“When are you expecting?” Eighteen months after my third child was born, I was tired of hearing this question. In addition to the embarrassment I felt, I became increasingly worried that something was wrong with me as my body stubbornly held its postpartum shape.
Within a year of delivering each of my first two children, I was able to lose most of the weight I had gained and maintain a normal …
A surgeon said no: the catalyst for my evolution
The differential diagnosis is a cornerstone of the profession of medicine which epitomizes physicians’ critical thinking skills. It is not an antiquated tradition of by-gone eras. The practice of medicine has been positively impacted in the past century by revolutionary scientific advancements, standardization of medical education, and transformative societal changes. Its overlap has provoked some unfavorable changes in the practice of medicine with the business of health care. The differential …
An ode to the differential diagnosis
Every July, the same tired “new interns: be scared to go to the hospital” memes and jokes appear. I disagree. I believe that July is as safe as any other month to go to the hospital.
July should be celebrated. Medical students and resident physicians are the lifeblood of our profession. Clinical physicians have never felt more exhausted, harassed, commoditized, and defeated by the “health care machine.” We need your eagerness, …
Dear interns: We have your backs
Health care workers’ lives are not expendable. Yet, we are being asked to battle a microscopic enemy with disgracefully inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
We know that using PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators) would be the best practice when working with highly infectious air-borne diseases. But, PAPRs are uncommon in our institutions, so the guidelines were relaxed. An N95 disposable mask was suggested as the next line of defense even though we …
We are not expendable. We are not replaceable.
Some advice as an emergency physician, daughter, mother, and concerned citizen.
Help keep older relatives and neighbors self-quarantined at home. Same goes for those of any age who are immune-compromised (cancer-patients, on immune-suppressant meds for autoimmune diseases, etc.) Pick up and deliver their groceries and prescriptions to their front-door for them.
Health care workers (physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, pharmacists, environmental services, EMS, etc.), law enforcement, and other public agency workers …
An ER physician’s advice to the general public: How to flatten the curve
Does anyone really want health care for all? I promise this is not a political rant.
Americans, of any political persuasion, should not be misled by the implications of health care for all: It does not mean medical care for all. Providing a card stating you have health insurance is only a nominal solution, provided by politicians, who are looking for a superficial fix. Our problems are more complex than such …
Health care and sick care are interchangeable
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