From suffering to healing: the role of trauma in chronic pain

Conditions
February 28, 2023

“Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood and untreated cause of human suffering.”
– Peter Levine, PhD, Developer of Somatic Experiencing Therapy

One frequent cause of treatment-resistant chronic pain is unresolved trauma, yet few health care providers and patients are aware of the connection, and, as a result, it is rarely addressed. This leads to considerable unnecessary suffering and misguided attempts at pain treatment that often do more harm …

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Good doctors vs. bad hospitals: the battle for patient care

Physician
February 28, 2023

The public and the politicians may be missing the boat when they do not question the role of hospitals in the present health care debate. The hospitals have hung themselves out to be the “good guys” who hire and keep good doctors and promote the practice of good medicine. They portray themselves as the pillars of communities.

But in 1999, the Institute of Medicine reported that 98,000 deaths occurred in hospitals …

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The physician-patient connection: Ensuring mutual understanding

Physician
February 28, 2023

Do patients truly understand?

The question is not meant to be rhetorical. I have many conversations throughout the day with patients across all socioeconomic backgrounds and with varying levels of education.

The discussions include details surrounding their disease-specific particulars, treatment options, and surgical protocols. Patients digest my thoughts and then respond with specific questions of their own. They ask for instructions as well as the nuances of the healing process.

I confess that …

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Educating health care professionals on effective communication in rare disease diagnoses is crucial to improving the rare disease patient narrative 

Conditions
February 28, 2023

For over 14 years, the last day of February, a month known for its rare number of days, has been recognized by organizations across the globe as Rare Disease Day. With over 300 million patients worldwide impacted by 7,000+ rare diseases, the day serves as an international campaign to raise awareness around rare diseases and advocate for improved care for rare disease patients.

An often overlooked aspect of the rare …

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Why human touch matters in health care: the limitations of AI

Tech
February 28, 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) can transform many industries, including health care. AI can improve the accuracy and efficacy of medical diagnoses and treatments due to its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and make predictions. However, there are many reasons why AI cannot replace human clinicians. Despite its impressive capabilities, AI still lacks critical qualities essential for providing quality medical care. This article will explore ten reasons AI cannot replace …

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Navigating the ethical minefield of assisted suicide [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 27, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us as we delve into the controversial topic of assisted suicide with our guest, Nicholas S. Tito, a medical student. This thought-provoking episode will explore the Western world’s growing support for legally assisted euthanasia and the …

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The power of personal stories in vaccination awareness

Physician
February 27, 2023

“How was your Thanksgiving?”

This may seem like an odd question to ask at the end of January, but I had not seen Ahmed (not real name) and his mother since his last infant well visit in late October. This family moved to central Ohio about two years ago, escaping the ravages of living in a country that has seen a civil war for the better of 20 years. Ahmed’s mom …

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What does it mean when we say someone has died after a long illness?

Conditions
February 27, 2023

My personal doctor and two of my cherished mentors died within the past several years, each “after a long illness,” according to their obituaries. Rock legend David Crosby (The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) recently died “after a long illness,” as stated by his wife, Jan Dance.

David Crosby’s co-musicians were perplexed that his widow would attribute his death to a long illness. Crosby certainly …

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Closing the gap: Improving mental health care access for communities of color in the COVID era

Policy
February 27, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated disparities in mental health care access for communities of color. The care gaps in mental health are further accentuated as more health care services, such as mental health, begin to be delivered virtually through telehealth services. As much as 60 percent of mental health care is being delivered by telehealth. Mental health-related telehealth visits reached a massive uptake between …

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The comfort of colleagues: a story of love and loss in palliative care

Physician
February 27, 2023

“I just can’t. I can’t,” Wendy sobbed into my hair. We barely made it out the door when our bodies collapsed together, puddles holding puddles. The children, 5 and 7, had just left with their tiny grey backpacks, tiny soldiers off to the abyss. Pastel crayon drawings taped to every pale pink wall: “Mom! Get well soon!” But she wouldn’t. Rainbows and stick figures clung to the white paper on …

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Telehealth takes the stage: How virtual visits are revolutionizing health care [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 26, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for an insightful conversation with Lyle Berkowitz, a physician executive, as he discusses the growing trend of telehealth and its impact on patient care. With the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the use of virtual visits, consumers …

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The importance of childhood obesity prevention: a doctor’s perspective

Conditions
February 26, 2023

I’m starting to see this trend of podcasts and articles that seem to be raising the white flag against childhood obesity. We should all agree with physicians that these conversations should be approached carefully and thoughtfully. We should agree that there are clear reasons to promote regular exercise and a healthy diet. We should agree with the clear health benefits of maintaining a healthy weight. There are clear mental health …

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The pebble versus the rock: a case for mental health reform

Physician
February 26, 2023

What would you expect to see if you threw a pebble in a pond? You would likely see a ripple in the water, extending wider than the diameter of the pebble. Seeing a pebble drop into a pond and create ripples is always mesmerizing. It’s amazing to observe the concentric circles slowly expanding outwards from the point of impact. It’s a fascinating example of how energy can travel through water, …

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Combining academic medicine and private practice: a success story

Physician
February 26, 2023

In the United States, physicians are typically categorized as either academics or private practitioners. However, a case can be made that it is possible to construct a career path that incorporates both professional avenues. I was put in an excellent position to realize this during my fellowship at LSU, which structured some parts of its community medicine program in a way that resembled private practice.

I enjoyed my experience as a …

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Why your intuition is key to better physical and emotional health

Physician
February 26, 2023

In residency, we are trained to follow our intuition. In pediatrics,  this translates into learning how to recognize a sick kid. Of course, we are taught what to look for on the physical exam and the labs and what protocols to follow, but we are also taught how to listen to our instincts. When our gut tells us we have a sick kid, we don’t overthink; we set into action. …

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Unlocking the power of gratitude [PODCAST]

Podcast
February 25, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us on this episode as we explore the power of gratitude with Cindy Tsai, an internal medicine physician. We all hear about the benefits of gratitude and the importance of being thankful for what we have. …

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Miscommunication leads to misunderstandings: the tragic consequences of misinterpreted sobriety

Conditions
February 25, 2023

At her first visit, still lightly jaundiced, Jennie wanted to talk about a liver transplant.

I told her that she had to be sober for six months before they would consider putting her on the list. She told me proudly that she had been sober for three weeks.

“How are you doing without alcohol?”

“Going without alcohol would be very hard for me,” she said, “I have just one glass of wine each …

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The power of listening: a poem from a chronic pain patient to their doctor

Physician
February 25, 2023

Per the CDC, 11 to 40 percent of Americans struggle with chronic pain. All physicians must treat patients with chronic pain, whether they are spine surgeons or primary care physicians. It is a disease we can not escape.

 We do not have a one-time pill to fix chronic pain.

Unlike other diseases, we do not necessarily have a cure for chronic pain. In medical school and residency, we are provided with …

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