Primary Care
8 tips to engage patients, improve outcomes, and increase provider satisfaction
The media is full of stories about providers’ influence on the patient experience. Less common are articles about how patient engagement influences provider satisfaction—and the vicious cycle generated by lack of patient engagement, provider dissatisfaction, and poor outcomes.
Consider these statistics:
- 50% of patients don’t follow their treatment plans.
- Up to 70% of hospital readmissions occur from patients neglecting their care plans.
- Roughly 7% of the malpractice claims examined …
The lost dream of a small-town doctor
As a child, I was a daydreamer, especially in algebra class. Picture this: my teacher, reminiscent of Droopy Dog but on a heavy dose of barbiturates, droned on from the textbook. And just like that, my mind would escape – soaring out of the window of my quaint Midwestern high school, wandering around the courtyard square.
Back then, several businesses on the square were small physician offices. You could spot white-coated …
A neurosurgeon’s quest to solve medication nonadherence [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!
Join neurosurgeon Katrina Firlik as she delves into the world of health care data and the importance of citing sources. Explore her journey from treating patients to becoming an entrepreneur, and learn about the challenges of addressing …
A doctor struggles to provide mental health care in Appalachia
As a West Virginia primary care doctor, I frequently—read: daily—find myself in uncomfortable situations. A few recent events, however, are out of the ordinary, even by the standards to which I am accustomed. Though unique to Martinsburg, WV, I expect similar themes in myriad offices across American health care. If your job resembles mine, I wonder if you feel as lost as I am, though I’m not sure where we …
Health care’s hidden problem: hospital primary care losses
Health care is constantly evolving, and it’s no secret that many hospitals are bleeding money when it comes to their primary care practices. On the low end, a hospital loses $127,000 per year on a primary care physician. Anecdotally, a rural hospital in Indiana expressed that they lose nearly $500,000 per year!
Headlines are filled with stories about rural hospitals (& many others) struggling to keep their …
Kintsugi: Embracing brokenness and empathy
In the Japanese tradition of kintsugi, broken things are repaired with gold joinery. The repaired object is even lovelier than the original. The breakage and repair become an acknowledged part of the object’s history. The scars and wounds are cherished rather than disguised. What a beautiful reminder to harness the powers of darkness and light that exist within us and the world.
In the book, Born for Love: Why Empathy …
Save time with these 4 charting tips
If you ask nurse practitioners how they spend most of their time at work, their answer will be “charting!”
Not only do nurse practitioners (NPs) assess, diagnose, and treat patients, but they also have to document the findings. On top of that, nurse practitioners also have to analyze diagnostic data, review past medical documentation, and address the never-ending patient messages.
With so much to do in a day, it can feel impossible …
Tackling health care conflicts and stereotyping
Concerns about conflicts of interest and stereotyping differ in their complexity. Resolving stereotyping-related concerns is relatively straightforward. Stereotyping should be dismantled immediately, regardless of the reasons for its creation, before it continues to perpetuate unchecked. However, merely dissolving stereotyping might not be enough if one form of stereotyping is replaced by another. Therefore, the ongoing effort to combat stereotyping must continue. When aiming to dissolve any stereotyping and ensure it …
Efficient staffing partners for health systems
Although the health care workforce has begun to normalize following the historic lows of the pandemic, according to Staffing Industry Analyst’s most recent Healthcare Staffing Report, health care employers across the board still struggle with a tight labor market, high turnover, and continued attrition.
In fact, the health care sector continues to rank last for overall employee satisfaction, with low scores in areas such as engagement, intent-to-stay, and employee experience …
10 things to know about your doctor that will get you better care
During a recent conversation with Dr. Dawn Sears, I mentioned that I was working on a presentation I wish to give locally, speaking on “How caring for your doctor gets you better care.”
Our discussion revealed some important insights all patients should be aware of, which we share here:
1. Let the pilot fly the plane. Passengers generally don’t walk onto an airplane and start complaining to the pilot about their seat …
Clinicians’ transformative health care paths [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!
Listen to conversations that uncover the unique perspectives of health care professionals and the transformative power of their work. Tamara Beckford, an emergency physician, reveals her remarkable journey from the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic to …
Emotional freedom and resilience: a family physician’s inspiring journey [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!
Join Dhruva Gulur, a family physician, to explore his journey from burnout, addiction, and self-hatred to emotional freedom and personal growth. Discover the unique concept of “Empower ACES” and “Disregard FACES” that helped him turn his life …
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t lose your end bonus to the tax-man
As the year draws to a close, many doctors receive year-end bonuses. However, with these bonuses come potential tax implications that can impact the overall financial picture.
Understanding the tax landscape
Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to grasp the tax landscape. Different types of income, including bonuses, may be taxed at varying rates. Knowing the tax implications helps doctors make informed decisions. Seek a financial advisor who understands your situation if …
Doctors and disabled patients [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!
Join Heather Finlay-Morreale, a pediatrician. We’ll delve into the uncomfortable reality of doctors’ attitudes towards disabled patients, drawing from her personal experiences and the broader efforts to create positive change in medical education and practice. Discover how …
Understanding the lives of women in medicine [PODCAST]
Ikigai in health care: Mastering work-life balance and purpose for medical professionals
In the high-pressure health care environment, finding purpose and fulfillment is a significant challenge. The Japanese concept of ikigai offers a unique perspective, helping health care professionals discover deeper meaning in their work and personal lives. This article explores ikigai’s essence, its benefits and challenges in health care, and practical steps for embarking on this transformative journey.
Understanding ikigai
Ikigai is a Japanese term …
Advocating for health and humanity: a physician’s call to action amidst conflict
The unfolding events in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank present a complex and deeply concerning situation. The entire area is smaller than the state of Vermont. My experiences in the West Bank, supported by a U.S. Scholar Fulbright award, have given me firsthand insight into the disruptions faced by individuals in these regions. The war may be focused in Gaza, but routine life is also disrupted in the West …
The crisis of physician burnout and the promise of technology
“I am no longer a physician. I have become the typist.”
This is a sentiment echoing in the hallways of medical practices across the nation. This transformation encapsulates the growing disillusionment among doctors, particularly those in primary care. As a resident physician in family medicine, I am acutely aware of the escalating rates of physician burnout, exacerbated by the expectation to see between 18 and 24 patients daily. One must …
Volunteering near the Dead Sea: compassion amid refugees
A mere week following the events of October 7, I heeded the call to volunteer at a medical facility nestled on the shores of the Dead Sea. As a medical practitioner, my sense of duty compelled me to extend my expertise to those in need. What made this mission truly distinctive was the presence of my 15-year-old daughter, Hadar, who had taken on the role of clinic administrator. An exceptional …
Past Week
-
Rethinking the JUPITER trial and statin safety
-
The silent disease causing 400 amputations daily
-
The measure of a doctor, the misery of a patient
-
How AI is transforming health care with real-world data insights [PODCAST]
-
Endometriosis, AMH, and your fertility
-
Why self-care is not enough for clinicians
-
Past 6 Months
-
Rethinking the JUPITER trial and statin safety
-
The ignored clinical trials on statins and mortality
-
Health equity in Inland Southern California requires urgent action
-
How one physician redesigned her practice to find joy in primary care again [PODCAST]
-
Why doctors must fight for a just health care system
-
Why your clinic waiting room may affect patient outcomes
-
Recent Posts
Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!
Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.
100
pages
Past Week
-
Rethinking the JUPITER trial and statin safety
-
The silent disease causing 400 amputations daily
-
The measure of a doctor, the misery of a patient
-
How AI is transforming health care with real-world data insights [PODCAST]
-
Endometriosis, AMH, and your fertility
-
Why self-care is not enough for clinicians
-
Past 6 Months
-
Rethinking the JUPITER trial and statin safety
-
The ignored clinical trials on statins and mortality
-
Health equity in Inland Southern California requires urgent action
-
How one physician redesigned her practice to find joy in primary care again [PODCAST]
-
Why doctors must fight for a just health care system
-
Why your clinic waiting room may affect patient outcomes
-
Recent Posts
