“Many families still prefer their providers to wear a mask. I have no way to know who carries what political or health views around their mask-wearing. Their masks were off, and mine was on. When I asked them for their preference of whether they feel comfortable with me wearing a mask …
A psychiatrist presenting emotion [PODCAST]
An individual crisis unfolds daily. Each starts small. When I learned about epidemics in medical school, I thought they were uncommon. I was wrong.
COVID has taught us what happens if we do not address a crisis with the urgency it deserves.
The COVID crisis quickly became an epidemic and then a pandemic.
The obesity crisis is now an epidemic.
The substance abuse crisis is now an epidemic.
The mental health crisis is now an …
Nurture yourself, get rest, and allow yourself the space you need to heal. #MeFirst
The unpaid time between training and practice is probably the one area of planning that catches most residents and fellows off guard. Transition planning involves preparing for the financial and lifestyle changes as you transition from training to practice.
Many new decisions will need to be made during this time, such as:
…
Transition planning: financial moves for medical residents and fellows
“My IVF baby turns 12 this week — and having attempted frozen and fresh IVF cycles six years ago, which did not result in pregnancies — I can also hold tenderly the space for those who have heard those words, ‘Only one child?’
Yes. Only one. Only one, magical, amazing, child destined …
A physician’s infertility story [PODCAST]
Choosing your employer is the most important next decision you will make for yourself. Signing that employment contract is the single most important use of your signature you will ink and affect your happiness for years, even the rest of your career. PAs and NPs: This applies to you, too.
1. Decide where you want to live. Location matters, and in today’s polarized political environment, choosing a state or region to …
Physician choose wisely: 4 tips when choosing your next job
In 2022, you might have never envisioned that the United States of America would be among other countries struggling to feed its babies. As of the first week of May, more than 40 percent of formula brands are out of stock, and many families are desperately searching high and low, near and far, to find substitute options. In the background of this chaos, I cannot help but consider how we …
The conundrum of feeding our minds and our babies
Before the contemporary context of spandex and exercise trends, physical activity and exercise were integral to daily life for most human beings across historical contexts. In this piece, we explore the historical roots of physical fitness born out of necessity for combat and survival.
Ancient fitness
The earliest evidence of fitness training dates back over three thousand years before the rise of the Greek Olympics, in 4000 BCE. Ancient civilizations residing in …
The past, present, and future of fitness
I am a former associate director in a state physician health program (PHP). I also hold faculty appointments at Baylor College of Medicine and Harvard Medical School in ethics and psychiatry. I started writing about PHPs a decade ago. Almost immediately, I started receiving emails and phone calls from physicians and their lawyers that had a disturbing theme. They’d been referred to their state PHP for a relatively minor issue, …
The extortion of physicians: If doctors don’t pay up they don’t work
“Over the years, trainees poured their hearts out. I began developing wellness electives and curriculum. I ultimately became a founding co-chair of faculty wellness at one institution and the director of wellness at another. This “’final” evasive strategy, working on physician wellness and resilience. Over the years, I have increased the …
Burnout follows from physician to wellness director [PODCAST]
You’re feeling pretty confident as you walk into your medical school interview– but then you meet your interviewer. “Why did it take you so long to get here?! I’ve been sitting here, waiting and waiting, and I’m in so much pain.”
Welcome to the world of the MMI. The Multiple Mini Interview, commonly known as the MMI, is a newer type of medical school interview, and it’s increasingly being used in …
The MMI: 3 strategies to help you prepare
When a congressional candidate was recently cheered on after demanding the execution of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, it was another reminder that civil discourse and trust in science are continuing to dwindle.
A controversial household name in the sciences, Dr. Fauci was the first scientist to make the cover of Time Magazine in its 100-year history. Well-established scientists can easily recognize Fauci’s important contributions to …
Distrust in science is a cancer to public safety
This health policy consultant may have never cried in a doctor’s office before (“My doctor made me cry. It summed up everything that’s wrong with health care“), but I can practically guarantee that her doctor has. I know this because throughout my 20 years as a primary care physician, I have cried many times in my office, and so have most of my colleagues. I’m not talking …
“My doctor made me cry”: Headlines that are examples of victim-blaming
“Whether led by the patient or by a primary care physician or nurse practitioner, a proper leadership-based problem-solving methodology is a critical tool. The approach itself is not nearly as important as the discipline to use a formal approach. One approach, for example, is a simple, proven framework that, on average, …
Patient care is not a spectator sport [PODCAST]
We all know that physicians can make a good amount of money every month as their income. On the other hand, it has become increasingly apparent that the financial blunders they make at some point in their lives contribute to making things difficult while managing finances.
So, it is essential for both young as well as experienced physicians to understand the possible mistakes they have been making and how they can …
10 financial mistakes physicians should avoid right away
Breast is best.
Fed is best
Informed is best.
Fed is first.
What really is best and first when it comes to infant feeding: support. Support is best. Whether we are talking about infant feeding or frankly anything else related to postpartum or the fourth trimester, support is critical.
The other slogans just fall short.
Breast is best. Breastmilk is the most ideal nutrition for infants. Milk is created specifically for infants …
When it comes to feeding infants, support is best
I had wanted to take a long motorcycle trip for years, and I finally carved out two weeks to do so. My pal Doug and I packed our gear onto our Harleys and headed out without an itinerary. We would select the day’s route each morning. Initially, we enjoyed spectacular scenery and good times.
After a few days, however, we encountered pouring rain while winding through remote mountains. There was no …
“There are numerous ways your contract (and your life) can be made better. If you do not want to do it for yourself, do it for your patients. A burned-out physician will not give those patients the same quality of care as a reasonably rested physician would give. For the sake …
The Great Resignation is a great opportunity to renegotiate physician employment contracts [PODCAST]
“The email on your account was changed. If you didn’t change your email address, you can secure your account here.”
I saw this email from Instagram and immediately had a sinking feeling in my stomach.
I clicked the link, but it was too late.
My Instagram account was hacked, and I lost access to everything.
I have heard stories about people getting hacked and never paused to think that it could happen to me.
Until …
What I learned after being hacked on social media
You can get a better deal paying out-of-pocket for routine medical care even if you already have coverage. Another key advantage of going self-pay for medical care is freedom of choice—since every provider takes cash, you don’t have to rely on the whims of an insurance network. You’re then free to pursue whatever doctor or facility you trust the most. That being said, keep your health plan and instead let …
Keep your medical insurance, but pay the doctor with cash
After being a coach for a couple of years now, there is an immediate danger I see right now.
Many of you are doing too much. Unsustainable, dangerous amounts of work. Dangerous to yourself and dangerous to others, which makes it dangerous for you, too.
I’m not trying to be overdramatic, but I am shocked by how much overworking we are accepting.
Everyone’s definition of “overwork” will vary. And the hustle culture and …
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