KevinMD.com

Remembering Heather Armstrong: the tragic loss of the “Queen of Mommy Bloggers” sparks a global conversation on mental health

Kevin Pho, MD

KevinMD

May 11, 2023

The blogging universe mourns the loss of a remarkable figure, Heather Armstrong, fondly known as the “Queen of the Mommy Bloggers.” Armstrong’s blog, Dooce, was a sanctuary for mothers and individuals wrestling with mental health issues and addiction. Tragically, Armstrong ended her life prematurely in an apparent suicide following a sobriety relapse. The legacy she leaves behind extends far beyond her two children, etching her name as one …

An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

Kim Downey, PT

Conditions

May 11, 2023

“He had an intuitive gift as a physician in diagnosing and managing breast cancer. His expertise helped countless patients, and he was deeply appreciated by those he cared for. He felt an enormous sense of gratitude to be able to help his patients and be an integral part of their care.”

I didn’t want to have cancer again, and who would? It was December 29, 2021, just over a year since …

Celebrating 2 million downloads of The Podcast by KevinMD!

Kevin Pho, MD

KevinMD

May 11, 2023

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that The Podcast by KevinMD has reached a major milestone: 2 million downloads!

It feels like just yesterday when I embarked on this incredible journey, sharing my passion for health care and medicine through the power of audio. But now, after almost 1,100 episodes and countless hours of inspiring conversations, we have hit this incredible …

Breaking the silence on pelvic congestion syndrome: Diagnosing and treating chronic pelvic pain with interventional radiology

Gloria Salazar, MD

Conditions

May 11, 2023

One in six women in the U.S. suffers from chronic pelvic pain (CPP), yet many receive improper treatment for the condition, or no care at all. They’re frustrated – and rightfully so. Their health care providers are frustrated too because what their patients are experiencing has historically been very difficult to diagnose. It is estimated that about 30 percent of patients with CPP suffer from a condition that can be …

Unlocking the science of memory: How to remember better and forget less [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

May 10, 2023

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

Join us as we sit down with neurologist Andrew Budson, co-author of the book Why We Forget and How To Remember Better: The Science Behind Memory. Andrew shares his personal journey into the field of neurology and …

Navigating the ethics of AI in surgery: Balancing bias and accountability for safer procedures

Jag Singh, MD

Tech

May 10, 2023

An excerpt from Future Care: Sensors, Artificial Intelligence, and the Reinvention of Medicine.

In the past I have used magnetic navigation using Stereotaxis equipment to perform procedures. I could sit out in the console room, more than twelve feet from the patient, and maneuver the catheters within the heart using joysticks. …

Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

Tomi Mitchell, MD

Policy

May 10, 2023

May 25th marks the anniversary of the brutal murder of George Floyd. I remember feeling numb when I first heard the news. Then, some days later, the tears filled my eyes, then came my anger. It is frustrating that we still live in a world filled with so much ignorance and the complicit attitudes of individuals who gain from their white privilege. However, the experience of George Floyd, and the …

Awaken your brain for a happier, more connected life: the key to combating depression and isolation

Lisa Miller, PhD and Philip E. Stieg, MD, PhD

Conditions

May 10, 2023

With the coming end of the public health emergency, our three-year pandemic will be officially (if not completely) over, and we will be left to contemplate what’s next. As much as we’d all appreciate a return to normal, we may be better off considering a new normal, a better one, in which we focus on “waking up” our brains. An awakened brain just may be the key to shaking off …

Unlock the secret to growing your medical practice: Increase patient flow and income with effective physician referral strategies

Curtis G. Graham, MD

Physician

May 10, 2023

The most efficient method to increase patient flow and income in private medical practice is through handling physician referrals. Has anyone told you how to do that? I thought it would be a kind gesture for me to offer my version of how to make the strategy perform miracles for your practice.

So, what’s so hot about referrals? You get them occasionally without doing anything to attract them. What you may …

Finding hope and purpose amidst profound loss [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

May 9, 2023

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

In this episode, we speak with Colin Campbell, author of Finding the Words: Working Through Profound Loss with Hope and Purpose. Colin shares his personal experience of losing his children in a car accident and the importance …

The real story of Xylazine contamination in street fentanyl and how we can manage it

Julie Craig, MD

Meds

May 9, 2023

Have you heard the news?

“Flesh-eating ‘zombie’ drug ‘kills you from the inside out,'” headlines a CNN article.

“Tacoma market busted for selling ‘zombie’ drug,” barks out a Seattle-area news affiliate.

” Zombie drugs? Florida man stabs couple, eats dead man’s face in ‘random’ attack,” shouts a Syracuse news outlet.

Surely by now, you have heard chilling stories about …

The Kentucky Derby: factors that contribute to winning the most prestigious horse race in the world, and what medical training can learn from them

Corinne Sundar Rao, MD

Physician

May 9, 2023

The Kentucky Derby is an annual horse race held in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May. It is considered one of the most prestigious horse races in the world and is the first leg of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing, followed by Preakness Stakes and the Belmont stakes. At the time of this writing, Mage won the famous race in the 149th Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby has …

The AI revolution in health care: How entrepreneurs are transforming patient care with innovative solutions

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Tech

May 9, 2023

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a paradigm shift in the health care industry. According to Markets and Markets, the global AI in the health care market is projected to grow from $4.9 billion in 2020 to $45.2 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 44.9 percent during the forecast period. As health care demands …

The emotional toll of being a doctor: My story of witnessing death and coordinating care during COVID-19

Dr. Deisha Laksmitha Ayomi

Physician

May 9, 2023

When I was a medical student several years ago, I saw someone die in front of me for the first time. My classmate and I weren’t responsible for the patients; we only observed and made additional reports for our studies. The following day, we discussed the disease’s course, the medicines, prevention, and related topics. Most of the things we talked about were theoretical to help avoid future deaths like the …

Restoring professionalism in health care: How 8-hour shifts and direct payments could make a difference

Bruce L. Davidson, MD

Physician

May 9, 2023

Yes, America’s health insurance mess requires repair. Meanwhile, there’s an even more crushing burden on America’s patients and health professionals—the replacement of professionalism by greed, the replacement of genuine professional leaders with pliable greedy ones.

For a long time before the 1980s, nearly all hospital nurses worked 8-hour shifts, getting sign-off before and giving it after, the same for hospital respiratory therapists, custodians, and pharmacists. Then, in the …

How a pediatrician fought back against a manipulative CEO [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

May 8, 2023

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

In this episode, we speak with Karla Lester, a pediatrician and certified life and weight coach, about her experience with gaslighting in the workplace. Karla shares her story of encountering a hospital CEO who lied about outcomes …

A glimpse into the fragile balance of life and death in the ICU

Ton La, Jr., MD, JD

Physician

May 8, 2023

It was a calm and quiet night in the ICU during my rotation when suddenly, the piercing sound of a code blue alarm filled the air. An elderly female patient, 66 years old, had come in earlier with lung clots due to ovarian cancer. She was on the other side of the hospital, and as part of the ICU team, I was tasked along with my attending to immediately go …

AI’s transformative potential is threatened by security breaches, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Tech

May 8, 2023

As medical professionals, we recognize the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving diagnostic capabilities, personalizing treatments, and enhancing overall patient care. However, the increased risk of security breaches comes alongside these advancements, threatening patient privacy and intellectual property. This article highlights notable AI-based security breaches in health care organizations and underscores the importance of safeguarding sensitive information.

AI-based security breaches: a cause for concern

SingHealth data breach (2019): In an …

Breaking the stigma: Encouraging mental health help-seeking in medical trainees

Anonymous

Education

May 8, 2023

I won’t judge you for asking for help because that is how I hope you treat me.

It took me five years to accept the fact that I needed help. As I pursued athletic endeavors at the highest level in high school and college, my mind developed a twisted, compulsive mindset towards eating to control my life, navigate my cultural heritage, and succeed in my sport. For those five years, I …

Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

Chandravadan Patel, MD

Physician

May 8, 2023

Nowadays, it’s clear that physician burnout is real. We know the statistics.

The American Medical Association reports that physician burnout – defined as a long-term stress reaction involving emotional exhaustion, lack of empathy toward patients, and a feeling of lower personal achievement – nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021.

Becker’s also reports that the primary care specialties – internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine – are among the top 5 …