There is so much going on in the world right now, which is precisely why I want to talk about a TV show.
Not for escapism. Because this particular show is doing something that medical schools across the country are now being required to stop doing.
The Pitt won Outstanding Drama Series at the 2025 Emmys. Season 2 just aired its finale. Season 3 is already confirmed. And if …
Social determinants of health belong in medical school
“Mom, every time I look in the mirror, I see something different. Sometimes it’s good, and I feel good about myself. But, sometimes it’s not.”
It was well after dinner, and my nine-year-old daughter was perched on the kitchen counter, nibbling on apple slices while I made tea. Her eyes were fixed on her reflection in the mirror across the room, her expression critical.
I leaned forward. “Let me share something with …
Leaving academic medicine was a matter of self-respect
“You do not have to be good.”
I’ve long considered having these classic, profound opening words of Mary Oliver’s most famous poem tattooed on my body somewhere. Since I quit clinical medicine a month ago, I’m at that stage where I’m researching tattoo parlors.
It was just this morning, a late October Saturday morning, that I took my kids and the dog hiking in the woods in the rain. …
Leaving clinical medicine without regrets
Pseudoscience hate groups of all kinds are targeting physicians who openly advocate for public health issues. This is a favorite intimidation tactic used by anti-vaccine activists: When pediatrician colleague Jen Trachtenberg posted a video for National Immunization Awareness Month 2018, she was blasted with thousands of horrible comments and fake online reviews. I wrote a blog post in her defense, and immediately, I was similarly targeted, …
When physicians are cyberbullied: an interview with ZDoggMD
Recently, friends of ours had a frightening experience: They were on vacation, and ordered takeout from an unfamiliar restaurant. They specifically asked about peanuts: “Are the egg rolls fried in peanut oil? Our daughter has an allergy.”
The server replied: “No, no peanut oil.”
And so they ordered the egg rolls.
Awhile after eating an egg roll, their school-aged child Anna (not her real name) complained of a tummy ache. Then, nausea. They …
The maker of EpiPen sticks it to patients
There have been many times when I have struggled to empathize with the patient. There are certain health care issues, and certain patients, that I have found consistently frustrating over the years.
I’ve written about this, and been pretty well chastised by readers. I don’t mind, because I know that 99 percent of physicians have their kryptonite issues, and just don’t talk about it. I’ll take the heat for being honest.
My …
I hated breast-feeding. How that helped my patient.
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