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Crying to be heard: women in emotional pain

Conditions

September 17, 2023

I am struck by how often crying is overlooked or trivialized by doctors despite its therapeutic value and need for recognition. Crying can play a significant role in healing and overall well-being. Research has shown that crying serves as an emotional release, provides pain relief, reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances communication. Encouraging a culture of acceptance and understanding around crying in medical settings can contribute to holistic and empathetic …

From aversion to office politics to embracing independence

Osmund Agbo, MD

Physician

September 17, 2023

Though often described as friendly and a great team player, I sometimes find myself harboring strong opinions. When pushed, my personality occasionally veers towards the rebellious. I disdain formal meetings, struggle with office politics, and lack the art of flattery. These qualities collectively render me less than an ideal candidate for any conventional employment, or so I surmise.

Antecedent to the culmination of my residency and fellowship, a pivotal decision crystallized …

Empathy and compassion in palliative care [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 16, 2023

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Join Vickie Leff and Terry Altilio, both palliative care social workers, as we delve into their book, Mirrors and Windows: Reflections on the Journey in Serious Illness Practice, which offers a profound exploration of the experiences of health care professionals, including palliative social workers, in the world …

Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH

Policy

September 16, 2023

Recent op-eds have questioned medical billing and doctors’ pay, as both seemed high. Medical “greed” has become more apparent in the past two decades and has been well highlighted by two of my Dartmouth MPH Professors, Elliot Fisher, MD and Thom Walsh, PhD, DPT. Dr. Fisher has documented that higher billings compound the U.S. health care crisis, including medical debt, and …

Navigating medical decision-making: Embracing limits and growth

Benjamin Wade Frush, MD

Physician

September 16, 2023

“Ms. Smith is going to the MICU,” the resident on the other end of the line informs me. My stomach tightens as that visceral sense of guilt and frustration sets in, familiar by now but this time with a newfound intensity. It is my second week as an attending physician during my chief residency year, and Ms. Smith will now be the first patient transferred to the intensive care unit …

Dying is a selfish business

Nancie Wiseman Attwater

Conditions

September 16, 2023

An excerpt from A Caregiver’s Love Story.

Whether you are the dying or the caregiver, living life to the fullest remains your goal, but somedays it’s just too darn hard. When you are so busy that it doesn’t seem you have time to take a breath, where does living …

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Dying is a selfish business

The importance of “I statements” in health care settings

Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP

Conditions

September 16, 2023

Three nurses are at the nurses’ station. Two are talking about managing a patient’s pain, and a third, Donna, is reviewing a patient’s lab results and finding it difficult to concentrate.

Which is Donna’s best statement?

1) Shhh, stop talking!
2) I’m frustrated with your talking. It’s hard to concentrate, and I’d appreciate it if you would quiet down.

Answer: It depends on the relationships and Donna’s preferences. If Donna has a positive history …

Chronic health issues and homelessness

Michele Luckenbaugh

Policy

September 16, 2023

In 2022, over 500,000 people in the United States found themselves homeless, without a permanent shelter to offer a sense of stability in their lives. This poses a far-reaching problem for the individuals who find themselves in this situation, but also for our society as a whole.

Homelessness can be caused by a combination of factors, such as poverty, unemployment, lack of affordable housing, mental and substance disorders, trauma,, and violence, …

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Chronic health issues and homelessness

Transformative lessons from a pandemic experience [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 15, 2023

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

Join Lee Scheinbart, a medical oncologist, as he shares his transformative experience during the height of the COVID pandemic. Discover the power of intrinsic motivation, advocacy, and empathy in health care. In this episode, we delve into the lessons learned from a …

Balancing tension and kindness in medical education

Chloe N. L. Lee, MD, MPH

Education

September 15, 2023

I recall a particularly tense interaction on my surgery rotation in medical school. The sub-intern on our team, a dedicated classmate of mine, was instructed to carry the call pager one Friday afternoon, to the undue chagrin of the team’s nurse practitioner. With an irritable toss of her blonde hair, eyes rolling with exasperation, the NP snappily handed off the pager to our sub-intern. “Ugh, this is going to slow …

For newer doctors, avoid lifestyle inflation

Amarish Dave, DO

Finance

September 15, 2023

Let me share a story about Dr. Sarah Mitchell.

Dr. Mitchell, like many of us, started her career with a resident’s salary, which was around $40,000 per year. After completing her residency, she received an enticing offer as an oncologist with an annual salary of $350,000.

However, instead of succumbing to lifestyle inflation, Dr. Mitchell made a financially savvy decision.

She committed to living on an annual budget of $60,000 for the first …

Pushed to the limit: Battling heat in hard labor

Michael J. Collins, MD

Physician

September 15, 2023

An excerpt from Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs: The Making of a Surgeon.

They drive us. All day long they drive us. They drive us until the heat sears our lungs, and each breath rasps the back of our throats. They drive us until we pant like dogs and our tongues hang …

Ethical considerations in medicine: unity and open discourse

Andrew Zywiec, MD

Physician

September 15, 2023

Navigating the complexities of medical ethics in our modern world can present significant challenges. It’s worth considering a deeper examination of this issue. In the year 2023, the global landscape is rapidly evolving across various spheres. As a former pediatric resident physician in New York City, I had the opportunity to witness an extraordinary range of social diversity. The city is truly a melting pot, embodying a diverse tapestry of …

Revelations about physician age [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 14, 2023

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We’re joined by Paul Pender, an ophthalmologist and author of Standing Up & Speaking Out for Patients & Doctors. Together, we explore the study’s revelations about physician age, patient outcomes, and the critical role of experience and skill in health care.

Paul …

I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

Nandini Erodula

Education

September 14, 2023

The major implications of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, overturning Roe v. Wade, have centered on state-based rulings to remove a person’s right to abortion, thus preventing clinicians from supplying lifesaving health care and undermining an individual’s autonomy over their body. Further, as states eliminate this essential option in providing reproductive care, another important damaging impact of the Dobbs decision is beginning to be recognized. Namely, where …

Man’s search for meaning is spiritual, and relevant to medicine

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Physician

September 14, 2023

Viktor Frankl’s Holocaust memoir, Man’s Search for Meaning, is an extraordinary essay on resilience and spirituality, a reminder that human life, under any circumstances, never ceases to have meaning. At the risk of mentioning Bob Dylan in the same sentence as Viktor Frankl, it was Dylan who said: “When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose.” I suppose Bob Dylan read the book too, ranked …

Change, accept or leave: wisdom for physicians who feel stuck

Deepti Gandhi, MD

Physician

September 14, 2023

Often in coaching sessions, a client will bring to the session a problem or obstacle in their path forward. In life, challenging situations can make us feel stuck and unable to move. We find ourselves remaining in relationships, jobs, or patterns that no longer fulfill us.

Years ago, I came upon a powerful mantra: “change, accept, or leave.” This wisdom shifted my focus from my problems to the possible solutions for …

Physician mental health: a guide for BIPOC physicians

Shin Ock, PhD

Conditions

September 14, 2023

In the world of medicine, the challenges faced by BIPOC physicians are multifaceted. Not only do they contend with the rigor and demands of the profession, but they also navigate unique societal pressures and systemic inequalities. Prioritizing mental health, fostering a strong sense of purpose, and nurturing empowerment become essential tools for maintaining well-being. In this blog post, we will explore the distinct challenges encountered by BIPOC physicians and provide …

Balancing pain management and legal realities [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 13, 2023

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

Join L. Joseph Parker, a research physician, as we dive into the intricate world of medical practice and legal challenges faced by health care professionals treating patients with pain and addiction. Joseph sheds light on the complexities of opioid prescriptions, the impact …

Unlocking emotional freedom and empathic communication

Dhruva Gulur, MD

Physician

September 13, 2023

Has there ever been a time you judged yourself? Or that one time you resented yourself and repeatedly went over that event, thinking, “Gee, I wish I could’ve changed that one thing.” Has there ever been a time where you’ve said, “I’ll never be able to forgive myself”? Then, you begin to complain incessantly and blame others. “I see too many patients. There’s too much paperwork. Can you believe that …

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