Long ago, before I started practicing medicine, I worked in the retail sector. I was 15 years old when I earned my first real paycheck. Surely, I worked other odd and end jobs before that first “real job.” I mowed neighborhood lawns, shoveled snow off neighbors’ driveways, delivered newspapers—anything I could do to make a dollar or two. But those odd jobs were not “real jobs” with tangible or steady …
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Internal medicine physician Corinne Rao discusses the article, “The Faustian bargain of modern medicine.” In this episode, Corinne explores the modern health care system’s trade-offs, comparing the traditional independence of private practice …
Many moons ago, I worked in a forensics lab for a pair of professors who were husband and wife—a chemistry dynamic duo. I had a wonderful time in bench research, learning about different explosives and even doing site visits in Los Alamos, where many of the greatest scientific minds came together to help the U.S. win the war against the Axis powers during World War II. It was a surreal …
A 90-year-old gentleman has been admitted to our ward under the care of a neurologist. He was diagnosed with an ischemic stroke after experiencing weakness in his left upper limb and slurred speech. His mental status is fluctuating, and the stroke has impacted his memory. However, it has not affected his ability to walk and move around.
He and his wife had been living independently for the past 20 years. They …
The concept of a “Faustian bargain” originates from the legend of Dr. Faustus, a figure from German folklore who trades his soul to the devil in exchange for worldly knowledge and power. Doctor Faustus is Christopher Marlowe’s most renowned and controversial work. The play depicts the sinister aftermath of Faustus’s decision to sell his soul to the devil’s henchmen in exchange for power and knowledge. It serves as a timeless …
Fatherhood is a life-changing experience filled with immense joy and responsibility. For men with a career in medicine, this milestone presents unique challenges due to the demanding nature of their profession. Parental leave for fathers, especially in medicine, is critical for the well-being of the family nucleus and for fostering an equitable work environment. Unfortunately, societal and systemic barriers often prevent fathers in medicine from fully embracing this opportunity.
Statistics paint …
The current U.S. medical education and health care systems undeniably benefit from the immigration of talented international medical graduates (IMGs). Many of my favorite teachers, residents, and colleagues have been IMGs. However, the longstanding U.S. reliance on immigrant physicians raises questions about what policies best support both domestic and international priorities moving forward.
Beyond medicine, the immigration of talented scientists and engineers has also sparked recent public debate. Elon Musk recently …
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Explore the critical role of health care boards in shaping organizational culture, workforce development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Physician advocate and physical therapist Kim Downey and health care consultant Geoffrey …
Inpatient caregiving companions, especially during nights, may hold significant value in enhancing patient recovery and expediting discharge. Hospital nights can be tumultuous not only for inpatients but also for their caregivers, whether professional or personal. This need persists despite humanity’s adaptation to varying chronotypes—lion, bear, wolf, and dolphin—which have enabled people to transcend their diurnal instincts for the collective good. Nevertheless, the challenges of nighttime caregiving remain profound.
A critical issue …
In December, the questions parents ask in the hospital are different. Instead of “Will my child be OK?” we pediatric hospitalists hear:
“We have plane tickets to go skiing for Christmas. Will he be well by then?”
“She’ll be home for Christmas, right? We’ve never been away from home for Christmas.”
“It’s his first Christmas. He’ll be discharged by then, right?”
And every other variation you can think of. The hospital for Christmas is …
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We explore the pressing issue of hospital readmissions and their significant impact on health outcomes and financial strain within the health care system. Our guest, health care executive Ahzam Afzal, shares insights into …
I wrote an opinion piece, as a graduating medical student, in KevinMD a little over six years ago, expressing the importance of supporting medical students through confidence and encouragement. As a pediatric attending now, with my own trainees, I continue to support this “ask,” but I would love to add to it and give it a different perspective.
I recently realized that I have been feeling quite far removed from …
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Join us for an insightful conversation with Ben Reinking, a board-certified pediatric cardiologist, medical educator, and certified physician development coach, as we explore the profound impact of emotional intelligence in health care. Ben …
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We delve into the powerful narrative of patient vulnerability and resilience. Our guest, writer Rachel Litchman, shares her deeply personal experience of being hospitalized, highlighting the disconnect between patient needs and systemic responses. …
I sat on a cylindrical stool, eyes bleary from the early hour. Navy scrubs freshly pressed, my nursing school patch tacked to my left shoulder. Would anyone notice I used hot glue and whipstitches?
I remember the sound my clipboard made as I attached a fresh piece of paper. The whoosh was faint and mimicked the flip-flap of wings attached to butterflies whirring around in my belly. I waited eagerly for …
“Health is a matter of choice, not a mystery of chance.”
—Aristotle
As an end-of-life (EOL) consultant, one aspect of my job is advance care planning, which involves helping people create an advance directive. An advance directive (AD) has two components. The living will portion lists the treatment options and choices you want or don’t want if you become incapacitated due to an accident or a medical crisis. In the second portion, …
“Thank God for the food truck,” said the charge nurse to no one in particular.
It hadn’t been a great morning at the no-name hospital in Upstate New York. They were short-staffed to begin with, and a nurse had called in sick. Her staff was used to working with bad ratios, but today was worse than usual. Everyone and their mother had decided to come to the ER. She knew not …
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