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Caught in the middle: How health insurance companies influence cancer drug selection

Meds

January 12, 2023

Patients may find themselves caught in the middle between their health insurance company and their oncologist when it comes to selecting the drugs used to treat their cancer. Why is this?

The American Cancer Society explains biologic drugs (derived from living organisms such as yeast, bacteria, or animal cells) and biosimilar drugs, which behave similarly to the original, patented (i.e., brand) drug. It is important to note that biosimilar drugs are …

Revolutionizing medicine: How ChatGPT is changing the way we think about health care

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

Tech

January 12, 2023

GPT, or Generative Pre-trained Transformer, is a type of artificial intelligence that has the unremarkable ability to generate human-like text. The program is free to use during the “research preview” time. GPT gained 1 million users in under a week of being released. Keep in mind that this technology is currently in the beta testing phase.

It is important to note the limitations. The quality of the responses depends on the …

The incessant hounding of doctors: A look at the lengthy professional disclosures required of physicians

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Physician

January 12, 2023

Can you absolutely and unequivocally answer “no” to all of the following questions:

Has your license to practice in any jurisdiction ever been limited, restricted, reduced, suspended, voluntarily surrendered, revoked, denied, or not renewed?

Have you ever been reprimanded by a state licensing agency, or are any of these actions pending with respect to your license; are you under investigation by any licensing or regulatory agency?

Has your professional employment or membership in …

Who are we losing on the medical education journey? [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

January 11, 2023

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“My hope for the future is to see a health care workforce that matches the diversity of the communities it serves. As we continue to push for health equity, we also continue to evaluate and reassess our …

The million dollar mistake: Why medical schools don’t teach business and how it’s costing physicians

Curtis G. Graham, MD

Physician

January 11, 2023

The fact that every physician in private medical practice, without a business education, leaves approximately a million dollars on the table and is unaware of it is well known to business experts who work with medical doctors experiencing financial difficulties. Business experts such as Dan S. Kennedy, Peter Drucker, Michael Gerber, Maxwell Maltz, Neil Baum, William Hanson, Huss and Coleman, Steven Hacker, Thomas Stanley, Chris Hurn, Napoleon Hill, and Dave …

Is success really just about wealth and achievements?

Ketan Kulkarni, MD

Physician

January 11, 2023

Success is a word that is used frequently across the globe. Almost everyone wishes to experience a great amount of success all the time. We are constantly bombarded with images of success through the internet, mainstream media, and social media. These images often depict high net worth, lavish possessions, luxurious lifestyles, impressive titles or achievements, exotic travel, and more. However, data shows that this appearance of perceived success is not …

The CHIPHIT complex and the future of health care: Can we create a low-cost, high-quality system?

Hayward Zwerling, MD

Policy

January 11, 2023

The high cost, low quality, and systemic inequities of the U.S. health care system have prompted its redesign. The current health care system is now controlled by consolidated health care institutions, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and health information technology companies (CHIPHIT complex). The CHIPHIT complex, along with the federal government, will shape the future health care system. However, independent health care policy experts, independent health care providers, and members of …

Why physicians should go on a retreat [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

January 10, 2023

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“The retreat offered me the opportunity to see that I want more time (don’t we all) to connect with quiet, peace, and loved ones. I want to embody love as well as the badass that I am. …

The intertwined roles of parenting and medicine: How personal experience can enhance patient care

Roxanne Almas, MD, MSPH

Physician

January 10, 2023

As a pediatric subspecialist in the division of developmental medicine at our hospital and a mother of two school-aged children, I constantly strive to find new approaches to both parenting and my medical practice. Some of these strategies work well, while others do not. Despite my attempts to believe that my roles as a pediatrician and a parent do not influence each other, the truth is that they are deeply …

Why I keep coming back to the ER: reflections from a seasoned attending

Veronica Bonales, MD

Physician

January 10, 2023

Last night, one of my work colleagues asked me how I do it. I looked over at them, a little confused. They looked back at me earnestly. How do I continue to come to work every shift and not burn out? How do I keep finding meaning in what I am doing? How?

They’re a yearling emergency medicine attending. They’re just getting started in their career, whereas I am several long …

Returning the joy of medicine to our primary care physicians

Christopher Crow, MD, MBA

Physician

January 10, 2023

Nearly 50 years have passed since the first published mention of physician burnout. Clinical psychologist Herbert Freudenberger described the “excessive demands on energy, strength or resources” and wrote of how it resulted in “fatigue, frustration, cynicism.” And though initiatives, programs, and solutions to address burnout have grown, the concerns first cited in 1974 have grown as well—now reaching the undeniable crisis.

In a recent survey, 61 percent of physicians reported …

What being a hospice volunteer taught me about health care [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

January 9, 2023

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“The finality of death is a powerful teacher. For some patients, being diagnosed with a terminal illness is an experience that lends a tremendous shift in perspective and newfound authenticity. This can be instructive to them and …

Childlessness: Your patients and colleagues may be grieving silently

Gail Miller, MD

Physician

January 9, 2023

There is an all-too-common pain that many hide. It affects emotional well-being. It affects self-image. It affects health.

Now that the new year is upon us, advertisements for “new year, new you” aren’t far behind. That can spur people to make health care appointments that they’ve been putting off. This is a good time to address this pain that so many carry silently.

This silent pain results from infertility, pregnancy loss, being …

The urgent need for widespread CPR and AED access

Ketan Tamirisa, Jonathan Jose, and Ronak Patel, MD

Conditions

January 9, 2023

Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety, collapsed on the field during the Monday Night NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals with nearly six minutes left in the first quarter. The incident rattled sports fans and left everyone emotionally distraught. The game was postponed and subsequently canceled. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) were used as part of resuscitation efforts. It is gratifying to hear the good news that Hamlin …

The uncomfortable truths about comfortable scrubs

Kenzie Whitcomb and Sarah Becker

Education

January 9, 2023

I love joggers. If I had to pick a piece of clothing to wear every day for the rest of my life, it would be joggers. I wear them constantly — outside the hospital, that is.

These days, this choice makes me an anomaly. Like the ubiquitous clogs in the OR, jogger-style scrubs have taken over hospital floors, replacing classic ill-fitting, hospital-issued scrub sets. This is especially true among young women. …

The dangerous language of “crazy”: How stigma and judgment affect patient care

Kasi Chu, MD

Conditions

January 9, 2023

“He’s batshit crazy,” fellow physician Karen eagerly confides while describing another colleague, Kevin, in a private office conversation.

I laugh, assuming intended hyperbole.

“No. Really. He is,” Karen says. “He’s been hospitalized — several times. And his kids are crazy, too. They’re all crazy.”

I jolted into an instant somber, “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.”

Karen looks disappointed. Her intended collusion collides with my concern. We stare at each other momentarily and …

Ensuring equitable, quality treatment in Black and marginalized people [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

January 8, 2023

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“For Black patients—or any member of any marginalized group—to ensure you receive equitable and equal treatment, it is important to advocate for yourself. Speak up, ask questions, and seek different opinions if you don’t feel like you are being …

The power of a sticker: reflections on my journey as a pediatric resident

Manar Mohammad, MD

Physician

January 8, 2023

In my third week of residency, I gave out my first sticker.

My medical assistant opened the drawer and revealed the rolls of stickers, asking me to choose for my patient, who waited behind the door I just closed, their smile joining all the other little smiles that filled this room before and would continue to fill after.

The mind took me years back to little feet in pink and white flowery …

The reality of CPR: a powerful tool with serious consequences

Carolyn Boscia, MD

Conditions

January 8, 2023

The shocking scene that unfolded during the Bills-Bengals game Monday evening was a play that I’ve seen countless times on a very different stage. Yet as a hospital physician, watching Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest was unexpectedly jarring. Seeing the coordinated and professional medical response on the field was inspiring. No doubt, timely and effective CPR and defibrillation saved his life. As I reflect on the events of that evening, …

Having a great CV is not enough: Start building your portfolio

Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Claire Unis, MD

Physician

January 8, 2023

Many physicians believe the curriculum vitae (CV) represents the most integral aspect of applying for new opportunities. Post-pandemic, more physicians than ever are exploring ways to leave their current positions in clinical medicine. Some are looking to practice medicine differently, while others are looking to escape the practice of medicine with part-time and full-time non-clinical roles.

As the applicant pool of physicians looking to make career changes has grown, applying for …