Maryanna Barrett is an obstetrician-gynecologist.

The harmful effects of shaming patients for self-education

Physician
March 27, 2023

“Don’t confuse your Google search with my medical degree.”

We’ve all seen the mug and likely had a little chuckle. Maybe it has even recalled to mind a particular patient or encounter. Other than thinking of it as a snarky joke (no shade on those of you who have one, truly), I have not given it much thought until a recent patient encounter.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to …

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The harmful effects of shaming patients for self-education

This doctor has post-litigation stress disorder

Physician
May 10, 2021

I am sure that I have post-litigation stress disorder. It does not actually exist yet as a recognized disorder, but I definitely have it.

You know what else? Countless other physicians have it too.

We don’t talk about it. Besides the fact that lawyers forbid you to speak of ongoing litigation to anyone, especially colleagues, there is such a culture of shame surrounding this subject. Although we now live in a world …

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This doctor has post-litigation stress disorder

My insurance company is making me sick

Physician
March 27, 2021

“Dealing with my insurance company is making me sick.”

It wasn’t exactly her chief complaint, but it was one of the concerns raised by my patient at a recent office visit. In fact, it has become increasingly more common in recent years for patients to raise concerns about their insurance directly to me — their doctor.

Not only is dealing with insurance companies a time-sucking administrative burden for practices and an endless …

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My insurance company is making me sick

My experience as a clinical research subject

Physician
March 6, 2021

I am sure I am not alone when I vaguely recall receiving a letter or a leaflet in the mail recruiting subjects for clinical research, giving it little or no thought, then walking directly from the mailbox to the recycling bin the way we all have during this last election season. I wasn’t particularly skeptical or distrusting of clinical research, either for myself or for my patients; I had …

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My experience as a clinical research subject

It’s time to take a page from Gen Y and challenge the status quo

Physician
February 19, 2021

I am a Gen X’er. We are a generation that I think is most aptly described as hardworking, rule-following, law-abiding, good, and productive citizens. That’s a good thing, right? Most of the time, sure. Where we go wrong is we work hard, follow the rules, and do what we are told even when our hearts are not in it. I have too many times overheard, and if I am being …

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It’s time to take a page from Gen Y and challenge the status quo

I paid less for my hospital birth than most of my patients with insurance

Physician
February 11, 2021

It seemed unthinkable, but I decided to think about it anyhow. Would it be possible to have a hospital birth without maternity coverage? I had time and I had options, so I decided to figure it out. I have to start by being transparent. As the title implies, I am a physician, specifically an OB/GYN. I know many people will think that affords me a significant advantage over the general …

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I paid less for my hospital birth than most of my patients with insurance