Dermatology at a crossroads: an urgent case for value-based care

Physician
July 24, 2023

Over the past decade, the medical field has witnessed a profound shift—a transformative movement fueled by the commitment to render patient-centered, cost-effective care. This sweeping change is characterized by the transition from a volume-based to a value-based model of health care. While several medical specialties have responded to this call for change and started implementing value-based systems, dermatology has been relatively slow on the uptake. The need for a robust …

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Grief and healing: Navigating loss and meaningful connections

Physician
July 24, 2023

My wife, Ruth, passed away in April, and I am currently struggling with the immense loss. I deeply miss her, and for the most part, I feel terrible. I haven’t reached a point of “getting over it.”

Since her death, numerous people, including relatives, friends, acquaintances, and caring individuals throughout my day, have approached me with the same question: How am I doing? Despite multiple attempts to respond, I still haven’t …

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Unmasking the truth about ECMO [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 23, 2023
YouTube video

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Join John R. Mehall, a cardiothoracic surgeon and physician executive. We explore the lasting impact of the global pandemic on hospitals in the United States, uncover the underlying financial crisis often overlooked by headlines, and discuss innovative …

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The rewards and challenges of emergency medicine

Physician
July 23, 2023

Congratulations! Maybe you matched, maybe you scrambled. Either way, you’re here, and after four years of reading and watching, you are about to finally start doing. Get all those practical skills: Intubate! Drop central lines! Insert chest tubes! Sign verbal orders within 24 hours! Write medicolegally bulletproof notes that also capture all the RVUs necessary to maximize billing.

As you embark on your journey to becoming an EM doc, let me …

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AI in health care: Could it be an unexpected catalyst for physician burnout?

Tech
July 23, 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly ingratiated itself in the health care landscape, emerging as a powerful tool with the potential to revolutionize various aspects of clinical practice. From enhancing diagnostic precision to streamlining administrative workflows, AI is touted as a solution to many of health care’s long-standing inefficiencies. Yet, the transformative power of AI is a double-edged sword, and its integration may bear unintended repercussions for not …

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How trauma, health care, and kindness are the keys to contagious change

Conditions
July 23, 2023

I spent years researching and writing about the health care crisis. It was depressing and isolating — traumatizing. When I met someone with more reach, it was a relief to be able to stop.

Early on, it was obvious to me that our medical health care crisis is actually a mental health crisis. It is about disconnectedness and devaluation of relationships, a basic need. Evidence abounds. The Read more…

Uncovering the personality traits that drive physician burnout [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 22, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Susan Biali Haas, a physician and author of The Resilient Life: Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout, & Strengthen Your Mental and Physical Health. In this episode, we delve into the personality traits that contribute to physician burnout …

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How BIPOC doctors and patients suffer in the U.S. health care system

Physician
July 22, 2023

It is well documented that the under-represented often suffer from less than ideal health care in the U.S. This has been apparent for more than a century and is one of the reasons the U.S. has the worst health care outcomes compared to all other developed countries. It is also well-documented that concordance between patients and providers in race, ethnicity, and, in some cases, gender leads to better health care …

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From medical student to MS warrior: Navigating life with multiple sclerosis

Conditions
July 22, 2023

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during my second year of medical school. It happened while I was on a neurology rotation when I approached the neurologist after a lecture and expressed my suspicion of a flare-up. Subsequently, a lumbar puncture and a contrast brain MRI confirmed the diagnosis, leading to my treatment with IV steroids and later disease-modifying medications.

It has now been 18 years since my diagnosis, during which …

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The core problem behind physician burnout: loss of independence

Physician
July 22, 2023

Physician burnout and the shortage of physicians are pressing issues within the health care industry, often unnoticed by the general public until their own health is at stake. The erosion of the title “doctor” and the increasing encroachment on physician authority have contributed significantly to this problem. Physicians have allowed the interference of the federal government, burdensome regulations, and insurance company restrictions to impede their ability to provide quality care. …

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How artificial intelligence is transforming radiology [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 21, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Brett Mollard, a radiologist who delves into the exciting future of radiology and the role of artificial intelligence (AI). As we explore the impact of AI on radiology, Brett answers the recurring questions about the potential …

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I am one of those women who left academic medicine

Physician
July 21, 2023

Since before the COVID-19 pandemic, anecdotal evidence and small survey-based studies show that women were leaving academic medicine in droves and were not returning— up to 40 percent of women leave medicine or go to a part-time position within six years of finishing residency. One landmark study pointed out the rarity of women in leadership positions— thirty-five years ago, less than 11 percent of women faculty were …

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The struggle is real for patients and doctors

Conditions
July 21, 2023

If you are a patient, we all are at some point. Undoubtedly, you have experienced some of the difficulties patients face today in getting approved for and receiving medical care in a timely fashion. From scheduling doctor visits to undergoing tests, procedures, obtaining medications, and even surgeries, the process can be challenging.

It’s easy to be tempted to blame your doctor for the long wait times to schedule an appointment, the …

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Coaching medical students: a game-changer for the profession

Education
July 21, 2023

Medical school is a wild ride, filled with anticipation and unforgettable experiences. From the excitement of the first day of orientation to the white coat ceremony and meeting new people, every moment is etched in your memory. Endless hours of lectures followed by late nights of studying at home, the thrill of dissecting for the first time, and the camaraderie of study groups and problem-based learning create a unique atmosphere. …

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Improving the financial struggles of resident physicians [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 20, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Kelley Butler, a family medicine resident and member of the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU, as we delve into the financial struggles faced by health care workers, focusing on the experiences of resident physicians. We discuss …

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The evolution of lighting vs. cholesterol treatments: a tale of innovation and value

Policy
July 20, 2023

An excerpt from Why Not Better and Cheaper: Healthcare and Innovation by James B. Rebitzer and Robert S. Rebitzer with permission from Oxford University Press, © 2023 by Oxford University Press.

In a famous essay, Nobel prize-winning economist William Nordhaus studied the evolution of lighting. From medieval times until the …

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How masculinity expectations impact men’s mental health

Physician
July 20, 2023

A recent conversation about a young man’s reluctance to seek help made me reflect on society’s attitude regarding expectations for men and their impact on their mental health.

Lately, there has been growing recognition of the importance of mental health and well-being. However, despite the progress made in understanding and addressing mental health issues, there still persists a significant disparity in how men approach and perceive mental health. Men’s attitudes towards …

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What an occupational health lens reveals about clinician burnout

Policy
July 20, 2023

Clinician burnout is one of the most tenacious problems facing the contemporary health system. Recent years have seen a plethora of guidance on reducing burnout and improving health care workers’ well-being following the pandemic, but little evidence of improvement. Seeing the problem through an occupational health lens can reveal different solutions.

Occupational health is a subfield of public health concerned with promoting workers’ health, safety, and well-being. From …

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Closing the empathy gap in health care [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 19, 2023
YouTube video

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Nicole Rochester is a pediatrician and advocate for improving the doctor-patient relationship. She shares her personal experiences and discusses the importance of intentional human connection in clinical encounters. We delve into the root causes of the empathy …

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Gender-neutral registration for unresponsive individuals

Physician
July 19, 2023

When registering individuals who are unresponsive to stimuli, unconscious, unaware, or lacking alertness, it has been customary to assign them the names John Doe or Jane Doe, based on physical characteristics, while also assigning their sex accordingly. If their family members or legal guardians arrive or are contacted, their sex is determined based on their recollections until the individuals themselves awaken and become capable of expressing their gender preferences, affirming …

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