Revolutionizing emergency medicine: Overcoming long-term challenges with innovative solutions for physicians and patients
My previous post on this topic described long-term cultural and organizational challenges facing emergency medicine (EM) that pose greater threats to the specialty than temporal challenges (e.g., overproduction of emergency physicians (EPs)). Some challenges are not remediable; they are inherent to the specialty:
- short-term patient relationships
- unpredictable workload/intensity
- frequent, rapid fluctuations of stressful and less-stressful periods
However, many detrimental aspects of EM can be substantially …
An obstetrician-gynecologist reveals the truth about reproductive planning and how to navigate society’s expectations
Judging a book by its cover is easy. I just did it. There was a title at my library last week, So When Are You Having Kids?, and I judged it. That’s a loaded question: Am I even able to have kids? Do I want kids? If I do, when is a good time, personally or professionally? Who could ever be ready? Yet, how many times a day do …
Why affirmative action is crucial for health equity and social justice in medicine
Harvard and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are among the higher ed institutions involved in a U.S. Supreme Court battle over affirmative action that is expected to be decided this spring or summer. As a former appellate defender in the Gratz v. Bollinger affirmative action case in 1993, as well as an emergency medicine physician serving under-insured patients, I know firsthand how affirmative action …
Overcoming stigma and finding hope in infertility, pregnancy loss, and childlessness [PODCAST]
The pediatric health care system tested to the limits: an inside look at the “at capacity” period during the tripledemic
Where should I begin when describing a period that seemed to have no end in sight? When we, as pediatric emergency department (ED) providers, felt like we were drowning in a tsunami of pediatric patients coming from every direction – from adult EDs needing to transfer seizing children for a higher level of care, from EMS coming in with apneic neonates, and from the endless supply of those from the …
Nose-brain connection: The surprising link between allergies and mental health revealed
Artificially separating the body from the mind has been one of the biggest missteps of modern medicine. Over the last few years, we have increasingly read studies confirming the mind-body connection, the gut-brain axis, and now we are learning more about the nose-brain connection.
Given the direct proximity between our nose and our brain, this connection shouldn’t be much of a surprise. The olfactory nerve, cranial nerve 1, wires directly to …
Is the rise in mental illness due to greater awareness or a true increase in incidence?
Someone asked me recently if there is a significant increase in the prevalence of mental illness since it seems everyone is in treatment somewhere. It was a good question and got me thinking.
The prevalence of mental illness has been increasing in recent years, but it is unclear if this is solely due to more people seeking treatment or if there is a true increase in the incidence of mental illness.
In …
The untold story of Hispanic/Latino health: Why subgroup data matters
In 2000, the question, “Is this person Spanish/Hispanic/Latino?” emerged on the U.S. census, grouping these populations for the first time on a national scale. Prior to this, there was no consistent or comprehensive way to collect data on the Hispanic/Latino community, making it difficult to understand their demographics, needs, and trends. This question provided policymakers, researchers, and community organizations with data to make informed decisions regarding education, …
Caring for a loved one with Huntington’s disease: a powerful story of resilience and hope [PODCAST]
How AI is enhancing patient care and improving radiologists’ lives
When the topic of the future of radiology comes up in conversation, I frequently find myself being asked a few recurring questions: “How will artificial intelligence affect radiology?” quickly followed by “Do you think AI will replace you?”
These are great questions that I have found myself contemplating as well. As someone with an overall technological curiosity and a radiologist who embraces technological advancements, I ponder these questions often.
Let’s start with …
ChatGPT masters USMLE: a real win for AI, but a long way from the art of medicine
In recent years, the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, with numerous applications in diverse sectors, such as transportation, finance, and medicine. One of the most significant milestones in medical AI is the recent success of ChatGPT, an AI language model, in passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This achievement has raised questions about the potential role of AI in health care, particularly …
How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life
An excerpt from Long Illness: A Practical Guide to Surviving, Healing, and Thriving. Copyright ©2023. Available from Hachette Go, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Let’s say that you have it all together: you are accepting your illness and it is enriching your life. Now turn on the TV, pick up …
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A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients
Pages of my life turn over as the breezes of time flow over me.
Remembrances of your presence as the world welcomed my firstborn so many years ago.
Your calming voice and words of wisdom reminded me that life would be different but oh so much better.
My baby girl would grow to be a healer like you, offering hope and consolation to those seeking her out. Expert hands stitched my rambunctious toddler’s …
Integrating mental health services into primary care for children and adolescents [PODCAST]
Surgeon General’s warning: the dark side of social media on children’s mental health
It’s disheartening to see the escalated trend of mental health challenges in children and teens, an issue that’s becoming more and more prevalent. Daily, we encounter tales of parents grappling with their children’s emotional struggles, from a professional mom taking a career hiatus to aid her anxious daughter to a dad watching his previously thriving son grapple with addiction, leading to a tragic school dropout. These are not isolated incidents …
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How biased language and stigmatizing labels affect patient care and treatment
During her treatment for acute leukemia, my friend Susan came to me for help and advice while she was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy. I also did her laundry. She went to one of the specialists at a major tertiary care center and had access to the lengthy consultation written by the oncologist. Susan had a career as a highly respected and much-loved elementary school principal in our county school …
Emulating Michael Jordan’s winning mindset: a path to success for health care professionals and entrepreneurs
Michael Jordan, an iconic figure in basketball, is revered not only for his athletic prowess but also for his relentless dedication, perseverance, and strong work ethic. His career is filled with great lessons that apply universally, transcending the boundaries of sports. They are particularly relevant to health care professionals and entrepreneurs, two roles requiring a similar level of dedication, resilience, and a ceaseless hunger for growth and achievement.
Firstly, Michael Jordan …
How misused terminology and biased studies may be misguiding our understanding of opioid addiction and mortality
As a health care writer and policy analyst, I frequently encounter the term “risk” in discussions of medical issues. I also frequently see the term grossly misused in both the popular press and medical literature. Nowhere is this more evident than in the 2016 and 2022 CDC Guidelines for the prescription of opioids in the treatment of pain.
In science, the term “incidence” is a measure of the likelihood …
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Reflections on 500 patients, unique cases, and making a difference in health care
As I reflect on my first year of residency, it’s hard to believe that I’ve cared for nearly 500 patients spanning across multiple departments; floor medicine, ICU, ER, neurology, cardiology, and surgery. I’ve had the opportunity to perform one central line placement, three intubations, ran a code blue, and performed CPR in both the ICU and the ER. Though these procedures may seem daunting, I learned that confidence comes not …
Past Week
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A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how
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A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?
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Why no medical malpractice firm responded to my scientific protocol
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When doctors die in silence: Confronting the epidemic of violence against physicians
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When rock bottom is a turning point: Why the turmoil at HHS may be a blessing in disguise
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Avoiding leadership pitfalls: strategies for success in health care [PODCAST]
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Past 6 Months
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Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
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What happened to real care in health care?
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The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors
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How to build a culture where physicians feel valued [PODCAST]
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How the CDC’s opioid rules created a crisis for chronic pain patients
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Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?
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Recent Posts
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When rock bottom is a turning point: Why the turmoil at HHS may be a blessing in disguise
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How grief transformed a psychiatrist’s approach to patient care
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A speech pathologist’s key to better, safer patient care
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Navigating physician non-competes: a strategy for staying put [PODCAST]
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In the absence of physician mentorship, who will train the next generation of primary care clinicians?
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Fear of other people’s opinions nearly killed me. Here’s what freed me.
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Past Week
-
A faster path to becoming a doctor is possible—here’s how
-
A world without antidepressants: What could possibly go wrong?
-
Why no medical malpractice firm responded to my scientific protocol
-
When doctors die in silence: Confronting the epidemic of violence against physicians
-
When rock bottom is a turning point: Why the turmoil at HHS may be a blessing in disguise
-
Avoiding leadership pitfalls: strategies for success in health care [PODCAST]
-
Past 6 Months
-
Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
-
What happened to real care in health care?
-
The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors
-
How to build a culture where physicians feel valued [PODCAST]
-
How the CDC’s opioid rules created a crisis for chronic pain patients
-
Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?
-
Recent Posts
-
When rock bottom is a turning point: Why the turmoil at HHS may be a blessing in disguise
-
How grief transformed a psychiatrist’s approach to patient care
-
A speech pathologist’s key to better, safer patient care
-
Navigating physician non-competes: a strategy for staying put [PODCAST]
-
In the absence of physician mentorship, who will train the next generation of primary care clinicians?
-
Fear of other people’s opinions nearly killed me. Here’s what freed me.
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