Heart disease in the shadows: a closer look at cardiac sarcoidosis

Conditions
August 14, 2023

My new internist began my annual checkup with a nervous confession: “You are my first patient with cardiac sarcoidosis.” Even during an urgent care visit for potential cellulitis, I was met with raised eyebrows from the treating physician who reviewed my chart: “Very interesting, I’ve never seen a case of this heart disease.” With over 7000 rare diseases affecting more than 25 million people in the United States alone, patients …

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Exploring the neuroprotective power of spirituality [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 13, 2023
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Join clinical psychologist Lisa Miller and neurosurgeon Philip E. Stieg as he discusses how the human brain is hard-wired for connection and the neuroprotective effects of spirituality. Discover practical ways to cultivate a sense of community, enhance …

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Embrace an expanded identity: Become more than just a doctor

Physician
August 13, 2023

You have undoubtedly invested countless hours in honing your medical expertise to become great at helping others. Your commitment to the well-being of your patients is commendable, but sometimes, when you give too much of yourself, you can experience that dreaded burnout. That overwhelming sinking feeling, like you’re constantly spinning your wheels but not going anywhere. So today, I want to emphasize the importance of embracing your expanded identity and …

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Equitable health care guidelines for minority populations

Physician
August 13, 2023

Health care data analysis has shed light on significant disparities in health care across various locations. To address these inequalities, institutions, payers, and regulators have distinct options at their disposal, both socially and economically. Concurrently, individual health care providers can take their own initiatives while collaborative efforts are made to establish checks and balances to tackle these disparities. Exploring the potential avenues available to providers in resolving these issues is …

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A surgeon’s inspiring journey [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 12, 2023
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Join Maria Iliakova, a bariatric and general surgeon, as she shares her challenging yet transformative journey through surgical residency, where she faced overwhelming pressures and doubts. Discover how she found solace and fulfillment in the operating room, …

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Navigating mental health challenges in medical education

Education
August 12, 2023

Medical education is a rigorous journey that demands dedication, resilience, and compassion. However, as medical students, we often find ourselves navigating through the pressures of this journey while silently grappling with our mental health. By sharing personal experiences and insights, I aim to initiate a candid conversation about mental health and advocate for positive changes within the medical community.

The weight of the white coat

The iconic white coat symbolizes not only …

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How to build a financial safety net without sacrificing your lifestyle

Finance
August 12, 2023

Do your friends assume you are a “rich doctor,” and thus you feel pressure to meet that expectation?

Do you want to reward yourself after all the years of training and stress with some nice luxury toys?

Doctors often find themselves caught between two choices: living a luxury lifestyle and securing their financial future. It’s a delicate balance that requires careful planning and strategic decisions. But it doesn’t have to be an …

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The future of medicine: Advancements and greed collide

Tech
August 12, 2023

In the future, I foresee a world without pandemics, cancer becoming a thing of the past, and advancements that enable bionic adaptations to our bodies, leading to a life expectancy of easily over one hundred years.

While some of these advancements may seem distant, we are on the cusp of making them a reality within the next few decades. However, it’s essential to question whether human greed could hinder technological progress, …

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Teaching moments in medicine: Balancing autonomy and comfort

Physician
August 12, 2023

Late last year, I decided I needed to get my health checked up on. I went through the motions, trying to make an appointment with the doctor that was assigned to me. Nothing was available for months. I called every other day, asking about cancellations that would fit into my schedule for days I already had off. It was a pain and difficult as well to switch a single workday …

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Empowering physicians: the benefits of personalized coaching [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 11, 2023
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Join Kim Downey, a physical therapist, and Michael Hersh, a gastroenterologist, and discover how coaching can help physicians navigate challenges, change their lives, and find personal and professional growth. Don’t miss their insights on finding the right …

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Personalized hypertension care in pregnancy: Beyond evidence-based thresholds

Conditions
August 11, 2023

There has always been a research bias against the case of one. A success story that isn’t part of a research pool is called “anecdotal.” The implication is that no doctor should base treatment on a story of one. Then we devised the term “evidence-based” to reinforce the notion that physician decisions should be based entirely on numbers in research studies. However, the physician’s prerogative has always been to read …

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Iranian doctors’ bravery: Upholding medical ethics amidst oppression

Physician
August 11, 2023

According to Sir William Osler, “The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business …” This calling inherently involves sacrifices. How many of us would sacrifice our freedom, livelihood, or even lives for this calling as the clinicians in Iran have been doing? Iranian doctors demonstrated their bravery in September 2022 when ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­800 members of the Iranian Medical Council denounced the authorities’ attempt to …

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“YES AND”: a vital, versatile, and visionary leadership tool

Conditions
August 11, 2023

Patient safety, patient experience, workforce health, and cost-effectiveness are critical outcomes that share important common roots. They are all impacted by our ability to communicate effectively and respectfully. This can be challenging, in part, because communication involves underlying emotional intelligence, which is hard to develop and practice, especially in high-stakes, high-stress work environments or toxic cultures.

Furthermore, our ability to communicate affects our capacity to establish healthy professional relationships, collaborate in …

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Disparities in DO vs. MD applicants to subspecialties: Identifying challenges and bridging the gap

Physician
August 11, 2023

In recent years, the disparities between doctor of osteopathy (DO) and doctor of medicine (MD) applicants in securing coveted residency slots across various medical subspecialties have garnered increased attention. Despite the acceptance of DO-trained physicians within the broader medical community, there remains a significant discrepancy in match rates between DO and MD applicants in highly competitive specialties. This disparity is complex and multifaceted, requiring efforts from every level of the …

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The Little Mermaid’s impact on storytelling [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 10, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Erkeda DeRouen, a family physician, as we delve into the recent remake of The Little Mermaid. Discover how this Disney film led Erkeda on a journey to explore the inspiring story of Howard Ashman, his battle …

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The art of compassionate leadership during employee turmoil

Physician
August 10, 2023

Introduction: In the face of adversity, my journey from being a hospitalist to a utilization management physician advisor was not without its challenges. However, this transformation’s story is filled with hope, networking, and empathy, showcasing the power of compassionate leadership during times of employee turmoil.

Hope: Even in the darkest days, when injuries prevented me from fulfilling my duties as a physician, I clung to hope. Believing in the possibility of …

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Patient respect in medicine: Ensuring well-being and trust

Physician
August 10, 2023

Treating patients with respect and dignity is essential to the medical profession. This is true even when the patient lies unconscious in the operating room. It seems unnecessary to stress the importance of creating a secure and comfortable environment to ease the patient’s anxiety and stress and develop confidence. Respect is also crucial to promote successful outcomes. By prioritizing these values, medical professionals can ensure that patients feel valued and …

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Thriving through transitions: lessons from a hospitalist’s journey

Physician
August 10, 2023

We all know that life is in transition, and we all go through different changes during our careers, from personal to professional growth. We all strive for a reasonable life-work balance.

Early in my career, after completing my residency training, I was discouraged by many of my mentors from pursuing a hospitalist career. The common agreement at the time was that hospital medicine was the recipe for burnout, and a fellowship …

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