The importance of listening in health care: a mother’s journey advocating for children with chronic Lyme disease

Conditions
June 1, 2023

My husband, a physician, and I have four wonderful children – a son and three daughters. I look back over the past decade and wonder, “Why?” Why did my daughters contract Lyme disease and not my son or husband? Why was it so difficult to establish a diagnosis? Why are doctors specializing in treating patients with Lyme disease considered pariahs, while conventional doctors may not consider the diagnosis and often …

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Medical errors and the power of apologies [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 31, 2023
YouTube video

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In this episode, we talk to Amber Gipson-Fine, a project manager, about her personal experience with a medical error and the importance of medical apologies. March was Endometriosis Awareness Month, and Amber shares her journey with the …

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Finding your ideal work-life balance: tips for prioritizing personal life and achieving professional success

Physician
May 31, 2023

Recently, someone mentioned that the whole work-life balance issue is overrated. They argue that they have enjoyed focusing on academics and work most of their life and feel very satisfied despite the lack of balance. There was also an assertion of a happy family life despite that so-called lack of balance.

That point is well taken, but the work-life balance is subjective, and everyone has their own preferences and priorities in …

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Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

Physician
May 31, 2023

The extraordinary stories of Mike Tyson and George Foreman, two esteemed boxers who’ve shaped the sport’s landscapes, are peppered with life lessons extending far beyond a boxing ring’s confines. These lessons, borne out of sweat, determination, and a relentless drive to rise above adversity, apply to various sectors, including the often challenging and constantly evolving health care field.

One key lesson from Tyson’s remarkable journey is the sheer power of resilience …

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7 ways to beat burnout: a guide for health care professionals to reduce stress and reclaim their passion

Physician
May 31, 2023

The burnout bags health care professionals carry are enough to tip the scales of any airline. And just like the fees airlines slap on oversized suitcases, the costs for health care workers are at an all-time high. Staffing shortages, increased patient loads (both their own and those they supervise), medicine costs, resource shortfalls, and everyone’s favorite bag- the never-ending administrative burdens all add to the weight.

The cost? While a distinct …

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The unjust reality of racial disparities in pediatric kidney transplants

Conditions
May 31, 2023

I noticed a troublesome trend during my three weeks working in the pediatric dialysis unit and the post-kidney transplant unit. The whiter and younger pediatric patients were resting comfortably in the post-transplant unit with their new surgically placed kidneys being meticulously taken care of. The darker and older pediatric patients spent countless, mindless hours attached to a dialysis machine with little hope for a new kidney after years of being …

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A family physician’s journey on the OIG list and the struggle to return to practice [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 30, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Jeffrey L. Fraser, a family physician who shares his experience of addiction and felony conviction, which led to his placement on the Office of the Inspector General exclusion list. We’ll …

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Heartwarming stories of cancer patients teaching us about life and the human spirit

Physician
May 30, 2023

I felt uneasy starting my oncology and leukemia rotations. These patients were so sick, and many of them had incurable cancer, often just weeks or days away from death. I wondered how I could help them, what we could do if we couldn’t treat their cancer. I’m grateful that these patients taught me not just much about how we can always help our patients and support them but also much …

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We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

Physician
May 30, 2023

May is the month most American medical students finally see four years of grueling work bear fruit. Most U.S. medical schools hold commencement exercises in May, conferring “doctor of medicine” degrees in elaborate ceremonies. During these ceremonies, graduates recite oaths inspired by the 5th-century B.C. oath of Hippocrates of Kos, the “father of medicine.”

In the mid-20th century, medical schools began administering modernized …

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The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

Physician
May 30, 2023

Death is an inevitable part of life, and in medicine, it is a topic that is frequently encountered. As medical professionals, we see patients who are faced with terminal illnesses and inevitably nearing the end of their lives. Dealing with death can be a daunting task, and it’s a topic that requires sensitivity, empathy, and compassion.

At the forefront of end-of-life care are the principles of compassionate care. It is about …

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From skydiving to saving lives: a surgeon’s journey on adversity, passion, and perseverance [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 29, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us on this episode as we speak with Alexandra Kharazi, a cardiothoracic surgeon and author of The Heart of Fear: A Surgeon’s Collection of Stories on Adversity, Passion, and Perseverance. Alexandra shares her unique perspective on …

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How can there be joy in medicine if there is no joy in Mudville?

Physician
May 29, 2023

The following article is part satire and part imagination.

The classic poem “Casey at the Bat” delves into the dashed dreams of 5,000 frenzied fans who gathered to watch the “Mudville Nine” play baseball, pinning their hopes on their star player, Casey. Do they have unrealistic expectations of Casey, or is his prowess over-hyped? And what implications does this time-honored poem have for medical practice?

Parables – short stories that teach a …

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Unveiling the intricate link between housing costs and health care

Policy
May 29, 2023

While housing costs have escalated, health care costs have not been left behind. According to the National Health Expenditure Account (NHEA), health care spending grew 4.6 percent in 2019, reaching $3.8 trillion or $11,582 per person. The correlation between these two factors is multifaceted.

When housing is unaffordable, it consumes a large chunk of a household’s budget, leaving little for health care. This can lead to skipped doctor appointments, unfilled prescriptions, …

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Physician entrepreneurs offer hope for burned out doctors

Physician
May 29, 2023

As I leave a conference organized for a group of physician entrepreneurs, I have so many thoughts running through my head. Some of these thoughts revolve around making my small, fledgling medical practice run more smoothly, reaching more people (and serving them better), and always remembering my why. These are the “business mastermind” skills I signed up to learn at the conference. But I may have come out of this …

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Uncovering the truth about racial health inequities in America: a book review

Policy
May 29, 2023

When I started my intern year, that is my first year of training in medical residency, I noticed something peculiar about the epidemiology of disease in our hospital. The Black patients on the medical wards would often present with the morbidity of their diseases almost ten to twenty years earlier than their white counterparts. A Black person with leg swelling and shortness of breath who presented with advanced heart failure …

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Why electronic health records are failing patients: the dark side of copy and paste [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 28, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for an insightful conversation with Erica E. Remer, a physician and clinical documentation specialist, as we explore the challenges and pitfalls of electronic medical records (EHRs). Erica delves into the impact of copy and paste …

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The hidden factor in physician burnout: How the climate crisis is contributing to the erosion of well-being

Physician
May 28, 2023

Anyone who practiced medicine in the past decade will be well acquainted with the myriad discussions about epidemic of burnout and the eroding of well-being among health care providers that has accelerated with the pandemic. With 63 percent of physicians having at least one symptom of burnout and professional fulfillment dropping from 40 to 20 percent in 2021, there are no shortage of culprits. Increased workload, documentation, and administrative …

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The power of coaching for physicians: transforming thoughts, changing lives

Conditions
May 28, 2023

Upon reading numerous articles referencing physician coaching, most have been written by physicians who were transformed by coaching and then became coaches themselves. (Thank you.  Your work is so needed in this area!) At least once or twice, I’ve seen coaching referenced in a derogatory manner or deemed unnecessary. In those instances, the premise was that “the system” is the problem and coaching is not the answer. In reality, this …

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