A simple solution to rapidly increase physician financial literacy

Finance
October 17, 2018

Physician financial literacy is dismal. In the past, many physicians got their first introduction to finance from insurance salesman or financial advisors who give presentations over a free steak dinner.

My medical school’s attempt at teaching us personal finance was to have a financial advisory firm give a half-day lecture about student loan management, budgeting, and investing. While the advice wasn’t inherently bad, I don’t think many of my classmates retained …

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7 reasons why this physician works half-time

Finance
October 16, 2018

By the time you read this, I will have completed a transition to working half-time. Now, I know a lot of docs out there think emergency docs are already only working half-time, so perhaps I ought to start with explaining why that isn’t the case, even if emergency physicians work fewer hours than many other physicians.

Let’s start with the fact that most Americans consider 35 to 40 hours a week …

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How physicians’ grit is being taken advantage of

Physician
October 16, 2018

A vivid memory stands out from my career.

Driving home from the hospital at 3 a.m., I reflected upon my most recent patient’s middle of the night delivery. It wasn’t an easy delivery, as they often aren’t. However, in the end, we had a healthy mom and baby and the family couldn’t have been happier — nor could I.

I felt a sense of gratitude as I was driving in the darkness …

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If you are ready to become a parent, don’t let residency stop you

Physician
October 15, 2018

I had the fascinating experience of interviewing for residency at 20+ weeks’ pregnant. Although a number of people told me that I was doomed, I found the experience to be quite enlightening. Since I couldn’t hide the fact that life outside medicine was going to be important to me during residency, I felt empowered to ask the “don’t ask” questions during my interviews. What did I have to lose? The …

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ACL injuries in middle-age athletes

Conditions
October 10, 2018

Over the last 20 years, physical fitness as a means to improve overall health has increased among the over-40 set. This is great, right? Yes, absolutely. Athletes who remain active as they age do a better job than non-athletes in retaining lean muscle mass. They also show improved bone density, bone structure and bone strength. However, what physicians are seeing are injuries related to the increased level of activity.

One area …

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5 tips to medical resident success

Education
October 10, 2018

The glorious season is upon us. Yes, it is finally autumn. But it is also the season of ERAS with all of its letters of recommendation, USMLE scores, medical school transcripts, and personal statements.

I have dutifully reviewed dozens of applicants whose last names begin with the letters “T” through “Z.” I have noted the test scores and grades. I have considered the caliber of medical school and whether the LORs …

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A scrum master for primary care

Physician
October 9, 2018

We should consider a new position in our primary care teams — that of the scrum master. “Scrum” is a rugby term that comes from agile, a work methodology for software development that now is being applied to industry and health care.

In rugby, a scrum is a huddle where the teams come together with interlocked arms to regroup and start play again. In agile, scrum masters facilitate team huddles and …

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I learned how to be a good doctor in theater school

Education
October 8, 2018

It’s hard for me to believe that a few years ago, I completely turned my back on an acting career I had spent almost two decades building and instead decided to forge into an unknown world of medicine. Even now, with nearly seven years of experience in the medical field and currently in my fourth year of medical school, I sometimes feel lost for an identity.

At the time of my …

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How to survive a medical liability lawsuit

Physician
October 7, 2018

I do not feel that I truly survived my lawsuit. Sure, I am alive, but the emotional toll it took on me during the four years that we co-existed was tremendous. That being said, I do feel that it taught me several things that may be helpful to others.

My lawsuit occurred very early in my career. The series of events that led up to it happened when I was a …

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What you need to know as a non-medical spouse to a surgeon

Physician
October 7, 2018

Combating loneliness as a non-medical spouse to a surgical resident is my current struggle.

I do not just mean the absence of his physical self — which do not get me wrong is frustrating– but the complete absence of his mind when he gets home from a long day at the hospital.

Absolutely no one gave me the proper and direct heads up that I needed as to what it would feel …

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The issues physicians face when changing their name

Physician
October 6, 2018

It’s my first day at a new facility — and I’m prepped with food, snacks and a closed-lid container for my morning coffee and to refill it in the afternoon with water. You never really know how stringent the policies will be for water containers at your new workstation or whether food or snacks are allowed. You might even be lucky enough to get a surprise Joint Commission inspection, or …

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7 keys to having a medical career that serves your life

Physician
October 5, 2018

Doctors spend their early adulthood preparing for medicine. In college, we take classes to satisfy prerequisites and prepare for the MCAT exam.  Medical school has a life of its own. The volume of material to master is extensive, and the pressure mounts to be your best.  Next is the interview process for residency training and the anticipation of Match Day.

Then life will begin. Maybe?

Now, you are in your late 20s …

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Your doctor may need lessons from a used car salesman

Physician
October 5, 2018

The other day I felt like a used car salesman.

I was carefully phrasing my words, picking out just the right ones — the kind that really pack a punch — and delivering them at the right moment, with the perfect momentum. I was trying to make a sale.

Now, my cadence happened to be spot on, as I approached the finish line: the part where I get to package it all up. …

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Should your practice hire a physician assistant or nurse practitioner?

Physician
October 4, 2018

This article is sponsored by Careers by KevinMD.com.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are both advanced-practice providers with considerable autonomy, but they’re not interchangeable. Each brings something slightly different to the table, and if your practice is considering hiring an advanced-level practitioner, it’s important to understand the differences so you can hire appropriately for your need.

Because medical facilities are …

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It’s the physician’s job to think of worst-case scenarios

Conditions
October 3, 2018

I saw two patients with a chief complaint of bubbles in their urine this month.

One middle-aged woman had eaten some wild mushrooms she was pretty sure she had identified correctly, but once her urine turned bubbly a few days later, she came in to make sure her kidneys were OK.

Even though she was feeling quite well, they were not, and she ended up going straight to Cityside hospital for IV …

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My future as both a mother and a physician

Education
October 2, 2018

My parents were married at the College of Physicians.

They picked a location that was not tied to either of their family’s religions but still sated a ceremonial need. A justice of the peace filled the role of a rabbi or priest, and they got married under the only doctrine they both held sacred: the Hippocratic Oath.

I never knew that this was an unconventional wedding location. I used to watch their …

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Dealing with prejudice as a cancer patient

Physician
October 2, 2018

I sat in seat 23F next to the window, took out my leftover dinner from my backpack, and furiously started eating. A few minutes later, a man wearing an Astros baseball cap sat next to me with a puzzled look.

“You sure look hungry.”

“I am, can’t beat fried noodles with chicken. My name’s T.J. Pleasure to meet you.”

“My name’s Mike, Mike Jordan.”

“Are you related to the Michael Jordan?”

“Ha ha! I sure …

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