When I was a brand-new doctor, I was fresh, eager, and determined to succeed. I grew up poor, so I worked and worked—full-time during the week and taking travel assignments on weekends to make ends meet. Many of these travel assignments were in areas with less diverse populations, places where I was often the only Black doctor in the hospital.
One such assignment took me to Hannibal, Missouri, the …
I was an aspiring internist, then became an aesthetic physician, and now I am preparing to train abroad. This is the story of how I had to make life-changing decisions as a doctor to survive in this ever-changing world.
In August 2020, as a fifth-year medical student, I experienced my first doctor’s strike. I remember standing under the scorching summer sun, chanting slogans in protest. The conflict? A standoff between medical …
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Family physician Laura Suttin discusses her KevinMD article, “An argument against time management.” In this episode, Laura explores the pressures physicians face in trying to adhere to strict time management practices, which …
A large number of physicians are addicted to unhappiness. Practicing medicine is no longer fun, and they are frustrated working in an environment where they do not feel valued and appreciated. Forty percent of all physicians are looking to change their employment venue over the next two years, according to a recent survey by the AMA.
Physicians’ unhappiness is understandable.
Reimbursement by Medicare and other payors is declining, while the costs of …
As I navigate this world, I often feel overwhelmed by its harshness, making peace and harmony seem elusive.
Today, the atmosphere feels particularly heavy with distrust and anger, leaving me caught in a constant “me” versus “you” mindset. At times, it feels as though a corrosive glue has enveloped the workings of my heart, preventing me from experiencing emotions and diminishing my willingness to seek the truth or ensure my story …
Picture this: You’re sitting in a courtroom, and the defendant in front of you is a major insurance company. The charge? Denying a life-saving claim that led to devastating consequences for someone’s health. The prosecutor stands up, looks toward the jury—a group of everyday people like you and me—and declares, “They prioritized profits over the lives of people.” Doesn’t that statement hit differently this morning, especially as you sip your …
Introduction
It is no secret that the U.S. medical system fails to treat all patients equally. Those with Medicaid often lack access to the same primary care and subspecialty clinics as those with Medicare or private insurance and face longer wait times. Medicaid is jointly funded by the states and federal government. The solution is to increase Medicaid reimbursement. Of course, in my home state, Texas, …
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Internal medicine physician and physician coach Diane W. Shannon discusses her KevinMD article, “Why women doctors spend more time on EHRs and what it means for patient care.” She explores key points …
In my medical career thus far, I’ll admit family history is something I routinely brush aside. It was never a focus in my medical school or residency training. In my primary care clinic, I spend a couple of minutes asking new patients about their parents’ medical conditions but rarely revisit the topic in future visits.
This approach made sense to me. We’re taught to treat each patient as an individual—to focus …
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Scott Bane, senior program officer, discusses his KevinMD article, “How a family caregiver saved my life during a rare medical crisis.” He explores the challenges and triumphs of family caregiving, and the …
In this time of change, it seems appropriate to take a step back and reflect upon the oath we took when we graduated from medical school. Here’s the version we use at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine from the …
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Amelia Bueche, an osteopathic physician, discusses her KevinMD article, “This perspective will change how physicians address pain and recovery.” Amelia explores the interconnectedness of trauma, pain, and recovery, emphasizing the importance of …
It was a crisp winter day where the sun shines so brightly it tricks you into thinking it’s warm until you step outside and instantly regret not grabbing your scarf—that I heard about the latest musings from our southern neighbors. The commander-in-chief (yes, President Trump, I’m looking at you) had hinted, joked, or perhaps accidentally tweeted (it’s hard to tell these days) that Canada could become the 51st state.
Instantly, I …
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I am Thelonius. I am five. I love mommy. I love daddy. I love God. I like Barney. I like Sesame Street. I like my toys. I am happy.
I am twelve years old. I wish I was 13, because I would be a teenager. Teenagers are cool. They are able to do whatever they want and stay up and watch television late. Teenagers have girlfriends, and they are big kids.
I …
It is presently fair to ask the question, do doctors participate in our society as individuals being free? If this is no longer the case, why and what are the consequences? If a doctor is employed, he answers to an employer. If there is participation with Medicaid and Medicare, the rules must be followed. These are rules, mandates, and regulations created by the administrative state, politicians, and faceless bureaucrats. If …
It was like being struck by lightning during the chorus, the recognition that Paul Simon was singing directly to me. “Medicine is magical, and magical is art,” he sang, and I turned up the radio, convinced that I was supposed to hear these lyrics—a tender moment in which I was vulnerable to possibility. The hair on my neck stood up and warmth washed over me, the telltale signs that this …
Dr. Steven Pearce, Dr. Bruce Berger, and I had an inspiring discussion about motivational interviewing. Bruce offered specific and practical suggestions for clinicians to help patients explore their motivation for treatment adherence. Steven responded, “I’m thrilled. I’m sitting here saying I can’t wait for him to give me more examples because I’m going to go use them in about an hour!”
Dr. Steven Pearce is a practicing gastroenterologist and creator of …
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Denise Reich shares powerful insights as a patient advocate, highlighting the importance of front desk staff, accessibility, accurate billing practices, and the impact of small changes on patient care. This episode dives into …
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Susan Landers shares her heartfelt journey as a neonatologist navigating the challenges of burnout, the rewards of practicing medicine, and the complex emotions surrounding early retirement. From her intimate experiences in the NICU …
Journalist Te-Ping Chen wrote about the nature of a physician’s career in a recent featured article in The Wall Street Journal where older physicians criticize the younger generation as being less committed to their patients. The article is titled: “Young Doctors Want Work-Life Balance. Older Doctors Say That’s Not the Job.”
The major point of discussion was the definition of a career in medicine as a “calling” versus a “job,” …
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