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Embracing compassion: a physician’s journey in overcoming prejudice

Physician

July 1, 2023

During my fellowship in palliative medicine, I have learned the value of home visits. I learn more about my patients’ lives in two minutes of seeing their homes than I could in a lifetime of clinic visits. During home visits, I get to pet dogs, touch quilts, study photos, and admire charming heirlooms that would fetch only a few dollars in a garage sale, but that in these homes are …

Everything the government thinks it knows about the opioid crisis is wrong

Richard A. Lawhern, PhD

Conditions

July 1, 2023

“In July 2015, journalist Johann Hari gave a TED Talk that over 20 million people have since viewed. Hari offered convincing evidence that vulnerability to opioid addiction is a consequence of the conditions under which people live — the social determinants of health — rather than simple exposure to opioid pain relievers. This theme is brilliantly elaborated by economist Anne Case and Nobel Prize winner Angus Deaton …

Addressing America’s dental health crisis [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 30, 2023

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Join us in this episode as we discuss the critical shortage of health care workers, especially in the dental field, with our guest Theekshana Fernando, a research scientist. We explore the connection between oral health and overall …

Seen at HIMSS: the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, mixed reality, robotics, and interoperability

Afua Aning, MD

Tech

June 30, 2023

ChatGPT and Epic Systems

This year’s buzzword in academic and now business technology is ChatGPT. Epic Systems, Microsoft, and OpenAI (the owners of ChatGPT) have announced the release of the next evolution in artificial intelligence (AI) called GPT-4. This new system integrates AI with electronic health records with the hopes of advancing medical care and associated services.

In-basket messaging is the first section of electronic health records that will be significantly changed. …

The role of competition in health care: a complex interplay

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Physician

June 30, 2023

In the dynamic field of health care, physicians hold a vital role. Their invaluable contribution as life-savers, pain alleviators, and guides towards healthier living necessitates continuous learning and improvement. A potential catalyst for such progress is friendly competition among physicians. This concept isn’t about outdoing each other for a prize but striving for better patient outcomes, refining medical practices, and nurturing a culture of excellence.

A study by the National Bureau …

Medical ethics: Navigating ambiguity, honesty, and patient well-being in health care

John F. McGeehan, MD

Physician

June 30, 2023

I love medical ethics, and I am fortunate to be able to spend a substantial portion of my professional life working within this growing field. I recently demonstrated that when medical students engage in debates involving bioethics, it improves their tolerance for ambiguity. Medical school, and the years leading up to it, focus mostly on multiple-choice tests – with one correct answer. Licensing exams do the same. The young physician …

The transformative power of kindness: Uplifting individuals, strengthening communities, and inspiring global change

Zahid Awan, MD

Physician

June 30, 2023

Kindness is a quality of being considerate, compassionate, and generous towards others. It is a virtue that has always been valued throughout human history and remains an essential quality for creating a harmonious and compassionate society. In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, kindness holds even greater significance. It has the power to transform lives, build stronger communities, and foster understanding and empathy among people.

In a society where stress, anxiety, and …

From never-smoker to lung cancer survivor [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 29, 2023

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Join us in this episode as we hear the inspiring story of Alice S. Y. Lee, an emergency physician diagnosed with lung cancer despite being a never-smoker. Discover the unique challenges faced by Asian American female nonsmokers, …

Top 4 money mistakes doctors make

Jordan Benold, CFP

Finance

June 29, 2023

Yes, this sounds very ominous. However, there is a reason why I wanted to alert you to the fear of mismanaging your finances. Doctors live in the limelight and are highly traceable on the internet. Also, physicians earn large amounts of money, which can sometimes be overwhelming, giving a false sense of never running out of it. Therefore, I want to review the top four mistakes doctors make with their …

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Top 4 money mistakes doctors make

COVID-19 vaccine neglect: a tale of regret and debilitating symptoms

Jenna Podjasek, MD

Conditions

June 29, 2023

As an allergist-immunologist who trained at Mayo Clinic, one might assume that I’m up to date on my COVID-19 booster vaccinations. However, I realized months ago that I was overdue for a booster; it’s been over a year since my third vaccination. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I didn’t stop at the pharmacy or schedule an appointment with my primary doctor. I was among the roughly 85 percent of …

From four clicks to burnout: How tiny stressors pushed me to the edge

Darrell E. White, MD

Physician

June 29, 2023

Four clicks. That’s all it took. Four additional clicks were added to the process of putting in a post-op order after surgery, arriving without any warning or explanation. Eleven seconds of additional work on top of the tripling of the time taken to complete paperwork my way out of the operating room, necessitated by the advent of EMR. That’s all it took. Why? Why did we have to add this …

Burnout and compassion fatigue: chronic workplace stress and emotional withdrawal

Sarah Samaan, MD

Physician

June 29, 2023

Over the past five years, the term “burnout” has become closely associated with the health care field. It has reached the point where more than 60 percent of surveyed physicians reported experiencing burnout in 2021, indicating that it has become an epidemic within our profession.

It’s important to understand that burnout is not a personal flaw or a psychological disorder; rather, it is a response to chronic stress in the workplace. …

Unveiling the profound lessons: Remarkable stories of life’s fragility and resilience

Osmund Agbo, MD

Physician

June 29, 2023

Allow me to share with you two remarkable stories that unfolded before my very eyes in the course of this past week. The lessons learned resonate deeply within my soul, and it is my hope that they will awaken your true essence.

It was June 3rd, a busy Saturday prior to Memorial Day. The atmosphere at home brimmed with excitement as we celebrated my wife’s birthday. After a nice family dinner, …

Unraveling the mysteries of granulomatous mastitis: a patient’s inspiring journey [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 28, 2023

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Join us in this episode as we hear the remarkable story of Tami Burdick, a patient advocate and author of the book Diagnosis Detective: Curing Granulomatous Mastitis. Tami takes us on her journey of being diagnosed with …

The heartbreaking reality of a nurse’s struggle: a father’s tale

Anonymous

Physician

June 28, 2023

I love two nurses. One of them is my son, and the other is someone very close to me. She’ll have her own article.

My son has just finished his seventh 12-hour ICU shift. He’s wiped out, devastated, and shell-shocked. Let me introduce him to you before sharing his pain.

The kid was always enthusiastic about medicine. He wanted to be a physician more than anything. Maybe it runs in the family; …

Unraveling the complexities of ChatGPT-dependency disorder: Are we over-reliant on AI?

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Tech

June 28, 2023

In today’s digital age, it’s hardly surprising that our lives are intricately woven with technology. From smartphones to laptops, smart homes to artificial intelligence (AI), these innovations have brought about a remarkable shift in our lifestyle. OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model, colloquially known as ChatGPT, holds a special place among the pantheon of AI applications. Its users enjoy an interactive text-based AI experience, capable of composing prose, answering questions, and even …

Ensuring medication safety: a shocking incident that exposed a dangerous flaw

Richard Plotzker, MD

Meds

June 28, 2023

At six-week intervals, I replenish my supply of omeprazole. Initially, I took it for symptomatic relief of GERD, becoming symptomatic again within a week or two during periodic self-directed suspensions. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy, done for another reason, disclosed Barrett’s esophagus, shifting that daily pill of personal comfort to a more essential intervention. It falls within several Gastroenterology Society recommendations as a component of later malignancy prevention. My weekly pill case, set …

The fight for reinstatement: Advocating for early opportunities for excluded health care professionals battling opioid use disorder

Chris Kyzar, RN

Policy

June 28, 2023

I’ll begin by saying that I have a diagnosis of opioid use disorder (OUD) secondary to PTSD. I began diverting Norco from a pharmacy with which my hospice company had a contract. At the time, I had access to various narcotics as an RN case manager, which was quite concerning. This environment became a breeding ground for nurses seeking to divert medication for their own substance abuse.

My battle with OUD …

Proactive risk management: the key to preventing physician burnout and lawsuits [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

June 27, 2023

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Join us in this episode as we delve into the critical issue of physician burnout and its correlation with the threat of lawsuits in the medical field. Our guest, Howard Smith, an obstetrics-gynecology physician, explores the notion that every …

The unsung heroes of disease detectives: Controlling outbreaks and pandemics to save lives

Nicholas A. Daniels, MD, MPH

Conditions

June 27, 2023

An excerpt from Outbreaks and Pandemics: The Life of a Disease Detective.

The importance of disease detectives in solving and controlling outbreaks and pandemics must be recognized. We are the backbone of our public health system. We are scientifically savvy, inquisitive, detail-oriented, and able to follow the data wherever it leads, …

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