Unleashing the power of optimized operations, data connectivity, and technology for unparalleled patient care

Tech
June 16, 2023

Health care organizations are complex systems that require a multitude of moving parts to work smoothly. The background operations that keep health systems running are key to enabling frontline doctors and nurses to deliver quality care. As a registered nurse and health care administrator for 45 years, I have a unique perspective on the challenges facing health care organizations today.

Earlier this year, I attended the Healthcare Operations Summit in …

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Unlearning perfectionism: Embracing imperfection and finding my true self through improv

Physician
June 16, 2023

I walked into my local improvisational comedy theater a few years ago and started taking classes to escape burnout and have some fun. It was so freaking difficult. Here I was, a frazzled, tightly-wound mid-career pediatrician, surrounded by all these creative, quirky folks from all walks of life who were just so funny. I kept hearing, “We don’t want to hear you on stage, Wendy,” meaning they wanted me to …

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Unlocking the secrets to aging well [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 15, 2023
YouTube video

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Welcome to our insightful podcast episode featuring Rosanne M. Leipzig, a renowned geriatrician and author of the enlightening book, Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life. Join us as we delve into the …

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Can chatbots help choose the right doctor or hospital?

Tech
June 15, 2023

While ChatGPT and Bard cannot provide reliable medical or treatment advice, there is a question of whether these chatbots can assist patients in selecting the right doctor or hospital. Surprisingly, both chatbots occasionally suggest individual physicians and hospitals, providing detailed provider information. However, the accuracy and usefulness of this information are difficult to assess. As I highlighted in a recent Forbes.com column, chatbots like Microsoft and OpenAI’s ChatGPT and …

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Syndicators and risk management: Educating investors on multifamily syndication

Finance
June 15, 2023

In a recent Wall Street Journal article titled “A Housing Bust Comes for Thousands of Small-Time Investors,” the foreclosure woes of Jay Gajavelli, the head of Applesway Investment Group, were brought to light. Gajavelli’s ownership of multiple units across Houston took a turn for the worse, shedding light on the risks associated with syndicators in the real estate market. However, it is crucial to note that this case does …

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Unveiling the true origin of “first, do no harm” in medicine: Discover the father of clinical medicine

Physician
June 15, 2023

A recent essay on this blog, “Navigating the complexity of ‘first do no harm’ in modern medicine,” provided an excellent review of this principle. However, as is so often the case, it misattributed the statement to the Hippocratic Oath.

Certainly, this does contain elements of this sentiment, more fully expressed in another work of Hippocrates called “Of the Epidemics.” But the term does not originate with this Greek physician.

Scholars have …

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How the U.S. blood pressure validated device listing (VDL) ensures accurate readings and revolutionizes hypertension control

Conditions
June 15, 2023

Blood pressure is an important upstream indicator of overall patient health, and high blood pressure can be a precursor to more serious medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and stroke. Measuring blood pressure frequently is the best way to stay on top of any changes, but as telehealth and at-home monitoring gain in popularity, how can you be sure your patients are getting accurate measurements outside of a physician’s …

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Cracking the code to a healthy spine: Revealing the secrets of aging gracefully [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 14, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this enlightening episode as we welcome orthopedic surgeon and author Yoshihiro Katsuura, who sheds light on the process of spinal degeneration and the secrets to aging gracefully. With a focus on back and neck …

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The journey through loss: a personal reflection on healing and hope

Physician
June 14, 2023

Losing a loved one is an experience that leaves an indelible mark on your soul. It changes your world, shaking the foundations of what you once thought stable, leaving you to navigate an ocean of grief. For me, this was my reality when I lost someone dear to me. During my journey, I found solace and guidance in the themes of enduring love, nostalgia, resilience, and hope, beautifully depicted in …

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How to approach teen nose jobs with parents

Conditions
June 14, 2023

Getting a nose job, also known as rhinoplasty, requires extensive research and planning. For teenagers, it requires extensive communication and collaboration, and for parents, it requires a lot of understanding and compassion.

A nose job can be a life-changing decision for anyone planning on getting the procedure. If someone is a good candidate, it can help one’s confidence and even improve breathing function in some scenarios. However, discussing such a sensitive …

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On the front lines of COVID-19: the untold sacrifices and heroic efforts of health care professionals

Conditions
June 14, 2023

There is a phenomenon sweeping across various medical circles on social media that is forcing people to address accusations from those who were not on the front lines of COVID at the beginning of the pandemic. Though I have refused to pay much attention to the details, I have become more and more enraged at the audacity and frank ignorance that it takes to judge when not in the arena. …

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COVID-19: Unveiling the transformative shifts in health care [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 13, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us as we chat with medical writer Steven Marshall about the evolving health care landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the transformative effects on health care delivery, the availability of testing, vaccination, and therapies, and …

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Unveiling the game-changing diabetic drugs: Revolutionizing weight loss and diabetes management

Meds
June 13, 2023

The drug representative had a smug look; she knew she had a winner. She didn’t need to sell anything—the American public had already bought the story. There are very few drugs in history where patients are excited about the conversation and want to take a new medication. I am talking about the new class of diabetic drugs called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) agonists. The particular drugs are Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro …

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The power of small teams: communication complexity and its impact on health care leadership

Physician
June 13, 2023

In organizational leadership, the adage “less is more” often rings accurate, particularly regarding team size. Small teams, with their inherent communication advantages, often outperform larger ones. This phenomenon, communication complexity, is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in team success. In this article, we will explore the concept of communication complexity, its application in health care leadership, and how it influences various team structures such as grand rounds, regular teaching …

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Surviving the chaos: an inspiring journey of health care heroes

Conditions
June 13, 2023

Calling all health care personnel: EMTs, paramedics, nurses, CNAs, respiratory therapists, police, firefighters. All of you.

You’ve been cursed at, spat upon, hit, and scratched by fingernails. You never got that 30-minute break during those 12 long hours. You had to beg to use the restroom. Your staffing was minimal, and your 24/7 manager was nowhere to be found. Your fellow doctors are shouting at you, and patients’ family members are …

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The power of embracing life’s seasons: rest, reflection, and growth

Physician
June 13, 2023

If we look around and spend time in nature or just walk outside, we realize everything has a season. The trees, the flowers, the weeds—they all change during the seasons. Flowers don’t constantly bloom; trees show their beautiful display of colors on their leaves, shed them, and grow a new set of beautiful leaves each year. There is constant change. As famously said by Heraclitus, “The only thing constant is …

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Nurse-physician collaboration for superior patient care [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 12, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us as we host Angel J. Mena, an internal medicine physician and health care executive, along with Ali Morin, a nurse and health care executive. In this episode, we explore the importance of strong nurse-physician relationships …

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Navigating gender-affirming care: Pediatricians’ perspective on open discussions and societal fears

Physician
June 12, 2023

“We fear that CPS is going to take them away,” the mother of my patient chokes with tears. My patient on the inpatient pediatric wards looks at me with guarded eyes. I can still see the markings on their neck where they tried to strangle themselves. They were intubated in the pediatric ICU. This transgender patient and their family have gone through a living hell only to come out again …

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Unmasking the hidden mental health struggles of professionals: Breaking the silence for empowerment and healing

Physician
June 12, 2023

In the fast-paced and demanding world we live in, professionals often face immense pressure to portray strength, competence, and unwavering resilience. However, beneath the surface, many individuals silently battle their own mental health challenges. According to CDC, more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness.

One of the most difficult hurdles to overcome is the fear of admitting our struggles to others. In this compassionate article, …

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