ECMO spotlight: Expanding access for improved survival rates

Conditions
November 14, 2023

The recent coverage of ECMO by the Wall Street Journal has shone a spotlight on a therapy that, despite its decades-long existence, remains relatively obscure and underutilized. While the article thoughtfully delved into the ethical considerations surrounding the extended use of this life-saving therapy, it’s important to recognize that many hospitals have yet to offer ECMO as an available treatment option. The priority focus should be on expanding access to …

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Understanding the psychological impact of chest numbness after mastectomy [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 13, 2023
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Join Kristen Casey, a clinical psychologist, as we delve into the emotional and psychological impact of chest numbness following mastectomy. Discover the importance of discussing this often-overlooked side effect with patients, explore potential solutions, and learn how …

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Transforming the preoperative patient consultation: from “clearance” to “evaluation and optimization”

Physician
November 13, 2023

A guest column by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, exclusive to KevinMD.

Put yourself in the anesthesiologist’s shoes. It’s 7:00 a.m., and you’ve just finished setting up the operating room (OR). You make your way to the preoperative unit to evaluate your patient and find a prescription pad note that says, “Patient cleared for …

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Surviving an EHR upgrade

Physician
November 13, 2023

My practice is about to change to a new electronic health record, and I can’t help but feel dread. The last time we did this, it was so stressful. I really don’t want to go through it again. What do I do? How do I prepare? Here is what I’m doing to get ready. I think it’s a good strategy for managing change in general, and I hope it helps …

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Addressing the health care crisis and global warming

Physician
November 13, 2023

The topic of the health care crisis has dominated the media in recent years and will likely continue to be of great interest. This issue must remain relevant. However, without united action, the health care crisis and burnout may end up like the topic of global warming – frequently discussed but often politicized and inadequately addressed.

The global warming crisis, as seen in headlines, has been described as scientists warning that …

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Legacy of a #1 party school: college alcohol abuse today

Conditions
November 13, 2023

In 2009, the famed NPR radio series This American Life aired an episode that would forever change how we looked at college life. “#1 Party School” featured Penn State University and shed light on the rampant alcohol abuse in higher education. Over a decade later, this issue remains a persistent challenge on college campuses. This article delves into the legacy of the “#1 Party School” episode …

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Medical and legal aspects of codeine cough syrup [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 12, 2023
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Join us for an insightful podcast discussion with L. Joseph Parker, a research physician. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of promethazine with codeine cough syrup, its medical applications, diversion risks, and the legal …

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The erosion of compassion in medicine

Education
November 12, 2023

With my first thrust on his chest, I shattered his sternum, feeling his bones crumble in my hands. His eyes were wide open but lifeless. Dried secretions crusted his lips. His dusky skin tone indicated my efforts would be futile. Nonetheless, I proceeded with cardiopulmonary resuscitation as I was trained to do.

Soon the room was bustling with medical residents and nurses. A controlled chaos ensued. We inserted a breathing tube …

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Why maternal mortality is on the rise [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 11, 2023
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Join Alan Lindemann, an obstetrics-gynecology physician and the author of Pregnancy Your Way: Choose a Safe and Happy Birth. We’ll delve into the critical issue of rising maternal mortality rates in the United States, exploring its causes, …

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Sending in “tougher canaries” won’t fix the problem of physician well-being

Physician
November 11, 2023

Many surveys and reports have acknowledged that physicians are unwell, and their numbers have reached crisis proportion. “We aren’t going to fix this problem by noting that canaries are dying in the coal mine and … sending out for tougher canaries,” remarked Gary Price, MD, an attending surgeon at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut and president of the Physicians Foundation, a physician empowerment organization.

Price’s remarks were actually …

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Medicare coverage saves lives. Enrolling shouldn’t be this complicated.

Physician
November 11, 2023

I never imagined I’d be crying on vacation in Hawaii, but there I was, overwhelmed with worry because my 71-year-old mother’s Medicare Part B enrollment had been denied. A naturalized U.S. citizen, my mom had been living overseas with a rare blood cancer for 20 years. By December 2021, her end-stage disease required bi-weekly blood transfusions; the only hope for cure was a risky stem cell transplant. Therefore, in …

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Emergency department burnout: a cry for change

Conditions
November 11, 2023

It’s a busy day in the emergency department. The waiting room is full, and we are short-staffed. I just read an email from administration that morning about how our treat and release times are “slipping,” and in the same breath, they remind us of the importance of patient satisfaction. There are many patients in the department with chronic medical problems or chief complaints that could be interpreted as non-emergent. I …

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A path to safer health care [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 10, 2023
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We’re joined by Barbara L. Olson, a nurse and the chief clinical officer at The Just Culture Company. We dive into the recent report by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) titled “A …

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Fundamental vs. technical stock market analysis: Which one is right for busy doctors?

Finance
November 10, 2023

There are two primary methods that stand out for evaluating securities: technical analysis and fundamental analysis. Both approaches offer unique insights into the financial markets, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the distinctions between these methods can empower investors to make informed decisions about their investment strategies.

Technical analysis: Uncovering market trends

Technical analysis involves the examination of historical market data, primarily price and volume, to predict future …

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From “reverse” to “self” leadership: a journey of survival and thriving

Physician
November 10, 2023

It’s the early 1980s.

My homeland Iran is torn apart between a bloody revolution and a looming war. The militia of the Islamic regime raids houses overnight and arrests politically active people. We hear rumors that they’re tortured and pressured to rat out friends and family. Young people disappear one by one, and some of them never come back. People are terrified. We’re scared of our neighbors, friends, teachers, and each …

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Challenging misconceptions in nursing education

Policy
November 10, 2023

Regressive legislators in a Southwestern state discovered that doctoral-level nursing students, future nurse practitioners at the state university, were receiving education in human sexuality. As watchdogs of public morality, and with a conviction that these students were being educated to “groom” children to become transgender individuals, they did not pause to verify the information, review course materials, or speak with the instructors. Instead, they immediately began complaining to the media …

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Life and death in the trauma unit [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 9, 2023
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Join Stephen Cohn, a trauma surgeon, and the author of All Bleeding Stops: Life and Death in the Trauma Unit. In this conversation, Stephen shares his experiences and insights into the complex world of trauma surgery, where …

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The perils of work and research addiction

Physician
November 9, 2023

This is the story of an addiction, one that walks the fine line between construction and destruction. It’s a tale of work addiction, a cautionary tale for those who find themselves choosing work over home or self. But the narrative doesn’t end there, for it remains perplexing how work, while constructing livable lives for those ensnared by its allure, simultaneously dismantles their existence.

The addicted seek solace in mythologies that exalt …

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