Surgery

5 days, 5 minutes: life-changing daily habits for health care professionals

Physician

January 12, 2024

It’s no secret that health care workers are some of the most stressed and burned-out professionals in the workforce. Health care was a tough job even before we had to bear the brunt of the worst of the pandemic. Even now that we’re nearly four years out from the initial outbreak of COVID-19, we’re still contending with a myriad of challenges, such as mental health disorders and ever-diminishing staff.

Amidst …

Why physicians are leaving: Exploring the burnout crisis

Emil Shakov, MD

Physician

December 14, 2023

The alarming rise in physicians resigning from their roles is a testament to the severity of the crisis. Where physicians were once the pillars of health care, delivering vital services to their communities, they now find themselves struggling with diminishing job satisfaction, declining productivity, and inadequate self-care routines. The result is a mass exodus from the profession, leading to a shortage of health care professionals and jeopardizing patient care.

The advent …

A neurosurgeon’s quest to solve medication nonadherence [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 12, 2023

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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 …

Tips for success as a plastic surgeon [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

December 9, 2023

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Join Mossi Salibian, a plastic surgeon, as he shares his journey from a background in biochemistry to becoming a successful practitioner in the field. Mossi delves into the intersection of art and science in plastic surgery, the …

Top tips to find success as a plastic surgeon, according to an industry veteran

Mossi Salibian, MD

Physician

November 27, 2023

Over the past 20-plus years, I have made my mark within the plastic surgery field. I firmly believe that dedicating valuable time to understanding each patient and grasping their sense of aesthetics and beauty is essential in providing exceptional patient care. My goal is to not only meet their expectations but also bring their unique vision to life.

Since my childhood, I have been known for my artistic and creative nature. …

Neurosurgeons fail to fix a wayward night owl

Barbara Lazio, MD

Physician

November 25, 2023

My tribe consists of competitive overachievers. We used to call them “gunners” in medical school, and Gunners tend to be morning people, or “larks.” Let’s be honest; people are impressed by those who are up at 4 a.m., training for their next ultramarathon before heading to their noble jobs. A typical conversation among neurosurgeons at a morning conference might go something like this:

Ned: “How are you this morning, Rena?”

Rena: “Great, …

The shoulders of giants

Farah Karipineni, MD, MPH

Physician

November 20, 2023

I regretfully told my 65-year-old patient in the preoperative area, “I’m going to have to cancel your case.” We both knew this was coming. He suffered from a large inguinoscrotal hernia that was symptomatic but not dangerous, a condition that had threatened his welfare for the past several months. Given his education level and social issues, his career prospects were limited to manual labor. I sensed his desperation to return …

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The shoulders of giants

Life and death in the trauma unit [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

November 9, 2023

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Join Stephen Cohn, a trauma surgeon, and the author of All Bleeding Stops: Life and Death in the Trauma Unit. In this conversation, Stephen shares his experiences and insights into the complex world of trauma surgery, where …

A surgeon without health care

Adil Shahzad Ahmed, MD

Physician

November 4, 2023

I’m squished in an unnaturally upright seat. My elbows slowly develop pressure sores atop rigid armrests, with my wife on one side and a semi-uncomfortable stranger on the other. I stare at my lopsided gray tray table, sporting a Styrofoam cup of lukewarm coffee, the chalice special of Sky Chefs. My ears have become one with the perpetual background hum of engines, a prelude to the impending orchestra of jet …

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A surgeon without health care

Life-changing surgery: Embracing my true self

Miles Borrero

Conditions

October 26, 2023

An excerpt from Beautiful Monster: A Becoming.

The day of the surgery we show up early to the small clinic. After a brief wait we are taken into the back, where the doctor draws a map of my body-to-be on my now-body, detailing the road to my new life. The anesthesiologist …

Learning health equity from activists: a paradigm shift for physicians

Betty Yibrehu, MD

Physician

October 23, 2023

The practice of evidence-based medicine and lifelong learning are core tenets of medicine. Through courses, conferences, and lectures, physicians have regularly turned to their colleagues for continuing education. For decades, this reliance on physician-to-physician teaching has been a fitting choice for the subjects at hand, which usually related to clinical practice. In recent years, there has been widespread development of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Holding to previous patterns, …

Inside the life of a transplant physician [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

October 19, 2023

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Join David Weill, a pulmonary and transplant physician and author of Exhale: Hope, Healing, and a Life in Transplant. In this episode, we explore the emotional and ethical challenges faced by David during his career, where every …

Mental health matters: lessons from a surgeon’s journey [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

October 18, 2023

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Join Mohini Dasari, a general surgeon. She shares her personal journey through the demanding world of surgical training, touching on her experiences with mental health challenges, the difficult decision to leave a prestigious transplant surgery fellowship, and …

Navigating complex ICU conversations: a trauma surgeon’s perspective

Stephen Cohn, MD

Physician

October 9, 2023

An excerpt from All Bleeding Stops: Life and Death in the Trauma Unit (Mayo Clinic Press, December 2023).

Trauma surgeons, particularly in our roles as directors of a surgical intensive care unit, must frequently chat with families of critically ill patients after they have sustained …

Cosmetic surgeons’ contribution to mental health

Bilge Gregory, MD

Physician

October 7, 2023

The global cosmetic surgery market has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years—in 2021, it was valued at $67.3 billion, and projections suggest it will reach a staggering $201 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6 percent from 2022 to 2031. We can largely attribute this exponential growth to society’s increasing desire for enhanced aesthetic value and the evolving beauty standards of our time. As societal …

Innovations in surgical education [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

Podcast

October 1, 2023

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Join Ruchi Thanawala, a cardiothoracic surgeon, as we explore the transformative power of technology in surgical training. Discover how innovation is reshaping the way we educate future surgeons, improve feedback, and address critical issues of equity in …

Reigniting after burnout: 3 physician stories

Kim Downey, PT

Physician

September 23, 2023

What is working?

I often encounter variations of this question on social media. The response is frequently met with silence or lackluster positivity.

I’ve engaged in conversations with numerous inspirational physicians who have shared their tales of burnout and recovery.

As part of their healing journeys, in addition to their active medical practices, the physicians below have all obtained coaching certifications. These doctors are now even busier than before, but they find fulfillment …

Inside the grueling life of a surgery intern

Randall S. Fong, MD

Physician

September 23, 2023

One day, you find yourself on the edge, peering into the abyss. Then someone pushes you in. Welcome to the first day as a surgery intern. Few folks outside of medicine fully fathom the rigors a doctor must endure during post-graduate training. From the get-go, we were thrown into the fire, responsible for complicated, sick hospital patients, in what felt like a prolonged boot camp, where ridiculously long hours, horrid …

Exploring disfigurement and self-worth

Kathleen Watt

Conditions

September 21, 2023

An excerpt from Rearranged: An Opera Singer’s Facial Cancer And Life Transposed.

In the usual post-op haze after reconstructive surgery, in a wide-open, multi-bed recovery room partitioned by wavy muslin walls, I heard one strangled sentence rise above the racket of skittering curtain hooks.

“Honey, I’m a monster!”

My gaze swiveled toward a …

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Exploring disfigurement and self-worth

Motorcycle helmet laws: Balancing freedom and financial impact

Stephen Cohn, MD

Conditions

September 17, 2023

Several years ago, I cared for a young man who crashed his motorcycle at highway speeds. He arrived, slightly dazed, with a few broken bones. Because he was wearing a full-face helmet, he had sustained only a concussion. The paramedics brought in his helmet as they often do, this one with the metal side buffed down to the inner plastic cushion from the grinding contact with the asphalt. Had he …

Surgery

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