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New standards for anesthesia in out-of-hospital Cesarean sections

Conditions

July 20, 2024

Unless planning to issue an update on practice guidelines for obstetric anesthesia, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), along with its subspecialty organization, the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP), should formulate a consensus statement for peri-anesthesia management during out-of-hospital cesarean sections (OHCS). Florida has become the first state to allow OHCS, an infrastructural relaxation for obstetric care that other states may follow. Whether the ensuing outcomes among pregnant …

How physician-led innovation drives change [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

July 19, 2024

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We sit down with Carrie Atcheson, a board-certified anesthesiologist and co-founder of Business Mindset MD, to explore the transformative potential of physician-led innovation in health care. We delve into how the acquisition of …

My health ended my career. Joe Biden’s health should prompt the same action. [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

July 19, 2024

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We welcome Jennifer Obel, an oncology physician, who shares her personal journey of retiring from a fulfilling medical career due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Reflecting on the recent presidential debate and the health concerns …

How a love for writing led to medical breakthroughs

Dr. Damane Zehra

Physician

July 19, 2024

Writing is something I really enjoy. I take pleasure in writing, especially because of my beautiful handwriting. When I started school, we had to write with a lead pencil until fifth grade. I was so excited to write with a pen when I started sixth grade. After I learned how to write with a pen, I have been writing nonstop since that day. I found my writing mesmerizing. While my …

Why are transitions so difficult for women physicians?

Susan Landers, MD

Physician

July 19, 2024

In medicine, we were taught to anticipate, diagnose, and predict conditions. Examining our patients allows us to assess the problem and make a plan. We generally know what is coming next unless some action or treatment is taken.

Personal and professional transitions are unlike medical conditions because we can rarely predict what will occur. Our life transitions can seem demanding, often onerous, because we female humans do not like change. In …

Donald Trump’s near-death experience: A journey of potential transformation?

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Physician

July 19, 2024

Near-death experiences (NDEs) have fascinated both the medical community and the general public due to their profound and often transformative effects on individuals. These experiences typically occur in situations where a person is close to death or facing a life-threatening condition. Common elements reported during NDEs include feelings of peace, out-of-body experiences, traveling through a tunnel, encountering a bright light, and meeting deceased loved ones or spiritual beings. The aftermath …

Finding peace after years of abuse: a journey through grief

Greg Smith, MD

Physician

July 19, 2024

I had been looking forward to and, at the same time, dreading this appointment. Her husband had been ill for many months, but that had not stopped the verbal abuse that superseded the physical blows he could no longer inflict. She had, over many previous visits, told me stories, chronicled the behaviors, and responded with an icy coldness that left me chilled of heart and spirit every time she walked …

Mental health in jail [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

July 18, 2024

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In this episode, we explore the complexities of the doctor-patient relationship in a challenging setting with our guest, Joseph Baskin, a jailhouse psychiatrist. Joseph shares his experiences working with inmates who suffer from …

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Mental health in jail [PODCAST]

A simple, quick activity to build community within your health care team

Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP

Conditions

July 18, 2024

I’ve been using experiential activities from improvisation as a modality for teaching communication-related skills for about two decades. Because they are based on a “YES AND” philosophy, which requires everyone’s participation, they are inherently inclusive and social.

One such activity is called “I am _____________.” It can be used in any meeting, class, or workshop and only takes about ten minutes. It is simple to teach and is a great way …

How ultra-processed foods are devastating public health

Aryan Velu

Policy

July 18, 2024

As the world emerges from COVID-19, we must remember there is a silent yet devastating health crisis: our diets. In this era, convenience reigns supreme, with ultra-processed foods infiltrating everyone’s lives, leading to surges in preventable diseases and deaths. This crisis is more than individual food choices; it is a systemic issue affecting millions, especially in low-income communities.

One of the biggest drivers of the crisis is the ubiquity of …

Making medicine my home

Christina Stach

Education

July 18, 2024

This past year, my entire life has fit in the backseat of my Hyundai Elantra as I bounced between four states and traveled over 25,000 miles. As I walk into the hospital and my phone reconnects to the Wi-Fi after a night of using cell data in the parking lot, I am bombarded with emails from Credit Karma and loan services about my new balance. The debt accrues, my stomach …

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Making medicine my home

My body’s decline forced me to leave my job. Joe Biden needs to do the same.

Jennifer Obel, MD

Physician

July 18, 2024

Memories of retiring from medicine flooded me while watching the recent presidential debate, a distressing experience for many staunch Democrats, including me.

Joe Biden’s struggles to speak clearly and move fluidly brought back difficult memories of how my illness forced the end of a satisfying medical career. Faced with the toughest choice imaginable, I decided for the collective good. Now we as a …

Allyship in improving LGBTQ+ patient well-being [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

July 17, 2024

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Join pediatrician Uchenna Umeh as she shares her personal journey and professional insights on creating a more inclusive and affirming health care environment for LGBTQ+ patients. We delve into the challenges transgender individuals …

How hospitals’ requirements lead to staffing shortages

Tiffany R. Archambault

Policy

July 17, 2024

Most hospitals are now also requiring fingerprinting and immunizations, with some demanding double PPDs. Extra COVID boosters and proof of previous immunization for MMR, Hepatitis B, and Varicella are now required. They require current titers. COVID cards are no longer valid and also require a printout of where you received them. Hospitals are reaching a point where they will have no one to work.

Working in credentialing now and being on …

A case study: How group negotiations led to better contracts for interventional radiologists

Contract Diagnostics

Finance

July 17, 2024

The group’s story: facts and dynamics

This unique group of three interventional radiologists, each making a substantial income, found themselves in a situation where their compensation was not commensurate with their contributions. Their pay structure had not been updated in eight years. According to our analysis, each was making good money, but the pay was not fair (over $700k) by market standards. They were paid on a 1099 basis, paid their …

Revolutionizing medical training: the power of simulation education

Andrea Austin, MD

Education

July 17, 2024

As a medical simulation educator, I get a lot of curious looks when I share my job title with people both inside and outside of medicine. Medical simulation is defined by the Society of Simulation in Healthcare as the imitation or representation of one act or system by another. It has four main purposes in health care: education, assessment, research, and health systems …

Creativity in combating medical burnout [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

July 16, 2024

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Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the world of creativity and wellness with Charity Hix, a burnout and wellness coach, and Kim Downey, a physician advocate and physical therapist. …

Music as a tool for explaining medical concepts

J. C. Sue, DO

Education

July 16, 2024

Memorizing and retaining the medical knowledge you need to be a doctor is one of the hardest things you can do! If you ask any doctor about their medical school experience, they’ll probably recall hours of lectures, meticulous cadaver dissections, and countless long days and nights of studying, trying to learn a ton of material in a very short time. Of course, this experience can lead to major stress, taking …

When judges influence the practice of medicine: How Braidwood v. Becerra jeopardizes public health

Eliot H. Blum, MD, Xyruz Villariz, and Jasmine Ann Castillejos

Physician

July 16, 2024

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication regimen that effectively helps prevent the transmission of HIV. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most private health insurance companies must cover preventive care services, including PrEP, without additional cost-sharing. In Braidwood v. Becerra, a for-profit corporation challenged the ACA’ s PrEP coverage mandate. The corporate plaintiff argued that compulsory PrEP coverage infringed upon its religious beliefs and violated the Religious Freedom Restoration …

When protocols fail: lessons from Trump’s attempted assassination and medical errors

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Physician

July 16, 2024

The breakdown in security leading to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump can be compared to the multifactorial failure inherent in medical errors. Both scenarios involve complex systems where multiple layers of defense and prevention are designed to avoid catastrophic outcomes. When these layers fail, it often results from a combination of human error, systemic issues, and procedural flaws.

Both presidential security and health care systems are highly complex and require …