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The coronavirus vaccine is not a political or social issue

Physician

March 24, 2021

It has been over a year now since shelter-in-place orders struck fear into many, forced millions into unemployment, and taught us all the meaning of the term “supply chain.” It didn’t take long before the chants of “flatten the curve” and “support our health care heroes” dissipated. Once more was known, many industries figured out to cope safely while others just decided to cope unsafely. The government stepped …

Solving imposter syndrome in physicians [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 23, 2021

“The good news is that imposter syndrome can be quieted with increased awareness and replacing negative internal messages with positive ones. In our work together, I helped Sheila identify the voices, understand the positive role the voices fill (and there is always a positive or protective role), and find specific mechanisms for …

The updated benzodiazepine boxed warning: What you need to know

Christy Huff, MD

Meds

March 23, 2021

“I am [sharing] my story as I would like to raise awareness about the dangers of benzodiazepines and advocate for stronger warning labels.”

I paused to wipe away tears before typing the final words of Bobbi’s report into the FDA’s MedWatch online reporting system. Bobbi, a physician assistant, was forced into medical detox by her state medical board after suffering adverse effects from prescription clonazepam. Six years …

Not throwing away my shot: Health care workers show confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine

Bryan Tischenkel, MD

Video

March 23, 2021

This version of “My Shot” was written and recorded by an anesthesiologist, Bryan Tischenkel, MD, to raise awareness for the COVID-19 vaccine. He wanted to show the public the confidence with which many health care workers are receiving their vaccinations daily.

We all believe in the science behind vaccination. Each patient should speak to their physician about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Not throwing away my shot: Health care workers show confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine

Vulnerability is challenging but necessary for health care professionals [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 22, 2021

“In the world of medicine, inordinate stress is instead accepted as just part of the job. If you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen — or see a therapist on your own time and dime. I strongly believe that traditional therapy and psychiatry are vital and valuable disciplines- I …

Another lesson learned: This is what gratitude looks like

Thomas Rhyne White, MD

Physician

March 22, 2021

This week a patient, for whom I served as the primary care physician for over many years, died after an extended illness. I had the privilege of visiting her two days before her death, as she weakened and drew closer to her last breath. It was an opportunity to tell her good-bye.

We were close. She was very smart. She had an engaging sense of humor. She loved college basketball. She …

With Lynch Syndrome, knowledge alone isn’t power

Kerry E. Evers, PhD

Conditions

March 22, 2021

“The blood test shows a genetic mutation at MLH1. You have Lynch.” The words were spoken by my genetic counselor the minute I sat in my chair should have hit me harder, but I only felt numb. I glanced at my closest friend, the person they had insisted go with me to the appointment, and watched as tears filled her eyes. I glanced back at the genetic counselor and the …

One physician’s journey from burnout to bliss [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 21, 2021

“As a young girl, I’d stand on my tiptoes, craning my neck to watch her sweep cerulean eye shadow across lids and smear foundation on sunken cheeks. While my high school friends resorted to secondhand eye shadow instruction from the pages of Teen magazine, I learned by watching my mom transform the …

Health care workers get the applause, but our families are essential, too

Walter J. O’Donnell, MD

Physician

March 21, 2021

Leanne, a nurse, sits next to me in the ICU. She says into the phone, “Now, Johnny, you be good for Nana.” We’re only halfway through another 12-hour shift, and she won’t be home until after her 5-year-old son is ready for bed.

Such calls to palliate separation have long been part of the fabric of health care families’ lives. But the pandemic has magnified the frequency and pain of these absences.

Much …

Physicians and the midlife dip

Beverly Joyce, MD

Physician

March 21, 2021

It seems that the midlife “slump,” “crisis,” or “malaise” phenomenon is actually something that has been studied and written about a lot in the last 40+ years. The phrase “midlife crisis” was originally coined in the 1960s, as explains Jonathan Rauch in his 2018 book, The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50. He describes some fascinating research that shows a definite age-related dip (a U-shaped curve) in happiness …

Read more…

Physicians and the midlife dip

This physician loves primary care. A pandemic isn’t going to change that. [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 20, 2021

“I just started laughing. It was early on Monday morning during our COVID surge. I couldn’t help myself. Phones were not on yet, but I already had triage COVID calls. “Put on your roller skates” was all I was thinking. I questioned my laughter.

The day and a life of a primary …

A physician faces criminal charges for going above and beyond #WeAreDrGokal

Nisha Mehta, MD

Physician

March 20, 2021

Imagine that you’re a physician in the middle of the global pandemic. The life-saving vaccine has just come out, and your job includes administration of the vaccine. At the end of your day, you have 10 extra vaccine doses in an opened vial that will need to be discarded if not used. You know there are not enough vaccines available yet to vaccinate everyone who needs this vaccine as soon …

Choosing an experienced surgeon and high-volume hospital can impact your outcome

Miles J. Varn, MD

Physician

March 20, 2021

If you’ve been diagnosed with a condition and the recommended treatment is surgery, there are proactive steps you can take to lower the risk of post-surgical complications and improve the likelihood of a good outcome. First, before deciding to undergo surgery, which always carries some risk, seek a second opinion from a physician who has experience treating the specific diagnosed condition. In most non-emergency cases, undergoing surgery immediately after diagnosis …

How COVID changed this physician forever [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 19, 2021

“As a professional woman who most identifies as a physician more than any other title, I know that I run the risk of losing myself to this disease. I am not ignorant to the risk. I understand that my identity is supposed to be separate from my achievements and that my babies …

Executive presence for women leaders [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 18, 2021

“Research conducted by the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI), a nonprofit research organization in New York, defines the three pillars of executive presence (EP) as gravitas, communication, and image. Stated differently, EP reflects how you act, how you speak, and how you look. CTI concluded that when people are perceived as …

The confusing policy surrounding the buprenorphine X-waiver

Julie Craig, MD

Meds

March 18, 2021

In the waning days of the Trump administration, a surprising announcement came down from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that the barrier required to write buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid use disorder would be lifted via reform of the so-called “X-waiver.”

The X-waiver is a rare regulation in American medicine that requires an 8-hour training and documented DEA permission before a medical doctor can prescribe Suboxone to …

The world needs more hope-givers. Be that person.

Andy Lamb, MD

Physician

March 18, 2021

He stood silently. His eyes fixed on us, immaculately dressed in a dark three-piece suit adorned with a gold watch and chain, hair meticulously groomed, a brightly colored bow tie centered perfectly on a freshly starched white shirt, wire collar stays in place, black wing-tip shoes glistening. Gold cuff links and military-like, sharply creased pants, with just a subtle break of the cuff on the shoe tops, completed the picture. …

Life in a rural emergency department during COVID [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

March 17, 2021

“I am grateful that I work in a small rural hospital that is like a family. I am grateful that my organization has done everything in its power to protect us… but I hope we can do better. I hope medical workers have enough left within them to give their all …

When the teen with depression and anxiety is yours

Anonymous

Conditions

March 17, 2021

Every week, I see a teen with depression and/or anxiety. Sometimes that teen is mine.

And while I can certainly opine over the lack of mental health resources for our children and teens — you have to be a certain age, you have to have certain insurances, if you’re uninsured or underinsured, you can see a community health professional but only for eight sessions — what I really get frustrated with …

PCPs could counter virtual plans by increasing telehealth visits

Ken Terry

Policy

March 17, 2021

Primary care physicians already have a lot of competition from retail clinics, urgent care clinics and telehealth services that cater to consumers. Now they’re facing a new threat from the “virtual primary care plans” that insurance companies have launched recently. These are health plans that prioritize virtual visits with doctors hired by telehealth services over in-person visits to primary care doctors.

For years, some insurance companies have been offering online urgent …