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Balancing health care worker immunization and patient safety

Conditions

August 30, 2023

Recently, I heard a news report regarding several states’ attorneys general suing the federal government to eliminate the requirement that health care providers be immunized against COVID. They argued that as fully immunized individuals still contract COVID, and that allowing unimmunized people to be rehired would relieve provider shortages, the regulation was unhelpful.

Initially, I agreed that rehiring these individuals would generate some relief for those staff members who have worked …

Empowering health care professionals: the art of saying “no” and more

Beth Boynton, RN, MS, CP

Conditions

August 30, 2023

Setting limits, asking for help, delegating, or even saying “no” are important assertiveness skills. Health care professionals should be proficient in assertiveness because of the potential impact on patient safety, patient experience, workforce health, and cost-effectiveness.

Assertiveness examples

How might these assertive statements influence outcomes?

“I haven’t had training in using that IV pump and need help.”
“Stop! Don’t make that incision! It is the wrong leg.”
“I cannot keep seeing patients …
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Empowering health care professionals: the art of saying “no” and more

Unveiling alcohol’s health paradox: heart benefits and detrimental effects

Edward Hoffer, MD

Conditions

August 30, 2023

Tons of ink have been expended on the health effects, both positive and negative, of alcohol consumption. Beneficial effects on the heart were discussed in the 1990s based on the “French paradox.” A paper published in 1995 noted that there was less ischemic heart disease in France compared to the U.S., despite higher saturated fat intakes and a higher prevalence of smoking.

The relatively lower incidence of ischemic heart disease in …

Unveiling the intricacies of locum tenens agreements [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 29, 2023

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Join Dennis Hursh, an attorney with 40+ years of expertise in health law. Discover the nuances of locum tenens agreements for physicians, from tax implications and expense deductions to malpractice insurance essentials. We’ll delve into patient contact …

Navigating a malicious medical malpractice lawsuit: a case study

Howard Smith, MD

Physician

August 29, 2023

In line with my previous posts that explain how to resolve all medical malpractice lawsuits, especially frivolous ones, at the lowest possible cost for the physician and the malpractice carrier, this article addresses a malicious medical malpractice lawsuit. Malicious lawsuits deserve something more. Not only are they all frivolous, but they should exact a cost from those who seek to profit from them.

The forewarning

On June 19, 2018, a patient …

Rising longevity and cognitive health: Navigating dementia and treatment

Ken Blaker

Conditions

August 29, 2023

The comedian George Burns once quipped, “By the time you’re eighty years old, you’ve learned everything. You only have to remember it.” With the average life expectancy in the United States up from 54 a century ago to 74 today, the damage that can be done by aging and mental decline is more prevalent than ever. We see evidence of it all too often in our world leaders, families, and …

The sacred profession of doctoring

Janet Tamaren, MD

Physician

August 29, 2023

My heart goes out to the doctors who write about the unbearable burdens of doctoring in a corporate setting, feeling driven to see more patients than they want to within the span of an 8-hour clinic day. They’re tasked with dividing their time into shorter and shorter clinic visits, devoting more time to inputting data points into the EMR rather than engaging in meaningful patient conversations.

I have experienced both ends …

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The sacred profession of doctoring

Is a PSA test right for me? A urologist answers.

Stephen Lieberman, MD

Conditions

August 29, 2023

“Should I get a PSA?”

It depends. Who is asking, and why?

If the question is being asked by a 45-year-old man, the answer is going to be different than if it’s being asked by a 75-year-old. If a primary care clinician is asking, he/she may be confused about current recommendations regarding screening for prostate cancer. The answer is complicated and fraught with bias. Unfortunately, the controversy over PSA screening for prostate …

Exploring the direct primary care revolution [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 28, 2023

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We’re joined by Landen Green, a family physician with a passion for transforming health care. Discover the game-changing concept of direct primary care (DPC) as Landen sheds light on its benefits – from accessible same-day appointments to …

The burden of bullets: Leadership needs to treat gun violence as a public health issue

Stephanie Duggan, MD and Peter Angood, MD

Policy

August 28, 2023

Regular mass shootings are a uniquely American phenomenon. The United States is the only developed country where mass shootings have happened every year for the past 20 years, according to Jason R. Silva, an assistant sociology and criminal justice professor at William Paterson University. According to the Gun Violence Archive, by the end of June 2023, there were more mass shootings in the United States than days in 2023 — at …

Revamping health care: Tackling outdated systems and shifting mindsets

Samant Virk, MD

Physician

August 28, 2023

Where do you start to update a system so deeply mired in antiquated technology and a culture so resistant to change?

Here’s where:

Health records requests. Why should I have to request my own medical records? When I do make a request, why does it take days to get them? Why do I have to physically pick them up? Why do I get a stack of papers, or, if I’m lucky, a CD? …

Caring for the cognitively declined individual

Nancie Wiseman Attwater

Conditions

August 28, 2023

An excerpt from A Caregiver’s Love Story.

My husband was diagnosed with cognitive decline in the last three years of his life. I was desperate for understanding and help and referred to the following source.

Here are ten tips for communicating with the cognitively declined individual from the Caregiver.org website …

Post-surgery opioid risks [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 27, 2023

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

Join Amy Baxter, a clinical associate professor of emergency medicine, as we explore the intricate balance between physicians’ roles in perpetuating the crisis, addressing systemic factors, and the influence of pharmaceutical industry-sponsored education. Discover the brain’s response …

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Post-surgery opioid risks [PODCAST]

The fusion of fMRI and polygraph tech

Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD

Physician

August 27, 2023

Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury and I attended Los Angeles High School, separated by 15 years. He once spoke there and quelled the rumor that he failed English: “I got a C!”

His writings extend beyond the realm of reality into a dimension of creativity and hope. Oftentimes, we think mankind has reached the limits of understanding, but in reality, there are things we don’t know regarding the eternity of outer …

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The fusion of fMRI and polygraph tech

Is it really necessary to always stay invested in the stock market?

Amarish Dave, DO

Finance

August 27, 2023

When it comes to personal finance and wealth-building, the phrase “time in the market beats timing the market” is often touted as an unshakable truth. The concept suggests that consistently staying invested in the stock market, regardless of market fluctuations, is the surest path to long-term financial success. However, as with any financial advice, it’s essential to critically examine its validity and consider the nuances involved. Let’s delve into the …

The silent threat of doctors relying on one income

Jeff Anzalone, DDS

Finance

August 27, 2023

Are you solely relying on your income as a doctor? You might feel safe operating like this, but what if there’s a way to make your financial future even brighter?

In this fast-paced financial age, having more than one income stream is no longer just a smart move—it’s crucial to securing your financial future.

In this article, I’ll uncover the exciting potential of diversifying your income in today’s medical landscape from a …

A physician’s letter: Safeguarding patient well-being by opposing off-site infusions

Banu Symington, MD

Physician

August 27, 2023

I am writing to vehemently argue against out-of-office infusions for my patients. There are many general reasons for this, which I will enumerate. There are also often patient-specific reasons, such as frailty, chronic noncompliance with recommendations (which do not reach the level of a psychiatric issue but which make offsite infusions less safe), and patient-perceived intolerance of infusions (even if we see no objective signs of a reaction). While these …

Solutions for physician burnout [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

August 26, 2023

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

Join William Lynes, a urologist, as he shares his remarkable journey from a successful medical career to battling mental illness and physician burnout. With over three decades of experience, he delves into the root causes of burnout …

Leaving hospital employment: a physician’s pursuit of independence

Jacqui O'Kane, DO

Physician

August 26, 2023

After nearly a year of planning my exit strategy, my final day as a hospital-employed physician was June 30th, 2023. How surreal to finally be independent! In a recent phone call, a dear friend and fellow physician asked what drove me to my decision.

“Because I felt like a failure every day,” I disclosed to my normally sympathetic colleague. To my dismay, he responded with a chuckle. I asked why he …

Confronting stereotypes: reflections of an Asian medical student

Yuna Han

Education

August 26, 2023

“Are you sure you’re supposed to be here?”

It was the first day of my subspecialty rotation. I’d left my husband, friends, and my home to spend the next six weeks some 2500 miles away. Like most third-year medical students on the first day of a new rotation, I felt a mixture of anxiety and anticipation for the challenge ahead.

Arriving on the twelfth floor before dawn, my badge did not work. …