From business trip to battling a rare breast disease: my journey of survival, advocacy, and remission

Conditions
June 19, 2023

I never envisioned a business trip could result in a diagnosis of a rare, under-practiced, poorly understood, and emerging chronic inflammatory breast disease affecting 2.4 women per 100,000 and growing. Two months after my return from that business trip, I started experiencing a multitude of symptoms, including breast pain. During a self-breast exam, I discovered a lump. Wasting no time, I called my primary care physician, who ordered both a …

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A surgeon’s confessions expose corporate influence and physician struggles [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 18, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this captivating podcast episode as we delve into the world of health care with Paul Ruggieri, an esteemed general surgeon and the author of the compelling book, Confessions of a Surgeon: A Deeper Cut. …

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Conferences’ duty of care in the face of discriminatory health policy

Policy
June 18, 2023

I’ve spoken at many medical conferences since co-founding the Peggy Lillis Foundation for C. diff Education & Advocacy following my mother’s death from a C. difficile infection in 2010. Unfortunately, I am often the only patient advocate. The pressure of representing patients in a group of hundreds of clinicians, scientists, and administrators can be intimidating. But for the most part, I have always felt welcome and valued.

One of my favorites …

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Understanding the mind’s role and embracing contentment for a flourishing life

Physician
June 18, 2023

It is challenging to open a medical journal in any specialty without coming across an article on burnout. These articles present statistics, trends, and various causes in detail. Some even propose sensible solutions such as flexible scheduling, peer support, delegation of clerical work, and an increased focus on personal well-being activities as steps in the right direction.

I have previously emphasized that “the absence of burnout does not equal wellness,” …

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The surprising risks of long-term proton pump inhibitor use

Meds
June 18, 2023

A lot of my patients take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They generally work pretty well for their intended use. By limiting the secretion of gastric acid from the stomach, they can effectively blunt uncomfortable symptoms of erosive gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, H. pylori infection, and peptic ulcers. However, without further evaluation, these medications are not designed to be prescribed indefinitely, or for more than a two-month period. When patients experience …

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A physician’s fight against insurance denials [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 17, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this compelling podcast episode as we dive into the world of insurance denials and the challenges faced by physicians and patients. Our guest, Jennifer Lycette, is not only a rural hematology-oncology physician but also …

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3 myths about ECMO that are costing hospitals and patients

Physician
June 17, 2023

Although the global pandemic is officially over, it has left a permanent mark on the health care landscape, reshaping the dynamics of hospitals in the United States. While staffing crises often dominate the headlines, health care institutions face an underlying financial crisis that remains largely underreported.

In 2022, a startling 50% of all U.S. hospitals concluded the year with a negative margin. Due to factors like elective surgical …

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How to maximize your dermatology appointment for effective care

Physician
June 17, 2023

An office visit with a health care professional can seem like a race against time and money. With rising co-pays and shorter appointments, arriving prepared for a health care appointment will maximize the likelihood of addressing as many concerns as possible and developing a personalized treatment plan. Below are the ways you can prepare for your upcoming dermatologist appointment.

Keep track of your scheduled appointments and arrive early.

Know the day and …

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Revolutionizing postpartum care: Transforming breastfeeding support for families

Conditions
June 17, 2023

An open response to “Breast or Bottle: The Illusion of Choice” by Amy Kennedy, MD.

We see and hear you and are so sorry you endured these experiences. We are physicians practicing breastfeeding and lactation medicine, and we acknowledge the overwhelming lack of support for families after birth. Many of us have come to this field after experiencing our own similar challenges, and we would like to offer a different …

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Breaking barriers in Medicaid access [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 16, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this insightful podcast episode as we discuss the challenges and importance of Medicaid access in the United States. Our guests include Fatima Al-Shimari, an epidemiologist, and medical students Miriam Al-Saedy and Salsabeal Al-Saedy. We …

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Unveiling the hidden impact of social inflation: Soaring costs for medical professionals revealed

Policy
June 16, 2023

The Doctors Company

In Philadelphia, a family alleged that a birth injury had led to their baby’s cerebral palsy. They sued Penn Medicine and were awarded $183 million.

In Boise, a jury recently awarded the state’s second-highest-ever award, $13.5 million, in a suit against an emergency medicine group that was filed after a patient was disabled by a stroke. This verdict …

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Unleashing the power of optimized operations, data connectivity, and technology for unparalleled patient care

Tech
June 16, 2023

Health care organizations are complex systems that require a multitude of moving parts to work smoothly. The background operations that keep health systems running are key to enabling frontline doctors and nurses to deliver quality care. As a registered nurse and health care administrator for 45 years, I have a unique perspective on the challenges facing health care organizations today.

Earlier this year, I attended the Healthcare Operations Summit in …

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Unlearning perfectionism: Embracing imperfection and finding my true self through improv

Physician
June 16, 2023

I walked into my local improvisational comedy theater a few years ago and started taking classes to escape burnout and have some fun. It was so freaking difficult. Here I was, a frazzled, tightly-wound mid-career pediatrician, surrounded by all these creative, quirky folks from all walks of life who were just so funny. I kept hearing, “We don’t want to hear you on stage, Wendy,” meaning they wanted me to …

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Unlocking the secrets to aging well [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 15, 2023
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Welcome to our insightful podcast episode featuring Rosanne M. Leipzig, a renowned geriatrician and author of the enlightening book, Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life. Join us as we delve into the …

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Can chatbots help choose the right doctor or hospital?

Tech
June 15, 2023

While ChatGPT and Bard cannot provide reliable medical or treatment advice, there is a question of whether these chatbots can assist patients in selecting the right doctor or hospital. Surprisingly, both chatbots occasionally suggest individual physicians and hospitals, providing detailed provider information. However, the accuracy and usefulness of this information are difficult to assess. As I highlighted in a recent Forbes.com column, chatbots like Microsoft and OpenAI’s ChatGPT and …

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Syndicators and risk management: Educating investors on multifamily syndication

Finance
June 15, 2023

In a recent Wall Street Journal article titled “A Housing Bust Comes for Thousands of Small-Time Investors,” the foreclosure woes of Jay Gajavelli, the head of Applesway Investment Group, were brought to light. Gajavelli’s ownership of multiple units across Houston took a turn for the worse, shedding light on the risks associated with syndicators in the real estate market. However, it is crucial to note that this case does …

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Unveiling the true origin of “first, do no harm” in medicine: Discover the father of clinical medicine

Physician
June 15, 2023

A recent essay on this blog, “Navigating the complexity of ‘first do no harm’ in modern medicine,” provided an excellent review of this principle. However, as is so often the case, it misattributed the statement to the Hippocratic Oath.

Certainly, this does contain elements of this sentiment, more fully expressed in another work of Hippocrates called “Of the Epidemics.” But the term does not originate with this Greek physician.

Scholars have …

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How the U.S. blood pressure validated device listing (VDL) ensures accurate readings and revolutionizes hypertension control

Conditions
June 15, 2023

Blood pressure is an important upstream indicator of overall patient health, and high blood pressure can be a precursor to more serious medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and stroke. Measuring blood pressure frequently is the best way to stay on top of any changes, but as telehealth and at-home monitoring gain in popularity, how can you be sure your patients are getting accurate measurements outside of a physician’s …

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Cracking the code to a healthy spine: Revealing the secrets of aging gracefully [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 14, 2023
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Join us in this enlightening episode as we welcome orthopedic surgeon and author Yoshihiro Katsuura, who sheds light on the process of spinal degeneration and the secrets to aging gracefully. With a focus on back and neck …

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