The slippery slope of legal assisted suicide and euthanasia

Policy
January 13, 2023

We began with terminally ill patients, but the slippery slope is alive and well, smothered in oil. The Western world is increasingly advocating for the advancement of legal euthanasia, and this is a huge mistake. In their quest, advocates for legally assisted suicide by way of a physician are redefining the definition of “immense suffering.” For example, Canada is considering including mental health disorders as eligible for legally assisted euthanasia. …

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Don’t lose yourself: a warning from a divorced physician

Physician
January 13, 2023

I was going through drawers, finishing unpacking as best I could, when I stumbled upon one of those moments that feels like a puzzle piece sliding into place. I recently divorced, moved across the country, took a leave of absence from work, and changed my job. It’s been tumultuous, but grounding. I’m back in my home state, near good friends and family, and in therapy. I’m sleeping 8 hours a …

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Physician speaks out about being threatened by a patient and betrayed by an organization

Physician
January 13, 2023

I’ve been practicing internal medicine for over a decade now. I was drawn to this field because of my admiration for Dr. William Osler and the superb physicians I have met who embody his qualities. As an internal medicine physician, I am expected to be a critical thinker and a “doctor’s doctor,” specializing in complexity and solving problems with multiple layers, like peeling an onion. However, I never imagined that …

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Physicians’ real problem isn’t burnout [PODCAST]

Podcast
January 12, 2023
YouTube video

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“Let’s ask which elements of our system support this and promote and enhance those elements. If anything takes time or focus away from the main principle, let’s remove or replace it. Whether it’s the EMR, payment models, …

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Caught in the middle: How health insurance companies influence cancer drug selection

Meds
January 12, 2023

Patients may find themselves caught in the middle between their health insurance company and their oncologist when it comes to selecting the drugs used to treat their cancer. Why is this?

The American Cancer Society explains biologic drugs (derived from living organisms such as yeast, bacteria, or animal cells) and biosimilar drugs, which behave similarly to the original, patented (i.e., brand) drug. It is important to note that biosimilar drugs are …

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Revolutionizing medicine: How ChatGPT is changing the way we think about health care

Tech
January 12, 2023

GPT, or Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is a type of artificial intelligence that has the unremarkable ability to generate human-like text. The program is free to use during the “research preview” time. GPT gained 1 million users in under a week of being released. Keep in mind that this technology is currently in the beta testing phase.

It is important to note the limitations. The quality of the responses depends on the …

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The incessant hounding of doctors: A look at the lengthy professional disclosures required of physicians

Physician
January 12, 2023

Can you absolutely and unequivocally answer “no” to all of the following questions:

Has your license to practice in any jurisdiction ever been limited, restricted, reduced, suspended, voluntarily surrendered, revoked, denied, or not renewed?

Have you ever been reprimanded by a state licensing agency, or are any of these actions pending with respect to your license; are you under investigation by any licensing or regulatory agency?

Has your professional employment or membership in …

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Who are we losing on the medical education journey? [PODCAST]

Podcast
January 11, 2023
YouTube video

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“My hope for the future is to see a health care workforce that matches the diversity of the communities it serves. As we continue to push for health equity, we also continue to evaluate and reassess our …

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The million dollar mistake: Why medical schools don’t teach business and how it’s costing physicians

Physician
January 11, 2023

The fact that every physician in private medical practice, without a business education, leaves approximately a million dollars on the table and is unaware of it is well known to business experts who work with medical doctors experiencing financial difficulties. Business experts such as Dan S. Kennedy, Peter Drucker, Michael Gerber, Maxwell Maltz, Neil Baum, William Hanson, Huss and Coleman, Steven Hacker, Thomas Stanley, Chris Hurn, Napoleon Hill, and Dave …

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Is success really just about wealth and achievements?

Physician
January 11, 2023

Success is a word that is used frequently across the globe. Almost everyone wishes to experience a great amount of success all the time. We are constantly bombarded with images of success through the internet, mainstream media, and social media. These images often depict high net worth, lavish possessions, luxurious lifestyles, impressive titles or achievements, exotic travel, and more. However, data shows that this appearance of perceived success is not …

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The CHIPHIT complex and the future of health care: Can we create a low-cost, high-quality system?

Policy
January 11, 2023

The high cost, low quality, and systemic inequities of the U.S. health care system have prompted its redesign. The current health care system is now controlled by consolidated health care institutions, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and health information technology companies (CHIPHIT complex). The CHIPHIT complex, along with the federal government, will shape the future health care system. However, independent health care policy experts, independent health care providers, and members of …

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Why physicians should go on a retreat [PODCAST]

Podcast
January 10, 2023
YouTube video

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“The retreat offered me the opportunity to see that I want more time (don’t we all) to connect with quiet, peace, and loved ones. I want to embody love as well as the badass that I am. …

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The intertwined roles of parenting and medicine: How personal experience can enhance patient care

Physician
January 10, 2023

As a pediatric subspecialist in the division of developmental medicine at our hospital and a mother of two school-aged children, I constantly strive to find new approaches to both parenting and my medical practice. Some of these strategies work well, while others do not. Despite my attempts to believe that my roles as a pediatrician and a parent do not influence each other, the truth is that they are deeply …

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Why I keep coming back to the ER: reflections from a seasoned attending

Physician
January 10, 2023

Last night, one of my work colleagues asked me how I do it. I looked over at them, a little confused. They looked back at me earnestly. How do I continue to come to work every shift and not burn out? How do I keep finding meaning in what I am doing? How?

They’re a yearling emergency medicine attending. They’re just getting started in their career, whereas I am several long …

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Returning the joy of medicine to our primary care physicians 

Physician
January 10, 2023

Nearly 50 years have passed since the first published mention of physician burnout. Clinical psychologist Herbert Freudenberger described the “excessive demands on energy, strength or resources” and wrote of how it resulted in “fatigue, frustration, cynicism.” And though initiatives, programs, and solutions to address burnout have grown, the concerns first cited in 1974 have grown as well—now reaching the undeniable crisis.

In a recent survey, 61 percent of physicians reported …

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What being a hospice volunteer taught me about health care [PODCAST]

Podcast
January 9, 2023
YouTube video

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“The finality of death is a powerful teacher. For some patients, being diagnosed with a terminal illness is an experience that lends a tremendous shift in perspective and newfound authenticity. This can be instructive to them and …

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Childlessness: Your patients and colleagues may be grieving silently

Physician
January 9, 2023

There is an all-too-common pain that many hide. It affects emotional well-being. It affects self-image. It affects health.

Now that the new year is upon us, advertisements for “new year, new you” aren’t far behind. That can spur people to make health care appointments that they’ve been putting off. This is a good time to address this pain that so many carry silently.

This silent pain results from infertility, pregnancy loss, being …

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The urgent need for widespread CPR and AED access

Conditions
January 9, 2023

Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety, collapsed on the field during the Monday Night NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals with nearly six minutes left in the first quarter. The incident rattled sports fans and left everyone emotionally distraught. The game was postponed and subsequently canceled. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) were used as part of resuscitation efforts. It is gratifying to hear the good news that Hamlin …

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The uncomfortable truths about comfortable scrubs

Education
January 9, 2023

I love joggers. If I had to pick a piece of clothing to wear every day for the rest of my life, it would be joggers. I wear them constantly — outside the hospital, that is.

These days, this choice makes me an anomaly. Like the ubiquitous clogs in the OR, jogger-style scrubs have taken over hospital floors, replacing classic ill-fitting, hospital-issued scrub sets. This is especially true among young women. …

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The dangerous language of “crazy”: How stigma and judgment affect patient care

Conditions
January 9, 2023

“He’s batshit crazy,” fellow physician Karen eagerly confides while describing another colleague, Kevin, in a private office conversation.

I laugh, assuming intended hyperbole.

“No. Really. He is,” Karen says. “He’s been hospitalized — several times. And his kids are crazy, too. They’re all crazy.”

I jolted into an instant somber, “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.”

Karen looks disappointed. Her intended collusion collides with my concern. We stare at each other momentarily and …

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