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How my patients’ Zoom backgrounds made me a better doctor

Physician

October 2, 2023

In May 2020, I wrote a piece published on this very website titled, “Remembering the art of medicine during virtual visits.” In that article, I wondered how telemedicine could possibly allow us to make the humanistic connection that occurs more organically during in-person office visits. Now, more than three years later, and after hundreds of telehealth visits, my patients have shown me how.

In December 2020, one of the bleakest …

Understanding reproductive rights: complex considerations

Anonymous

Physician

October 2, 2023

A phrase commonly heard is “reproductive rights,” and while there is some variability in what this entails, in most cases, this includes a woman’s right to choose not to be sexually active, to say no to unwanted sex, to access contraception, to receive appropriate and adequate care during pregnancy, and to seek abortion. By definition, rights are “a moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act …

Innovations in surgical education [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

October 1, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Ruchi Thanawala, a cardiothoracic surgeon, as we explore the transformative power of technology in surgical training. Discover how innovation is reshaping the way we educate future surgeons, improve feedback, and address critical issues of equity in …

Everyday dangers unknowingly impacting our health

Tami Burdick

Conditions

October 1, 2023

When we think of symptoms or ailments, they are often a signal to us that there’s something off with our health. Yet, many of us, as well as doctors, often don’t think so much outside the traditional box when it comes to what may be influencing or causing these health issues. I have even experienced this personally in my life.

Some people may even experience ongoing frustrations with concerns failing to …

A shop teacher’s daughter on transforming patient safety

Barbara L. Olson, RN

Conditions

October 1, 2023

Just a few weeks ago, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) issued a report, “A Transformational Effort on Patient Safety.” This was both a “surprise” and “not a surprise” to me because I’m a nurse, a subject matter expert in patient safety, and a shop teacher’s daughter.

PCAST’s call for action was not a surprise because in 2023, care intended to help patients harms them at an …

What happened to the chemical pathologist?

Martin C. Young, MD

Conditions

October 1, 2023

During my early years as a pediatric hospitalist in the U.K. during the ’80s, a figure that loomed large was the chemical pathologist (CP).
The CP was the guardian of the laboratory, and every hospital had one. This fearsome beast was approached with trepidation, as the outcome was likely to be a unique but bruising “educational experience.”

Interaction was common because almost every lab test apart from the CBC, ESR, chem 20, …

Utilizing AI may reduce maternal and infant mortality

Matt Eakins, MD

Tech

October 1, 2023

The United States health care system is in the midst of a crisis. Despite being among the richest nations in the world, it consistently ranks among the lowest for maternal health outcomes—and that’s before you begin digging into the health disparities women of color face in this nation.

Pregnancy-related complications kill Black mothers three times as often as white and Hispanic women. Not to mention, more than half …

Unraveling the complex enigma of obesity [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 30, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

We sit down with Franchell Hamilton, a bariatric surgeon, to explore the intriguing link between genetics, brain function, and obesity. She shares her insights into why many patients don’t feel full even after eating, even post-bariatric surgery. …

Second chances and simple beauty in thrift stores

Debbie Moore-Black, RN

Conditions

September 30, 2023

I like to thrift shop. Aisle after aisle weaves a story of people and their lives. Pieces of trinkets I’ll never need. But I can feel the hidden simple beauty, and then I have to have it. My children can line my gravesite with the thousands of collectible pottery… those awkward, strange gems I know I can’t take with me.

And then …

How to facilitate caregiver learning and support to improve clinical care outcomes

Kerri Milyko, PhD

Tech

September 30, 2023

Caregivers are arguably the most important members of a patient’s care team, with more touchpoints and access to a patient and their lifestyle than any provider or specialist. With approximately 43.5 million caregivers in the U.S., 40 percent are in high-burden situations where caregivers take on substantial cumulative physical, emotional, social, and financial strains to care for a person with a disability or chronic, complex disease. Within these situations, …

Air quality alert: Reducing our carbon footprint in health care

Shreya Aggarwal, MD

Conditions

September 30, 2023

A guest column by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, exclusive to KevinMD.

Do no harm. We learn this throughout our medical education and training, and in practice it is a keystone for clinical decision making. This principle continues to inspire patient safety, quality improvement, and better patient care. Do no harm also applies to …

Exploring HIV care and advocacy [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 29, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join George Kerr, III, a community health advocate. We delve into the complex world of HIV management, especially among aging individuals. George brings his expertise to the table, discussing “U = U,” aging-related challenges, and the vital …

A teenager’s perspective: the pressing need for mental health days in schools

Ruhi Saldanha

Conditions

September 29, 2023

Mental health in children and teens is worsening, and there are not enough providers to support them. This is a cause for significant concern.

As a teenager who has experienced firsthand the challenges of maintaining positive mental health amidst a demanding school environment, I strongly advocate for the inclusion of mental health days as a means to support the well-being of students nationwide. May has been observed as …

Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?

Sydney Lou Bonnick, MD

Physician

September 29, 2023

The mediation was scheduled for noon. When the attorney in charge of the mediation was an hour late, his assistant began earnestly to find him. This was not typical behavior at all. A phone call to the condominium where the attorney lived sent security guards to his residence and then to the parking garage, where they found him slumped behind the wheel, seat belt securely fastened, and his keys in …

The art of pediatrics: Connecting through observation

Alexander Rakowsky, MD

Conditions

September 29, 2023

On my first day of inpatient rounds during intern year, I was taken aback when the attending stated, “Let’s stop outside the room and just spend a few moments watching the child and mom.” I started my residency on my community rotation site in Chester, PA, where several of the Philadelphia training programs at that time were sending residents. It was a nice introduction to pediatrics with a smaller inpatient …

Assertiveness in health care [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 28, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

We’re joined by Beth Boynton, a nurse consultant and author, to discuss the critical role of assertiveness in health care. Explore how assertive communication influences patient safety, workforce well-being, and more. Join us for actionable insights and …

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Assertiveness in health care [PODCAST]

Epigenetics and our inheritance to future generations

Vishruth Nagam

Conditions

September 28, 2023

The concept of epigenetic inheritance is fairly recent, having emerged in the late twentieth century. Yet, epigenetic inheritance is gaining more and more attention and interest in the scientific community. Research on epigenetic inheritance continues to be published in the world’s foremost scientific journals, such as a study recently published in the journal Nature Communications. What is epigenetic inheritance, and what makes it so interesting to the scientific community?

A …

Practicing medicine with conviction

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Physician

September 28, 2023

What does it take for physicians to practice with conviction – to practice medicine with a sense of confidence and commitment, passionate about your work? What factors allow medical students to enter the resident pool each July and turn their timidness into poise? How do you learn to stand by your medical convictions and base your decision-making on a deep understanding of the patient combined with the latest evidence-based practices? …

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Practicing medicine with conviction

The power of memory in shaping human identity

Emily F. Peters and Sandeep Jauhar, MD, PhD

Physician

September 28, 2023

An excerpt from Artists Remaking Medicine: The practice of imagination and the power to create a better healthcare future.

The following is a conversation edited by Emily F. Peters with Sandeep Jauhar, MD, PhD, practicing cardiologist and New York Times best-selling author.

On remembering

So much of what makes us human is tied …

How Tratak yoga reshaped my USMLE Step 2 prep

Dr. Nikita Mehdiratta

Education

September 28, 2023

This is a notable example of the impactful outcomes that can arise from venturing beyond conventional routes to chart distinctive journeys toward success.

Like countless other medical students, I committed months to intensive preparation, diligently taking mock tests, revising tirelessly, and faithfully adhering to the trusted USMLE Step 2 study resources. Yet, each mock test I undertook delivered the disheartening verdict of “fail.” It was an emotionally taxing struggle, and despite …

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