Primary Care

What do doctor and nursing burnout, the COVID pandemic, and the Easter Bunny have in common?

Physician
July 11, 2023

Question: What do doctors and nursing burnout, the COVID pandemic, and the Easter Bunny have in common?

Answer: Not a damn thing.

For the past few years, any article on medical labor shortages, disgruntlement, or changes in employment, such as the rise of travel nurses or locum physicians, invariably cited the same cause: COVID.

But to get to the real cause of what’s going on, you have to go further back. Much further …

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What Lucille Ball and Einstein can teach us about overcoming burnout

Physician
July 10, 2023

In the demanding health care industry, physicians are frequently susceptible to burnout. The constant pressures, long hours, and emotional toll can be detrimental to one’s health. To support physicians on their path to wellness, we have compiled a collection of motivational quotes that can change their perspective and help them achieve their goals. In addition to these powerful quotes, we’ve included suggestions for cultivating growth and overcoming burnout. Discover the …

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How observing patients’ walks can reveal hidden ailments

Physician
July 9, 2023

On the first day of class, one of my medical school professors limped in, stopped, and then proceeded to teach us specifically what ailment a patient has that causes their limp.

He went on to explain, “By the time you finish this didactic course in orthopedics, you will be able to diagnose a patient’s problem just by watching them walk!”

At the beginning of each class, the professor would limp in and …

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The hidden consequences of fraudulent and poor-quality medical research

Physician
July 8, 2023

Recent years have seen an increasing recognition of fraud, deceit, and other maleficence in scientific research, including medical research. The extent of this is truly frightening and has led to increasing international efforts to detect and address it. As of September 2020, the site Retraction Watch listed over 24,000 papers in its database, many of which were retracted due to deliberate fraud. It is unknown how many individuals, who received …

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Unveiling the rise of deaths of despair [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 7, 2023
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Join us on this episode as we welcome Mohammed Umer Waris, a family medicine resident, to discuss the alarming rise of “deaths of despair” and its impact on life expectancy in the United States. Umer sheds light …

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Unveiling the healing power of compassion [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 5, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for an insightful podcast episode with guest Kara Wada, a board-certified academic adult and pediatric allergy, immunology, and lifestyle medicine physician. Together, we explore the profound impact of disconnection in our modern existence, particularly within …

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Medical ethics: Navigating ambiguity, honesty, and patient well-being in health care

Physician
June 30, 2023

I love medical ethics, and I am fortunate to be able to spend a substantial portion of my professional life working within this growing field. I recently demonstrated that when medical students engage in debates involving bioethics, it improves their tolerance for ambiguity. Medical school, and the years leading up to it, focus mostly on multiple-choice tests – with one correct answer. Licensing exams do the same. The young physician …

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The transformative power of volunteering at the science fair

Education
June 27, 2023

“Thank you so much for taking the time today and judging,” yet another person said as they approached me, smiling or shaking my hand.

“You are welcome,” I said, smiling. It was my pleasure—my genuine internal pleasure.

I have been volunteering for schools and children’s education for many years.

As I agreed yet again to be a judge, I thought I was helping them: schools, students, the school district… It turned out that, …

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From failure to success: How a nurse overcame challenges and thrived in the medical field

Conditions
June 22, 2023

I remember the day clearly – sitting in a convenience store parking lot after buying a pack of pencils on my way to my first day of nursing school. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Or, perhaps more realistically, I had no idea how ill-prepared I really was. As a mediocre high school student who got by with the bare minimum, I was rudely awakened when …

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The magic of human connections

Physician
June 20, 2023

I was doing laundry last week when my engagement ring snagged on a shirt. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that one of the four prongs holding the diamond in place was sticking up and on the verge of breaking.

Quickly, I took off the ring and placed it in a safe spot, relieved that it hadn’t accidentally gone down the drain.

Shortly after, a …

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Understanding the mind’s role and embracing contentment for a flourishing life

Physician
June 18, 2023

It is challenging to open a medical journal in any specialty without coming across an article on burnout. These articles present statistics, trends, and various causes in detail. Some even propose sensible solutions such as flexible scheduling, peer support, delegation of clerical work, and an increased focus on personal well-being activities as steps in the right direction.

I have previously emphasized that “the absence of burnout does not equal wellness,” …

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Unlearning perfectionism: Embracing imperfection and finding my true self through improv

Physician
June 16, 2023

I walked into my local improvisational comedy theater a few years ago and started taking classes to escape burnout and have some fun. It was so freaking difficult. Here I was, a frazzled, tightly-wound mid-career pediatrician, surrounded by all these creative, quirky folks from all walks of life who were just so funny. I kept hearing, “We don’t want to hear you on stage, Wendy,” meaning they wanted me to …

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The power of embracing life’s seasons: rest, reflection, and growth

Physician
June 13, 2023

If we look around and spend time in nature or just walk outside, we realize everything has a season. The trees, the flowers, the weeds—they all change during the seasons. Flowers don’t constantly bloom; trees show their beautiful display of colors on their leaves, shed them, and grow a new set of beautiful leaves each year. There is constant change. As famously said by Heraclitus, “The only thing constant is …

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Breaking free from limiting habits: Unveiling the path to your full potential [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 10, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us as we explore the habits that might be making your life harder than necessary. Our guest, Cindy Tsai, an internal medicine physician, shares valuable insights into common obstacles that hinder personal growth and alignment. From …

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Physician excellence: Transitioning from the comfort zone to the growth zone for exceptional patient care

Physician
June 10, 2023

Health care is a dynamic, evolving field that demands a high degree of adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning from its practitioners. For physicians, improving patient care is often about the challenge of moving from a comfort zone – a place of established practices and familiar routines – to a growth zone, where they are constantly learning, adapting, and expanding their skill sets. This shift is about staying up-to-date …

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A tense family drama unfolds as a young daughter pursues unconventional career path

Physician
June 7, 2023

You may not have heard about the young girl from my neck of the woods who just graduated from high school and is heading to college in Arizona to study ichthyology. It’s been causing quite a stir because her father, a family medicine doc who runs a busy practice in town, is less than thrilled about her daughter’s chosen career path. The tension between father and daughter is palpable, and …

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A revolution in patient empowerment: Working together to save our medical system [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 6, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Ann M. Hester, board-certified internal medicine physician, in a thought-provoking podcast episode. Explore the challenges of the health care system, including the shortage of doctors and the nursing crisis. Ann shares valuable insights on the importance …

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Fixing the system and prioritizing patient care [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 4, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for a thought-provoking episode as we sit down with Cindy Rubin, a pediatrician and breastfeeding medicine specialist. Cindy opens up about the challenges faced by physicians in the current health care system, particularly the constraints …

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Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

Physician
May 31, 2023

The extraordinary stories of Mike Tyson and George Foreman, two esteemed boxers who’ve shaped the sport’s landscapes, are peppered with life lessons extending far beyond a boxing ring’s confines. These lessons, borne out of sweat, determination, and a relentless drive to rise above adversity, apply to various sectors, including the often challenging and constantly evolving health care field.

One key lesson from Tyson’s remarkable journey is the sheer power of resilience …

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