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From struggle to success: inspiring tales of resilience

Osmund Agbo, MD

May 3, 2024May 3, 2024

For a man whose name is synonymous with genius, it's hard trying to imagine Albert Einstein as a prodigal son whose father died believing he was a complete failure. Yet, at school early in his life, he skipped classes and…

For a man whose name is synonymous with genius, it’s hard trying to imagine Albert Einstein as a prodigal son whose father died believing he was a complete failure. Yet, at school early in his life, he skipped classes and made close to failing grades. Legend has it that he was so uninspired by his own performance to the extent that, at some point, he considered dropping out and pursuing …

Physician finance

Should we teach business literacy to medical trainees?

Marc Braunstein, MD, PhD

May 3, 2024May 3, 2024

Today is the day I live for as a hematology-oncology fellowship program director. There are balloons filled on stage, dinner buffet stations brewing in the back of the conference room, and fellows entering with their proud families in tow for the graduation ceremony. On average, our graduating fellows have completed 14 years of education and training since high school and are finally about to enter the workforce as full-fledged oncologists. …

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Pioneering community primary care [PODCAST]

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024

We join family physicians Michael Fine and Scott Conard. In this episode, we delve into how Michael's visionary leadership propelled the creation of America's inaugural community health alliance in response to rising health care costs and diminishing insurance options. Through…

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We join family physicians Michael Fine and Scott Conard. In this episode, we delve into how Michael’s visionary leadership propelled the creation of America’s inaugural community health alliance in response to rising health care costs and diminishing insurance options. Through collaborative efforts, the alliance introduced population-based primary care, prioritizing proactive wellness …

Medical education

Supporting migrant adolescents

Ruhi Saldanha

May 2, 2024May 2, 20243

There is a public health crisis in America right now among the migrant population. Chicago is dealing with a measles outbreak. Many parts of America are similarly affected, according to the CDC Measles Dashboard. Health care for migrant children and…

There is a public health crisis in America right now among the migrant population.

Chicago is dealing with a measles outbreak. Many parts of America are similarly affected, according to the CDC Measles Dashboard.

Health care for migrant children and adolescents in Chicago and other sanctuary cities needs greater focus with increased federal funding.

Texas …

Supporting migrant adolescents

We are all concierge doctors now

Armand Rodriguez, MD

May 2, 2024May 2, 20249

I never wanted to be a formal concierge doctor. Most of us are familiar with those plans that make physicians limit their patient panel to several hundred patients, and each one of them agrees to pay several thousand dollars for the privilege of access to their physician at all times. Sure, after over 30 years of practice in the same community, having a smaller patient panel, dedicating more time to …

We are all concierge doctors now

A doctor’s digital twin [PODCAST]

May 1, 2024May 1, 2024

We delve into the future of health care with Scott Ellner, a general surgeon. Join us as we explore how AI and machine learning are transforming preventive medicine, addressing the looming physician shortage, and tackling issues of data privacy and…

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A doctor’s digital twin [PODCAST]

Conditions and diseases

Science supports it and patients want it: Bringing whole-person care to cancer treatment

Alyssa McManamon, MD & Wayne B. Jonas, MD

May 1, 2024May 1, 2024

Patients, as the primary stakeholders in their own well-being, are increasingly showing a profound interest in holistic approaches to cancer care that extend beyond traditional medical treatments. Growing evidence supports this interest, showing that some whole-person and integrative approaches can improve quality of life and survival outcomes. Oncologists’ attitudes are shifting in the same direction, though with less urgency than our patients’.

We recently conducted parallel surveys of oncologists …

Richard E. Anderson, MD & The Doctors Company

DEA shuts down pharmacy for fulfilling addiction treatment prescriptions

L. Joseph Parker, MD

May 1, 2024May 1, 20245

On August 8, 2023, DEA agents shut down the Oak Hill Hometown Pharmacy in the Southern District of West Virginia. Their crime? Having filled more than 2,000 prescriptions for Subutex over more than two years “in the face of obvious red flags of drug abuse and diversion,” according to the U.S. Attorney for that district. I guess someone needs to explain to the government what the heck Subutex is prescribed …

Health policy

Harnessing U.S. health care’s resources to navigate the next decade

May 1, 2024May 1, 2024

American health care faces persistent issues with consolidation, workforce shortages, integration of new technologies, and unrelenting economic pressure. In 2023, technologies such as clinical decision support (CDS) and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools continued to emerge rapidly, offering both promise and risk. Meanwhile, even as long-standing care and business models are upended, the ripple effects of COVID-19 continue. Physician shortages are growing, especially in primary care, though advanced practice clinicians …

Situational judgment tests in health care admissions [PODCAST]

April 30, 2024Apr 30, 2024

Join us as we delve into the evolving landscape of health professional admissions processes, focusing on the use of situational judgment tests (SJTs) like Casper and PREview. Our guest, Emil Chuck, a health professional advisor, sheds light on the effectiveness…

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Reclaiming humanity in health care

Jattu Senesie, MD

April 30, 2024Apr 30, 2024

Why aren't we physicians kinder to ourselves? Why aren't we kinder to our colleagues? Why aren't we kinder to our patients? I tend to think the answer to all of the above questions is a disrespect many of us have…

Why aren’t we physicians kinder to ourselves? Why aren’t we kinder to our colleagues? Why aren’t we kinder to our patients? I tend to think the answer to all of the above questions is a disrespect many of us have for what we consider being human.

For some reason, many of us in health care associate our humanity only with what holds us back from being our best. In fact, there …

Reclaiming humanity in health care

Conditions and diseases

Empowering patients to discuss sexual health

Jennifer Romanello, MD & Monica Meyers & Olivia Negris & Sri Contractor & Suvitha Viswanathan

April 30, 2024Apr 30, 2024

I'm sure you can picture it. You're sitting in an exam room wearing a paper gown, waiting for your health care provider to walk in the room. There are a few colorful posters on the wall about flu season, health…

I’m sure you can picture it. You’re sitting in an exam room wearing a paper gown, waiting for your health care provider to walk in the room. There are a few colorful posters on the wall about flu season, health screenings, and a discount prescription program available to patients. But all you can think about is the conversation you’re about to have. Will they bring it up? Will you ask? …

A critical care physician’s journey through long COVID [PODCAST]

April 29, 2024Apr 29, 2024

Join us for an insightful podcast episode featuring Sonali Mantoo, a critical care physician, as she shares her personal journey through long COVID. From her experience on the pandemic frontlines to navigating the complexities of long COVID symptoms, Sonali offers…

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Voices for physician mental health

Kim Downey, PT

April 29, 2024Apr 29, 2024

I've been honored and privileged to have had recent conversations with two courageous women: Betsy Gall and Pamela Marie Hobby. Pamela met a medical resident who changed the course of her life on October 28, 2019, and Betsy's life was…

I’ve been honored and privileged to have had recent conversations with two courageous women: Betsy Gall and Pamela Marie Hobby.

Pamela met a medical resident who changed the course of her life on October 28, 2019, and Betsy’s life was forever changed exactly one month later, on November 28, 2019.

Betsy wrote a book to share her family’s story. The title grabbed Pamela immediately, as it aligned with what she was building …

Voices for physician mental health

Health technology

How AI is revolutionizing patient care: Exploring the Humane Ai Pin and Rabbit R1

Harvey Castro, MD, MBA

April 29, 2024Apr 29, 2024

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into health care transforms patient care, making it more personalized, efficient, and accessible. Two groundbreaking technologies, the Humane Ai Pin and the Rabbit R1, exemplify this shift. By enhancing communication, ensuring data security, and improving administrative and clinical operations, these devices promise a future where technology and human expertise merge to foster a patient-centered health care system. Here’s an in-depth look at how these innovations are …

The making of a bed: a timeless ritual passed through generations

Roxanne Almas, MD, MSPH

April 29, 2024Apr 29, 2024

Making a bed seems to be a lost art these days, an unassuming ritual. I have memories of my mother draping, folding, laying, and spreading sheets as they danced in her open-air bedroom. My grandmother passed on the technique to her. From my observations of other families, this practice varies from generation to generation. In a way, making a bed symbolizes life’s journey, where the layers of sheets represent rich …

EHRs and physician well-being [PODCAST]

April 28, 2024Apr 28, 20242

Join Sara Pastoor, a family physician, who brings her expertise to the table as we explore the significant impact of EHRs on physicians' well-being and the urgent need for change. We'll discuss recent studies highlighting the burden and burnout caused…

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Join Sara Pastoor, a family physician, who brings her expertise to the table as we explore the significant impact of EHRs on physicians’ well-being and the urgent need for change. We’ll discuss recent studies highlighting the burden and burnout caused by traditional EHR systems, the importance of a clinical-first approach to …

EHRs and physician well-being [PODCAST]

A hypothetical case of medical malpractice. This can be you.

Howard Smith, MD

April 28, 2024Apr 28, 2024

A patient presents to the emergency room of a major local hospital with ulcers on the heels of both feet. The patient is more than 40 years old, smokes, and has hypertension but is not a diabetic. It is determined…

A patient presents to the emergency room of a major local hospital with ulcers on the heels of both feet. The patient is more than 40 years old, smokes, and has hypertension but is not a diabetic.

It is determined that the patient has peripheral artery disease. The patient is admitted to Dr. X’s service. Dr. X is a vascular surgeon with a special interest in endovascular devices for peripheral artery …