds
February 4, 2024

In a significant leap forward for medical science, recent breakthroughs in gene therapy are ushering in a new era of treatment for various human diseases. The field of gene therapy, which involves manipulating or introducing genetic material into a person’s cells to treat or prevent disease, has seen remarkable advancements, with several gene therapy drugs receiving approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Gene therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking …

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Navigating the art of delivering life-altering medical news [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 3, 2024
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Join Emily Schehlein, a glaucoma and cataract surgeon. In this episode, we delve into the emotional and ethical complexities of delivering life-altering medical diagnoses. Emily shares her insights and experiences in the world of ophthalmology and how …

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A patient reached out to a doctor, and they helped each other heal

Physician
February 3, 2024

Kim Downey:

“Each year, almost 400 physicians die by suicide.” That sentence stopped me in my tracks.

I’d been reading all the articles here on KevinMD for almost a year when I came across one written by Dr. Avellino, with the opening line above.

One of my amazing doctors had died several months prior. I was, and in some ways still am, struggling with his death from over a year ago.

I clicked on …

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Senior health care leaders: This is what a psychopath looks like. Please fire them.

Physician
February 3, 2024

How do you spot a “psychopath” inside a complex bureaucracy?

It is a consistent feature of bureaucracy. Psychopath doctors and senior leaders almost never get walked out of the building despite years of complaints and truly outrageous behavior. When they finally are fired or brought to justice, just a small amount of digging reveals National-Enquirer-headline-style shenanigans.

Here is the latest in the health care industry press: “Prominent Johns Hopkins physician on …

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The hand from behind the curtain

Physician
February 3, 2024

It has been almost two decades since I worked at this hospital. This is where I grew up as a physician. After my home, I have spent most of my life within these walls and walking these hallways. The hospital used to have two main buildings, but a few years ago, the administration decided to erect a third building, which is a state-of-the-art facility. The hospital is situated at the …

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Why Barbie resonated with me as a mid-career woman physician: a reflection for National Women Physicians Day

Physician
February 3, 2024

(Spoiler alert: contains spoilers for the movie Barbie.)

In Barbie, a singular scene resonated powerfully with Women in Medicine across the land.

You know the one. Shortly after Ken and Barbie leave Barbie Land and arrive in the Real World, Ken ventures off, discovers The Patriarchy, waltzes into a hospital emergency room, and demands the first woman he sees …

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How responsible AI can benefit patients and clinicians

Tech
February 3, 2024

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) is palpable across the health care spectrum, from aiding in early disease detection through image analysis to streamlining administrative tasks. Regulatory agencies recognize the need for rapid integration of health care AI solutions, as demonstrated by the FDA’s clearance of over 500 AI solutions classified as Software as a Medical Device (SaMD).

However, AI developers often prioritize speed over meticulous validation, which can compromise …

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Create a new, empowering identity for yourself [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 2, 2024
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Join Parastoo Jangouk, a gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician. We dive into the challenges faced by business owners and health care professionals in December. It’s a month filled with long hours, patient appointments, and marketing efforts.

But amidst …

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A surprising resolution in primary care

Physician
February 2, 2024

I normally don’t make professional resolutions, but this year I am making an important exception. Why would I do such a thing? Like most of my evolution as a doctor, it comes from the wellspring of wisdom, namely listening to my patients.

I had a conversation recently with a patient, Kate, a retired school teacher, a lovely woman who spent her career in Berkeley County, WV, and taught kids who struggled. …

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