The heartbreaking reality of a nurse’s struggle: a father’s tale
I love two nurses. One of them is my son, and the other is someone very close to me. She’ll have her own article.
My son has just finished his seventh 12-hour ICU shift. He’s wiped out, devastated, and shell-shocked. Let me introduce him to you before sharing his pain.
The kid was always enthusiastic about medicine. He wanted to be a physician more than anything. Maybe it runs in the family; …
Unraveling the complexities of ChatGPT-dependency disorder: Are we over-reliant on AI?
In today’s digital age, it’s hardly surprising that our lives are intricately woven with technology. From smartphones to laptops, smart homes to artificial intelligence (AI), these innovations have brought about a remarkable shift in our lifestyle. OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model, colloquially known as ChatGPT, holds a special place among the pantheon of AI applications. Its users enjoy an interactive text-based AI experience, capable of composing prose, answering questions, and even …
Ensuring medication safety: a shocking incident that exposed a dangerous flaw
At six-week intervals, I replenish my supply of omeprazole. Initially, I took it for symptomatic relief of GERD, becoming symptomatic again within a week or two during periodic self-directed suspensions. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy, done for another reason, disclosed Barrett’s esophagus, shifting that daily pill of personal comfort to a more essential intervention. It falls within several Gastroenterology Society recommendations as a component of later malignancy prevention. My weekly pill case, set …
The fight for reinstatement: Advocating for early opportunities for excluded health care professionals battling opioid use disorder
I’ll begin by saying that I have a diagnosis of opioid use disorder (OUD) secondary to PTSD. I began diverting Norco from a pharmacy with which my hospice company had a contract. At the time, I had access to various narcotics as an RN case manager, which was quite concerning. This environment became a breeding ground for nurses seeking to divert medication for their own substance abuse.
My battle with OUD …
Proactive risk management: the key to preventing physician burnout and lawsuits [PODCAST]
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Join us in this episode as we delve into the critical issue of physician burnout and its correlation with the threat of lawsuits in the medical field. Our guest, Howard Smith, an obstetrics-gynecology physician, explores the notion that every …
The unsung heroes of disease detectives: Controlling outbreaks and pandemics to save lives
An excerpt from Outbreaks and Pandemics: The Life of a Disease Detective.
The importance of disease detectives in solving and controlling outbreaks and pandemics must be recognized. We are the backbone of our public health system. We are scientifically savvy, inquisitive, detail-oriented, and able to follow the data wherever it leads, …
Overcoming limiting beliefs in a culture of growth
Limiting beliefs are thoughts that often hold us back from achieving a desired outcome. An example of this is internalizing negative criticism received. Instead of being an opportunity for growth, the dark side of criticism is that it can make us believe we are not talented enough, innovative enough, or qualified enough. That we are not enough. Often, this depends on how and when it is delivered.
According to the National …
The impact of medical traumatic stress on families
Jacob, a father from a low-income, rural background, has vivid flashbacks of seeing his newborn intubated. Confused at why his mind keeps replaying the scene, he struggles to concentrate at work and earn the paycheck he needs to make ends meet for his family. Whenever he makes the long drive to the hospital for his newborn’s follow-up visits, he feels the same intense panic he felt in the NICU and …
The transformative power of volunteering at the science fair
“Thank you so much for taking the time today and judging,” yet another person said as they approached me, smiling or shaking my hand.
“You are welcome,” I said, smiling. It was my pleasure—my genuine internal pleasure.
I have been volunteering for schools and children’s education for many years.
As I agreed yet again to be a judge, I thought I was helping them: schools, students, the school district… It turned out that, …
Unlocking the secrets of medical practice success
“The cause of man’s problem is a lack of knowledge. It does not stem from a shortage of information but rather from the rejection of information.”
– Hosea 4:6
This event in medical history is one such lesson that describes the blinding of physicians to the realities of open-mindedness and the destructive potential that results from ignoring factual truth.
If it weren’t for the persistence and medical ingenuity of an early 1800s medical …
Social inflation’s surge in medical malpractice insurance [PODCAST]
From physician to survivor: My inspiring journey through burnout, mental illness, and triumph
I am a physician, specifically a urologist. However, what most people do not know about me is that I am a survivor of multiple suicide attempts. My essay attempts to tell my personal story—a story of burnout, mental illness, and suicide—and to discuss the shame that accompanied these experiences.
I completed my urologic residency in 1987 at Stanford University and began practicing with the Southern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in …
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More than skin deep: the importance of culturally competent care in medical education
The very first patient I met in the rheumatology clinic at SUNY Downstate heard I was applying to medical school and pulled me close to her, saying, “I want you to feel the swelling in my hands.” She took great care to ensure I palpated each joint and appreciated the warmth, erythema, and “boggy” feeling imparted by the inflammation. She explained her medical history and was very specific with her …
A touching tale of hope and uncertainty in the hospital
Indeterminate. That’s the word we use when we’re unsure whether a patient will be able to survive without mechanical ventilation. We can’t say for certain that they have a good prognosis, but we can’t say they have a bad one either. A chaplain once said that those teetering between life and death can sense two things: sounds and smells. They also shared a story about a patient who woke up …
From darkness to healing: a urologist’s journey through suicidal ideation [PODCAST]
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Unlocking the hidden potential of physician scientists: the key to research breakthroughs and health care innovation
Ten years ago, as a new graduate, I sought an academic job that would protect my time for research. I was surprised to find that I was “unqualified”: I had no research funding and few published manuscripts. With these deficits, no institution was willing to give me a research job. Eventually, I was offered a clinical job that would protect my time at 20 percent. With this time, I was …
Embracing life’s unexpected turns and finding contentment along the way
I sometimes grieve the life I left behind … and that’s OK. Necessary, even.
I wonder if I got in my own way, if I tried hard enough, if I fought hard enough. What would have happened if I believed in myself? Trusted that I could accomplish what I set out to do? Accepted love …
The Little Mermaid inspires a health care revolution: Breaking silos for equitable, accessible, and innovative solutions
The Little Mermaid remake was recently released, and I was excited to experience the film for a few reasons. First, it was my favorite animated Disney film of all time. It came out when I was three years old, and I watched the VHS tape until it didn’t work anymore. Yes, I’m dating myself. Second, there were updated lyrics and a Black Ariel. Although it was strangely controversial that Ariel …
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Treating substance use disorders in the criminal justice system [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we invite guest Casey Grover, an emergency physician, to explore the ethical dilemmas surrounding the treatment of substance use disorders in the criminal justice system. Join us as we examine two compelling …
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Past Week
-
What’s driving medical students away from primary care?
-
Make cognitive testing as routine as a blood pressure check
-
A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how
-
A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?
-
The hidden cost of delaying back surgery
-
The dreaded question: Do you have boys or girls?
-
Past 6 Months
-
What’s driving medical students away from primary care?
-
Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
-
The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors
-
What happened to real care in health care?
-
Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?
-
The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain
-
Recent Posts
-
Why ADHD in women is finally getting the attention it deserves
-
How a $75 million jet brought down America’s boldest doctor
-
Why ruling out sepsis in emergency departments can be lifesaving
-
The hidden cost of delaying back surgery
-
Precision and personalization: Charting the future of cancer care [PODCAST]
-
Expert Q&A: Dr. Jared Pelo, ambient clinical pioneer, explains how Dragon Copilot helps clinicians deliver better care
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