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From task-oriented to goal-driven: the power of habits in “magnet” hospitals

Anonymous

Physician

December 16, 2023

The banner in front of the ED where I work proclaims “magnet hospital.” “Magnet” status tells patients and visitors that the care from nurses (and ED technicians and patient care associates staff under their auspices) is so good that the ED should be a magnet, attracting patients and nurses to come here and inspiring other EDs emulation.

For many years, our ED’s annual census has been 100,000 patients. One might think …

Physician burnout’s little voice [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 15, 2023

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Join Dike Drummond, a family practice physician, as he brings his rich experience and deep understanding of the medical profession to discuss a critical issue that touches many in the health care field: physician burnout. Through our …

Unlocking the healing power: Bridging medicine and psychotherapy

Maire Daugharty, MD

Conditions

December 15, 2023

I’ve been conceptualizing this for several years now – ideas about what I would like to do with perspectives from my long-time practice as a physician and those always developing as a psychotherapist. I love both; each brings a unique skill set and way of being in the world, and I am well-immersed in the confusions one has for the other. I am an adult therapist with a deep love …

Navigating the rise of generative AI in health care: 5 key factors beyond the hype

Microsoft & Nuance Communications

Is it noble or selfish to never practice medicine after getting a medical degree?

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Education

December 15, 2023

A Harvard medical school student realized in his third year that he had lost his desire to become a doctor. Nevertheless, the student decided to complete his fourth year and obtain his MD degree. The student is now planning for a career in pharma or even comedy. Some individuals who read his online essay found the student’s decision-making comical in itself. Overall, their comments were evenly divided about the …

Gathering clinician feedback at a growing practice

Ram Krishnan, MBA

Tech

December 15, 2023

Provider feedback is a powerful tool for behavioral health practices, as it is a valuable indicator of whether or not patient care is on the right track. Gathering feedback, and then acting on it, can also improve a practice’s efficiency.

Fostering an open environment, one where providers feel heard and valued improves provider retention. Provider retention is key for any behavioral health practice because when a provider leaves, there is a …

Protect your brain with a good night’s sleep

Marc Arginteanu, MD

Conditions

December 15, 2023

No one knows exactly why we need to sleep, but we certainly do. Although the brain can’t thrive on sleep alone, good sleep is an essential ingredient necessary to keep your brain functioning at its best. New research is shedding light on how a good night’s sleep may protect your brain from neurodegenerative diseases.

In 2022, Canadian scientists evaluated the medical literature regarding sleep apnea and its link to the risk …

A pediatrician’s quest for self-discovery [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 14, 2023

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We sit down with Sogol Pahlavan, a pediatrician, and hear her powerful story of personal transformation. Join us as she shares her journey from achieving the American dream to discovering the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance. Learn …

Why physicians are leaving: Exploring the burnout crisis

Emil Shakov, MD

Physician

December 14, 2023

The alarming rise in physicians resigning from their roles is a testament to the severity of the crisis. Where physicians were once the pillars of health care, delivering vital services to their communities, they now find themselves struggling with diminishing job satisfaction, declining productivity, and inadequate self-care routines. The result is a mass exodus from the profession, leading to a shortage of health care professionals and jeopardizing patient care.

The advent …

How gene editing and immunotherapy are changing lives

L. Joseph Parker, MD

Meds

December 14, 2023

When I started medical school thirty years ago, and learned about the discovery of streptomycin, I wondered what it must have been like for the doctors who first used it to cure the “white death.” How satisfying it must have been to tell a previously hopeless patient, “We can cure you.”

What brought this to mind was my rotation at an old part of the hospital where I was training. I …

What to put in Roth vs. traditional IRAs: It can make big differences

Amarish Dave, DO

Finance

December 14, 2023

Before diving into the allocation strategy, let’s briefly revisit the fundamental differences between Roth and traditional IRAs.

Roth IRA: Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals, including earnings, are tax-free.

Traditional IRA: Contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, providing an immediate tax deduction. Withdrawals, however, are subject to income tax.

Assessing current and future tax scenarios

To craft a personalized strategy, it’s crucial to evaluate the current and anticipated future tax scenarios …

8 tips to engage patients, improve outcomes, and increase provider satisfaction

Susan L. Montminy, EdD, MPA, RN and Marlene Icenhower, JD, RN

Conditions

December 14, 2023

The media is full of stories about providers’ influence on the patient experience. Less common are articles about how patient engagement influences provider satisfaction—and the vicious cycle generated by lack of patient engagement, provider dissatisfaction, and poor outcomes.

Consider these statistics:

50% of patients don’t follow their treatment plans.
Up to 70% of hospital readmissions occur from patients neglecting their care plans.
Roughly 7% of the malpractice claims examined …
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8 tips to engage patients, improve outcomes, and increase provider satisfaction

A cardiologist’s COVID-19 frontline journey [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 13, 2023

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We sit down with Marissa Lombardo, a cardiologist, to delve into her deeply moving experiences on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Join us as Marissa shares her journey, from delivering heart-wrenching news …

The lost dream of a small-town doctor

Anonymous

Physician

December 13, 2023

As a child, I was a daydreamer, especially in algebra class. Picture this: my teacher, reminiscent of Droopy Dog but on a heavy dose of barbiturates, droned on from the textbook. And just like that, my mind would escape – soaring out of the window of my quaint Midwestern high school, wandering around the courtyard square.

Back then, several businesses on the square were small physician offices. You could spot white-coated …

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The lost dream of a small-town doctor

Safety on campus, except for Jews: a parent and psychiatrist’s perspective

Torie S. Sepah, MD

Physician

December 13, 2023

After watching most of the five-plus hours of the December 5th congressional hearing on the state of antisemitism at three of the U.S.’ top universities – Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, and MIT – I’ve concluded that unfortunately, the sound bites replayed in the media are not one-liners taken out of context, but spot-on summations.

As my husband and I prepare for our oldest son to reach a tremendous milestone in less …

From advocacy to early cancer detection

Richard A. Lawhern, PhD

Conditions

December 13, 2023

I write widely as a patient advocate and subject matter expert on public policy for the regulation of prescription opioid analgesics in pain medicine.

Like many people younger than myself, I also visit many social media platforms almost daily. I am active on these platforms to share recent health care news and to support hope among people who increasingly struggle to find clinicians and pharmacists who will treat their pain by …

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From advocacy to early cancer detection

A neurosurgeon’s quest to solve medication nonadherence [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 12, 2023

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Join neurosurgeon Katrina Firlik as she delves into the world of health care data and the importance of citing sources. Explore her journey from treating patients to becoming an entrepreneur, and learn about the challenges of addressing …

An eye surgeon’s unexpected finding: a brain tumor diagnosis

Emily Schehlein, MD

Conditions

December 12, 2023

In medicine, the sickest patients always seem to come on Friday afternoons. At the end of the week, I’m hoping to move quickly through my last few patients – a small corneal abrasion, a routine follow-up, or a stable glaucoma exam. I’m prepared for a pleasant conversation and some friendly banter about rival football teams playing Saturday morning. But I’m wary. I have been doing this long enough to know …

Humanism in health care: How to address patient harm

Scott Ellner, DO, MPH

Physician

December 12, 2023

I want to preface this story by stating that Sarah has given written authorization to share her story, allowing my colleague and me to transform a challenging experience into a valuable lesson in the inevitability of mistakes and the profound capacity for forgiveness and growth.

Ten years ago, I was approached by a distressed physician and colleague who had unintentionally harmed a patient during the course of an elective colon operation. …

Financial considerations for dual-doctor households

David Belinkie, CFP

Finance

December 12, 2023

Being in a dual high-income earner household — like a dual-physician or dual-dentist marriage — has unique career and family experiences. And it comes with a ton of financial assumptions.

As with most things, there are some advantages and disadvantages, both real and perceived. While individuals in these households typically enjoy mission-driven companionship, doctors face unique financial challenges during every stage of their careers.

Tax withholdings. When you have two earning spouses, …

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