Governor Abbott’s decree: medically harmful, scientifically unfounded, and unethical

Policy
March 12, 2022

On February 22nd, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas turned essential medical treatments for transgender adolescents into a crime, ordering the state to investigate them as “child abuse.”

The following day, a patient came to one of us (Dr. Morse), and through sobs recounted the gender identity-related maltreatment that she had experienced throughout her youth. She had survived bullying at school, transphobic slurs in the streets, and multiple threats of physical assault. …

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Remove race from clinical guidelines

Conditions
March 12, 2022

The theme for the 2022 Black History Month was “Black Health and Wellness.” To improve Black health and wellness, the scientific community needs to take the first step by removing the category of race in clinical guidelines where it can do more harm than good by exacerbating inequities in care.

Though there exists such small biological variation in races, the biological basis for distinguishing race continues to exist …

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You take care of others all day. Here are 11 ways to care for yourself.

Physician
March 12, 2022

Many of us in health care tend to have qualities that brought us to our professions, which hinder our self-care. We tend to be self-sufficient to a fault, at times lacking the humility to acknowledge or accept we need help. We may also think we are invisible and that we can endure all suffering we witness or experience without any need to process what we experienced emotionally. Additionally, we have …

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What doctors and soldiers have in common [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 11, 2022
YouTube video

“What makes soldiers and doctors good at their jobs are also the very things that make it hard to leave work at work. My former husband was, and is, very good at his job, especially when it comes to compassion and care for his patients. At work, he gives his …

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It’s time to start approaching heart disease like breast cancer

Conditions
March 11, 2022

Almost all of us know that October is breast cancer awareness month. Many of us also know that BRCA 1/2, the BReast CAncer genes, can increase a person’s chances of developing breast cancer. In fact, BRCA 1/2 is so well known that patients with a positive family history often seek genetic screening for it on their own accord. As a medical professional, I am awed by this level of …

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Only patients can save U.S. health care

Physician
March 11, 2022

U.S. health care is going to hell in a handbasket, but only as patients can we alter this. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), hospital administrators and we patients are all guilty of worshiping at the altar of “patient satisfaction.”

It’s not that patient satisfaction is necessarily a bad thing. As a patient myself, I certainly seek out convenience and satisfaction. A UC Davis study in 2012, …

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Stop the ABMS monopoly

Physician
March 11, 2022

Currently, there are three multi-specialty certifying bodies recognized within our health care system. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS). Albeit we state there are three, for some time the ABMS has been certifying osteopathic physicians with AOA in practice coming into the fold.

We constantly speak of the crisis of physician shortages. Yet, crisis or no crisis, …

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Intimate partner violence and abuse is a hidden reality for many physicians

Physician
March 11, 2022

This article may be emotionally distressing and triggering for some readers. Please speak with your therapist, physician or support if you are in distress or local crisis line or the ER.

February: a time when the stores are bursting with pink and red, marketing pitches for gifts and “romantic” dates for your special Valentine.

For many, February is a heavy month, reminding them of the contradiction they have lived or continue living …

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Cancer treatment and tumor-informed residual disease testing [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 10, 2022
YouTube video

“Life can feel full of uncertainty when battling cancer, with few guarantees. ‘Is there still cancer in my body?’ and ‘Will it come back?’ are common questions that have long been difficult to answer confidently until recently. Advances in next-generation sequencing — and a growing understanding of how our bodies …

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How much pressure is good pressure?

Physician
March 10, 2022

“Block the player,” and “hustle” were some of the words that hit my ears as I entered the court to watch my daughter’s basketball game. I felt the sensation of stress. There was the coach on one side of the court with some of the players waiting for their turn to join the game and parents were watching from the other side. Whereas the coach was guiding the players and …

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Addressing burnout in the time of COVID

Physician
March 10, 2022

I’m hearing from my physician coaching clients that they are beyond exhausted by this pandemic. They experience judgment toward people who won’t get the vaccine. They are frustrated and angry with the situation. And then they feel guilt or shame for feeling this way.

Both doing the actual work and being a witness to human suffering had already worn doctors out. The additional emotional toll caused by these uncomfortable feelings occurs …

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Glowing and beaming represent physical evidence of joy in life

Physician
March 10, 2022

Glowing and beaming.

Applying these terms to people has become somewhat dated, but to students of human nature, and especially doctors who meet people under all sorts of unusual circumstances, they still apply.

A former colleague of mine, who worked in general practice in Kansas in his early medical years, went on to an OB/GYN residency and practiced obstetrics until his retirement. He swore that he could tell when a woman was …

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It goes without saying: a residency interview

Education
March 10, 2022

Describe a challenge and how you overcame it.

Is this an interview? It is. I see. Yes, the way you are looking at me like I should be providing an answer. OK, well. You see this is a challenge right here because you are two-dimensional and yet I have been told that you are three—and you look like you could have human-like qualities and maybe a cat—but right now I see …

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Coming back from the brink of burnout [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 9, 2022
YouTube video

“I understand what it feels like to be in the depths of depression and hopelessness. I have had a lifelong battle with stuttering, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, depression, and suicide.

I continually fight these battles and have learned to heal and recover through family, friends, and ultra-running. Since attempting to take my life …

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Let it go: A pediatrician reflects after a difficult conversation

Physician
March 9, 2022

I walk into the patient room, “Hello, I’m Dr. Seabury. What can we do for you today?” As soon as I see the unbundled child, I know there is a problem. I examine the patient fully. Carefully. The conversation that comes next is a challenging one.

“Strong concern.” “Slow growth.” “Percentiles.” “Development.” “Admission to the hospital.”

There is silence, then the words from the family flow forth. Angry, accusatory, confused, dismissive, worried, …

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The case for ending printed medical journals

Physician
March 9, 2022

For the better part of two decades in medicine, I considered printed journals an old friend. Getting my latest medical journal in the mail, opening it, enjoying the feel, look, and even the smell of the journal was almost like getting a monthly present. During training, Journal club was the substitute I needed for the Book of the Month clubs I could not attend with other friends. To this day, …

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I’m covering the practice of a “Dr. Feel Good”

Physician
March 9, 2022

Every now and then, a physician in a group practice or clinic setting disappears abruptly. Sometimes this is due to illness or a family problem; occasionally, the doctor has encountered a professional difficulty of one sort or another that precludes them from continuing to practice. The abruptly disappearing physician’s patients must be cared for by covering colleagues. This is especially important for patients who are being treated with controlled substances …

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Eating disorders thrive in secrecy, so let’s talk about it [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 8, 2022
YouTube video

“I was diagnosed over 20 years ago, and looking back, I feel privileged that I did meet the stereotype for anorexia and be forced into treatment. However, along the way, I have gained insight that people of all bodies share my struggles. And the use of weight/BMI to determine whether …

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The missing doctors’ goodbyes

Physician
March 8, 2022

There is a particular pang of regret I get when I think about the patients who I have failed to say goodbye to.

By this, I mean when a physician leaves a group or practice, they are often prevented from sharing their next destination. Like most young physicians, I had left my first employer within five years and was barred from sharing my next job details. I had learned in training …

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Why always being positive might be the worst thing for physicians to do

Physician
March 8, 2022

During the current COVID-19 pandemic and with staffing shortages, you’ve probably heard the phrase “stay positive.”

Perhaps this message comes from well-intended institutional leadership, mentors, colleagues, family members, friends or even yourself.

On the surface, the mantra of “staying positive” sounds appealing. Of course, I want to be positive for my family, patients, colleagues, learners, or people whom I lead, right? But what does “staying positive” really mean? And what might be …

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