New proposals for universal health care in Oregon and Washington

Policy
November 6, 2022

Once again, it’s time to consider universal health care. What are the implications? Could it happen?

After something of a hiatus during the passage of the Affordable Care Act and the battles over its implementation, legislative committees in Oregon and Washington are looking at new proposals for state-based universal health care. Oregon’s task force report was completed in September, while Washington’s “baseline report” was finished this month.

While there’s a fair amount …

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Coaching vs. therapy: A physician coach and psychiatrist explains

Physician
November 6, 2022

“Are you analyzing me?”

Psychiatrists become acclimated to this question being launched by anyone to whom we are brave enough to disclose our occupation. Mental health stigma persists, and psychiatrist jokes are part of that legacy. All humor holds some truth, and this joke reflects discomfort around the mystique of psychiatry. How does it actually work? What do psychiatrists actually do to heal people? How do you know when a psychiatrist …

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Physicians and activism: Why did it take Roe’s downfall for us to get involved?

Physician
November 6, 2022

I drive through my leafy suburb, awash in beautiful foliage. It’s peak color, with vermillion juxtaposed with citrine and crimson. And I see the reality of our ugly world peeking in every so often. Proposition 3 signs are casually sprinkled on lawns, intersections, and billboards; they’re in harsh black and white, implying the proposition is too confusing or too extreme. And the issue it represents is a clear-cut dichotomy.

We are …

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My one case of COVID impacted dozens of lives [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 5, 2022
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“If any of those people get infected, their illness will potentially impact dozens more. COVID infection may now be ‘just a cold,’ at least for the vaccinated. But no one should think this ‘you do you, I’ll …

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Say “I love you” often and mean it

Conditions
November 5, 2022

I normally start October off by changing my Facebook profile picture to a pink survivor ribbon and celebrating my breast cancer survivorship, but this October was different. I slept on October 1st because I had spent 48 hours at Gulf Coast Medical Center when hurricane Ian struck Southwest Florida three days before. I was absolutely exhausted when I arrived home after the storm. The world was turned upside down. Then …

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There is no cure for your disease

Physician
November 5, 2022

I shall translate.

This is her big day! She is meeting with her specialist for the first time, excited to finally hear that she will be cured from her annoying disease.

I am there to interpret back and forth between her and her doctor to eliminate the language barrier.

She has been suffering from this terrible disease affecting multiple organ systems in her frail body for a long time.

Today, she is done!

With her …

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What being a hospice volunteer taught me about health care

Education
November 5, 2022

The finality of death is a powerful teacher. For some patients, being diagnosed with a terminal illness is an experience that lends a tremendous shift in perspective and newfound authenticity. This can be instructive to them and the people around them. As psychologist Charles Garfield says, “The living have much to learn from the dying.”

This applies not only to the experience of a terminal illness but also to its …

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Stop going through the motions and actually have the life you dreamed of [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 4, 2022
YouTube video

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“Try incorporating the three small practices of your choice into your day-to-day for two weeks and watch your experience of your life transform.

You have worked far too hard to just go through the motions forever. Starting today, …

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My daughter and COVID: a tale of 3 doctors

Conditions
November 4, 2022

It was the best of medical encounters; it was the worst of medical encounters. But it is indeed a story of how two physicians viewed the same situation very differently, and how one brought trauma to a young patient, and one (two) brought healing to that very patient with the same set of information.

My daughter was a healthy and vibrant 12-year-old when she first had COVID in June 2020. She …

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Why body type standards are wrong in measuring health

Conditions
November 4, 2022

When you visit your doctor for your regular check-up, just like every human being, your body and health are judged by three main scientific standards to determine if you are healthy and “normal.”

Standard 1 is the Standard Scientific Human Body Anatomy Book Body Type (BT1) found in any scientifically approved human body anatomy book. According to mainstream science and medical doctors, every human being is born in a standard BT1. …

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A doctor’s foray into online therapy

Conditions
November 4, 2022

I’ve had my share of therapy.

My mother was a clinical psychologist, and I grew up around the concepts of consciousness and the unconscious, growth and awareness, and “authenticity” before “authenticity” was even a buzzword. I’m quite certain she did some sort of therapy on me during my childhood. I remember vividly her briefcase with the blocks from the Stanford-Binet IQ test. She prepped me at home, at 4, in advance …

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Who reads personal statements? [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 3, 2022
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“You received an interview invite based on ERAS filters the program set, so you already have your foot in the door. Don’t have them yawning at a two-page extravaganza of your life story that makes them wonder …

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The merry-go-round of rounding

Physician
November 3, 2022

You start off your morning by receiving the patient handoff, then you “pre-round” on the EHR (furiously scribbling down information), then you physically pre-round on patients (or at least the “sick” ones), then you move onto some form of “proper” rounds that are generally attending specific (walk rounds, sit-down rounds, family-centered rounds, etc.), with the aid of the EHR or flying by the seat of your pants (a.k.a. depending on …

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Doctors are like hamsters running on an exercise wheel to nowhere [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 2, 2022
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“No wonder doctors feel like hamsters running on an exercise wheel to nowhere. And this sense of futility is driving burnout. How much patient care will you get out of docs who have moved on to nonclinical …

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Why adopt a lifestyle pyramid for rheumatoid arthritis?

Conditions
November 2, 2022

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease affecting approximately 1.5 million people only in the United States. The most common symptoms that will bring patients to the doctor are:

Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis is not only a disease of the joints. Chronic, ongoing inflammation …

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It is time for non-confrontational discussions of the unborn child’s humanity

Physician
November 2, 2022

The field of pediatrics has always been known for advocating and caring for the most forgotten and disadvantaged in our communities. The American Academy of Pediatrics was founded at a time when children were seen as lesser members of society.

Through the efforts of this organization and tens of thousands of dedicated pediatricians, we have changed the narrative. Several examples include:

1. Care of abused and neglected children. One of the first …

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A doctor explains 10 misconceptions about abortion

Physician
November 2, 2022

The recent case of a fourteen-year-old girl being denied her medications for arthritis highlights that the Roe v. Wade decision has far-reaching consequences for women and girls. Disturbingly, the Supreme Court’s decision allowing for abortion bans also contains several factual errors. As a doctor, I think it is important that we understand the facts about abortion. I want to share the top 10 misconceptions about pregnancy termination that I have …

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My sister went to the hospital seeking help. Instead, she died. [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 1, 2022
YouTube video

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“I am heartbroken at the loss of my sister. No, breast cancer didn’t physically kill her, and for that, I am grateful. Its presence in her medical history, however, quite possibly did as it was apparently used …

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