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The pediatric health care system tested to the limits: an inside look at the “at capacity” period during the tripledemic

Physician

May 25, 2023

Where should I begin when describing a period that seemed to have no end in sight? When we, as pediatric emergency department (ED) providers, felt like we were drowning in a tsunami of pediatric patients coming from every direction – from adult EDs needing to transfer seizing children for a higher level of care, from EMS coming in with apneic neonates, and from the endless supply of those from the …

Nose-brain connection: The surprising link between allergies and mental health revealed

Kara Wada, MD

Conditions

May 25, 2023

Artificially separating the body from the mind has been one of the biggest missteps of modern medicine. Over the last few years, we have increasingly read studies confirming the mind-body connection, the gut-brain axis, and now we are learning more about the nose-brain connection.

Given the direct proximity between our nose and our brain, this connection shouldn’t be much of a surprise. The olfactory nerve, cranial nerve 1, wires directly to …

Is the rise in mental illness due to greater awareness or a true increase in incidence?

Zahid Awan, MD

Conditions

May 25, 2023

Someone asked me recently if there is a significant increase in the prevalence of mental illness since it seems everyone is in treatment somewhere. It was a good question and got me thinking.

The prevalence of mental illness has been increasing in recent years, but it is unclear if this is solely due to more people seeking treatment or if there is a true increase in the incidence of mental illness.

In …

The untold story of Hispanic/Latino health: Why subgroup data matters

Matthew B. Alonso

Policy

May 25, 2023

In 2000, the question, “Is this person Spanish/Hispanic/Latino?” emerged on the U.S. census, grouping these populations for the first time on a national scale. Prior to this, there was no consistent or comprehensive way to collect data on the Hispanic/Latino community, making it difficult to understand their demographics, needs, and trends. This question provided policymakers, researchers, and community organizations with data to make informed decisions regarding education, …

Caring for a loved one with Huntington’s disease: a powerful story of resilience and hope [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

May 24, 2023

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

Join us for an inspiring episode as we sit down with writer Erin Paterson, author of Huntington’s Disease Heroes: Inspiring Stories of Resilience from the HD Community. Erin shares her personal story as a caregiver for her …

How AI is enhancing patient care and improving radiologists’ lives

Brett Mollard, MD

Tech

May 24, 2023

When the topic of the future of radiology comes up in conversation, I frequently find myself being asked a few recurring questions: “How will artificial intelligence affect radiology?” quickly followed by “Do you think AI will replace you?”

These are great questions that I have found myself contemplating as well. As someone with an overall technological curiosity and a radiologist who embraces technological advancements, I ponder these questions often.

Let’s start with …

ChatGPT masters USMLE: a real win for AI, but a long way from the art of medicine

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Tech

May 24, 2023

In recent years, the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, with numerous applications in diverse sectors, such as transportation, finance, and medicine. One of the most significant milestones in medical AI is the recent success of ChatGPT, an AI language model, in passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This achievement has raised questions about the potential role of AI in health care, particularly …

How chronic illness and disability are portrayed in media and the importance of daily choices for improved quality of life

Juliet Morgan, MD and Meghan Jobson, MD, PhD

Physician

May 24, 2023

Let’s say that you have it all together: you are accepting your illness and it is enriching your life. Now turn on the TV, pick up …

A patient’s perspective on the diminishing relationship between doctors and patients

Michele Luckenbaugh

Conditions

May 24, 2023

Pages of my life turn over as the breezes of time flow over me.

Remembrances of your presence as the world welcomed my firstborn so many years ago.

Your calming voice and words of wisdom reminded me that life would be different but oh so much better.

My baby girl would grow to be a healer like you, offering hope and consolation to those seeking her out. Expert hands stitched my rambunctious toddler’s …

Integrating mental health services into primary care for children and adolescents [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

May 23, 2023

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

Join us on this episode as we speak with Hilary M. Bowers, a pediatrician who shares with us the importance of integrating behavioral and mental health care within primary care practices. With one in five children and …

Surgeon General’s warning: the dark side of social media on children’s mental health

Kevin Pho, MD

KevinMD

May 23, 2023

It’s disheartening to see the escalated trend of mental health challenges in children and teens, an issue that’s becoming more and more prevalent. Daily, we encounter tales of parents grappling with their children’s emotional struggles, from a professional mom taking a career hiatus to aid her anxious daughter to a dad watching his previously thriving son grapple with addiction, leading to a tragic school dropout. These are not isolated incidents …

How biased language and stigmatizing labels affect patient care and treatment

Joan Naidorf, DO

Physician

May 23, 2023

During her treatment for acute leukemia, my friend Susan came to me for help and advice while she was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy. I also did her laundry. She went to one of the specialists at a major tertiary care center and had access to the lengthy consultation written by the oncologist. Susan had a career as a highly respected and much-loved elementary school principal in our county school …

Emulating Michael Jordan’s winning mindset: a path to success for health care professionals and entrepreneurs

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Physician

May 23, 2023

Michael Jordan, an iconic figure in basketball, is revered not only for his athletic prowess but also for his relentless dedication, perseverance, and strong work ethic. His career is filled with great lessons that apply universally, transcending the boundaries of sports. They are particularly relevant to health care professionals and entrepreneurs, two roles requiring a similar level of dedication, resilience, and a ceaseless hunger for growth and achievement.

Firstly, Michael Jordan …

How misused terminology and biased studies may be misguiding our understanding of opioid addiction and mortality

Richard A. Lawhern, PhD

Conditions

May 23, 2023

As a health care writer and policy analyst, I frequently encounter the term “risk” in discussions of medical issues. I also frequently see the term grossly misused in both the popular press and medical literature. Nowhere is this more evident than in the 2016 and 2022 CDC Guidelines for the prescription of opioids in the treatment of pain.

In science, the term “incidence” is a measure of the likelihood …

Reflections on 500 patients, unique cases, and making a difference in health care

Ton La, Jr., MD, JD

Physician

May 23, 2023

As I reflect on my first year of residency, it’s hard to believe that I’ve cared for nearly 500 patients spanning across multiple departments; floor medicine, ICU, ER, neurology, cardiology, and surgery. I’ve had the opportunity to perform one central line placement, three intubations, ran a code blue, and performed CPR in both the ICU and the ER. Though these procedures may seem daunting, I learned that confidence comes not …

Secure your future today: the essential guide to disability and life insurance for physicians and professionals

Set for Life Insurance & The Podcast by KevinMD

Finance

May 22, 2023

This article is sponsored by Set for Life Insurance, helping over 30,000 physicians with life and disability insurance needs since 1993. Get the best available policies at discounted rates. Request a quote today.

In this special sponsored episode, we …

Unmasking wage disparity in health care: the truth behind the Elmhurst Hospital physician strike

Kevin Pho, MD

KevinMD

May 22, 2023

The streets surrounding Elmhurst Hospital in New York City have become the staging ground for over 150 resident physicians striking for pay parity. The future of the medical profession is forced to grapple with a persistent issue long evaded – wage disparity.

Elmhurst Hospital, a critical pivot of public health and a notable battleground during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, now sits as the epicenter of a different kind …

Unmasking the brutal reality of gun violence in America: a call to action for unity and meaningful change

Osmund Agbo, MD

Policy

May 22, 2023

On the night of April 28, 2023, in a sleepy community 50 miles north of Houston, Texas, bullet-riddled bodies of five human beings, including an eight-year-old boy, lay lifeless, cut down in the most gruesome way. Their only sin was asking for a night of peace, but their request was met with the deafening sound of gunfire from a neighbor brandishing an AR-15. This senseless tragedy is yet another grim …

How electronic health records preserve patients’ legacies in the words of oncologists

Marc Braunstein, MD, PhD

Physician

May 22, 2023

It’s 10 p.m., do you know where your doctor is? I chuckle to myself, recalling a familiar public service announcement of the past meant to remind adults about the whereabouts of their children. I know exactly where I am at this typical hour, sitting in front of a glaring computer screen trying in vain to clear out my inbox in our practice’s electronic health record (EHR) and “win the game” …

Family physicians unite at the U.S. Capitol, seeking congressional support for Medicare reform and health care transformation

Tochi Iroku-Malize, MD, MPH, MBA, Sterling N. Ransone, Jr., MD, and Steven P. Furr, MD

Policy

May 22, 2023

Picture this: Hundreds of family physicians and future family physicians arriving on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to share the top challenges they face and to ask their leaders to make a purposeful investment in primary care. They’ve earned the right to make this request through the hard work, long hours, and comprehensive care they’ve offered patients and their families across the country. They served on the front lines …

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