Suicide risks for international medical resident trainees

Conditions
June 27, 2024

Suicide among resident physicians is a critical issue highlighted in various studies. Research indicates that depression is prevalent among resident physicians, with rates comparable to medical students, suggesting a pervasive problem across different levels of medical training. Burnout has also been linked to suicidal ideation among resident physicians, with a study reporting that 4.5 percent of American resident physicians specializing in surgery experienced suicidal ideation. Furthermore, while resident physicians may …

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Studying medicine in a time of deep medical distrust: Why I remain hopeful

Education
June 27, 2024

Sarah graduated college during the pandemic and landed a job with a Fortune 500 company in the IT sector, a competitive position. Like many others, she knew of the importance of landing a job, not just for a secure future with a good-paying salary, but in the United States as a way of securing access to health insurance.

This health insurance—being someone young and healthy—was something she got out of habit …

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How to start your own cash-pay medical practice

Physician
June 27, 2024

You wish to spend more time with patients while giving high-quality care. You’re tired of dealing with health plans’ red tape. Maybe a colleague boasted that he could charge $300 to $400 per consult out of pocket. To which you say, “You know what, I can do that too!” We don’t blame you. However, when starting our cash-pay clinic, we juggled several elements during the transition. We distilled that planning …

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Changing the medical system with empathy [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 26, 2024
YouTube video

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Join Ann McColl, a patient advocate, and James Whitlock, a neurologist, as they delve into their shared passion for understanding the journeys of patients with complex conditions within the medical system. Ann shares …

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From masks to medicine: How empathy shapes true medical excellence

Physician
June 26, 2024

Thirty years ago, I entered Loyola Medical School, and my initiation into the culture of medicine began. As best as I could at the time, I prepared myself for the challenges ahead. I aimed to cultivate a strong will, a powerful intellect, and what I hoped would be enough emotional maturity to succeed. I did not have any family connection to medicine, but I knew our society had certain expectations …

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Physicians have a blind spot that makes them prone to fraud charges

Physician
June 26, 2024

Unlike almost every other industrialized nation on Earth, independent American physicians running their own clinics must all be entrepreneurs. Unlike all other businesses, however, there are special rules related to the business side of U.S. medical practice. These are exemplified by the Stark laws. Aptly named, these strict provisions forbid doctors from engaging in what is called physician self-referral.

Doctors are required to avoid referring patients to entities in which they …

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The unspoken challenges of being a medical resident’s wife

Conditions
June 26, 2024

The journey of a medical resident is often documented, highlighting the grueling hours, intense pressure, and significant responsibilities that come with the role. However, behind the scenes lies another story that is seldom told—the challenges faced by the wives of medical residents. This article delves into the unique struggles of being a medical resident’s wife, particularly in the context of a long-distance relationship.

The overlooked partner

While much attention is given to …

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The risks of digital health companies to psychiatric patients

Physician
June 26, 2024

In early 2022, during the coronavirus pandemic, I considered practicing psychiatry via telehealth. I looked into two telemental-health companies in particular—Cerebral and Done Global, Inc. (hereafter “Done”)—and turned them both down. I did not believe their ethics measured up. In the case of Done, I asked to be withdrawn from consideration as medical director because I believed the company lacked adequate infrastructure and was exclusively focused on treating patients with …

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A “rich” life looks different for everyone: lessons from my own near deathbed regrets

Physician
June 26, 2024

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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Minority representation in clinical trials [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 25, 2024
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

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 …

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Improving equity and population health through social determinants of health

Tech
June 25, 2024

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 …

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Microplastics and fertility: Uncovering the hidden risks to reproductive health

Conditions
June 25, 2024

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 …

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Understanding why people participate in clinical trials

Education
June 25, 2024

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 …

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The rise of the machines: Doctors need to engage with AI now

Tech
June 25, 2024

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 …

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Unlocking the hidden link between trauma and chronic pain [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 24, 2024
YouTube video

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Join us as we delve into the often-overlooked connection between trauma and chronic pain. Our guest, Cindy Perlin, a social worker, sheds light on how unresolved trauma contributes to chronic pain and why …

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How quality sleep can be your secret weapon for effective weight loss

Conditions
June 24, 2024

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 …

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Getting caught in the crossfire of the hearing aid wars

Policy
June 24, 2024

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 …

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Migrant health in crisis: How we can lead the way in inclusive care

Policy
June 24, 2024

“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 …

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Fighting nurse burnout: insights and solutions [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 23, 2024
YouTube video

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes!

We delve into the critical issue of burnout in nursing with Andrea Coyle, a nurse practitioner. We explore the distinct symptoms of burnout, how they manifest differently across genders and generations, and the …

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How mislabeling patients affects health care outcomes

Physician
June 23, 2024

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 …

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