The untold truths behind overdiagnosis and why it matters to your health

Conditions
December 4, 2024

An interview with Jerome Hoffman, MD, professor emeritus at UCLA.

Martha Rosenberg: As professor emeritus at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), you engaged in what is laughingly called in academics the “triple threat” of research, teaching, and clinical work for 30 years. Can you please summarize a little of what you did?

Jerome Hoffman: You’re right – I spent my career as an old-style academic, doing those three types of work. …

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Why rudeness and AI are pushing doctors to rethink their approach

Physician
December 4, 2024

Last week my nurse called me, weeping. A patient had called and abused her, threatened her, and said he would complain to authorities about her. This, because his insurance company had delayed his medication refill request by a week. My nurse was hurt; she answers patient queries and emails even on her days off. He is not the only one shouting at and threatening medical staff. In my 30-year career …

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When empathy is found in unexpected places [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 3, 2024
YouTube video

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We delve into the powerful narrative of patient vulnerability and resilience. Our guest, writer Rachel Litchman, shares her deeply personal experience of being hospitalized, highlighting the disconnect between patient needs and systemic responses. …

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Medicaid in non-expansion states: Explaining the indefensible

Policy
December 3, 2024

Over the years, as members of the Health and Public Policy Committee (HPPC) of the Texas chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP), we have focused on advocacy for what we believe is the most important health policy issue in our state, Medicaid expansion under provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Our efforts, and the work of many others, have had no discernable impact on state policy.

In the …

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The impact of sleep on fertility: Why rest matters for reproductive health

Conditions
December 3, 2024

Introduction

Sleep is not just a luxury; it is essential for maintaining health, and its role in fertility is particularly profound. From regulating reproductive hormones to protecting egg and sperm quality, sleep impacts every stage of the reproductive process. Yet, sleep disturbances—such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and irregular schedules—are often overlooked in fertility discussions. Recent research highlights how poor sleep affects fertility in men and women, influencing natural conception …

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Nurses, stop eating your young: a call for change

Conditions
December 3, 2024

I sat on a cylindrical stool, eyes bleary from the early hour. Navy scrubs freshly pressed, my nursing school patch tacked to my left shoulder. Would anyone notice I used hot glue and whipstitches?

I remember the sound my clipboard made as I attached a fresh piece of paper. The whoosh was faint and mimicked the flip-flap of wings attached to butterflies whirring around in my belly. I waited eagerly for …

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How to conquer the devils of modern medicine for a longer, happier life [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 2, 2024
YouTube video

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Cardiologist P. Albert Chan shares critical insights into the importance of preventive care and a holistic approach to longevity and happiness. Drawing on decades of experience across continents, he discusses the prevention and …

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A doctor’s life-saving instinct reveals the hidden danger in a patient’s crisis

Physician
December 2, 2024

An excerpt from Yankee Doctor in the Bible Belt: A Memoir.

There are patients you can help. You can see them through a crisis, give them a magic medicine that makes everything better. There are others where there is little you can do. Their distress is beyond cure. The following story is about one person I could help.

Tony Bowman is a man in his early …

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Are the AI safeguards currently in place sufficient to prevent a doomsday scenario?

Tech
December 2, 2024

My vote for Time’s Person of the Year is Artificial Intelligence (AI). I think AI is the most talked about and hyped (overhyped?) development of 2024, already transforming operations across numerous sectors, from manufacturing to financial services. In the health sector, AI has ushered in groundbreaking advancements in several areas, including psychotherapy, substituting for therapists and also posing ominous portents for physicians. AI systems that learn …

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Heartbreaking stories of famous lives lost to suicide and a community’s fight for awareness

Physician
December 2, 2024

Famous artists and athletes who succumbed to suicide:

Robin Williams (American actor and comedian) – August 11, 2014; 63 years old.

Anthony Bourdain (American celebrity chef, author, travel documentarian) – June 8, 2018; 61 years old.

Robert Enke (German goalkeeper, part of German national soccer team) – November 10, 2009; 32 years old.

Goo Hara (South Korean singer and actor) – November 24, 2019; 28 years old.

Ruslana Korshunova (Kazakhstani model) – June 28, 2008; …

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You don’t need to be a doctor to save lives and make a difference

Physician
December 2, 2024

If you ask aspiring doctors, “Why do you want to become a doctor?” they often reply, “I want to help people” or “I want to save people.”

The intention to help is commendable, but many careers work toward protecting and supporting us.

It is much easier to view doctors as “knights in shining armor,” “heroes,” or “saviors.” In some cultures, they may even be seen as deities. This perception can sometimes unintentionally …

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How biomarkers are revolutionizing dementia diagnosis and care [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 1, 2024
YouTube video

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Join us for an enlightening discussion with neurologist Amy E. Sanders as we explore the evolution of biomarkers in diagnosing and monitoring Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. We’ll delve into the significance of …

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The debate over Alzheimer’s diagnosis: biological markers vs. symptoms

Conditions
December 1, 2024

The field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is seeing a heated debate about the best way to diagnose this devastating condition. On one side, the Alzheimer Association (AA) proposed new criteria that rely solely on biological markers—such as proteins seen in brain scans or found in the liquid bathing the brain and spine, called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—even in individuals who show no symptoms. These biomarkers, which include amyloid and tau proteins, …

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How physicians can get started in digital health and health care innovation

Physician
December 1, 2024

In the rapidly evolving landscape of health care, the urgent need for innovation has never been more critical. As a physician, you are uniquely positioned to drive transformative changes that can improve patient outcomes, enhance care delivery, and reduce costs. However, despite the opportunities, stepping into the realm of digital health and health care innovation can seem daunting.

The importance of understanding the imperative for innovation in health care

Health care systems …

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New treatment guidelines transform care for restless legs syndrome [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 30, 2024
YouTube video

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We dive into the evolving landscape of treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS) with neurologist Andrew Spector. For decades, patients have been prescribed dopamine agonists like ropinirole and pramipexole, often unaware that these …

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Hero’s journey: Letting go of self-hate and choosing love instead

Physician
November 30, 2024

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on my hero’s journey is the importance of learning to accept ourselves (our full selves).

I couldn’t sit across from patients, clients, friends, or family members the way I wanted to until I started to love all parts of me. When I am grounded in love for all parts of me, I show up differently. I show up better able to love all parts …

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What Chadwick Boseman’s death reveals about cancer prevention and risk factors

Conditions
November 30, 2024

We lost a very talented actor and director, Chadwick Boseman, way too early to colorectal cancer in 2023. When I recently became aware of his enormous talent, I resolved to examine his premature death as best I could with the hope of sparing others such a life snuffed out in the midst of a highly successful career.

Although I usually work in the sphere of neurodegenerative disorders, a curious phenomenon links …

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Discover how AI and appreciative inquiry can transform health care [PODCAST]

Podcast
November 29, 2024
YouTube video

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We explore the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and appreciative inquiry (AI) in health care. Anesthesiologist Wael Saasouh and health care executive Lisa Scardina share their insights on how technology can support …

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18 words in medical records that restore principles in a medical malpractice lawsuit

Physician
November 29, 2024

There are 85,000 medical malpractice lawsuits filed per year. There are 1 million physicians. Therefore, your odds as a doctor for being sued for malpractice are 8.5 percent per year, which corresponds to one lawsuit every 12 years. To make matters worse, two-thirds of lawsuits have questionable merit.

A malpractice lawsuit is inevitable because a complication is inevitable. It just takes one complication. The problem arises when a complication is a …

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