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 …

Read more…

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 …

Read more…

Life and death in the trauma unit [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 9, 2023
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

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 …

Read more…

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 …

Read more…

What we have to gain from weight loss drugs

Conditions
November 9, 2023

Twenty years ago, the headlines were grim. It was common for studies to warn: “Rising childhood obesity will decrease life expectancy.” In large part, those predictions came true. The rise in obesity – both in children and adults – has correlated to a catastrophic rise in chronic disease that continues to affect life expectancy, cost of care, and quality of life.

But take a look at the health news headlines now, …

Read more…

A doctor’s thoughts on The Retrievals podcast

Physician
November 9, 2023

I recently listened to the podcast mini-series The Retrievals. It was fascinating and absolutely worth a listen. It’s the story of a Yale infertility clinic where a nurse was stealing fentanyl and replacing it with normal saline. As a result, women ended up getting egg retrievals with only midazolam, no pain control. There were interviews with women who described the horrific pain of the procedures but didn’t feel that they …

Read more…

Innovative approaches to mental health with a cognitive neuroscientist [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 8, 2023
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join us on this episode as we delve into the fascinating world of cognitive neuroscience with our guest, Moshe Bar. Discover how simple word associations and cognitive activities can transform mental health and address mood disorders like …

Read more…

From mental health facilities to prisons: a concerning shift

Physician
November 8, 2023

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Justice, 37 percent of the people in prison have a history of mental health problems. This was not always the case. The United States at one time had state mental health facilities, where those with mental illness could be treated. From 1870 to 1955, these numbers increased until it peaked at almost 600,000. This was 0.36 percent of the then population …

Read more…

Life beyond career milestones across industries

Tech
November 8, 2023

Navigating career transitions across diverse fields

Embarking on a career transition can be as daunting as it is exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned physician contemplating a shift into humanitarian work, a military veteran eyeing the entrepreneurial landscape, or a tech professional eager to innovate in the startup realm, the journey ahead is paved with unique challenges and opportunities. This guide offers strategic insights …

Read more…

Physicians can write their way to increased empathy

Physician
November 8, 2023

“When and how much?” I tried to recall the list of questions for intoxicated patients. A middle-aged man, much older than the demographics printed on the documents I hold, was writhing in pain, vomiting, and sobbing. The paper stated: chief complaint – mouse poison pellet ingestion, attempting suicide. “How and why?” I kept asking. I was his first encounter upon entering the emergency room, a terrified fifth-year medical student at …

Read more…

Prioritizing physician wellness and industry change [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 7, 2023
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Dike Drummond, a family practice physician, burnout survivor, and executive coach. In this episode, we’ll delve into the future of health care in the United States, discussing workforce demographics, the impact of burnout, the role of …

Read more…

ADVERTISEMENT

How to reduce your taxes as a doctor

Finance
November 7, 2023

Understanding and implementing effective tax planning strategies can make a significant difference in your financial health. Doctors often face unique tax challenges due to their high-income nature, and this article will explore key tax planning strategies tailored to the needs of medical practitioners.

1. Choose the right business structure. One of the initial steps in tax planning for doctors is selecting the most advantageous business structure for your practice. The most …

Read more…

A life-changing illness started with a popcorn kernel and just-in-case treatment

Conditions
November 7, 2023

My decade-long struggle began with a tiny piece of popcorn hull stuck under my gum, which led to a visit to the dentist and an antibiotic, prescribed just in case that persistent irritation behind a tooth was an infection. The antibiotic, clindamycin, cleared my gut of healthy microbes to make way for a dangerous outbreak of Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile, leaving me with severe diarrhea that nearly killed me.

I suffered …

Read more…

Social media’s impact on mental health [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 6, 2023
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join us as we explore the profound impact of social media on mental health, particularly among young people, with our guest, Mohammed Umer Waris. As a family medicine resident, Mohammed brings a unique perspective on the intersection …

Read more…

Encountering a gentle soul amidst stomach cancer

Conditions
November 6, 2023

It was the final hour of my shift, and I was cleaning up for my colleague who would be taking over. Glancing at the clock, I decided I could see one of the “easy” fast-track patients just to help offload the board a bit. I figured he wasn’t going to take long, as his complaint on the board was “sore throat.” What I came to find out was that he …

Read more…

Antisemitism is at a historic high not just in other countries, but right here in America

Physician
November 6, 2023

October 7, much like Pearl Harbor or September 11, 2001, is a day that will forever be etched in infamy for Israel and Jews worldwide. Not since the Holocaust have so many Jewish people been killed in a single day. This was not a random act; it was a meticulously planned and incentivized scheme aimed at obstructing the progress of peace in the Middle East. Brutality, depravity, and inhumanity were …

Read more…

A surprising acne rosacea remedy

Conditions
November 6, 2023

I have typically managed my mild case of acne rosacea (AR) with affordable over-the-counter (OTC) medications, but there has always been a residual redness that bothered me.

Recently, while reading about Demodex, microscopic mites that live on the faces of many of us in our hair follicles and sebaceous glands, I became interested in their potential connection to AR. I wondered if a topical mitocidal treatment might be helpful. Some research …

Read more…

Empowering health care professionals through mindfulness [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 5, 2023
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

We delve into the critical issue of physician burnout and the transformative power of mindfulness in health care. Our guest, Seema Desai, a dentist and life coach, shares her expertise on how mindfulness can benefit health care …

Read more…

621
pages