Radiology

How AI is transforming breast cancer detection: a game-changing tool for early diagnosis and personalized care

Conditions
October 20, 2024

If you had an assistant who helped you do your work faster, more efficiently, and more precisely, would you fear it?

With artificial intelligence (AI) at the forefront of virtually everything today, two of the most common questions I hear in my daily practice are, “Do you use AI?” and “What does AI do for you?” For some, these questions stem from a desire to access cutting-edge tools, while others express …

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Radiologists need to be realistic about the job market

Physician
October 5, 2024

It is undeniable that the radiologist shortage is here. While reimbursement is declining, free agents are few and far between, and compensation is exploding. Compensation per wRVU in the western region of the U.S. jumped nearly 16 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to MGMA. Job postings show salaries almost double what they were even five years ago, with signing bonuses, accelerated partnership tracks, and 12, 26, 34, or even …

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The power of togetherness: Finding connection and friendship in giving circles to increase your impact

Physician
September 24, 2024

Doctors in most medical specialties spend a significant amount of their time interacting with people, yet medicine is considered one of the loneliest professions. I’ve heard this at several surprising points in the past few years from physicians I would not have suspected felt isolated. Over these last years, there have been increasing opportunities to find meaningful connections with other physicians through online communities, some of which have in-person gatherings …

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Why doctors are afraid to take on insurance giants—and how it hurts patients

Conditions
August 30, 2024

Half of my family and many of my friends are doctors. I admire them enormously: they are smarter, work harder, and are more compassionate than any group I know. Yet sadly, they are all wimps. Despite non-stop carping about the dangers and cost of health insurers’ prior authorization machinations, not a single one is willing to step up and take on an insurance company.

Of course, I understand why: doctors’ incomes …

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The sham peer review: a hidden contributor to the doctor shortage

Physician
July 30, 2024

Imagine you’ve worked in a clinical environment for an extended period. You might be a resident or fellow getting ready to graduate, an attending who has been operating for years, or a full-fledged partner in private practice. As your morning alarm sounds, you check your email and see: “Informal Meeting–Mandatory.” The content of the email is vague, but it seems you’re being asked to meet with several colleagues in your …

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More than a doctor: My unexpected path to building a thriving business

Physician
May 15, 2024

When I was younger, I could not remember a time I wanted to be anything other than a doctor, and I thought this would satisfy all I wanted in my work life. Many years later, I realized I was yearning for a side gig. Based on the existence of more than 110,000 members in a related Facebook group, I wasn’t alone. A side gig can increase life satisfaction by heightening …

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Unmasking the profit-driven influence on American health care decisions

Physician
December 30, 2023

The practice of medicine has been significantly enhanced by advancing technology. However, even with four years of medical school and an MD degree, this only provides the foundation for what is needed to be a good doctor. A critically important skill is the ability to make sound medical decisions.

This is why there is a hierarchy in training that begins after medical school, progressing through internship, residency, fellowship, and eventually leading …

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Clinical work to new horizons [PODCAST]

Podcast
December 29, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Kim Downey, a physical therapist, David Fessell, a radiologist, and Todd R. Otten, a family physician, as they share their journeys and expertise. Discover their unique perspectives on well-being, health care transformation, and strategies for achieving …

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Escape diagnostic rabbit holes with Markov chains

Physician
December 5, 2023

If you find yourself heading down a rabbit hole pursuing a diagnosis, consider using a Markov chain to get back out. No, it’s not a physical chain. It’s a metaphorical chain.

In mathematics, statistics, and research, a Markov chain is a series of branching events where the options of what comes next at each branch point are not limited by what happened at a previous branch point. That is, each step …

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Navigating your first MRI: tips and insights

Conditions
November 26, 2023

MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a commonly used form of imaging to help diagnose conditions that might not be visible in an X-ray. The MRI scanner is a large cylindrical tube-shaped machine that creates a strong magnetic force and radio waves to capture images of the interior areas of the human body. Out of the numerous magnets in an MRI scanner, there is one main magnet, and the magnetic …

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AI is living up to its promise as a tool for radiology

Tech
September 21, 2023

For the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been proving itself as an effective tool in breast cancer screening. An ever-growing list of research studies has shown that using AI in mammography can safely and efficiently reduce patient wait times while reducing the pressure on in-demand radiologists.

This is significant, as early detection greatly improves patient outcomes and long-term survival. Imagine how much more significant it would be if AI …

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The fusion of fMRI and polygraph tech

Physician
August 27, 2023

Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury and I attended Los Angeles High School, separated by 15 years. He once spoke there and quelled the rumor that he failed English: “I got a C!”

His writings extend beyond the realm of reality into a dimension of creativity and hope. Oftentimes, we think mankind has reached the limits of understanding, but in reality, there are things we don’t know regarding the eternity of outer …

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How artificial intelligence is transforming radiology [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 21, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Brett Mollard, a radiologist who delves into the exciting future of radiology and the role of artificial intelligence (AI). As we explore the impact of AI on radiology, Brett answers the recurring questions about the potential …

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Radiologist-clinician collaboration is key to optimal diagnostic outcomes [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 11, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for a conversation with Houda Bouhmam, a radiology resident, as we explore the crucial collaboration between radiologists and clinicians in achieving the best diagnostic outcomes. Houda shares her transformative journey, dispelling misconceptions about clinical correlation …

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Decoding the brain’s decision-making: insights for medical professions and strategies for success

Physician
June 7, 2023

The interplay between the brain’s fast and deliberative decision-making systems is complex yet fascinating, shedding light on the cognitive underpinnings of different medical professions, such as emergency room (ER) doctors and radiologists.

Let’s illustrate this with an example. Consider an ER doctor faced with a patient exhibiting symptoms of a heart attack—chest pain, shortness of breath, and cold sweat. The physician must rapidly recognize these symptoms, immediately initiate protocols, administer clot-dissolving …

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How AI is enhancing patient care and improving radiologists’ lives

Tech
May 24, 2023

When the topic of the future of radiology comes up in conversation, I frequently find myself being asked a few recurring questions: “How will artificial intelligence affect radiology?” quickly followed by “Do you think AI will replace you?”

These are great questions that I have found myself contemplating as well. As someone with an overall technological curiosity and a radiologist who embraces technological advancements, I ponder these questions often.

Let’s start with …

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Breaking the silence on pelvic congestion syndrome: Diagnosing and treating chronic pelvic pain with interventional radiology

Conditions
May 11, 2023

One in six women in the U.S. suffers from chronic pelvic pain (CPP), yet many receive improper treatment for the condition, or no care at all. They’re frustrated – and rightfully so. Their health care providers are frustrated too because what their patients are experiencing has historically been very difficult to diagnose. It is estimated that about 30 percent of patients with CPP suffer from a condition that can be …

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The collaboration between radiologists and clinicians for optimal diagnostic outcomes

Physician
March 11, 2023

When I was doing my transitional year in internal medicine, I was essentially bullied for going into diagnostic radiology by my co-residents and the internal medicine attending doctors I worked with. They used to tell me that my “forever job” would be to sit on a chair in a dark room and dictate “correlate clinically” all day long. And I would immediately argue: No! That’s terrible! I would never do …

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A mundane ultrasound? The emotional weight of diagnostic tests.

Conditions
January 18, 2023

The word mundane is defined as an occurrence that is very ordinary and, therefore, not interesting. However, what may be mundane for one may be monumental for another, especially if one’s health is in question.

An ultrasound provides needed information to trained medical personnel for the evaluation of the health status of an individual. In many situations, it is a means to alert the physician to a potential problem situation for …

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A physician shows incredible strength and resilience in an emotional moment [PODCAST]

Podcast
January 14, 2023
YouTube video

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

In this episode, we follow Houda Bouhmam, a radiology resident, as she struggles to deliver the devastating news to a patient that there is no cure for their disease. Despite the emotional toll it takes on her, …

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