Navigating a leave of absence from medical school: a comprehensive guide

Education
December 27, 2023

Taking a leave of absence (LOA) from medical school is a significant decision that involves careful consideration of various factors. In this article, I will consolidate valuable information on types of LOAs, reasons for taking one, and crucial considerations during and after. This information comes from my own experience taking an LOA between my 2nd and 3rd year of medical school, and the results of an anonymous survey of 16 …

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An approach to conflict resolution: More than one thing can be true

Physician
December 27, 2023

The past months have unearthed and amplified passionately opposing opinions about international events, in particular regarding Palestine and Israel. In addition to attending protests, calling my representatives, and having conversations with people I know, I’ve been publicly sharing my feelings about Palestine and Israel. While I stand firm in what I believe, my feelings around it are complex: I’m Jewish, and I’m anti-Zionist.

We encounter complex beliefs and feelings, many of …

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A Cuba missionary journey: Witnessing faith amidst hardship

Physician
December 27, 2023

I had the honor and privilege of visiting Cuba for a missionary trip this past week. As I ponder that amazing time, I will put my thoughts in this essay.

Cuba is a small, sad country in the Caribbean. While one can see the tropical beauty and its former potential, the country has been ruined by a communist government and an overarching U.S. embargo, whose presence is now unnecessary. The Cuban …

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From fear to empowerment: Beating breast lump anxiety [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 26, 2023
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Join Tami Burdick, a patient advocate and the author of Diagnosis Detective: Curing Granulomatous Mastitis. Tami shares her personal journey with granulomatous mastitis (GM) and how she navigated the fear of a breast lump. Discover the relationship …

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Discover the hidden world of state medical board complaints

Physician
December 26, 2023

In a world of 24/7 news coverage often highlighting high-verdict medical malpractice cases, few physicians know about thousands of complaints that undergo review by state medical boards each year. Most complaints are filed by patients and/or family members, malpractice payment reports by insurance companies, and actions by other state medical boards. In North Carolina, where I practice, nearly 3,000 complaints were filed in 2021, 1,835 of which were filed …

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How can physicians become world-class leaders?

Physician
December 26, 2023

Following a Congressional hearing into antisemitic harassment on the campuses of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, there were several changes in leadership at Penn. Jonathan A. Epstein, MD, was named interim dean at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, replacing J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD, who became interim university president.

Epstein, 62, is a cardiologist and researcher who trained at Harvard and has been at Penn since 1996, most recently …

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What should you do if your child is diagnosed with bronchiolitis this cold and flu season?

Conditions
December 26, 2023

The cold and flu season is already causing a surge of viral infections among children in doctors’ offices and emergency rooms. Health care providers are urging parents to brace themselves for what’s expected to be another season of COVID-19, influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common viruses all circulating at the same time.

In young children, these viruses can cause bronchiolitis – a lung infection which is similar to …

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How medical-grade AI is changing the game [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 25, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Tim O’Connell, a physician executive. In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of medical-grade AI and its transformative impact on health care. Tim provides valuable insights into the evolution of AI in medicine, recent advancements, …

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The surprising science of gratitude: How it boosts your well-being

Physician
December 25, 2023

I have never been a very touchy-feely person. I was trained as a biologist and chemist, then went to medical school where more science on top of science was aimed at me like a gushing firehose. I learned to put science and evidence first and to try in my practice of medicine to use only the therapeutic techniques that had some evidence base. That assured me that my patients would …

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Rosalynn Carter’s impact on caregivers

Conditions
December 25, 2023

I’m writing this in November, which is National Caregiver Month. It’s also Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. But regardless of when you’re reading this, if you’re a caregiver, every month is “caregiver month.”

Ironically, it’s also just a few days after the former first lady, Rosalynn Carter, passed away. She was acutely and astutely aware of the role of the caregiver and the toll that it can take on you. She so insightfully …

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Academic career versus private medical practice: a guide to the right decision for you

Physician
December 25, 2023

You are so close to completing your medical training: Congratulations! You worked and studied hard through grade school, college, and medical school. You completed—or are about to complete—residency training or perhaps a subspecialty fellowship. You gained valuable skills and knowledge, but—more importantly—you also grew to realize that your MD (or DO) stands more for “making decisions” than medical doctorate! In brief, you are now close to another finish line, and …

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Why patients ghost their therapists [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 24, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Holly MacKenna, an integrative psychiatrist, as we explore the challenges and nuances of acknowledging goodbyes in the world of mental health treatment and professional relationships. Discover why patients often “ghost” their providers, the impact of business …

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Uncovering the truth behind my father’s tragic end

Conditions
December 24, 2023

I was the “stranger” at my father’s bedside. Shortly after his 84th birthday, my father fell and landed in the hospital with a split scalp. His metastatic prostate cancer was an incidental finding, and superimposing this wildly invasive tumor on his Parkinson’s-compromised body marked his first steps onto his death path.

I came to my father’s final illness as his daughter, a doctor, and a clinical bioethicist. While I was unable …

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What the media gets wrong when reporting on “overprescribing”

Meds
December 24, 2023

A recent article in the Macomb Daily reported that a “Shelby Township doctor was convicted last Thursday of all counts for conspiring to distribute more than 300,000 opioid prescription pills valued at over $6 million, following a trial in U.S. District Court in Ann Arbor, according to federal authorities.”

This sounds very serious on its face. But without context, the public, and even we, have no idea what this means. …

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Why clinical pathologists should learn poker theory

Physician
December 24, 2023

Texas poker, also known as Texas hold’em, is one of the most popular variations of poker played around the world. It’s a game of skill and strategy, with a bit of luck thrown in, and understanding the underlying theory can help you improve your game and increase your chances of winning. Poker and clinical pathology may seem like two very different fields, but there are some interesting similarities and differences …

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Thriving under pressure: How medical residents can excel with distress tolerance [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 23, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Frances Mei Hardin, an otolaryngologist, as we delve into the world of distress tolerance in medical residency training. Discover practical techniques, real-life anecdotes, and evidence-based practices to help residents navigate the intense and challenging environment of …

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The path forward for telepsychiatry: a call for permanent policy

Conditions
December 23, 2023

The U.S. is facing a significant mental health crisis that has united us in our efforts to make positive changes across the health care ecosystem for those in need of care. As health care providers and experienced clinicians, we hope our joint dedication to addressing barriers to care and expanding digital services to those experiencing mental health challenges can make a lasting impact and start to improve health outcomes.

To …

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Down with diversity in 2024?

Physician
December 23, 2023

Since the December 5, 2023, Congressional hearing into antisemitic harassment at Penn, Harvard, and MIT, I was shocked to learn how universities, large and small, public and private, have been hijacked by extreme right-wing leaders connected directly or indirectly to the GOP.

Examples include:

Youngstown State University bypassed the normal search process to select its new president, Republican U.S. Representative Bill Johnson. Johnson has no experience in academia and voted with dozens …

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Words of caution when considering the use of “terminal anorexia”: perspective from lived experience

Conditions
December 23, 2023

After reading the article “Terminal anorexia nervosa: three cases and proposed clinical characteristics,” I was grateful to have not had access to the article a year earlier – when I would have personally met criteria. I was holding on to a sliver of hope at the time that I could enter back into a quality of life worth living, though my exhausted mind wanted to allow anorexia nervosa to …

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