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We sit down with Marita McCahill, founder of a health care growth strategy consulting firm. In this interview, we explore the critical factors that influence patients’ choices when seeking health care providers, and …
Strategies for sustainable practice growth [PODCAST]
At the lowest depths of burnout, I was a “disruptive physician.” I got away with a lot. I frequently lashed out in anger with inappropriate comments to nurses and staff. I yelled at my husband and my kids. I was in full “victim” mode and I let everyone know it.
As an OB/GYN, I was available to my patients 24/7/365. This was the way it was in my private practice. I …
Confessions of a disruptive physician
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a paper titled “Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events,” which detected the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in carotid artery plaque, with a higher risk of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months follow-up than those in whom MNPs were not detected. Although this study did not establish a causal effect, …
How microplastics harm your health
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In this episode, health care attorney Dennis Hursh delves into the contentious issue of executive compensation within the health care sector. With a critical eye on the disparities between physician and C-suite salaries, …
Disparities between physician and C-suite contracts [PODCAST]
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues in the body. More than 80 recognized autoimmune diseases exist, including alopecia areata, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, scleroderma, and Raynaud’s. These conditions can cause a wide range of symptoms, making management crucial for maintaining a good quality of life.
Why the immune system attacks healthy cells is a bit of a mystery in most …
Autoimmune disease flares: stress, grief, and management tips
The healing potential of human interaction should always be considered, particularly when practicing medicine. Early in my medical career, I worked in the electromyography laboratory at Charity Hospital, Louisiana State University. During my time there, I saw an astonishing variety of patients. Among other things, we were the hospital of choice for the nearby Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, or “The Alcatraz of the South.” This prison was infamous for housing …
Unlocking compassion: lessons from a prison clinic
In recent years, malpractice attorneys have intensified their efforts to target physicians, becoming more aggressive in their pursuit of legal action. This relentless pursuit can be likened to Captain Ahab’s relentless quest for the white whale in the famous novel Moby Dick. The landscape has become increasingly challenging for physicians, as recent tort reform legislation in numerous states is rolling back the protections they once enjoyed. This unsettling trend underscores …
Rise of mega payouts: Physicians are now the white whales
Last month, the daughters of Wendy Miller, a 68-year-old author of three bestselling books about her experience with dementia, posted online her final words: “In the end, I died simply by deciding not to eat or drink anymore.”
Her stark statement reminded me of my interviews with Dan Winter, 62, which had begun nine months before he, too, took his own life. Alzheimer’s disease was slowly disassembling Dan’s rich and …
Fighting for choice in dementia deaths
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Join infectious disease physician Sami El-Dalati as we delve into the complex issues surrounding medical literature and clinical guidelines. Sami sheds light on the challenges faced by medical providers in delivering patient-centered care, …
When physicians disagree with medical journals [PODCAST]
“Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!”
– Joseph B. Wirthlin
I love my role as a hospice volunteer mostly because I enjoy meeting the patients and hearing their life stories. I heard a tale from the Vietnam vet who won the Congressional Medal of Honor, which he humbly said was for “just driving a jeep.” (He later admitted that he saved a general by “just driving a jeep” through …
Breaking through the cobwebs of dementia
As we navigate the digital renaissance, the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has undeniably marked a pivotal era in technological innovation and societal advancement. This era, brimming with potential, necessitates a framework to ensure that our journey is not only propelled by the wings of advancement but is also anchored in ethical integrity. Here are DrGPT’s ten commandments for navigating the …
Top 10 commandments for the ethical and effective use of AI
In the high-stakes world of medicine, doctors are revered for their dedication to saving lives and providing compassionate care. However, behind the white coats and stethoscopes lies a harsh reality that many health care professionals often overlook—the risk of burnout. Burnout among doctors is a pressing issue that affects their personal well-being and compromises the quality of care they deliver to patients. To combat this pervasive problem, doctors must confront …
10 harsh truths doctors must understand to avoid burnout
I’ve always been interested in democratizing health care and have tried to incorporate this in my image-guided therapeutics research.
As a health care CEO, I’ve been afforded the opportunity to broaden my research scope and examine a personal area of interest: disparities in health care and how we can address these through innovation and scientific inquiry.
Racial disparities in health care outcomes are a pervasive issue, and breast cancer is not immune …
Why minorities need more representation in breast cancer research
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We delve into the pressing issue of teenage mental health with undergraduate student Ruhi Saldanha. From discussing the need for mental health days in schools to addressing the challenges faced by today’s teenagers, …
Mental health support for teens [PODCAST]
Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Burnout occurs gradually over time and has three fundamental symptoms:
Exhaustion is feeling physically and emotionally exhausted and can be related to spending an excessive amount of time and effort on a particular task. Depersonalization is having an indifferent attitude and can manifest as negative, sarcastic, or cynical people towards people you are meant to serve. …
Nurse burnout: causes, symptoms, and solutions by gender and generation
The CDC is trying, desperately, it seems, to pound a square peg into a round hole, blaming COVID-19 for a surge in alcohol use and ignoring a glaring problem with the evidence. That’s not something you generally expect from scientists. However, I would argue the CDC is no longer controlled by scientists. While dedicated scientists still work there, the CDC is now controlled by politics. Founded as the Communicable Disease …
A crisis of alcoholism is surging in the United States
Many of you prioritize the clinical aspects of our profession, but understanding the business side of medicine is equally crucial. One key area to consider is your contract, as it can significantly impact your career path and financial stability.
I believe it’s essential for every doctor to be knowledgeable about the variety of contracts they may encounter in the marketplace. The most common type of contract is the business-to-individual contract, where …
The hidden menu of physician contracts
On July 1, 1987, I started treating cancer patients as a full-time radiation oncologist – a cancer specialist who uses radiation therapy to help cancer patients beat their disease. Now, nearly 37 years later, I have the privilege of caring for cancer patients at a cancer center. Nearly every type of cancer is treated differently; for example, breast cancer is treated differently than colon cancer, which is treated differently than …
Evolution of targeted cancer therapies: a radiation oncologist’s perspective
This article is sponsored by Pattern.
Pattern advisor Shelby Heiser discusses how disability insurance is more than a box that doctors need to check—it’s a tool for financial security and peace of mind.
Each physician is unique.
They come …
Disability insurance for doctors: the key to protecting your financial future
In the realm of medicine, cause-and-effect relationships are those where a specific cause, such as a disease, condition, or treatment, directly leads to a specific outcome or effect. An example of this is the established fact that smoking causes lung cancer. Similarly, it is well-documented that regular, heavy alcohol consumption directly leads to liver cirrhosis.
On the other hand, phrases like “associated with,” “linked to,” and “tied to” denote a correlation …
Common pitfalls underlying cause-and-effect relationships
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