Michael McCutchen is a family physician.

The truth about hard cases and abortion: Separating fact from fiction

Physician
April 25, 2023

Though celebrated by anti-abortion advocates across the country, the overturning of Roe v. Wade by no means closed the book on the abortion debate. However, it was a victory for both human rights and federalism. The decision reinforced that the U.S. is a constitutional republic composed of individual states, each with its own agenda. States are now individually empowered to enact abortion legislation anywhere along the human gestation cycle. As …

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The truth about hard cases and abortion: Separating fact from fiction

A human’s a human, no matter how small

Conditions
March 2, 2023

Theodore Geisel, known by his pen name Dr. Seuss, wrote hundreds of children’s stories that continue to shape young children’s development to this day. Dr. Seuss was a lifelong Democrat and favored many of FDR’s New Deal policies. However, an NPR article notes his widow mentioned that she did not like it when his characters were used to push particular political points of view. The book …

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A human’s a human, no matter how small

Drop the euphemisms and get uncomfortable when talking about abortion

Physician
December 12, 2022

It does not behoove us to mince words in a politically charged climate. To productively discuss any controversial topic, we must first define terms and get past the jargon and doublespeak that commonly muddles conversations on serious issues. The Oxford Dictionary defines euphemism as “a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.” We often use euphemisms …

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Drop the euphemisms and get uncomfortable when talking about abortion

Abortion debates need to happen, but both sides need some ground rules

Policy
July 15, 2022

On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to uphold Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act and 5–4 to overrule Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The political temperature was already heightened because Politico released a leaked draft opinion on May 2, 2022.

The pending ruling threw the United States into an emotional pressure cooker spurred on by heavy (some would say irresponsible) news coverage and social media fervor that …

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Abortion debates need to happen, but both sides need some ground rules

When quality measures interfere with good care

Policy
April 30, 2022

All medical professionals are familiar with the jargon: quality metrics, P4P, low-cost/high-value care, PQRS, and meaningful use. We see these terms in multiple emails, staff and clinical meetings, and organization-wide initiatives. These measures and guidelines will significantly impact the type and quality of care we provide to our patients and how we are paid for it. This movement is not necessarily detrimental and could lead to improved health among …

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When quality measures interfere with good care

I’m sorry, but I can’t “clear” your patient

Physician
January 21, 2022

Every primary care provider has been there. A patient comes in requesting a pre-operative evaluation or places a phone call or EMR message expressing the need for “clearance” before having a surgical procedure. Sometimes, we even get a request from the surgeon’s office with paperwork for “clearance.” Time is always, seemingly, of the essence regarding these evaluations, and either the patient or the operating surgeon requests this be done expediently …

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I’m sorry, but I can’t “clear” your patient

The doctor-patient relationship has become transactional. It can lead to disastrous consequences.

Physician
August 17, 2021

I love Bruce Lee. From his martial arts skill and athletic prowess to his philosophy, he was a cultural icon. There are hundreds of anecdotes and stories, some based in fact and others in fiction, that are a testament to the value he placed in the pursuit of knowledge, self-improvement, and being a life-long learner.

He once told a story about a college professor who visited a Zen master in hopes …

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The doctor-patient relationship has become transactional. It can lead to disastrous consequences.