During my last inpatient admission one month before medical school graduation, an attending told me, “You talk about yourself like it’s one of your patients.” That’s exactly how it often felt (and still feels) to my brain. “This story is not me … not mine … I’m not sick,” my brain would offer me.
The brain does fascinating things to help us survive. Dissociating from my illness was likely supportive of …
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Join Ananth Ravi, a health care executive dedicated to democratizing health care through innovative image-guided therapeutics. In this episode, we delve into the persistent issue of racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes, exploring …
Social determinants of health (SDoH) have a strong potential to positively and negatively affect health outcomes, but providers have traditionally faced substantial roadblocks in identifying patients who need SDoH interventions.
The result of this gap is often missed opportunities to improve patient health at the individual and population levels.
SDoH factors are responsible for up to 80% of health outcomes, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, yet patients and providers …
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have permeated our environment, showing up in oceans, air, and even our food. These particles are a growing concern due to their potential impact on human health and fertility. Recent studies, including one by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), have highlighted the risks associated with microplastic exposure. This article delves into what microplastics are, how they affect …
Clinical research is a cornerstone in advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. Through rigorous testing and validation of new treatments, medications, and procedures, clinical research drives progress in the health care field. A notable example is the development of the polio vaccine, which underwent extensive clinical trials by Jonas Salk involving approximately 1.6 million children in the United States, Canada, and Finland to ensure its safety and efficacy, ultimately …
The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has been around since the mid-20th century, but in the last two years, it has gone from science fiction to science fact at an incredible pace. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have dominated headlines in this space. LLMs are essentially AI systems that can understand, generate, and manipulate human language in various domains. LLMs represent a once-in-a-generation technological advance that holds incredible promise …
Imagine snuggling up in bed and drifting off into dreamland after a long day. Did you know that those precious hours of sleep could be more than just time for rest? Let’s explore the interesting connection between sleep and weight loss and why getting quality sleep might just be the added push you need to shed that extra weight.
Sleep is not just about closing your eyes and calling it a …
My hearing precipitously declined four years ago. As a patient and practicing physician, I became dependent upon hearing aids. Thus, I was introduced to the off-putting business of hearing aids in America.
The American hearing aid market is estimated to generate between $3 to 4 billion per year annually. It is expected to grow six to eight percent annually as our population ages. Assistive listening devices can be a vast mystery …
“I’m sorry, but we’re unable to accept this patient into the program right now due to a shortage of Spanish-speaking workers.”
I have lost count of the number of times I’ve had to say this statement to the various referral sources that call me daily, requesting services for immigrant patients.
Jane is a single parent from Guyana. She traveled to New York to visit family with her daughter, who was …
When we call out to deem a patient difficult regarding access-airway-anesthesia, we do not consider the procedure, provider, proceduralist, place, phase, payer, or player as difficult. Does this mean that only patient conditions make it difficult, with conditions surrounding the procedure, provider, proceduralist, place, phase, payer, or player never coming into play? Aren’t we putting the onus solely on the patient when we document all such experiences of difficulty only …
I find myself becoming more passionate with age, swept into a sea of emotions during certain movie scenes, and even crying during my favorite rock songs as the lyrics and melody crescendo and become one.
The brain’s ability to adapt and change over time, known as neuroplasticity, means that our emotional responses can evolve based on the kinds of experiences and stimuli we are exposed to over the years. It is …
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Labor shortages have become a pressing concern across the health care sector, with the nurse staffing crisis looming large over hospitals and health systems nationwide.
A report from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission illuminated the severity of the workforce challenges, revealing a doubling of vacancy rates for registered nurses in the state’s hospitals from 2019 to 2022. Despite concerted efforts, the problem persists, with health systems still resorting to costly pandemic …
I came back from ACOG feeling invigorated. This year’s theme was “Leading from where you are,” and let’s just say the leader in me was re-activated. I identified with so many qualities of the speakers; I felt inspired and ready to make an impact. Specifically, I felt ready to serve on committees and lead. Once home, I was ready to pull out my laptop and write down my goals. But, …
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Recently, I completed a rotation at the plastic surgery department of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Reflecting on this experience, I realized a few things. My perception of plastic surgery practice was naive and uninformed. This experience has been an eye-opener as it has challenged preconceived notions and revealed the multifaceted nature of this wonderful specialty. However, I recognize that most African students do not have the same opportunity. Only a …
In the heart of America, the opioid epidemic continues to surge, claiming lives and livelihoods with an unrelenting grip. While many believe that addiction stems from illicit drug use, a significant portion of opioid addictions actually begin with a prescription from a doctor. This troubling reality is exemplified by the experiences of Dr. Jeffrey Fraser, a family practice physician from Lincoln, Nebraska, who found himself ensnared in the very crisis …
When you have been reviewing physician employment agreements for nearly four decades, you tend to get a little jaded about the possibility of ever seeing reasonable compensation for physicians. Although I am continually preaching to the choir about the need for reasonable physician compensation, I rarely see something that gives me encouragement that physicians may someday be paid appropriately for everything they do.
However, recently I have reviewed several agreements titled …
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We welcome Christine J. Ko, a dermatopathologist, to discuss the evolving landscape of women in medicine. Inspired by America Ferrera’s powerful monologue in Barbie and Jennifer Lycette’s insightful essay on the challenges faced …
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