“I spent the first three days sitting next to my dad’s hospital bed, watching his chest rise and fall slowly. He was asleep the majority of the time, fighting off something unknown. Anytime he moved, I jumped up from my chair and stood where he could see me just in case …
Advocating for a sick parent by confronting physician bias [PODCAST]
I am almost divorced.
I thought about staying private about this. And I mostly have over the last nine months. But here’s the thing — this decision is one of the best ones of my entire life.
I have not been at all immune to the roller coaster of emotions. The last few months have brought me peace and happiness. And as I have shared my story with more friends, I recognize …
I am standing before a team of fellows, residents, medical students, and pharmacists on Monday morning about to start rounds on the oncology service. And as the intern is about to dive into the first patient presentation, I take a moment to ask a question: “Is anyone here into aviation?” This context is met with an awkward pause, people’s eyes looking down, and a bit of confusion. I make an …
10 ways medicine is like the airline industry
Maintaining a relationship during nursing school takes some effort. Your time is taken up by studying, classes, clinicals and labs. Oh, did I mention studying? At the end of the day, there is just not much time left for significant others. Now, I am referring to romantic relationships here, but the same concept also applies to friendships.
I’ve put together a list of tips from my own experience to hopefully give …
How to maintain your relationships during nursing school
“What these substances have in common is that they are widely considered to fall into the category of psychedelics. What else they have in common is that the vast majority of us physicians learned nothing about them in medical school or residency, as most psychedelics are classified as Schedule …
What clinicians need to know about psychedelic medicine [PODCAST]
Back on the internet, you are looking for something to make you angry. It’s a habit you picked up as a researcher, stuck in your lab until sunset, walking home to those empty walls. It’s one you’ve kept as a medical student.
It’s always the most belligerent takes that ignite you. The ones that leap to the front line, waving old middle school science like it’s pure, unshifting truth. It needles …
On the internet, you are looking for something to make you angry
I thought it would be easier than ICU nursing. After 33 years as an ICU nurse, I had to leave. I just couldn’t take the pounding on the chests of little old men and women. Hearing and feeling their ribs crack while CPR was performed. I couldn’t handle these poor patients who should have had a peaceful death when the inevitable was near.
Family members with expectations of miracles. Denial. Rationalization.
And …
A patient hit me: Why I say anti-assault prayers
Dear new intern:
As you embark on a year that will prove at different times stimulating, frustrating, rewarding, and exhausting, you’ve likely already been inundated with suggestions on how to thrive, or at the very least, survive what lies ahead.
While I have no pithy advice or intern life-hacks to offer, I suggest one (perhaps strange) practice I hope you will consider and strive to exhibit as you weather the highs and …
Hospitals are some of the least hospitable places
“Greater demands in the U.S. for billing and regulation-related documentation contribute to the excess time burden of EHR systems compared with other countries. A high volume of clinical alerts and other distractions in the EHR, as well as various other inefficiencies (such as locked computer screens and repetitive sign-in …
How much time do physicians spend in the EHR? [PODCAST]
“Have you ever had feelings of depression?”
I regretted asking that question the moment it slipped out of my mouth. In the span of what felt like 5 minutes but was probably 30 seconds, both the patient and I immediately became awkward. The patient hesitated and her breathing hitched. My heart rate became rapid and my palms got sweaty. Her eyes turned red, her face tilted downwards, her fingers tremored. By …
Why did it feel like I failed my patient?
Through all the changes that we experienced in the past two years, two trends became quite popular: staying home to binge-watch television and getting medical care over your phone. Interestingly, neither are new, and both have been around for 20+ years in various forms. Both have become mainstream by the common denominator of COVID-19. This pandemic has allowed for many device-based conveniences to become top of mind, from Instacart and …
Virtual care is convenient, but is it better for everyone?
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging in the United States for over two years. Health care workers across the country have been chronically pushed to their limits as we navigate difficult situations on a daily basis. The advent of the COVID-19 vaccine, although a powerful tool in our crusade …
How to cope with pandemic fatigue [PODCAST]
On December 27, 2017, as the result of a medication error, 75-year-old Charlene Murphey died tragically at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The nurse who administered the medication, RaDonda Vaught, was criminally convicted for the mishap and the case ultimately caught the attention of the entire global health care community.
Unfortunately, medical errors are not an uncommon occurrence in health care. In fact, they are believed to be the third leading …
The criminalization of true medical errors is a step backwards for patient safety
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Lorna Breen, MD, a New York City emergency room doctor, committed suicide following weeks of incredible stress she endured at work. Nearly two years later, the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act was signed into federal law, providing federal grants to support programs and training on reducing health care worker burnout.
While this legislation is an important step forward, it is not enough.
Two years …
Want to stem frontline worker burnout and walkout? Here are 3 ways.
Out of all the fields of medical practice, the field of psychiatry is the most unlikely place to be wearing a mask. My fellow physicians in hospitals, operating rooms and clinics typically had masks ready to utilize for several procedures long before COVID emerged.
In mental health care, especially as a child psychiatrist, masks are a significant hindrance in clinical care.
How could the family that uses American Sign Language read my …
PPE: psychiatrist presenting emotion
“I remember our first day in the cystic fibrosis clinic like it was yesterday. I cried in the parking garage and struggled to nurse my daughter in the waiting room. And then it happened. That moment is forever etched in my mind. The pediatric pulmonologist took my hands, looked me in the eye, …
Tips for delivering difficult pediatric diagnoses [PODCAST]
Americans are having less sex than ever before. Should we be worried? Ask your prostate.
A 2022 study from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior found that the rate of all types of sexual intercourse have declined from 2009 to 2018. While the authors speculate as to why this may be the case – it is unlikely they examined the role of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer, sex drive, male menopause and conversations to have with your doctor
Tuesday night, March 29 into March 30, I started to feel that sensation I associate with the start of a cold. It was a feeling in the back of my throat that’s almost hard to describe. I haven’t had that sensation in years. Because I have been wearing an N95 mask every time I come into contact with people outside of my inner circle, I hadn’t had any sort of …
This doctor got COVID. Here’s what it taught him.
As the momentum to mitigate food insecurity continues to unfold, we need a stronger emphasis on ensuring better food sanitation and safety in economically disadvantaged and under-resourced communities. For example, the closing of 400 Dollar General Stores in several states and a grocery store closure on Chicago’s West side due to rodent infestation are of concern, especially for communities who are already dealing with …
Does Chicago needs a rapid response to food sanitation and safety?
“So how can health systems and clinicians provide patients with an improved, consumer-friendly experience while also making strides to decrease provider administrative burden and burnout? They need to embrace virtual care beyond just video visits and look toward asynchronous telehealth. Asynchronous care allows providers to treat patients for common, …
Debunking the myths around asynchronous care [PODCAST]
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