Primary Care
From struggle to success: inspiring tales of resilience
For a man whose name is synonymous with genius, it’s hard trying to imagine Albert Einstein as a prodigal son whose father died believing he was a complete failure. Yet, at school early in his life, he skipped classes and made close to failing grades. Legend has it that he was so uninspired by his own performance to the extent that, at some point, he considered dropping out and pursuing …
Pioneering community primary care [PODCAST]
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We join family physicians Michael Fine and Scott Conard. In this episode, we delve into how Michael’s visionary leadership propelled the creation of America’s inaugural community health alliance in response to rising health …
We are all concierge doctors now
I never wanted to be a formal concierge doctor. Most of us are familiar with those plans that make physicians limit their patient panel to several hundred patients, and each one of them agrees to pay several thousand dollars for the privilege of access to their physician at all times. Sure, after over 30 years of practice in the same community, having a smaller patient panel, dedicating more time to …
Voices for physician mental health
I’ve been honored and privileged to have had recent conversations with two courageous women: Betsy Gall and Pamela Marie Hobby.
Pamela met a medical resident who changed the course of her life on October 28, 2019, and Betsy’s life was forever changed exactly one month later, on November 28, 2019.
Betsy wrote a book to share her family’s story. The title grabbed Pamela immediately, as it aligned with what she was building …
How to escape the “rat race” in your medical career
In writing and teaching about physician careers, I’ve explored themes like job satisfaction, burnout, professional development, and well-being. A recurring phrase that arises in conversations, at conferences, and in online forums is the so-called “rat race” of medical practice.
“I need to find a way out of this rat race.”
“This rat race wasn’t what I signed up for when I chose medicine.”
“I’m tired of the rat race and need to find …
Revitalize your medical practice: Embrace creativity!
“Creativity is intelligence having fun!”
George Scialabba shared a variation of this quote in a 1984 Harvard Magazine article, though it is often attributed to Albert Einstein.
National Creativity Day is coming up on May 30th. What does that have to do with being a doctor? Everything!
Dr. Amy-Jo Farrow in the U.K. and Dr. Charity Hix in the U.S. speak to the importance of nurturing creativity in our lives. The demands and …
A tribute to primary care [PODCAST]
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Join family medicine physician Eleanor Bueno as she expresses heartfelt gratitude to a cherished primary care colleague and friend. Eleanor’s letter poignantly reminds us of the profound connections forged in primary care. From …
Fulfilling fatherhood and a thriving medical practice: my story
I started having children towards the end of my medical school. By the time I became a resident, I already had two young boys. My wife was also a pathology resident at that time. We worked hard and were fortunate to have parents who helped us occasionally. However, we still missed out on a lot when my family relocated to Florida; my sons began their first years in school while …
The greatest story you never tell: It’s yours
Adapted from Narrative Medicine: Harnessing the Power of Storytelling through Essays, on the occasion of Passover.
“The Greatest Story Ever Told” is a phrase often used to refer to stories that have had a significant impact on humanity and continue to resonate across cultures and generations. Paul Simon’s song “Old” praises the Bible as the greatest story ever told. …
Medical ethics in a changing world: Navigating identity and patient care
My buddy John and I fortuitously found ourselves enacting roles in an impromptu theatrical production last week. As medical practitioners, the thematic essence was predictably centered around matters concerning patients. The scene unfolded thus:
“So, this person’s name is Emily, but her pronoun is ‘they,'” John started. “She identifies as a therian belonging to the Elf theriotype. Emily explained to me that though she was born human, she is an inseparable …
Working patients and health care [PODCAST]
Practicing patience with patients
Patience is a notoriously hard skill to master. When working in health care, your patience is constantly tested, a lesson I have repeatedly learned in my time as a medical assistant in a large orthopedic surgery practice. Whether it is taking the time to reexplain instructions to a patient when I know am running behind in clinic, waiting on hold with another doctor’s office to obtain pertinent information regarding a …
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Navigating the spiritual crisis in modern medicine [PODCAST]
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We’re joined by Dike Drummond, family physician and founder of TheHappyMD.com. Our discussion delves into the spiritual crisis facing employed physicians, where the idealism that once inspired them to pursue medicine clashes with …
AI in medical practices [PODCAST]
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Join Robert Murry, chief medical officer at NextGen Healthcare, to delve into the transformative power of artificial intelligence in rural medical practices. Robert, also known as a country doctor practicing in the picturesque …
What’s love got to do with it? The emotional toll of the practice of medicine
In medicine, we are taught to be professional and, at all times, to keep our emotions at bay. While this approach may work for some professionals, it is particularly challenging in medicine, especially in primary care. As a family physician, I have witnessed the journey of my patients over the years—sometimes spanning generations within a single family. I have seen my teenage patients grow into responsible adults and parents. I …
Responsibility, burnout, and self-care [PODCAST]
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We welcome Mary Braun, an internal medicine physician. Mary shares her insights on how perceptions of responsibility for patient outcomes have evolved throughout her career, particularly in light of systemic challenges like the …
Navigating the tides: Finding balance in the unyielding world of medicine
In the relentless pursuit of saving lives and advancing health care, medical professionals often find themselves on the frontline, where the high stakes of their profession can blur the lines between personal well-being and professional obligations. The noble calling to medicine is, without doubt, a source of immense fulfillment and pride. Yet, this very dedication can sometimes push us towards an imbalance, impacting not just our well-being but also the …
Unlocking compassion: lessons from a prison clinic
The healing potential of human interaction should always be considered, particularly when practicing medicine. Early in my medical career, I worked in the electromyography laboratory at Charity Hospital, Louisiana State University. During my time there, I saw an astonishing variety of patients. Among other things, we were the hospital of choice for the nearby Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, or “The Alcatraz of the South.” This prison was infamous for housing …
10 harsh truths doctors must understand to avoid burnout
In the high-stakes world of medicine, doctors are revered for their dedication to saving lives and providing compassionate care. However, behind the white coats and stethoscopes lies a harsh reality that many health care professionals often overlook—the risk of burnout. Burnout among doctors is a pressing issue that affects their personal well-being and compromises the quality of care they deliver to patients. To combat this pervasive problem, doctors must confront …
Past Week
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New student loan caps could shut low-income students out of medicine
-
How federal actions threaten vaccine policy and trust
-
Are we repeating the statin playbook with lipoprotein(a)?
-
The silent cost of choosing personalization over privacy in health care
-
Why transgender health care needs urgent reform and inclusive practices
-
mRNA post vaccination syndrome: Is it real?
-
Past 6 Months
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COVID-19 was real: a doctor’s frontline account
-
Why primary care doctors are drowning in debt despite saving lives
-
New student loan caps could shut low-income students out of medicine
-
Confessions of a lipidologist in recovery: the infection we’ve ignored for 40 years
-
A physician employment agreement term that often tricks physicians
-
Why taxing remittances harms families and global health care
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Recent Posts
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The joy of teaching medicine through life’s toughest challenges
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Why health care can’t survive on no-fail missions alone
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An addiction physician’s warning about America’s next public health crisis [PODCAST]
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Gen Z’s DIY approach to health care
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What street medicine taught me about healing
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Smart asset protection strategies every doctor needs
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Past Week
-
New student loan caps could shut low-income students out of medicine
-
How federal actions threaten vaccine policy and trust
-
Are we repeating the statin playbook with lipoprotein(a)?
-
The silent cost of choosing personalization over privacy in health care
-
Why transgender health care needs urgent reform and inclusive practices
-
mRNA post vaccination syndrome: Is it real?
-
Past 6 Months
-
COVID-19 was real: a doctor’s frontline account
-
Why primary care doctors are drowning in debt despite saving lives
-
New student loan caps could shut low-income students out of medicine
-
Confessions of a lipidologist in recovery: the infection we’ve ignored for 40 years
-
A physician employment agreement term that often tricks physicians
-
Why taxing remittances harms families and global health care
-
Recent Posts
-
The joy of teaching medicine through life’s toughest challenges
-
Why health care can’t survive on no-fail missions alone
-
An addiction physician’s warning about America’s next public health crisis [PODCAST]
-
Gen Z’s DIY approach to health care
-
What street medicine taught me about healing
-
Smart asset protection strategies every doctor needs
-
