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Where’s Waldo: Finding what’s important in the medical record

Physician

September 29, 2020

I did a peer review once of an office note about an elderly man with a low-grade fever. The past medical history was all there, several prior laboratory and imaging tests were imported, and there was a long narrative section that blended active medical problems and ongoing specialist relationships. There was also a lengthy review of systems under its own heading.

In an over ten-page long printout, the final diagnosis was …

Reflections of a critical care nurse [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 28, 2020

“Grandma Lilly is 87-years-old and in the ICU. She’s on a ventilator with her wrists restrained to the side of the bed. Grandma can barely see because her eyes are puffy: scleral edema. And her heart races: 140 beats per minute. Her blood pressure is low and Levophed and vasopressin drips are ordered.

Her family can’t talk to her as she phases …

Does your doctor’s age matter?

Sneha Shah, MD

Physician

September 28, 2020

If I had $100 for every time I walked into a patient’s room, introduced myself as the doctor, and was immediately asked, “Hey, how old are you?” I might be able to retire right now — at the age of 28. Of course, I am exaggerating, and yet this question echoes for my baby-faced colleagues and me constantly.

Whether it’s simple curiosity or blatant reverse-ageism, I find this question erodes trust …

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Does your doctor’s age matter?

13 tips for medical students starting their clinical rotations

Netana Markovitz

Education

September 28, 2020

Each year, medical students across the country prepare to start the long-anticipated core clinical rotations. Suddenly, we’re thrust into a world of constant adaptation and evaluation, with many highs and many lows.

As I finish up the year and new students get ready to start, I’ve been asked time and time again for my advice. I decided to aggregate my key takeaways from the year, and what I wish I had …

Lifestyle medicine is a prescription to treat physician burnout [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 27, 2020

“Lifestyle medicine equips practitioners with the tools to affect change. One of the biggest job satisfiers for physicians is positively impacting the trajectory of their patients’ lives. Having a parent tell you that their child is ‘a different person’ because of the time you spent with them is priceless.

This is why I believe if more physicians studied and applied the principles …

Dopamine fasting, debunked by a psychiatrist

Steven Reidbord, MD

Conditions

September 27, 2020

Taking a break from technology is a fine idea, but we don’t need a pseudoscientific new name for it: dopamine fasting. Launched with viral Silicon Valley memes, online reports, and articles in the New York Times and elsewhere, dopamine fasting is now a thing. Basically, the idea is to temporarily deprive oneself of the usual stimulations of life — largely …

Treating cancer patients in a pandemic [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 26, 2020

“As an oncologist, perhaps the hardest part I play is as witness. I am there to give a diagnosis that, more often than not, will alter someone’s life forever. For some, I see resignation—a sense that they’ve known something was wrong and that it’s what they thought they had. For others, I see an almost immediate acceptance and, with it, perseverance; …

From a dermatologist: How to beat “maskne,” dry hands, and other safety-related skin problems

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian

Conditions

September 26, 2020

You are doing all the right things: washing your hands frequently, wearing a mask when out in public, getting the requisite sunlight needed to reduce stress and maintain your health. And the reward you’re getting for all your diligence?

Dry skin, damaged nails, acne, and sunburns.

As we continue to live with the threat of COVID-19, more people find themselves wrestling with skin issues they never anticipated. Fortunately, there are easy and …

Why that wound won’t heal

Clayton Foster, MD

Conditions

September 26, 2020

Despite the advances in modern health care, chronic wounds remain highly problematic. For the critically ill and those with mobility issues, missing just one routine repositioning could send them down a protracted path of intensive wound care therapies. Even our ambulatory patients develop non-healing ulcers from neuropathy and microvascular disease. For purposes of this discussion, the question of how the wound formed isn’t nearly as important as why it persists …

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Why that wound won’t heal

Incremental risk amid COVID-19 re-openings: What do we value most? [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 25, 2020

“Grocery shopping is not optional; it’s necessary. But if you go every day and to multiple stores, you are increasing the chance you will be exposed. From my informal survey, this practice is extremely common. Yet, experts advise to consolidate shopping. In fact, in my experience, there is always at least one person (shoppers AND workers) in every store I have …

Why this physician became a personal trainer

Suneel Dhand, MD

Physician

September 25, 2020

As many readers of my work know, I have a huge passion for preventive medicine, and balance my acute care hospital work with an outpatient wellness clinic. I have always been into exercise and outdoor activities since a young age but only became a regular gym-goer after I finished my medical residency training. I also became very keen on learning more about healthier nutrition habits. I don’t think I was …

Essential health messaging tips for physicians [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 24, 2020

“Advocacy by moms is not new, but advocacy by physicians has been less common. Moms have been fierce advocates on a variety of causes ranging from Mothers Against Drunk Driving to Moms Demand Action, the anti-gun violence mom activist group led by Shannon Watts that has now helped launch moms into public office. As physician moms navigating a global pandemic, we are invested in …

3 reasons why you should take your profit first, before paying expenses

Brent Lacey, MD

Finance

September 24, 2020

As a business owner, you have one primary role: Make money.

I hate to put it in such callous terms, but that’s the primary aim of any business. You have to make a profit first if you want to do anything else. Making a profit isn’t the most important thing. Your passion, your service, and your desire to help others should be the main motivation behind the business.

Money can not be …

How the Google algorithm update helps doctor-written content rank higher

Andrea Paul, MD

Tech

September 24, 2020

If you’re not intricately involved daily with SEO, let me explain what happened in May 2020 and why it will be a huge boost for content created by physicians.

First, what is SEO? In short, it is the process of optimizing content found online in order to help it be seen by those searching for the information found in that content. It used to be that people would just stuff their …

A new approach to Medicare for all [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 23, 2020

Why should we reform the health care system to a physician-led approach? How will that look like? Would a Medicare for all system cure what ails the system? What are some obstacles to implementation?

Ken Terry is a journalist.

He shares his story and discusses his book, Physician-Led Health Care Reform: A New Approach to …

In the age of misinformation, here’s how physicians can help [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 22, 2020

“There are two battles waging from the COVID-19 virus this year: the obvious fight for human life but also the attack on science. During philosophical and political debates, one steadfast weapon has been the scientific method. Opinion doesn’t matter. State the facts. The thing about facts are, though, that one has to be willing to change previously held points of view with new …

We can’t expect large medical centers to absorb every case

Edwin Leap, MD

Physician

September 22, 2020

My small community ED has a fairly high acuity. As such, I was recently trying to transfer a couple of patients, one of whom was an NSTEMI, pain-free but with a rising troponin. In the process of trying to arrange things, I learned that our main regional referral center was holding a staggering 150 patients in their own ED, all waiting for inpatient beds.

I’ve spent the majority of my career …

A silent cry from the woman in the elevator

Andy Lamb, MD

Physician

September 22, 2020

“How long have you been married?”

The question came from a young woman kneeling down by the elevator in the hotel where my wife and I were staying while in Seattle. We were there to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with an Alaskan cruise. I hadn’t even noticed her as my wife and I were busy talking about the day. She appeared to be in her twenties. Her appearance was that of …

Meet the physician who became a life coach [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

September 21, 2020

“For the past six months, I’ve spent my free time becoming a certified life coach. I’m a hospitalist, but a little more than a year ago, I was introduced to life coaching. I love the changes it has produced in my life – particularly how it’s changed me as a mother. Coaching helps me to be more present for my family …

Why everyone needs a six-word story

Alexie Puran, MD

Physician

September 21, 2020

Being humane makes you a hero.

It is a privilege to serve.

Be the voice, for those without!

Six words. One Story. These are examples from the My Six-Word Story Project, an innovative activity that supports the psycho-social well-being and emotional resilience of our healthcare professionals. My Six-Word Story has the power to reconnect us to our purpose and connect us as a community.

“It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines …

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Why everyone needs a six-word story