President Biden’s debate performance: episode or condition?
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said that it is valid for people to ask whether Joe Biden’s June 27, 2024 debate performance against Donald Trump, which was weak at best and incoherent at worst, was just “an episode” or part of a “condition.”
“I think it’s a legitimate question to say, is this an episode, or is this a condition,” Pelosi remarked less than a week after the debate.
“It was …
The ethical dilemma of accessible parking permits
As a pain management physician, I often receive requests to authorize or renew patients’ accessible parking permits. These usually are routine, but not always. One morning, a patient, whom I’ll refer to as Steve, came into my clinic.
Steve was mainly a healthy man in his 40s. He had had chronic pain since an accident on a construction job site several years ago. He had successfully filed for disability, with a …
Toxic energy: Confronting the carcinogenic risks of fossil fuels
The evidence is clear: Proximity to fossil fuel infrastructure poses a significant cancer risk to millions of Americans. Studies consistently link exposure to pollutants like benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter from fossil fuel facilities to elevated rates of lung cancer, leukemia, and other malignancies.
Alarmingly, 17.6 million Americans live in close proximity to active oil and gas wells, transportation pipelines, and processing facilities, …
Uncovering hidden challenges: Women in medicine [PODCAST]
Can AI truly improve hospital staffing?
By now, you have probably heard of AI and tools like ChatGPT. But you still may be wondering how these tools apply to your clinical practice.
Let me share an experience I recently had that completely changed how I think about AI (artificial intelligence) in health care.
In one of the MBA classes I am taking at NYU, we write code to help analyze large datasets. …
The hidden truths in medicine: What doctors may not always disclose
“The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.”
– Voltaire
The medical profession is rooted in trust and transparency, but there are certain realities that doctors may not readily disclose to their patients. Recognizing these truths can empower patients to make more informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Doctors are highly trained and knowledgeable, yet they are not infallible. They may not always identify the exact …
Photography made me a better doctor [PODCAST]
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Join us for an insightful discussion with Moksha Patel, an internal medicine physician, as we explore the fascinating parallels between clinical reasoning and photography. Moksha shares how principles like focus, zoom, and flash …
Medicare’s 14-day rule is hurting cancer patients
It is no secret that we are making great strides in reducing the mortality of lung cancer. From improving screening rates which have reduced the chances of dying from lung cancer due to earlier detection, increased adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques, and exciting new drugs that have been shown to improve survival even in metastatic disease, there is reason to be hopeful in what has usually been a devastating …
Decoding burnout: the complex symptoms and hidden tolls in health care
Deciphering burnout can sometimes feel like interpreting the orders of your favorite attending physician. Though I don’t consider myself “old,” I started my medical career before electronic medical records, when paper charts were the norm and computers were rare. We carried little pocket notebooks filled with essential information because at 2 am, after weeks of little sleep, that crucial detail always seemed to slip our minds.
Back then, we relied on …
Success reinvention: a guide for health care professionals
Success in the health care industry often demands technical expertise, a resilient mindset, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth. We will delve into key lessons, focusing on how health care professionals can leverage these insights to excel in their demanding careers.
The importance of a strong “why”
Motivation. In health care, the “why” often stems from a deep-seated desire to help others and make a difference. This intrinsic motivation is essential for …
Abused physicians: Quitting practice only hurts yourself and your patients
Quitting your practice rarely happens when you have a backup support system in place. Have you ever wondered why so many of our physician associates are permanently leaving medical practice intentionally or rapidly jumping into medical practice employment positions without hesitation? The temptations are enormous.
Our business advisors, medical literature, and articles exposure pound us with jobs outside of medical practice on the fringes. But who wants to start a new …
Traditional academia is not dying. It’s evolving.
“Tradition” comes from the Latin word tradere, meaning to “transmit” or “hand over.” In contrast, the word “academia” is derived from the Latin phrase acadēmīa (Greek: Ἀκαδημία or Akadēmía), which refers to Plato’s “Academy” – a school residing by olive trees where teachers and learners gathered to educate each other and share knowledge through undefined curricula of readings, lectures, debates, and discussions. “Traditional academia,” then, etymologically describes the passing …
Thriving as a doctor: Why I still love my medical practice amidst burnout fears
I have always felt that I was in the mainstream of medical thought and actions. Recently, however, I have been subjected to a barrage of articles on physician burnout, depression, and even suicide! I am happy to be working in my medical practice. What is wrong with me?
Like everyone, it is difficult to drag myself out of a nice, warm bed each morning. But as I begin to dress for …
The flaw with medical malpractice litigation
There is a serious flaw in medical malpractice litigation, and it is not what you may think. My post about a hypothetical medical malpractice case is not hypothetical but emblematic of the flaw. Medical staff at a major hospital in Washington, DC, did depart from applicable standards of care regarding limb salvage. The patient is actually a 78-year-old family member who suffers septic shock and a left above-the-knee amputation. There …
Catholic hospitals in America [PODCAST]
How to ensure you receive a proper Alzheimer’s screening [PODCAST]
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Join us for an insightful discussion with Carol Steinberg, a journalist and patient advocate, as we explore the critical issues surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive screening. Carol shares her personal experiences with the …
Why physicians should consider investing in residential assisted living homes
As a physician, you are accustomed to thinking about the future and planning for the well-being of your patients. However, have you considered applying the same foresight to your financial future? Investing in residential assisted living (RAL) homes is an opportunity that offers both financial security and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of seniors. Here’s why RAL homes are an excellent investment now and for …
Navigating life’s transitions: How I turned my struggles into support
I’ve historically struggled with graduations and transitions—it’s why I help people with transitions now, as I’ve learned how essential it is to have support during these often isolating and destabilizing times. While transitions can be full of celebrations, gratitude, and pride, there are also times when we may experience grief, regret, loneliness, and everything in between.
Sitting with my current transition, I acknowledged many reasons why I tend to skip over …
Battling aplastic anemia: my journey with ATGAM equine therapy
This paper is written from the author’s perspective after receiving ATGAM equine immunotherapy for the treatment of aplastic anemia. This journey began in 2017 with the diagnosis of T-cell lymphocytic leukemia without having achieved remission. The author experienced extreme fatigue and shortness of breath. A full cardiac and pulmonary work-up was completed, and all findings were within normal limits. A CBC revealed a hemoglobin level of 4.4! Thus, the journey …
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