I retired as a physician at age 70, when COVID-19 came to town and the clinic I was working closed. During these past three years, I have had the luxury of a long view of my career. Every now and then, I feel the urge to pick up my stethoscope again and return to the practice of medicine. I’m tempted by the several good aspects of being a doctor.
The good
The conversations …
Retiring from medicine: the good, the bad, and the ugly
The first seizure I remember was like a wave in the ocean. Over my head, sudden dizziness, ready to go over the crest, then down into the dark. The dark was just not there. Or anywhere. Coming up was like being thrown out into the flotsam and jetsam, not knowing which way was up—seeing but not. A slow coming to the shore, a slow return. I knew I was there, …
The unpredictable wave: a physician’s journey through seizures
We are a grassroots advocacy organization of medical students across the country, focused on making health care more equitable for patients in larger bodies. We join the physicians, eating disorder professionals, and community members who raise concerns regarding the AAP’s most recent clinical guidelines, “Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity.”
The new AAP guidelines are based on science that grossly misrepresents the …
I recently read a story in which a woman named H. Lee, who has muscular dystrophy, details a decade-long struggle to receive adequate cervical cancer screening. Providers have been unable to find her cervix due to the curvature of her spine, examined her in her wheelchair because there were no height-adjustable examination tables, and outright turned her away for “liability reasons.”
By the time she finds an accessible provider, she …
Addressing disparities in gynecological care for women with physical disabilities
This article is sponsored by the Nuance® Dragon® Ambient eXperience, an AI-powered, voice-enabled ambient clinical intelligence (ACI) solution that automatically documents patient encounters at the point of care.
Nuance Communications, Inc., now part of Microsoft, is a technology pioneer with market …
Reducing burnout and improving patient care with ambient clinical intelligence
“Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood and untreated cause of human suffering.”
– Peter Levine, PhD, Developer of Somatic Experiencing Therapy
One frequent cause of treatment-resistant chronic pain is unresolved trauma, yet few health care providers and patients are aware of the connection, and, as a result, it is rarely addressed. This leads to considerable unnecessary suffering and misguided attempts at pain treatment that often do more harm …
From suffering to healing: the role of trauma in chronic pain
The public and the politicians may be missing the boat when they do not question the role of hospitals in the present health care debate. The hospitals have hung themselves out to be the “good guys” who hire and keep good doctors and promote the practice of good medicine. They portray themselves as the pillars of communities.
But in 1999, the Institute of Medicine reported that 98,000 deaths occurred in hospitals …
Good doctors vs. bad hospitals: the battle for patient care
Do patients truly understand?
The question is not meant to be rhetorical. I have many conversations throughout the day with patients across all socioeconomic backgrounds and with varying levels of education.
The discussions include details surrounding their disease-specific particulars, treatment options, and surgical protocols. Patients digest my thoughts and then respond with specific questions of their own. They ask for instructions as well as the nuances of the healing process.
I confess that …
The physician-patient connection: Ensuring mutual understanding
For over 14 years, the last day of February, a month known for its rare number of days, has been recognized by organizations across the globe as Rare Disease Day. With over 300 million patients worldwide impacted by 7,000+ rare diseases, the day serves as an international campaign to raise awareness around rare diseases and advocate for improved care for rare disease patients.
An often overlooked aspect of the rare …
Artificial intelligence (AI) can transform many industries, including health care. AI can improve the accuracy and efficacy of medical diagnoses and treatments due to its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and make predictions. However, there are many reasons why AI cannot replace human clinicians. Despite its impressive capabilities, AI still lacks critical qualities essential for providing quality medical care. This article will explore ten reasons AI cannot replace …
Why human touch matters in health care: the limitations of AI
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Join us as we delve into the controversial topic of assisted suicide with our guest, Nicholas S. Tito, a medical student. This thought-provoking episode will explore the Western world’s growing support for legally assisted euthanasia and the …
Navigating the ethical minefield of assisted suicide [PODCAST]
“How was your Thanksgiving?”
This may seem like an odd question to ask at the end of January, but I had not seen Ahmed (not real name) and his mother since his last infant well visit in late October. This family moved to central Ohio about two years ago, escaping the ravages of living in a country that has seen a civil war for the better of 20 years. Ahmed’s mom …
The power of personal stories in vaccination awareness
My personal doctor and two of my cherished mentors died within the past several years, each “after a long illness,” according to their obituaries. Rock legend David Crosby (The Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) recently died “after a long illness,” as stated by his wife, Jan Dance.
David Crosby’s co-musicians were perplexed that his widow would attribute his death to a long illness. Crosby certainly …
What does it mean when we say someone has died after a long illness?
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated disparities in mental health care access for communities of color. The care gaps in mental health are further accentuated as more health care services, such as mental health, begin to be delivered virtually through telehealth services. As much as 60 percent of mental health care is being delivered by telehealth. Mental health-related telehealth visits reached a massive uptake between …
Closing the gap: Improving mental health care access for communities of color in the COVID era
“I just can’t. I can’t,” Wendy sobbed into my hair. We barely made it out the door when our bodies collapsed together, puddles holding puddles. The children, 5 and 7, had just left with their tiny grey backpacks, tiny soldiers off to the abyss. Pastel crayon drawings taped to every pale pink wall: “Mom! Get well soon!” But she wouldn’t. Rainbows and stick figures clung to the white paper on …
The comfort of colleagues: a story of love and loss in palliative care
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Join us for an insightful conversation with Lyle Berkowitz, a physician executive, as he discusses the growing trend of telehealth and its impact on patient care. With the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the use of virtual visits, consumers …
Telehealth takes the stage: How virtual visits are revolutionizing health care [PODCAST]
I’m starting to see this trend of podcasts and articles that seem to be raising the white flag against childhood obesity. We should all agree with physicians that these conversations should be approached carefully and thoughtfully. We should agree that there are clear reasons to promote regular exercise and a healthy diet. We should agree with the clear health benefits of maintaining a healthy weight. There are clear mental health …
The importance of childhood obesity prevention: a doctor’s perspective
What would you expect to see if you threw a pebble in a pond? You would likely see a ripple in the water, extending wider than the diameter of the pebble. Seeing a pebble drop into a pond and create ripples is always mesmerizing. It’s amazing to observe the concentric circles slowly expanding outwards from the point of impact. It’s a fascinating example of how energy can travel through water, …
The pebble versus the rock: a case for mental health reform
In the United States, physicians are typically categorized as either academics or private practitioners. However, a case can be made that it is possible to construct a career path that incorporates both professional avenues. I was put in an excellent position to realize this during my fellowship at LSU, which structured some parts of its community medicine program in a way that resembled private practice.
I enjoyed my experience as a …
Combining academic medicine and private practice: a success story
In residency, we are trained to follow our intuition. In pediatrics, this translates into learning how to recognize a sick kid. Of course, we are taught what to look for on the physical exam and the labs and what protocols to follow, but we are also taught how to listen to our instincts. When our gut tells us we have a sick kid, we don’t overthink; we set into action. …
Why your intuition is key to better physical and emotional health
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