The song from the Broadway musical Hamilton, “(Yorktown) The World Turned Upside Down,” is stuck in my head. Indeed, these are no ordinary times. We have a measles outbreak in the U.S. that has resulted in numerous …
My wife once told me, “It was like everyone was your friend.” And she may be right. I connect well with others and take an honest interest in them. In practice, I always ask where they are from. I find that a great opener, and even Alzheimer’s patients and the elderly can often answer that one. I have done that since my paramedic days.
Don’t get me wrong, though, as I …
Health care systems worldwide are grappling with access, efficiency, and sustainability challenges. In Canada, the debate over public versus private care is especially charged, and nowhere is this more evident than in Quebec. The province has the highest number of physicians practicing outside the public system in the country—yet they still account for only 2 percent of all doctors. Instead of vilifying these professionals, policymakers should be asking: What lessons …
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Board-certified pediatric endocrinologist, field medical director for type 1 diabetes immunology (T1D) at Sanofi, and T1D survivor Shara Bialo discusses the article, “Improving type 1 diabetes screening awareness among women is critical. …
Many moons ago, I worked in a forensics lab for a pair of professors who were husband and wife—a chemistry dynamic duo. I had a wonderful time in bench research, learning about different explosives and even doing site visits in Los Alamos, where many of the greatest scientific minds came together to help the U.S. win the war against the Axis powers during World War II. It was a surreal …
Data fidelity refers to the accuracy with which information—“data”—qualifies and demonstrates the characteristics of the origin—“source.” The emergence of artificial intelligence in data monitoring has necessitated an elevated level of accuracy.
We are discussing the specific topic of data fidelity and accuracy because of recent events surrounding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) audits of the Social Security Administration master file, which found a significant number of presumably “deceased …
A few years ago, I visited my brother and his family while I was still in school. I had run out of cash and needed to top up before starting our end-of-semester exams. My sister-in-law, a virtuous woman well-loved in our family, invited me to join her and my brother at the wedding of one of her close friends. As we were getting ready to leave, she pulled me aside …
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Neurohospitalist and clinical neurophysiologist Franklyn Rocha Cabrero discusses the article, “Missing prescription: long-term parental leave for fathers in medicine.” In this episode, Franklyn delves into the systemic and societal barriers that hinder …
The tragic and shocking murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO has ignited a nationwide conversation about the flaws in the health care system, often accompanied by misdirected anger toward physicians. The rhetoric suggesting that physician salaries are the root of the problem oversimplifies a complex issue and distracts from systemic failures.
Physician salaries account for only about 8 percent of …
It became my go-to daily practice and changed everything.
Mondays and me: a rocky start
For years, I dreaded Mondays. They felt like a tidal wave of catch-up work after the weekend.
During fellowship, the schedule was structured so that one fellow covered the entire weekend. This setup gave the others a real break—time to rest, recover, and reconnect with family and friends. But then …
Clinical trials have traditionally served as the cornerstone of medical advancements, yet the industry is now undergoing an unprecedented transformation. Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), decentralized trial designs, and evolving regulatory frameworks are paving the way for a more efficient, accessible, and technologically advanced future. However, as we embrace these changes, an important question remains—are we fully prepared for what lies ahead?
The shift to decentralized trials
One …
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Health law attorney Dennis Hursh discusses his article, “Doctors beware: How vague contracts put your job at risk,” revealing how poorly defined termination clauses in physician employment agreements leave doctors vulnerable to …
The 340B drug discount program was enacted more than 30 years ago to lower the cost of medications so providers could deliver more comprehensive services for vulnerable patients. As care delivery has evolved greatly over that time, the program has not appropriately changed to match it and is no longer effectively meeting its original intent. The program’s rapid growth and misaligned incentives have led to a muddied, complex system with …
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Have you ever thought about moving to Europe?
Life has bogged you down a little. Your job may get boring. Are you feeling the drag of burnout? Try something different, have a new experience, and mix things up.
But the biggest problem? You’re a physician.
Fortunately, physicians in the U.S. enjoy some of the highest salaries in the world. There is no need to worry about searching …
In the past 50 years, cancer in many cases has morphed from a certain death sentence into a chronic illness. However, cancer is unlike other chronic conditions. There are hundreds of different cancers, classified by where they start in the body and how their cells behave. To turn cancer from an acute, life-ending illness into a chronic one, we now understand that cancer must be treated with a targeted, personalized …
As a biology major in undergrad, people would often ask me if I intended to pursue medicine as my future career. I never hesitated to tell them no. It wasn’t for me: The years of training, the debt, the delayed income, the prospect of matching to a location that was unfavorable for me, the lack of control over my own schedule. Not to mention the pressure of caring for patients …
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Cardiology and preventive medicine fellow Anand Shah discusses his article, “The role generative AI can play in cardiovascular education for patients,” exploring how artificial intelligence can revolutionize patient education and prevention strategies. …
I was recently asked what I thought were some of the biggest evolving obstacles to physicians and health care in 2024 and beyond.
My answer:
Health care has become America’s most dangerous profession due to workplace violence, with health care workers now being five times more likely to be assaulted “on the job” …
Etched on the wall of our medical school gym was a quote by Marcel Proust:
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
At first glance, it seemed like an unusual choice for a gym—more philosophy than motivation. But over time, as we pushed ourselves on the treadmill, lifted weights, or found solace in a quiet stretch after a grueling day, the meaning of …
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How’s your cholesterol? Are you getting enough protein? Do you even know? Whether you’re a doctor, a patient, or both, you may be missing out on the powerful benefits of a registered dietitian.
Recently, I received lab results that were concerning, and my doctor suggested adding another medication. I’m focused on reducing medications, so I wanted to explore all possible ways to improve my numbers safely without adding to my pill …
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