Unmasking physician burnout: a survivor’s story and solutions for a healthy medical profession

Physician
July 3, 2023

I am a physician, a urologist, but what most people don’t know about me is that I am a survivor of mental illness, physician burnout, and multiple suicide attempts. Today, I write about the condition of the medical profession, its problem with burnout, and its solutions.

I began practicing general urology in 1987. My subsequent life as a physician can be divided into two very different eras. In the first era, …

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A urologist’s reflection on suicide and emotional anguish [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 2, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for a thought-provoking podcast episode with guest William Lynes, a urologist, as we delve into the depths of a poignant message that left a lasting impact. Explore the story of Mr. G, a patient who …

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Inspiring lessons from WWII veterans and the intensity of the medical field

Physician
July 2, 2023

On some of my night rotations during intern year, I found myself watching WWII documentaries and movies. The patients at the VA medical center had stuck with me with their stories and their attitudes. My experiences at the VA motivated me to learn more about my patients’ lives, who had served our country. As I watched some of these movies, I noticed parallels between my life and those of the …

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Key factors for complete, easy, and fair payments

Physician
July 2, 2023

Both privileged and marginalized payers should reflect on the completeness, difficulty, and straightforwardness of procedures, processes, and payments.

When it comes to procedures that are reimbursed at reduced rates due to their incomplete nature, it is important to consider the reasons behind the failure to complete them. Were the factors patient-related, provider-related, or related to the location? Were there issues with the preparation for the procedures themselves? Furthermore, if the failure …

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How direct primary care saved my career and my life

Physician
July 2, 2023

In late 2017, I was standing in the hallway between two different departments in a hospital where I was rounding on a particularly busy day. As a hospitalist, I was very familiar with this facility and where to go in order to find a moment of peace away from the hustle and bustle of my workday.

As I held the stack of rounding sheets in my hand, I had a fleeting …

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Debunking myths about automated red blood cell exchange [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 1, 2023
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Join us in this insightful podcast episode as we debunk common misconceptions surrounding automated red blood cell exchange (RBCX) therapy. Our guest, Carly Newton, a registered nurse specializing in apheresis treatments, will share her expertise and shed …

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Unveiling the emotional toll: a resident physician’s journey through pediatric loss

Physician
July 1, 2023

We take care of the living, and remember those who passed, what they taught us, and how they touched us.” These were some of the words my parents said to me after I called them, sobbing in tears, that my patient had passed away. She was only eight years old. To most of her doctors, she was the patient with retinoblastoma that had metastasized to her liver, causing her to …

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Let’s rethink letters of recommendation

Physician
July 1, 2023

Letters of recommendation help open gates to university admissions, jobs, and scholarships. Now that more colleges are ditching SAT/ACT requirements and medical schools are grading pass/fail, these letters will likely rise in importance. As a decision-maker myself, I rely on a letter writer’s personal judgment in vouching for (or not mentioning) an applicant’s work ethic, experience, and character.

At least I did—until the subject of one of my own letters …

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Embracing compassion: a physician’s journey in overcoming prejudice

Physician
July 1, 2023

During my fellowship in palliative medicine, I have learned the value of home visits. I learn more about my patients’ lives in two minutes of seeing their homes than I could in a lifetime of clinic visits. During home visits, I get to pet dogs, touch quilts, study photos, and admire charming heirlooms that would fetch only a few dollars in a garage sale, but that in these homes are …

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Everything the government thinks it knows about the opioid crisis is wrong

Conditions
July 1, 2023

“In July 2015, journalist Johann Hari gave a TED Talk that over 20 million people have since viewed. Hari offered convincing evidence that vulnerability to opioid addiction is a consequence of the conditions under which people live — the social determinants of health — rather than simple exposure to opioid pain relievers. This theme is brilliantly elaborated by economist Anne Case and Nobel Prize winner Angus Deaton …

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Addressing America’s dental health crisis [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 30, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this episode as we discuss the critical shortage of health care workers, especially in the dental field, with our guest Theekshana Fernando, a research scientist. We explore the connection between oral health and overall …

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Seen at HIMSS: the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, mixed reality, robotics, and interoperability

Tech
June 30, 2023

ChatGPT and Epic Systems

This year’s buzzword in academic and now business technology is ChatGPT. Epic Systems, Microsoft, and OpenAI (the owners of ChatGPT) have announced the release of the next evolution in artificial intelligence (AI) called GPT-4. This new system integrates AI with electronic health records with the hopes of advancing medical care and associated services.

In-basket messaging is the first section of electronic health records that will be significantly changed. …

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The role of competition in health care: a complex interplay

Physician
June 30, 2023

In the dynamic field of health care, physicians hold a vital role. Their invaluable contribution as life-savers, pain alleviators, and guides towards healthier living necessitates continuous learning and improvement. A potential catalyst for such progress is friendly competition among physicians. This concept isn’t about outdoing each other for a prize but striving for better patient outcomes, refining medical practices, and nurturing a culture of excellence.

A study by the National Bureau …

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Medical ethics: Navigating ambiguity, honesty, and patient well-being in health care

Physician
June 30, 2023

I love medical ethics, and I am fortunate to be able to spend a substantial portion of my professional life working within this growing field. I recently demonstrated that when medical students engage in debates involving bioethics, it improves their tolerance for ambiguity. Medical school, and the years leading up to it, focus mostly on multiple-choice tests – with one correct answer. Licensing exams do the same. The young physician …

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The transformative power of kindness: Uplifting individuals, strengthening communities, and inspiring global change

Physician
June 30, 2023

Kindness is a quality of being considerate, compassionate, and generous towards others. It is a virtue that has always been valued throughout human history and remains an essential quality for creating a harmonious and compassionate society. In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, kindness holds even greater significance. It has the power to transform lives, build stronger communities, and foster understanding and empathy among people.

In a society where stress, anxiety, and …

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From never-smoker to lung cancer survivor [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 29, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this episode as we hear the inspiring story of Alice S. Y. Lee, an emergency physician diagnosed with lung cancer despite being a never-smoker. Discover the unique challenges faced by Asian American female nonsmokers, …

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Top 4 money mistakes doctors make

Finance
June 29, 2023

Yes, this sounds very ominous. However, there is a reason why I wanted to alert you to the fear of mismanaging your finances. Doctors live in the limelight and are highly traceable on the internet. Also, physicians earn large amounts of money, which can sometimes be overwhelming, giving a false sense of never running out of it. Therefore, I want to review the top four mistakes doctors make with their …

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COVID-19 vaccine neglect: a tale of regret and debilitating symptoms

Conditions
June 29, 2023

As an allergist-immunologist who trained at Mayo Clinic, one might assume that I’m up to date on my COVID-19 booster vaccinations. However, I realized months ago that I was overdue for a booster; it’s been over a year since my third vaccination. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I didn’t stop at the pharmacy or schedule an appointment with my primary doctor. I was among the roughly 85 percent of …

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From four clicks to burnout: How tiny stressors pushed me to the edge

Physician
June 29, 2023

Four clicks. That’s all it took. Four additional clicks were added to the process of putting in a post-op order after surgery, arriving without any warning or explanation. Eleven seconds of additional work on top of the tripling of the time taken to complete paperwork my way out of the operating room, necessitated by the advent of EMR. That’s all it took. Why? Why did we have to add this …

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Burnout and compassion fatigue: chronic workplace stress and emotional withdrawal

Physician
June 29, 2023

Over the past five years, the term “burnout” has become closely associated with the health care field. It has reached the point where more than 60 percent of surveyed physicians reported experiencing burnout in 2021, indicating that it has become an epidemic within our profession.

It’s important to understand that burnout is not a personal flaw or a psychological disorder; rather, it is a response to chronic stress in the workplace. …

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