When state legislators are given the opportunity, they vote overwhelmingly for doctor autonomy in pain treatment

Policy
March 20, 2025

As I have written elsewhere, the United States is now embroiled in a highly contentious debate concerning the causes of the so-called “opioid crisis.” Prescribing guidelines updated in 2022 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Veterans Administration (VA) have become the basis for continuing scientifically unsupported restrictions on patient access to long-term prescription opioid therapy. Doctors …

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Why abuse in health care is forcing doctors to leave the profession [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 19, 2025
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Psychiatrist Devina Maya Wadhwa discusses her article, “How abuse in health care is driving doctors out of medicine.” In this episode, Devina shares her experiences as a physician working in acute care …

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Medical curriculum 2.0: Integrating technology and innovation in medical education

Education
March 19, 2025

Just as society has been transformed by technology solutions driven by connectivity and ubiquitous information, medical practice is undergoing a digital transformation that was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s medical students will practice in a world where technology is a more integrated part of health care; technology and innovation should become a cornerstone of medical education and training. This proactive approach will prepare future physicians for the technology-driven health …

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From burnout to breakthrough: How a coaching culture transforms health care

Physician
March 19, 2025

Last year, 54 percent of physicians reported symptoms of burnout. Behind that statistic are thousands of dedicated professionals who entered health care to help people, only to find themselves drained.

I know because I was one of them.

I’m going to share how transforming my approach to leadership through coaching not only saved my career but can revolutionize outcomes across our entire health care system.

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How vaccine hesitancy is bringing back deadly childhood diseases

Conditions
March 19, 2025

Measles was first identified as a virus in the early 20th century. This disease caused significant morbidity and mortality. A measles vaccine was first introduced in 1963, using a live virus strain developed from a child who had measles.

In the 1970s and 1980s, many countries began implementing widespread measles vaccination programs as part of their childhood immunization schedules. The measles vaccine is usually administered as a combination vaccine, …

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Why leaving medicine feels like escaping a cult [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 18, 2025
YouTube video

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Former OB/GYN resident and physician coach Chelsea Turgeon discusses her article, “Why does leaving medicine feel like escaping a cult?” In this episode, Chelsea shares her personal journey of resigning from residency …

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The key to longevity: fitness, mindset, and nutrition

Conditions
March 18, 2025

An excerpt from Embracing Fitness as You Age: Maintaining a Healthy and Active Lifestyle Beyond Sixty.

We do not often hear that joy, vitality, and physical strength can thrive after age sixty. In a society that idolizes youth, people too often assume that decline with age is inevitable. However, many individuals challenge these misconceptions by embracing fitness and well-being at any stage of life.

Each year, individuals embark on transformative fitness …

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Physicians must innovate and focus on medicine’s core, not chores

Physician
March 18, 2025

Recently at the clinic where I’ve practiced for more than 30 years, the entire team became temporarily paralyzed by an IT glitch as a result of an upgrade, affecting the six-state organization. We weren’t able to use our EHR system. With the waiting room full of patients, we knew we had to move forward in rooming patients and switching to paper documentation. Our core mission is to take care of …

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Raising financially savvy kids: a doctor’s guide to empowering future leaders [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 17, 2025
YouTube video

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Pediatric gastroenterologist Michele Cho-Dorado discusses her article, “Empowering our children with financial literacy: Raising bold thought leaders and compassionate changemakers.” In this episode, Michele draws from her experience as a physician to …

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Navigating your 457 plan: key steps for physicians changing jobs

Finance
March 17, 2025

When it comes to retirement savings, 401(k) and 457(b) plans are both popular options, but they have some key differences. While private employers typically offer 401(k) plans, 457(b) plans are available to employees of state and local governments and tax-exempt organizations under IRS Section 501, excluding churches and church-controlled organizations.

What is a 457 plan?

While a 401(k) is considered a defined contribution retirement account, a …

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How to get physician wellness programs funded: a proven path forward

Physician
March 17, 2025

For nearly two decades, I sat in meetings, listened to leadership discussions, and navigated the institutional maze of advocating for funding for physician wellness programs.

I saw the hesitation. The skepticism. The “we don’t have the budget for that” conversations.

And yet, I also saw what worked.

For the past five years, I’ve worked independently, designing high-impact, transformational wellness experiences for physicians. And I’ve helped hospital systems, …

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How self-care makes you a better parent

Conditions
March 17, 2025

An excerpt from Lighthouse Parenting: Raising Your Child With Loving Guidance for a Lifelong Bond published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Your well-being allows you to be emotionally available for your child. Full stop.

Children demonstrate they care about us from the very early years. How did your preschooler demonstrate their empathy to you? Did they stroke your hair to comfort you? Did they offer you kisses and hugs? (If …

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Addressing systemic challenges behind rising ER wait times [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 16, 2025
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Physician executive Aiden Feng discusses the article, “Rising ER wait times signal larger health system challenges.” In this episode, Aiden examines how increasing ED wait times reflect deeper systemic issues in the …

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From caregivers to collectors: Navigating the new landscape of patient payments

Finance
March 16, 2025

Most provider groups are not optimized to manage patient billing, and it’s breaking the bank. The problem often starts with the EHR systems that they have adopted, which are designed with insurance reimbursement as the priority, not the patient experience in mind.

For decades, providers operated in a world where the vast majority of their revenue came from insurance reimbursements. For most provider groups, patient billing was an afterthought. …

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When health care professionals lose everything

Physician
March 16, 2025

Mid-step on the sky bridge, boarding my flight—the message lands. Raw. Desperate. A life breaking apart in real time:

“I’ve been in health care my entire life. Surgical services. Because I spoke up against wrongdoing, stood up for myself, I’m out of a job and can’t get a job anywhere now. I’m 60 now. I don’t know what to do. I’ve had a hard life, and I buried all …

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How The Far Side reshaped my view of science and medicine [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 15, 2025
YouTube video

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Internal medicine physician Ryan McCarthy discusses the article, “What The Far Side taught me about belonging in science.” In this episode, Ryan reflects on the unexpected inspiration he found in Gary Larson’s …

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10 ways health care leaders sabotage their own success—and how to stop

Policy
March 15, 2025

As a former health care executive, I have witnessed many leaders at all levels sabotage their own success. Most of it was unintentional but rather the result of a failure to learn from those who have gone before. Many in the health care industry are promoted into leadership roles without the benefit of leadership or management training and are then left to their own devices to learn “on the job,” …

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Why purpose—not productivity—defines a physician’s success

Physician
March 15, 2025

During the session, my partner leading the discussion asked, “What is your purpose?” One of the physician owners confidently replied, “To replace hips and knees.” The facilitator then asked everyone in the room, “How many of you see this as your main purpose?” Two more people raised their hands, both of whom were also physician owners of the practice.

We had been invited to work with a local orthopedic …

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