February 2017: Second day on service in months, and already I feel wiped. It’s exhausting. I feel that it is meaningful but so draining. And still, I’m not sure that I am even doing a good job.
A month later, I came home from a multi-level marketing (MLM) party at a colleague’s house, announcing my excited plans to embark on a new venture. I was going to start selling MLM skin …
Why it’s so hard to admit when we don’t like our jobs
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We sit down with Justin Houman, a urologist specializing in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, to explore the latest advancements in inflatable penile implants. Justin discusses how these innovative devices have evolved to …
Advancements in penile implants [PODCAST]
An excerpt from Krooked Ketamine.
OK, here’s the thing: I had a little problem that needed correcting if I wanted to continue to work as a government surgeon. I had a janky heart, and it had a tendency to fire off at the absolute worst possible moments. I needed a pacemaker to help with the recalcitrant muscular metronome, but I absolutely hated the thought of lying down and feeling, at …
A surgeon’s battle with ketamine-induced hallucinations
Neurosurgery has always been at the forefront of medical innovation, but recent technological advancements are poised to transform the field even further. As a fourth-year medical student applying to neurosurgery residency, I’ve been fascinated by how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of neurosurgery. From artificial intelligence and robotics to augmented reality and minimally invasive techniques, these innovations promise to enhance surgical precision, improve patient outcomes, and expand the possibilities …
How neurosurgery is evolving with technology: a student’s perspective on the future of the field
I was fortunate enough to attend the Paris 2024 Olympics with my family. There were several reasons why I wanted to attend this sporting event. Growing up, I sailed and participated in other sports, which taught me many lessons that continue to benefit me today. I wanted to remind myself of these lessons and experience the athletes’ excitement at a sporting event, this time as a spectator. I wanted to …
Life lessons from the Paris 2024 Olympics: How sports inspire health care
You can’t tell how much someone is suffering by looking at them—one reason I don’t share my journey with anorexia using photos to signify my mental health status. I’ve suffered more when appearing well, and “before and after photos” would spread misconceptions about eating disorders. They don’t magically go away with weight restoration and nourishment.
People assume I no longer live with anorexia. I perceive this is partially due to the …
Anorexia nervosa: Silently suffering and debunking myths
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We sit down with Roy Hamilton, a professor of neurology, psychiatry, and physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania. Roy shares insights from his research on using non-invasive brain stimulation to …
How to preserve your brain health [PODCAST]
In a world where experts are our go-to for solving everything, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how fallible these specialists can be. Despite impressive titles and years of experience, many experts were just as clueless as the rest of us, often with unwarranted confidence. A recent study delves into the uncomfortable truth: the more knowledge you think you have, the less aware you might be of your actual ignorance.
We rely …
Trust me, I’m an expert: the pandemic parade of pompous professionals
As a physician who cares about patients’ health and well-being, you have likely experienced the grief of disillusionment. You spent years in college, medical school, and residency, imagining the kind of health care you’d provide. It would be high-quality, patient-first, equity-oriented, and heart-centered. That vision got you through tough moments along the path.
Now, you find yourself pressured to spend as little time with patients as possible. You’re giving precious hours …
Ways to overcome the grief of disillusionment about medicine
When one envisions a team, sports teams likely come to mind. Musical groups represent another common example, as both musical groups and sports teams consist of bounded and static collections of individuals working toward a common goal. These individuals are physically located in the same place when they practice and perform together. As such, members of teams, in this sense, learn how to interact with one another, generally understanding each …
Care teaming: a new paradigm for anesthesia care teams and beyond
Are hospitals crazy?
I suspect many physicians would answer “yes” to that question without much contemplation. I have always assumed that, although hospitals are profit-driven and therefore likely to have very different priorities than physicians who care about patients, the institutions can be relied upon to have some semblance of reasonableness.
Lately, however, I have been forced to reconsider my position. For decades, I have represented physicians in their various interactions with …
The legal trap every doctor needs to know before signing a contract
I’m at a loss for words—how can someone give something so beautiful to a complete stranger who is nothing more than a doctor?
I first met him a year ago when he was referred to us by the neurosurgery department following his brain tumor surgery.
I was the first doctor to meet him in the radiation oncology clinic. He was 40 years old, a laborer from the lower middle class, and accompanied …
A patient gave me the best gift of my life
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We sit down with W. Ben Utley, a certified financial planner specializing in helping physicians navigate the unique financial challenges of their careers. We explore how doctors can break free from the pressure …
Doctors, stop chasing wealth: How to find true happiness beyond the paycheck [PODCAST]
I was in eighth grade when I boarded a plane alone for a flight from Atlanta to Philadelphia. The airport was a confusing but magical place. This was before the tragedy of 9/11, and by today’s standards, we got out of our cars and almost waltzed to the gate. The only stress I remember feeling was that of flying alone. Luckily, the flight attendants seemed genuinely happy to have me …
Planting the seeds of a work ethic
Epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of how lifestyle factors—such as diet, stress, exercise, and environmental exposures—affect fertility. Unlike genetic mutations, which change the DNA sequence, epigenetic changes modify how genes are expressed without altering the DNA itself. These changes occur through mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, and they play a critical role in fertility. Even more intriguing, these epigenetic changes can be passed down to future generations …
The role of epigenetics in fertility: Can lifestyle choices affect future generations?
The fourth major concussion recently suffered by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa – his third in 24 months – brings into sharp focus the balance between patient/player autonomy and treatment decisions. The right to self-determination, even in sports, has become as much a moral as a medical issue. If Tagovailoa is not able to pass concussion protocols for a third time in his NFL career, he could be forced to …
The erosion of autonomy in sports and medicine
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”
– Winston Churchill
This quote comes to mind when I look back at board prep and all the times I sat for those inhumanely long exams. You might be an early-career physician in the midst of prepping for boards following residency or fellowship at this very moment.
You might have just started a new job, in a new city, and have not yet established your favorite …
7 proven strategies to conquer board exam anxiety for physicians
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We sit down with family physician Emma Hostetter, who shares her deeply personal journey navigating the challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child with ADHD. Emma opens up about the emotional toll, the gaps …
How I overcame the challenges of ADHD parenting: a physician’s story [PODCAST]
When a physician signs on at a new hospital, a signing bonus is often included in the compensation package. This bonus can range from a small perk to a significant percentage of income, and its structure can be either straightforward or confusing. The signing bonus is one of the items in a physician’s compensation contract that can be negotiated, although some give-and-take is often involved. For example, in some situations, …
The secrets of physician signing bonuses
As the crescendo of a seven-year alleged health care fraud investigation, the trial in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania opened in late April 2024. The trial is one of less than two percent of the federal criminal cases filed that ultimately end up in a jury trial. This flawed prosecution targeted an exemplary physician who, like the majority of physicians in the United States, has spent most of their lives …
The continued unjust prosecution of physicians
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