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Hospitals are some of the least hospitable places

Physician

April 24, 2022

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 …

How much time do physicians spend in the EHR? [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

April 23, 2022

“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 …

Why did it feel like I failed my patient?

Aatqa Memon

Education

April 23, 2022

“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 …

Virtual care is convenient, but is it better for everyone?

Shruti Singal, MD, MBA

Physician

April 23, 2022

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 …

How to cope with pandemic fatigue [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

April 22, 2022

“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 …

The criminalization of true medical errors is a step backwards for patient safety

Michael Ramsay, MD

Policy

April 22, 2022

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 …

Want to stem frontline worker burnout and walkout? Here are 3 ways.

Eve Poczatek, MBA

Policy

April 22, 2022

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 …

PPE: psychiatrist presenting emotion

Shivana Naidoo, MD

Physician

April 22, 2022

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 …

Read more…

PPE: psychiatrist presenting emotion

Tips for delivering difficult pediatric diagnoses [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

April 21, 2022

“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, …

Prostate cancer, sex drive, male menopause and conversations to have with your doctor

Kevin Charles King, MD

Conditions

April 21, 2022

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.

This doctor got COVID. Here’s what it taught him.

Matthew Hahn, MD

Conditions

April 21, 2022

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 …

Does Chicago needs a rapid response to food sanitation and safety?

Janice Phillips, PhD, RN and John Mazzeo, PhD

Policy

April 21, 2022

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 …

Debunking the myths around asynchronous care [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

April 20, 2022

“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, …

Done with COVID? Not so fast.

Stefanie Demetriades, PhD

Conditions

April 20, 2022

Moving into the pandemic’s third year, as many settle into the notorious “new normal” of COVID, the challenge now is avoiding complacency and keeping attention and vaccination rates high enough to maintain protection against the still-evolving virus.

Six months after approving a first vaccine booster, the FDA has now authorized a second booster dose for older and immunocompromised people at greater risk of serious illness. With new variants …

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Done with COVID? Not so fast.

Malpractice: an officer of the court

Brian Sayers, MD

Physician

April 20, 2022

Tony (not his real name) was one of those patients who came to be a friend. I was his doctor for 11 years, guiding him through some very difficult times with a chronic autoimmune disease. He was a handyman, a fly fisherman, a husband, a father and a man of deep faith.

His condition was difficult to control, but he always offered a smile as he patiently and hopefully waded through …

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Malpractice: an officer of the court

The horror of darkened hearts

Steve Adelman, MD

Physician

April 20, 2022

In 2016, I published A Tale of Two Epidemics in the Harvard Health Blog. Sadly, our current pandemic has joined with health professional burnout and the opioid epidemic to gobsmack us with virus-infused spittle. Although doctors and nurses have stepped up heroically to save lives, many of us are depressed and dispirited. We’ve gotten sick. Some have died. Political nonsense has overshadowed reason – some have been …

Read more…

The horror of darkened hearts

A psychiatrist’s part-time journey [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

April 19, 2022

“She kept quiet, but she had planted the seed.

Interestingly I did not talk much about work during the appointment, so her question stirred my thoughts. Why did she think it was work-related? I started to look at my daily routine. I was able to recognize where I needed to …

Divided loyalties: A physician testifies against a colleague

Kasi Chu, MD

Physician

April 19, 2022

Some may think I am a traitor.

I testified against one of our colleagues. And his employment was terminated.

It feels terrible. The type of gut-wrenching terrible that baits my tear and steals my sleep. I find myself rehashing the testimony, always startled afresh at the unambiguous answers.

“What were your concerns?” Counsel asks.

“Patient safety.”

“Do you think he should be employed at this company?”

“No.”

Seemingly simple words that seal a 60-month saga.

My first meeting …

How to retain more of your hard-earned money

Tod Stillson, MD

Finance

April 19, 2022

I have never known a doctor who wasn’t interested in bringing more money into their home. There are so many reasons for this that can range from paying off large loans to the costs of having children (nannies, sitters, private schools, college, weddings, etc.) to the growing sense that your employer undervalues you.

Regardless of your reason, most of you will attempt to fill this void by working harder or by …

A bad death: the importance of truth-telling at end-of-life

Althea Halchuck, EJD

Conditions

April 19, 2022

“Death would not be called bad, O people, if one knew how to truly die.”
— Nanak

Her funeral was yesterday, and there was a huge turn-out. She was 67 and never cussed or said a bad word about anyone. She was much-friended and well-loved. In late January 2022, she was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer in her lungs, which metastasized to her liver and bones. At first, some medico used the word …

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