Physicians: Are we still the good guys?

Physician
December 20, 2022

In the very realistic fictional world of The White Coat Diaries by Dr. Madi Sinha, a first-year internal medicine resident goes through a harsh initiation into the realities of medical training. Protagonist Norah Kapadia encounters a complication of a penile implant in an elderly patient with end-stage liver disease and dementia. Her senior resident talks her through the problem of causing hematuria as she placed a catheter through an …

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Physicians: Are we still the good guys?

When doctors develop [patient] portal hypertension [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 19, 2022
YouTube video

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“Physicians today are confronting yet another epidemic, one that affects doctors directly and is not caused by a virus. It is the result of the ‘patient portal’ through which patients send typed messages directly to their physicians. …

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When doctors develop [patient] portal hypertension [PODCAST]

An expert’s advice about staying in private medical practice

Physician
December 19, 2022

Most physicians are aware of our nation’s disintegration of private medical practices. Bailing out of private medical practice for financial or other reasons predicts the takeover of government-controlled employed medical practice as well as the medical profession itself—including medical school education.

One world-renowned marketing and business expert offers important advice for medical care professionals who prefer to remain independent of such medical practice restrictions while we still can do so:

A lot …

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An expert’s advice about staying in private medical practice

The stigma of cognitive decline: Silence has a price 

Conditions
December 19, 2022

Have you ever experienced brain fog? It’s one thing to reach for an extra coffee or reflect on the vagaries of age, but growing research shows that subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a powerfully predictive indicator that many patients either dismiss or fail to report. About one in four people who experience SCD will have further declines – which can often be mitigated if patients report …

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The stigma of cognitive decline: Silence has a price 

Primary Care 2.0: new thinking and practice redesign [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 18, 2022
YouTube video

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“When my colleagues and I visited high-performing primary care clinics across the country, we sought insights to inform a new model for providing the most efficient and high-quality care. Here’s how we’re practicing in Primary Care 2.0.”

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Primary Care 2.0: new thinking and practice redesign [PODCAST]

The jobs you hold prior to medical school are important, but not for the reason you think

Physician
December 18, 2022

Most experts recommend that premed students seek medically-related jobs to gain early proficiency and support their medical school application. There is nothing like valuable hands-on experience, they say, for students to demonstrate their passion and knowledge about the field of medicine. According to the article “25 Health Care Jobs To Get Before Medical School,” written by the Indeed Editorial Team, “students who fill their resumes with volunteer work, …

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The jobs you hold prior to medical school are important, but not for the reason you think

Reflecting on health and wellness: Celebrating the wins and learning from the losses

Physician
December 18, 2022

The game came down to the last seconds.

Down by three, we scored on a layup. Now a one-point game. And then, it was over. A narrow 1-point loss in the championship game for our middle school boys team.

One started crying, then another. It caught on like something infectious, and suddenly parents were tearing up as well. As one of the coaches for the team, I wondered what we could have …

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Reflecting on health and wellness: Celebrating the wins and learning from the losses

The promises and limits of a fentanyl vaccine

Meds
December 18, 2022

“Fentanyl Vaccine a Potential ‘Game Changer’ for Opioid Crisis,” declares a Medscape headline.

“Fentanyl Vaccine Delivers Promising Results in Trial,” reports an industry website.

“A Vaccine Against Deadly Fentanyl Might Be Near,” promises US News & World Report.

Only the fourth headline I encounter puts the news into proper perspective: “New Fentanyl Vaccine …

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The promises and limits of a fentanyl vaccine

A letter to residents after the subspecialty match

Physician
December 18, 2022

Dear residents:

I heard the amazing news that each of you matched today. Congratulations! That is huge. You will be outstanding subspecialists!

The best part is that now you can take a deep breath and relax. The stress is over. Hopefully, you matched at your first choice, but please know that if you didn’t, it will be OK. I know the feeling. Although I was lucky to get my first choice for …

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A letter to residents after the subspecialty match

Physicians with mental illness shouldn’t hide [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 17, 2022
YouTube video

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“Doctors with mental illness don’t need more suicide awareness — we’re aware. And we don’t need confidential treatment opportunities. What we need is assurance from all invested parties — our employers, credentialing bodies, and licensing officials — …

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Physicians with mental illness shouldn’t hide [PODCAST]

Balancing the roles of patient and healer

Physician
December 17, 2022

“Holly, we’re really worried about you. You’ve been sleeping for days. Let us take you to the school clinic.”

I looked up at a figure in the bedroom door surrounded by a light that hurt my eyes.  It was my college roommate, a sweet girl from North Carolina who had put up with my shit for most of our senior year.  I wanted to bounce up and smile, to jump into …

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Balancing the roles of patient and healer

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The Christmas miracle and the music box

Conditions
December 17, 2022

She was 82 years old — sweet, frail, and maybe four feet eight inches tall.

She had many beloved children, grandchildren, and even a few great-grandchildren

They all grew up knowing that family was their core — their base, their home where love resided.

It was only a few days before Christmas, and Mrs. Mary entered our ICU.

COPD.

She lived with this for a long time. But this time, it crippled her. We gave …

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The Christmas miracle and the music box

Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ tragic death highlights the importance of mental health

Conditions
December 17, 2022

A prominent celebrity named Stephen “tWitch” Boss of the Ellen DeGeneres Show took his life at 40. Boss’ contagious love of dancing, carefree spirit, and milewide grin brought joy to millions. From the outside looking in, we saw a gentle soul – a successful actor and dancer with a wife and three children.

Just days before his passing, Boss shared a joyful video on social media of him dancing …

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Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ tragic death highlights the importance of mental health

Overcoming the epidemic of loneliness

Conditions
December 17, 2022

As I drove home from work and turned right onto the familiar street that would eventually wind around like a smile to my home, I briefly closed my eyes and tilted my face to the sky, enjoying the butterscotch sunlight still peeking through the leaves framing the street. I noticed with contentment the various groups of people clustered alongside one another, walking at a leisurely pace on the adjacent sidewalk.

It …

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Overcoming the epidemic of loneliness

What does it mean to truly be an ally? [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 16, 2022
YouTube video

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“We can all work to improve our empathy towards those who differ from us. Please continue to keep an open mind and consider true allyship.”

Nkem Asianua is a physician assistant student.

She shares her story and discusses the …

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What does it mean to truly be an ally? [PODCAST]

A blessing for health care workers

Conditions
December 16, 2022

As winter approaches and life slows down, it’s a time to pause and reflect on all everyone has had to endure these past few years. To those involved in health care, it has been an especially difficult time… a test of both resolution and inner strength. With my hope that all will see brighter days ahead, I offer the following as my means of giving thanks to all of you …

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A blessing for health care workers

Lessons from employer-mandated COVID leave

Conditions
December 16, 2022

I saw two positive lines on the home test kit. My body felt like I had been beaten with a jackhammer and the buzzing in my head reminded me of a hangover, the likes of which I had not seen for at least 20 years. Somehow, I organized my thoughts enough to call employee health and then updated the primary care clinic where I work as a physician. Clinic …

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Lessons from employer-mandated COVID leave

Understanding your personal risk factors for burnout

Physician
December 16, 2022

An excerpt from The Resilient Life: Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout, & Strengthen Your Mental and Physical Health.

According to a recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, “a dramatic increase in burnout and decrease in satisfaction with work-life integration occurred in U.S. physicians between 2020 and 2021.” This isn’t a …

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Understanding your personal risk factors for burnout

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