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Transparency, not charity: a real solution to America’s medical debt crisis

Policy

September 7, 2023

A recent act of kindness from Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has gone viral for its creative method of tackling medical debt. It involves the church paying off $3.3 million in medical debt belonging to 3,355 local families – complete with a cathartic video of the oppressive debt being burned to ashes – by purchasing it for pennies on the dollar from debt collectors. Though heartwarming at first …

Artificial intelligence in mental health care shows how lonely we really are

Weisheng Mao, MD

Physician

September 7, 2023

Like many psychiatrists, I have scoffed every time I’ve heard about artificial intelligence providing psychotherapy or other mental health care. How could patients not notice the difference between me and a bot, or how could they not care? Yet this is a direction that is being actively explored in mental health care as a way of increasing access and reducing stigma, with multiple AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants on the …

Holistic physician contract reviews [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 6, 2023

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Join Jonathan Appino, founder of Contract Diagnostics. He discusses a unique approach that provides comprehensive contract reviews, custom-built solutions, and vital educational resources to empower physicians. We delve into the intricacies of complex compensation models, staying updated …

The essence of medicine: genuine connections in practice

Jennifer Tillman, MD

Physician

September 6, 2023

Remember organic chemistry?

I have a distinct memory of a rainy December day many years ago. I am standing in the hallway of the chemistry building at UC Davis, looking at a list taped to the wall of social security numbers and corresponding grades. I have just found my grade in organic chemistry, which is a C minus. For a visual person like myself, OChem (as we called it then) was …

Year-end tax strategies: How to lower your tax bill

Amarish Dave, DO

Finance

September 6, 2023

I can’t believe it is the last quarter of 2023 already.

As the end of the year approaches, many doctors are busy with patients trying to get in for procedures as deductibles get met. It’s also a crucial time to consider what’s going to happen when you file your taxes in 2024.

Making strategic investments before the year’s end can significantly reduce your tax liability and potentially increase your wealth in the …

The Kumbh Mela festival in India and the social psychological implications of crowds

Glenn Mark Losack, MD

Physician

September 6, 2023

An excerpt from The Bonds We Share: Images of Humanity, 40 Years Around the Globe.

Once every 12 years, …

A doctor’s genuine approach to medication-assisted therapy patients

Jill Becker, MD

Conditions

September 6, 2023

This past week, I was speaking with a patient; let’s call her Marcy, during her regular appointment. “You’re just not like other doctors,” she said. “How is that?” I asked.

This seems like a good place to discuss the reason Marcy comes to see me. Marcy has a history of opioid use disorder. She has been on medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for many years. For those unaware, opioid use can alter people’s …

Balancing medical guidelines and personalized care [PODCAST]

Alan Lindemann, MD & The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 5, 2023

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Join Alan Lindemann, an obstetrics-gynecology physician, as we explore the fascinating interplay between evidence-based medicine and the invaluable insights gained from individual patient stories. Alan shares his insights on navigating rigid medical guidelines, the art of personalized …

Diabetes and liver disease: urgent screening needs highlighted by personal tragedy

Sarah Bauer, MD

Conditions

September 5, 2023

The American Diabetes Association recently released screening guidelines for liver disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Notably, 70 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have liver disease, and the most common form is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Ultimately, this can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the rates of liver cancer have tripled since 1980. Currently, one in 10 Americans has diabetes, …

Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

Tami Burdick

Conditions

September 5, 2023

Chances are, you or someone you know has fallen victim to medical gaslighting at some point, especially as we see an increase in this unfortunate practice in today’s modern health care system. Maybe you have experienced medical gaslighting without even realizing it. What exactly is medical gaslighting? It’s a term given to a practice stemming from our medical community where doctors and specialists alike make patients feel a multitude of …

Zurzuvae: a beacon of hope for postpartum depression or a superficial solution?

Sonal Patel, MD

Conditions

September 5, 2023

The FDA approval of Zurzuvae (zuranolone), the first oral medication, has offered new hope to mothers who have exhausted all other treatment options to cope with their postpartum depression. This is a milestone in recognizing the maternal mental health crisis that plagues our country. The benefit of this drug is that it offers a new approach to treating postpartum depression and brings postpartum health into the spotlight. With Zurzuvae …

How micro-corporations transform medical careers [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 4, 2023

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

Join Tod Stillson, a family physician, as he uncovers the transformative concept of professional micro-corporations and how they’re reshaping the way doctors navigate their careers. Stay tuned as we discuss the keys to reclaiming professional autonomy, combating …

“System-ness”: the key to successful health care transformation

Robert Pearl, MD

Policy

September 4, 2023

Value-based health care, the holy grail of American medicine, has three parts: excellent clinical quality, convenient access, and affordability for all.

And as with the holy grail of medieval legend, the quest for value-based care has been filled with failure.

In the 20th century, U.S. medical groups and hospital systems could — at best — achieve two elements of value-based care, but always at the sacrifice of the third. …

Surgical decision-making: Navigating catastrophic scenarios

Sid Schwab, MD

Conditions

September 4, 2023

Let me describe what it’s like to operate in a potentially disastrous situation. Notwithstanding having one’s faculties and wits gathered and finely honed, being as in command of yourself as you can possibly be, it may test and demand everything you can bring to bear. I’ve been in war, where I feared daily for my life. It’s not pleasant, but in some way you can get used to it. In …

Medical traumatic stress in caregivers [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 3, 2023

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Join Kody Sexton, a graduate student, as he sheds light on the often overlooked challenges these caregivers face. Discover how trauma-informed care, systemic changes, and social justice initiatives can better support these unsung heroes. Tune in to …

Business education’s role in preventing physician practice decline

Curtis G. Graham, MD

Education

September 3, 2023

Physicians, particularly those who haven’t received business education, must address the frequently circulated question among their ranks: “Can you practice medicine without money?” Medical history unveils an era when most physicians were compensated through non-monetary means for their medical services and often went unpaid.

During that time, the choice to pursue a medical career was grounded in the personal belief that treating patients was the foremost aspiration for most physicians. Few …

Discovering self through creative writing and medicine

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Physician

September 3, 2023

“The balance to fact and analysis is feeling,” our narrative medicine writing instructor informs us. “You’ll find that each poem and essay and story that you write reflects a new aspect of yourself. Be curious about what’s going on. Allow new poems onto the page. Allow free writing in prose and poetry. You have worlds inside you.”

And then, predictably, the homework assignment for next week: “Create and post your ‘800 …

Navigating recession with cash flow: a vital lesson for savvy investors

Pranay Parikh, MD

Finance

September 3, 2023

In times of economic uncertainty and recessionary storms, the significance of cash flow becomes an indispensable lesson for experienced investors. While market turbulence may seem daunting, focusing on cash flow can act as a robust financial lifeline, providing stability, resilience, and unparalleled opportunities to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.

Cash flow, simply put, is the lifeblood of any investment. It represents the net income generated from …

Misunderstandings about opioid use disorder

Amy Baxter, MD

Conditions

September 3, 2023

At a recent scientific conference on narcotics, a researcher mused, “Honestly, opioids make me feel gross. I don’t see how anyone could get addicted.” This is a little like a doctor in the delivery end of a needle saying, “Honestly, you’re a wimp. This doesn’t hurt.” Both examples reveal a lack of empathy and a fundamental misunderstanding of current neuroscience.

The contributions or fear, reward, fight, and flight are a complicated …