How a lack of business education is destroying private medical practice

Physician
June 20, 2023

Over a million intelligent American physicians are walking around in the medical practice environment today, patting themselves on the back while believing they have reached their ultimate success in medical practice. They have absolutely no idea that they have never come close to their optimal potential. It’s a tragedy that has been disregarded yet tolerated by medical school scholars and administrators for at least the last century.

What every physician should …

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Emotional intelligence in entrepreneurship: the significance and application of the 5 core pillars

Physician
June 20, 2023

Emotional intelligence (EI) represents an essential suite of abilities that dictate our capacity to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and the emotions of others. This skill set significantly influences our decision-making process, conflict resolution abilities, empathy towards others, and how we handle stress. EI plays a fundamental role in entrepreneurship and forms the bedrock of successful leadership, effective team dynamics, and robust client relationships.

Pioneered by psychologist Daniel Goleman, …

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Unlocking the power of value-based care: How collaborative partnerships drive health care success

Policy
June 20, 2023

Value-based care (VBC) holds the opportunity to re-create partnerships designed to increase health care sustainability by strategically improving processes, care delivery, and patient outcomes. However, the potential of the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Triple Aim framework will never be optimized until the major stakeholders are identified, connected by a common goal, and willing to participate equally. Thus, the movement toward VBC delivery models is found mainly in …

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The magic of human connections

Physician
June 20, 2023

I was doing laundry last week when my engagement ring snagged on a shirt. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that one of the four prongs holding the diamond in place was sticking up and on the verge of breaking.

Quickly, I took off the ring and placed it in a safe spot, relieved that it hadn’t accidentally gone down the drain.

Shortly after, a …

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Unveiling the mental health crisis in health care [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 19, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for a thought-provoking podcast episode as we dive into the critical topic of mental health and suicide among health care providers. Our guests, Jessica Singh, an experienced emergency physician, and Lorenzo Norris, a psychiatrist, provide …

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EHRs must do more to help combat climate change

Policy
June 19, 2023

Each day, as an internal medicine specialist who practices primary care, I care for patients who are experiencing the brunt of climate change. These patients have various medical conditions due to different causes. However, it is evident that greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, extreme weather, and heat-related illnesses are major contributors to the development and worsening of chronic medical conditions in the adult population. Electronic health record (EHR) systems are …

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From business trip to battling a rare breast disease: my journey of survival, advocacy, and remission

Conditions
June 19, 2023

I never envisioned a business trip could result in a diagnosis of a rare, under-practiced, poorly understood, and emerging chronic inflammatory breast disease affecting 2.4 women per 100,000 and growing. Two months after my return from that business trip, I started experiencing a multitude of symptoms, including breast pain. During a self-breast exam, I discovered a lump. Wasting no time, I called my primary care physician, who ordered both a …

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A surgeon’s confessions expose corporate influence and physician struggles [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 18, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this captivating podcast episode as we delve into the world of health care with Paul Ruggieri, an esteemed general surgeon and the author of the compelling book, Confessions of a Surgeon: A Deeper Cut. …

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Conferences’ duty of care in the face of discriminatory health policy

Policy
June 18, 2023

I’ve spoken at many medical conferences since co-founding the Peggy Lillis Foundation for C. diff Education & Advocacy following my mother’s death from a C. difficile infection in 2010. Unfortunately, I am often the only patient advocate. The pressure of representing patients in a group of hundreds of clinicians, scientists, and administrators can be intimidating. But for the most part, I have always felt welcome and valued.

One of my favorites …

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Understanding the mind’s role and embracing contentment for a flourishing life

Physician
June 18, 2023

It is challenging to open a medical journal in any specialty without coming across an article on burnout. These articles present statistics, trends, and various causes in detail. Some even propose sensible solutions such as flexible scheduling, peer support, delegation of clerical work, and an increased focus on personal well-being activities as steps in the right direction.

I have previously emphasized that “the absence of burnout does not equal wellness,” …

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The surprising risks of long-term proton pump inhibitor use

Meds
June 18, 2023

A lot of my patients take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They generally work pretty well for their intended use. By limiting the secretion of gastric acid from the stomach, they can effectively blunt uncomfortable symptoms of erosive gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, H. pylori infection, and peptic ulcers. However, without further evaluation, these medications are not designed to be prescribed indefinitely, or for more than a two-month period. When patients experience …

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A physician’s fight against insurance denials [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 17, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this compelling podcast episode as we dive into the world of insurance denials and the challenges faced by physicians and patients. Our guest, Jennifer Lycette, is not only a rural hematology-oncology physician but also …

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3 myths about ECMO that are costing hospitals and patients

Physician
June 17, 2023

Although the global pandemic is officially over, it has left a permanent mark on the health care landscape, reshaping the dynamics of hospitals in the United States. While staffing crises often dominate the headlines, health care institutions face an underlying financial crisis that remains largely underreported.

In 2022, a startling 50% of all U.S. hospitals concluded the year with a negative margin. Due to factors like elective surgical …

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How to maximize your dermatology appointment for effective care

Physician
June 17, 2023

An office visit with a health care professional can seem like a race against time and money. With rising co-pays and shorter appointments, arriving prepared for a health care appointment will maximize the likelihood of addressing as many concerns as possible and developing a personalized treatment plan. Below are the ways you can prepare for your upcoming dermatologist appointment.

Keep track of your scheduled appointments and arrive early.

Know the day and …

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Revolutionizing postpartum care: Transforming breastfeeding support for families

Conditions
June 17, 2023

An open response to “Breast or Bottle: The Illusion of Choice” by Amy Kennedy, MD.

We see and hear you and are so sorry you endured these experiences. We are physicians practicing breastfeeding and lactation medicine, and we acknowledge the overwhelming lack of support for families after birth. Many of us have come to this field after experiencing our own similar challenges, and we would like to offer a different …

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Breaking barriers in Medicaid access [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 16, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this insightful podcast episode as we discuss the challenges and importance of Medicaid access in the United States. Our guests include Fatima Al-Shimari, an epidemiologist, and medical students Miriam Al-Saedy and Salsabeal Al-Saedy. We …

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Unveiling the hidden impact of social inflation: Soaring costs for medical professionals revealed

Policy
June 16, 2023

The Doctors Company

In Philadelphia, a family alleged that a birth injury had led to their baby’s cerebral palsy. They sued Penn Medicine and were awarded $183 million.

In Boise, a jury recently awarded the state’s second-highest-ever award, $13.5 million, in a suit against an emergency medicine group that was filed after a patient was disabled by a stroke. This verdict …

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