Health care in the United States is in a state of turmoil. Many Americans are struggling to pay for health care. Even if they have health insurance, many have to pay high out-of-pocket copayments and, in the end, feel that what they do pay for is not worth the cost.
As a result of the COVID pandemic, many health care workers faced mounting mental health crises from burnout, physical and mental …
Intriguing question: What is one word that can free us?
You might think it is love.
Love is so powerful in lifting shame, sadness, and loneliness, but that’s not the kind of freedom I’m referring to. Instead, I’m referring to the freedom to put aside others’ presumed or verbalized expectations of us and do something in our own best interest.
That magical word is “could.” At first glance, this might not seem like …
I limped into work one morning and, tired from the day which had yet to begin, paused when I did not recognize the name of my first patient. This likely meant that I saw him once, enough to—maybe—remember the basics of his health care, but not his name. If that sounded weird, it was the way my brain worked after twenty years of being a doctor.
I pulled up his chart …
Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month is an excellent reminder of how essential it is to reflect on how our cultural roots shape our personal and professional journeys. As a Filipino creator and connector, I have always been drawn to the values ingrained in me from my upbringing in a collectivist society. These values, centered around social harmony and interconnectedness, have profoundly influenced my career path, culminating in becoming a …
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 …
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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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
“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 …
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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 …
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 …
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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. …
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 …
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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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 …
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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 …
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 …
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