Every day, thousands of people lie on a couch and have their arm stabbed with a large needle. Blood from the venipuncture snakes down into a container. In some individuals, this continues until the volume is about a pint – 500 mL; for this, they get a cookie and a glass of juice. In others, the collection is larger – around 2,500 mL; for this, they get between $50 to …
Since the mid-1970s, rates for liver cancer have been on the rise. A 2017 study found that liver cancer increased by 75 percent worldwide between 1990 and 2015, with the highest rate increases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Worldwide, hepatitis B—a virus that damages the liver and is spread through contact with infected blood and other body fluids—is the most common cause of liver cancer; however, in …
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We’re joined by Amruti Borad, a family physician, to explore the transformative power of coaching in medical education. From the highs and challenges of medical school to self-doubt and purpose-seeking, we discuss how coaching can enhance resilience …
A recent act of kindness from Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has gone viral for its creative method of tackling medical debt. It involves the church paying off $3.3 million in medical debt belonging to 3,355 local families – complete with a cathartic video of the oppressive debt being burned to ashes – by purchasing it for pennies on the dollar from debt collectors. Though heartwarming at first …
Like many psychiatrists, I have scoffed every time I’ve heard about artificial intelligence providing psychotherapy or other mental health care. How could patients not notice the difference between me and a bot, or how could they not care? Yet this is a direction that is being actively explored in mental health care as a way of increasing access and reducing stigma, with multiple AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants on the …
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Join Jonathan Appino, founder of Contract Diagnostics. He discusses a unique approach that provides comprehensive contract reviews, custom-built solutions, and vital educational resources to empower physicians. We delve into the intricacies of complex compensation models, staying updated …
Remember organic chemistry?
I have a distinct memory of a rainy December day many years ago. I am standing in the hallway of the chemistry building at UC Davis, looking at a list taped to the wall of social security numbers and corresponding grades. I have just found my grade in organic chemistry, which is a C minus. For a visual person like myself, OChem (as we called it then) was …
I can’t believe it is the last quarter of 2023 already.
As the end of the year approaches, many doctors are busy with patients trying to get in for procedures as deductibles get met. It’s also a crucial time to consider what’s going to happen when you file your taxes in 2024.
Making strategic investments before the year’s end can significantly reduce your tax liability and potentially increase your wealth in the …
An excerpt from The Bonds We Share: Images of Humanity, 40 Years Around the Globe.
Once every 12 years, …
This past week, I was speaking with a patient; let’s call her Marcy, during her regular appointment. “You’re just not like other doctors,” she said. “How is that?” I asked.
This seems like a good place to discuss the reason Marcy comes to see me. Marcy has a history of opioid use disorder. She has been on medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for many years. For those unaware, opioid use can alter people’s …
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Join Alan Lindemann, an obstetrics-gynecology physician, as we explore the fascinating interplay between evidence-based medicine and the invaluable insights gained from individual patient stories. Alan shares his insights on navigating rigid medical guidelines, the art of personalized …
The American Diabetes Association recently released screening guidelines for liver disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Notably, 70 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have liver disease, and the most common form is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Ultimately, this can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the rates of liver cancer have tripled since 1980. Currently, one in 10 Americans has diabetes, …
Chances are, you or someone you know has fallen victim to medical gaslighting at some point, especially as we see an increase in this unfortunate practice in today’s modern health care system. Maybe you have experienced medical gaslighting without even realizing it. What exactly is medical gaslighting? It’s a term given to a practice stemming from our medical community where doctors and specialists alike make patients feel a multitude of …
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The FDA approval of Zurzuvae (zuranolone), the first oral medication, has offered new hope to mothers who have exhausted all other treatment options to cope with their postpartum depression. This is a milestone in recognizing the maternal mental health crisis that plagues our country. The benefit of this drug is that it offers a new approach to treating postpartum depression and brings postpartum health into the spotlight. With Zurzuvae …
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Join Tod Stillson, a family physician, as he uncovers the transformative concept of professional micro-corporations and how they’re reshaping the way doctors navigate their careers. Stay tuned as we discuss the keys to reclaiming professional autonomy, combating …
There can be no denying that, since its mass-scale introduction, social media has encompassed more and more of our lives, particularly in the lives of young people. As of 2022, among teens ages 13 to 17 years old, 95 percent report using social media, with more than half reporting that it would be hard to give it up.
As this technology has grown, so has its grasp over …
Value-based health care, the holy grail of American medicine, has three parts: excellent clinical quality, convenient access, and affordability for all.
And as with the holy grail of medieval legend, the quest for value-based care has been filled with failure.
In the 20th century, U.S. medical groups and hospital systems could — at best — achieve two elements of value-based care, but always at the sacrifice of the third. …
Let me describe what it’s like to operate in a potentially disastrous situation. Notwithstanding having one’s faculties and wits gathered and finely honed, being as in command of yourself as you can possibly be, it may test and demand everything you can bring to bear. I’ve been in war, where I feared daily for my life. It’s not pleasant, but in some way you can get used to it. In …
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Join Kody Sexton, a graduate student, as he sheds light on the often overlooked challenges these caregivers face. Discover how trauma-informed care, systemic changes, and social justice initiatives can better support these unsung heroes. Tune in to …
Physicians, particularly those who haven’t received business education, must address the frequently circulated question among their ranks: “Can you practice medicine without money?” Medical history unveils an era when most physicians were compensated through non-monetary means for their medical services and often went unpaid.
During that time, the choice to pursue a medical career was grounded in the personal belief that treating patients was the foremost aspiration for most physicians. Few …
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