Physician employment 2.0: Unveiling the secret world of employment lite

Finance
March 8, 2024

Chance meeting

In the fast-paced world of medicine, characterized by long hours, administrative burdens, and burnout, I’d like to share a story about an OB/GYN physician who discovered a path to professional freedom that revolutionized his career. Dr. B.A. had spent almost a decade working as a W-2 employee after finishing his residency. However, just before committing to a new contract with a substantial $500,000 annual salary, he came across an …

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The burden of choice: Navigating the complexities of surrogate decision-making in medicine

Physician
March 8, 2024

“I could have saved him,” the intensivist murmured, reflecting on a recent patient’s death. His silhouette was framed against the fading evening light that spilled into the ICU. His words, heavy with regret and resignation, floated over the hum of life-sustaining machines, recounting the tale of Caleb Stratford.

When Caleb Stratford (not real name), 61, was rushed to the hospital last June, the shock trauma team at the University of Maryland …

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Physician work-life balance: How boundaries protect you and your patients

Physician
March 8, 2024

“Shideh joon, can you talk to this woman? We met her at a party, and her kid is sick.”

This request from my father exemplifies the blurred lines between personal and professional life many physicians experience. He had met a mother at a party whose child, after being diagnosed with a virus and prescribed rest and ibuprofen, was still feeling unwell. She had, however, thought it a good idea to drive …

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Putting patients first: Safeguarding health care from AI risks [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 7, 2024
YouTube video

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In this thought-provoking panel discussion, orthopedic surgeon Yoshihiro Katsuura and premedical students Kie Shidara, Maria Llose, and James Schmidt come together to examine the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the health care …

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From intern to witness: Working in a resource-limited health care system

Physician
March 7, 2024

A little anecdote

The year was 2022, and it marked the first month of my initial rotation at one of the largest tertiary care hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan. After having assisted with several procedures in the ENT operating room one morning, I found myself on call for the next 18 hours in the emergency department as the new intern.

As soon as the shift changed, a young boy landed in the ED …

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Navigating spring allergies in the era of climate change

Conditions
March 7, 2024

As winter chill thaws and the spring flowers begin to bloom, many of us find ourselves grappling with the unwelcome return of sneezing, itching, and congestion that signals spring allergy season. This year, like nearly every in the last decade, seems to have arrived earlier—a trend that’s becoming increasingly common. As a physician specializing in allergy and immunology, I’ve observed firsthand the impact of climate change and air pollution on …

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If surgery is so precise, why are we leaving outcomes up to chance?

Tech
March 7, 2024

It is well known that today there is significant variability in surgical outcomes – not only in different parts of the world, but even within the hospital. And, little understanding as to why. While video is becoming a key component of surgery, up until now, it has gone largely uncaptured, making it impossible for surgeons to surface how different techniques and surgical practices impact quality and efficiency. Compounding the problem …

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Achieving internal balance and overcoming depression [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 6, 2024
YouTube video

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We sit down with clinical psychologist Faust Ruggiero to delve into the transformative insights from his book, The Fix Your Depression Handbook. Faust offers practical guidance on achieving internal balance and breaking free …

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Inside the mind of Alzheimer’s: a caregiver’s haunting nightmare

Conditions
March 6, 2024

An excerpt from Releasing the Butterfly: A Love Affair in Four Acts.

Imagine there must be thousands, if not millions, of family members and caregivers who wonder what it must be like to be the one who has Alzheimer’s. Genie and I have always shared our thoughts and experiences with each other. Often, I would imagine telling her about something that had happened to me and could hear her voice …

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Ultrasound shows promise as new pain treatment, targeting a specific brain region

Conditions
March 6, 2024

A recent study published in PhysicsWorld documented a possible new treatment for pain. Something most physicians would be surprised to hear. Ultrasound. That’s right, low-frequency ultrasound waves, when directed to a specific area of the brain called the insula, have been shown to give some pain relief to persons who were being subjected to a standard contact heat evoked potential (CHEP). In this test, brief pulses of heat are …

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Reconsidering love: a multifaceted approach to marriage

Physician
March 6, 2024

Over the years, I’ve fervently professed my love to my wife of 18 years, believing her to be the most beautiful soul in my life and our bond unbreakable. While this holds true, recent experiences have prompted me to reconsider the notion that love alone sustains a marriage.

This reflection stemmed from a couple we encountered in Upstate New York years ago. Obi (not his real name) and his wife seemed …

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Inside the heart of a hospital: love, loss, and resilience

Physician
March 6, 2024

“Airports have seen more sincere kisses than wedding halls and the walls of hospitals have heard more prayers than the walls of churches.” – Anonymous

It’s 1 a.m. in the night. I am on call duty, which starts at 8:30 a.m. in the morning and ends at 10 a.m. the next day. I finished entering the labs and doing my final tasks at approximately 12:30 a.m. Then I ordered some food …

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Claiming and managing doctor listings: Avoid patient loss after job change [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 5, 2024
YouTube video

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We sit down with Marita McCahill, founder of a consulting firm specializing in health care growth strategy. We delve into the importance of managing your online presence as a health care provider, particularly …

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Why you (and your patients) should have a mindfulness practice

Conditions
March 5, 2024

Nobody can question the fact that the world has a mental health problem. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in the medical health profession. American Medical Association statistics show that in 2021, physician burnout rates were 63 percent, which was almost double the rates in 2020. The CDC reports that 1 out of every five adults suffer from a mental health disease. If medications and psychotherapy are standard treatments, we …

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Integrated coaching for medical residents

Physician
March 5, 2024

Residency program directors and preceptors are responsible for shaping the next wave of medical professionals. Beyond ensuring adequate clinical training, they must equip future doctors with the skills to navigate the complexities of modern medicine. Coaching has recently emerged as a prominent method of supporting trainees. As a physician interested in evidence-based leadership practices, my search brought me to integrated coaching as a noteworthy approach.

Integrated coaching is a comprehensive toolkit …

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2024 technology trends to revolutionize the field of oncology

Tech
March 5, 2024

Between interest rates reaching their highest levels in 15 years and the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI), 2023 was a year filled with both challenges and opportunities for those of us in the health care technology industry. For better or worse, many of those same trends are following us into 2024. Obstacles such as the worsening clinician shortage and innovations such as the adoption of AI will remain top-of-mind for …

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A Surgeon’s Knot: the realities of a surgical internship [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 4, 2024
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

We sit down with William Lynes, a urologist and author of A Surgeon’s Knot, as we delve into the captivating narrative of the highs and lows of a surgical internship. Join us as …

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My journey through the parable of American health care

Physician
March 4, 2024

The parable of the Chinese farmer is a story with many versions. In shorthand, it goes something like this: a farmer’s horse escapes – the neighbors say, “How terrible!” The farmer says, “Maybe.” The horse returns, bringing some wild horses with it. The neighbors say, “How wonderful!” The farmer says, “Maybe.” The farmer’s son falls off one of the wild horses while trying to tame it and breaks his leg. …

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Honoring our trusted family physician

Physician
March 4, 2024

As a family doctor, I want to extend my gratitude to my colleague and friend who has transitioned from primary care to weight management as of January 1, 2024. This serves as a reminder that primary care thrives on heartfelt connections, which remain fundamental to our approach to health care.

Your consistent care is already missed in these first few months of 2024. I am so grateful for your years of …

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