Primary Care

Volunteering near the Dead Sea: compassion amid refugees

Physician

November 17, 2023

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 …

From compassionate care to corporate medicine: Physicians speak out

Jason E. Liebowitz, MD, Kenneth M. Prager, MD, and Wendy Dean, MD

Physician

November 5, 2023

Four years ago, I (JEL) had just finished a fellowship and was elated to start my dream job in a physician-owned and operated group practice. The doctors in the group were tight-knit supporters of each other and the local community. Right away, I began building meaningful relationships with the patients and colleagues that I thought would be with me for decades. But without warning, in year two, the group’s senior …

Rising nurse practitioner burnout: charting and work-life balance

Erica Dorn, FNP

Conditions

November 4, 2023

Nurse practitioner (NP) burnout is at an all-time high. Many nurse practitioners (and health care providers in general) are struggling right now, feeling mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. Many are contemplating leaving health care altogether. The factors contributing to nurse practitioner burnout are multifactorial, stemming from various personal and work-related causes. However, for APRNs, there is a leading cause of burnout.

Signs and symptoms of nurse practitioner burnout:

Before we delve into …

The “little voice” physician burnout survey

Dike Drummond, MD

Physician

November 3, 2023

If your conscious mind is asking, “Is this what burnout feels like?” your little voice already has the answer.

One of the things physicians ask me on our coaching discovery call is whether or not I think they are burned out.

They want a second opinion from a fellow doctor. That’s a natural instinct, and yet, my opinion is completely irrelevant in the arc of their life as a physician.

What matters is …

Overcoming health challenges: one patient’s story

Becky Purkaple, MD

Conditions

November 2, 2023

The patient was a typical one in my primary care practice, and for those of you in my field, one familiar to you as well. Jim, as we will call him, was a middle-aged, obese male with a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, whose most concerning medical problem was his long history of noncompliance. He came in once a year for the physical his company required but otherwise ignored …

Medicine has become the new McDonald’s of health care

Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA

Policy

November 2, 2023

I was having a conversation with a colleague about a state-funded Medicaid managed care organization (MCO). She told me that the mental health performance measures used by the state to evaluate the MCO were all “placement and provider issues,” such as the amount of time children spent sleeping on the floors of social services offices or languishing in emergency departments (ED) before they were transferred for treatment or placed into …

What does the term “doctor” mean, who can use it, and does it matter?

Michael Brant-Zawadzki, MD

Physician

October 31, 2023

From the Oxford Dictionary: Doctor.

a qualified practitioner of medicine; a physician. (a number of synonyms are listed, including “quack”)

a person who holds a doctorate.

Increasingly, non-physicians are using the term “doctor.” Clearly, a doctorate degree allows the holder to use that term semantically, contextual puffery or not. Nurses can obtain a doctorate degree through a rigorous peer-reviewed process of study. PhDs in various fields likewise. All MDs are doctors. Not all …

Empathetic patient care: Addressing disability in education

Heather Finlay-Morreale, MD

Physician

October 30, 2023

The students entered, chattering among themselves about their recent break. This is their interviewing and communication class, and today’s guest lecturer is a bit different than the usual physician educator. Speaking today is Linda Long-Bellil, JD, PhD, an expert in educating medical professionals about disability. Dr. Long-Bellil is also a person with a disability herself. I am assisting as well, as a physician with a disability and a wheelchair user. …

Holocaust survivor’s hidden past: a doctor’s discovery

Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD

Physician

October 29, 2023

As a medical doctor, I have peered into the lives of many patients who have unique experiences.

When I started practice 40 years ago, some of my patients had parents who lived during the Civil War; a few fought in the Spanish-American War, and more recently, at the Millennium, several of my centenarians could say they lived in three centuries!

One of my first patients in Santa Clarita was a gentleman who …

Balancing life and medicine [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

October 28, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join us for an engaging podcast conversation with Kim Downey, a physical therapist, and Stephen Lewellis, a dermatologist. They share their unique professional journeys, discussing the challenges and insights they’ve gained in their respective fields. From navigating …

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Balancing life and medicine [PODCAST]

Empathy meets efficiency: a health care transformation [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

October 27, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Matthew Troup, a physician assistant and health care executive, as we explore the critical issue of balancing empathy and efficiency in modern medicine. Matthew shares his personal journey and the challenges he faced during his clinical …

Decoding doctor designations: the crucial need to ditch the “provider” label

Austin Miller

Education

October 27, 2023

Health care terminology has evolved significantly over the years, with the term “provider” becoming a standard reference for various health care professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. While the term includes many health care professionals in current medical practice, it’s important to discuss why “provider” was initially used and should not be used interchangeably with “physician.”

A brief history of the term “provider”

The term “provider” in health care began …

Combating physician burnout: the case for subsidized vacations

Angel Garcia Otano, MD

Policy

October 27, 2023

Physician burnout is a pressing issue in the health care industry, with detrimental effects on both health care providers and the American public. Family physicians, in particular, play a crucial role in the well-being of individuals and communities. This essay explores the mental health benefits that family physicians derive from enjoying time away from the office and argues for government subsidization of their vacation time as a measure to mitigate …

The connection between organ systems and skin health in Chinese medicine

Jinguan Yang, MD

Conditions

October 26, 2023

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), health is perceived as a holistic concept that encompasses not only the physical aspects of our bodies but also the emotional and spiritual dimensions.

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have long held the belief that there is a deep connection between our organ systems and the appearance of our face.

This profound link sheds light on how our internal well-being and emotions can be reflected in our facial …

The power of storytelling in your resume

Jawaria Suhail, MD

Physician

October 21, 2023

Compelling storytelling on your resume can help you stand out as a job candidate. However, storytelling and the story of your life (which is the meaning of curriculum vitae) are not the same.

With so many resumes flooding the job market, it can be challenging to make yours stand out. That’s where storytelling comes in. By incorporating storytelling into your resume, you can showcase your unique experiences, skills, and accomplishments in …

Rediscovering life: a day of heightened awareness

Sylvia M. Castro, MD

Physician

October 19, 2023

The dryer clanks and clangs, a rhythm I thought I knew by heart. Cars hum past the house—loud, then quieter, until they fade into the distance. I’m alert, but it’s a selective kind of alertness. I sit in the stillness, waiting for the next thought to arrive. Except, it doesn’t. Is this what living in the moment feels like? Just waiting? Waiting for what?

In an attempt to understand time—this elusive …

Pivot from clinical work? Sometimes the answer is yes, and that’s OK.

Kim Downey, PT

Physician

October 15, 2023

“All I know is how to be a doctor.” That’s the story many physicians tell themselves when they feel pulled to pivot from direct patient care. Through working with a coach, therapist, or mentor, doctors see there are always other possible paths forward. Sometimes, it’s what you need to do to take care of yourself, short or long term, and there is nothing more important than that…

Charity Hix, MD

I knew …

Achieving happiness: practical strategies for physicians

Tomi Mitchell, MD

Physician

October 14, 2023

Happiness is a widely discussed and sought-after topic. This dream, or the ideal world of happiness, is something many people claim they want but struggle to find. So, what exactly is happiness? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, happiness is a state of well-being and contentment.

Do you remember your happiest moments? As I write this, I reflect on my happiest moments—such as the birth of my first child. Then, as I …

How writing can elevate your health care career [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

October 11, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Harrison Reed, a physician assistant, as he shares his journey of discovering the superpower of writing. From defying childhood tasks to leveraging words to open doors to Yale and beyond, Harrison’s story demonstrates how writing can …

When physicians are disrespected [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

October 3, 2023

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Join Sarah Samaan, a retired cardiologist and Master Certified Physician Development Coach. We’ll delve into the pressing issue of physician dignity, discussing the challenges physicians face in today’s health care landscape and Sarah’s strategies to combat disrespect …

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