The revolutionary Kaiser-Geisinger deal: How health care giants are reshaping the industry and empowering patients

Policy
June 2, 2023

Health care’s most recent billion-dollar deal took the industry by surprise, leaving medical experts and hospital leaders grappling to comprehend its implications.

In case you missed it, California-based Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, which make up the insurance and facilities half of Kaiser Permanente, announced the acquisition of Geisinger, a Pennsylvania-based health system once acknowledged by President Obama for delivering “high-quality care.”

Upon regulatory approval, Geisinger will become the first …

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The escalating violence in health care workplaces: a critical problem facing the nation’s health care system

Physician
June 2, 2023

The recent shootings at an Atlanta medical facility that left one dead and four seriously wounded are just the most recent, widely published event documenting the accelerating violence occurring in the nation’s health care workplaces.

Violence within our health care workplaces has been a steadily rising and critical problem over the past decade – now further fueled by issues such as fallout from the COVID pandemic – including a political-issue-motivated …

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Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

Physician
June 2, 2023

A recurring theme expressed by many contributors and commentators to KevinMD is physician burnout.

It is generally accepted that chaos causes burnout. There is no shortage of chaos in the practice of medicine: emotional, physical, personal, professional, and political stresses, not to mention the threat of lawsuits and the cost of liability insurance. This is just the shortlist. There is also no shortage of adjustments that doctors make in response.

It is …

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A pediatrician’s journey into integrative medicine [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 1, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us on this episode as we sit down with Kortney West, a pediatrician who shares her personal journey and perspective on the shortcomings of the allopathic medical system. As a physician, mother, and patient, Kortney discusses …

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Why allowing yourself to embrace discomfort is necessary for personal growth

Physician
June 1, 2023

Life coach and author Martha Beck’s 4-Phase Change Cycle begins with Phase 1: “Death and Rebirth.” Martha’s blog contains the Phase I Mantra: “I don’t know what the hell is going on … and that’s OK.”

Many of us try to skip Phase 1. It’s uncomfortable. It’s painful. And, it’s necessary.

I finally accepted the value of Phase 1 after years of trying to jump into Phase 3 of Martha Beck’s Change …

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Unconventional health care, flawed studies, and biases: Navigating the complexities for optimal well-being

Physician
June 1, 2023

When I speak with my less “crunchy” peers, I encounter a considerable amount of resistance to ideas that have initially gained traction in naturopathic or integrative spaces: food as medicine, making “non-toxic” swaps, meditation, or reiki, to name a few.

As humans, we certainly love a good us vs. them mentality, tribalism and all.

But the reality is, many of us have witnessed harm inflicted on patients who sought care in less …

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Urgent innovation is needed to address the growing mental health crisis among children and families

Conditions
June 1, 2023

The growing mental health crisis affecting our children and families has reached a breaking point. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, I know well the current mental health crisis is dire and demands immediate attention. And I worry we are not moving fast enough to help those in need.

The number of kids and teens aged 3 to 17 diagnosed with depression or anxiety spiked by 30% from 2016 …

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The importance of listening in health care: a mother’s journey advocating for children with chronic Lyme disease

Conditions
June 1, 2023

My husband, a physician, and I have four wonderful children – a son and three daughters. I look back over the past decade and wonder, “Why?” Why did my daughters contract Lyme disease and not my son or husband? Why was it so difficult to establish a diagnosis? Why are doctors specializing in treating patients with Lyme disease considered pariahs, while conventional doctors may not consider the diagnosis and often …

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Medical errors and the power of apologies [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 31, 2023
YouTube video

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In this episode, we talk to Amber Gipson-Fine, a project manager, about her personal experience with a medical error and the importance of medical apologies. March was Endometriosis Awareness Month, and Amber shares her journey with the …

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Finding your ideal work-life balance: tips for prioritizing personal life and achieving professional success

Physician
May 31, 2023

Recently, someone mentioned that the whole work-life balance issue is overrated. They argue that they have enjoyed focusing on academics and work most of their life and feel very satisfied despite the lack of balance. There was also an assertion of a happy family life despite that so-called lack of balance.

That point is well taken, but the work-life balance is subjective, and everyone has their own preferences and priorities in …

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Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

Physician
May 31, 2023

The extraordinary stories of Mike Tyson and George Foreman, two esteemed boxers who’ve shaped the sport’s landscapes, are peppered with life lessons extending far beyond a boxing ring’s confines. These lessons, borne out of sweat, determination, and a relentless drive to rise above adversity, apply to various sectors, including the often challenging and constantly evolving health care field.

One key lesson from Tyson’s remarkable journey is the sheer power of resilience …

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7 ways to beat burnout: a guide for health care professionals to reduce stress and reclaim their passion

Physician
May 31, 2023

The burnout bags health care professionals carry are enough to tip the scales of any airline. And just like the fees airlines slap on oversized suitcases, the costs for health care workers are at an all-time high. Staffing shortages, increased patient loads (both their own and those they supervise), medicine costs, resource shortfalls, and everyone’s favorite bag- the never-ending administrative burdens all add to the weight.

The cost? While a distinct …

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The unjust reality of racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplants

Conditions
May 31, 2023

I noticed a troublesome trend during my three weeks working in the pediatric dialysis unit and the post-kidney transplant unit. The whiter and younger pediatric patients were resting comfortably in the post-transplant unit with their new surgically placed kidneys being meticulously taken care of. The darker and older pediatric patients spent countless, mindless hours attached to a dialysis machine with little hope for a new kidney after years of being …

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A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 30, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Jeffrey L. Fraser, a family physician who shares his experience of addiction and felony conviction, which led to his placement on the Office of the Inspector General exclusion list. We’ll …

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Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

Physician
May 30, 2023

I felt uneasy starting my oncology and leukemia rotations. These patients were so sick, and many of them had incurable cancer, often just weeks or days away from death. I wondered how I could help them, what we could do if we couldn’t treat their cancer. I’m grateful that these patients taught me not just much about how we can always help our patients and support them but also much …

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We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

Physician
May 30, 2023

May is the month most American medical students finally see four years of grueling work bear fruit. Most U.S. medical schools hold commencement exercises in May, conferring “doctor of medicine” degrees in elaborate ceremonies. During these ceremonies, graduates recite oaths inspired by the 5th-century B.C. oath of Hippocrates of Kos, the “father of medicine.”

In the mid-20th century, medical schools began administering modernized …

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The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

Physician
May 30, 2023

Death is an inevitable part of life, and in medicine, it is a topic that is frequently encountered. As medical professionals, we see patients who are faced with terminal illnesses and inevitably nearing the end of their lives. Dealing with death can be a daunting task, and it’s a topic that requires sensitivity, empathy, and compassion.

At the forefront of end-of-life care are the principles of compassionate care. It is about …

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From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 29, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us on this episode as we speak with Alexandra Kharazi, a cardiothoracic surgeon and author of The Heart of Fear: A Surgeon’s Collection of Stories on Adversity, Passion, and Perseverance. Alexandra shares her unique perspective on …

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How can there be joy in medicine if there is no joy in Mudville?

Physician
May 29, 2023

The following article is part satire and part imagination.

The classic poem “Casey at the Bat” delves into the dashed dreams of 5,000 frenzied fans who gathered to watch the “Mudville Nine” play baseball, pinning their hopes on their star player, Casey. Do they have unrealistic expectations of Casey, or is his prowess over-hyped? And what implications does this time-honored poem have for medical practice?

Parables – short stories that teach a …

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