How mislabeling patients affects health care outcomes
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 …
How the time-honored tradition of a baseball catch became a “test” for a brain injury
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 …
Innovation doesn’t have to be flashy to make a big impact
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 …
Unlocking hidden leadership: the powerful skillset of parenthood
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, …
From ER to wallet: Understanding medical expenses [PODCAST]
Building the future of African plastic surgery: Igniting passion in medical students
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 …
The doctor’s struggle: How prescription opioids can lead to addiction
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 …
The tiniest ray of hope for reasonable physician compensation?
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 …
Women in medicine: Balancing career and family [PODCAST]
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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 …
A consulting firm under fire: Examining a new criminal probe in opioid crisis
Roughly a month ago, a prestigious consulting firm found itself, once again, in hot water for its involvement in allegedly contributing to the opioid crisis. We saw many of the same headlines competing for the top spot in our inbox.
“Justice Department is investing in an elite consulting firm.”
“Top management firm under criminal investigation.”
Beneath that, we saw a second layer of headlines, with a more scandalous tinge of corporate gossip.
“Former partner …
Why resilience training alone won’t fix physician burnout
In my work with thousands of overstressed physicians and over 175 health care organizations, I have repeatedly learned one lesson: resilience training alone is not sufficient to rein in the epidemic of physician burnout.
If you believe, as I do, that physicians are the canary in the coal mine of medicine, then it is clear the epidemic of physician burnout is an indictment of the conditions of the mine, not the …
The secret to clear EMR notes
Are you tired of spending hours deciphering your colleagues’ EMR notes or struggling to understand your own? Excessive details in documentation can lead to confusion and decreased productivity. Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” It’s time to declutter your documentation and unlock the benefits of clear, structured clinical notes.
Why you should write clearer notes
Bloated notes clutter up space on your screen and in your thought process, …
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How oncologists and patients build lifelong connections
Oncology is a kind of specialty in medicine that involves seeing the same patients for many years. This can be beneficial when your patient is cured in cases of limited-stage disease or if the disease is stable on treatment for a long period of time in cases of advanced disease. In both scenarios, you follow the patient closely regularly and form a strong bond with them, even if you don’t …
What every mom needs to know about post-delivery pelvic floor injuries [PODCAST]
Lewy body dementia: a journey through hallucinations and imagination
An excerpt from The Sea Glass Epidemic.
… It was at this time the mouse asked Beth if he could bring over some friends. Naturally, Beth assumed the mouse was talking about other mice. Much to her surprise, the mouse ran into the kitchen, walked under the doorway into the laundry room, and disappeared behind the water heater.
“Be right back,” he called over his shoulder. A few minutes later, the …
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My fear of pharmaceuticals stole a decade from me
I have a cat.
That’s my go-to answer when people ask me if I have children. It’s just easier than saying my refusal to take FDA-approved medications for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) stole a decade of what could have been normal life from me.
Studies show it takes an average of 17 years for patients with OCD to receive adequate therapy. Thankfully, in the past ten years, this duration is starting …
From house calls to the OR: a surgeon’s journey and unexpected lessons
Clueless at the time, when I applied to medical school, I imagined myself one day making house calls, good ol’ Doc Schwab, paid in chickens and pies, smiles, and blackberry jam. There I’d be, delivering babies on kitchen tables, patching up Old Lady Jones’s leg on the sofa, shaking out thermometers, and feeling foreheads. One of my roommates in med school was the son of such a doctor, although instead …
Why distracted detecting is the hidden threat to your health and safety
Just like distracted driving, there can be a term called distracted detecting; however, when one delves further, one realizes that distracted driving itself is one form of distracted detecting. Distracted detecting can be understood through the prey-predator analogy within the animal kingdom, with particular relevance during vulnerable adolescence. This concept is detailed in books co-authored by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers, titled Zoobiquity: The Astonishing Connection Between Human and …
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Medical misinformation: How to find clarity in a sea of contradictory advice
I read an array of medical literature, both technical and public. But despite my education, experience, and reasonable intelligence, I find myself bewildered by the overwhelming deluge of information and recommendations: frequently contradictory, at times inaccurate, and often meaningless, that presently inundates individuals. If I can be befuddled, what about the average person with a high school diploma or a bachelor’s degree and little medical experience?
Perhaps there is so much …
Past Week
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Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
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The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain
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Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam
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Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?
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Why patients and doctors are ditching insurance for personalized care
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The hidden impact of denials on health care systems
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Past 6 Months
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How trade wars could destroy the U.S. health care system
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Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
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The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors
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Doctors don’t need yoga, they need time to smoke
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What happened to real care in health care?
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How to build a culture where physicians feel valued [PODCAST]
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Recent Posts
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Medical students in Korea face expulsion for speaking out
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America, our health care workforce training isn’t evolving alongside our needs
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Why no medical malpractice firm responded to my scientific protocol
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Avoiding leadership pitfalls: strategies for success in health care [PODCAST]
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Doctors speak out: Why we’re saying no to burnout
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When doctors die in silence: Confronting the epidemic of violence against physicians
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Past Week
-
Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
-
The hidden bias in how we treat chronic pain
-
Residency as rehearsal: the new pediatric hospitalist fellowship requirement scam
-
Are quotas a solution to physician shortages?
-
Why patients and doctors are ditching insurance for personalized care
-
The hidden impact of denials on health care systems
-
Past 6 Months
-
How trade wars could destroy the U.S. health care system
-
Internal Medicine 2025: inspiration at the annual meeting
-
The silent crisis hurting pain patients and their doctors
-
Doctors don’t need yoga, they need time to smoke
-
What happened to real care in health care?
-
How to build a culture where physicians feel valued [PODCAST]
-
Recent Posts
-
Medical students in Korea face expulsion for speaking out
-
America, our health care workforce training isn’t evolving alongside our needs
-
Why no medical malpractice firm responded to my scientific protocol
-
Avoiding leadership pitfalls: strategies for success in health care [PODCAST]
-
Doctors speak out: Why we’re saying no to burnout
-
When doctors die in silence: Confronting the epidemic of violence against physicians
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