Dr. Glaucomflecken for president!

Physician
March 25, 2023

Is there anyone out there not familiar with Dr. Glaucomflecken? The fictional character created by Will Flanary, a practicing ophthalmologist, has entertained many on social media. If you are not aware of him, you should be! Dr. Glaucomflecken’s laugh-out-loud satirical short videos on medicine resonate with all physicians and others in the health care industry.

Dr. Flanary’s recent attacks on social media of private equity, insurance companies, and non-competes …

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What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

Physician
March 25, 2023

For people who deal with life and death daily in our work, you would think suicide among us physicians would not be an option. Sadly, it is — and not necessarily a new reality. Let me explain.

Sometimes we agree to do something and can never quite envision where that road may lead.

Here’s an example: For several years, I had written a pedestrian medical column for a respected Midwestern newspaper. Straightforward, …

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Do residents deserve the title of physician?

Physician
March 25, 2023

I was unsettled by an email that our graduate medical education (GME) office recently sent out to all residents at my institution “sharing a friendly reminder that parking spaces identified as ‘physician parking’ are for attending physicians only” and “residents and fellows who park in ‘physician parking spaces’ will receive a parking ticket.” I have parked next to only non-physician (including non-resident physician) staff in those spaces every day for …

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A new era of collaboration between AI and health care professionals

Tech
March 25, 2023

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of collaboration in various industries, with health care being no exception. AI-driven technologies have transformed how health care professionals diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, improving patient outcomes and greater efficiency. This article will explore the role of AI technologies, such as Bing Copilot, and future ChatGPT products like BioGPT and PaLM in shaping health care’s future while …

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When an MBA degree meets medicine: an eye-opening experience

Physician
March 25, 2023

I recently saw an ophthalmologist for my worsening eyesight. The doctor came highly recommended and was credentialed as an MD and MBA. He founded his practice, which has grown to over a dozen practitioners. His website boasts how he works with the pharmaceutical industry to help develop and market new medications “that improve the standard of care.”

According to Open Payments data, the doctor has relationships with ten …

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Why it’s time to question medical traditions [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 24, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us as we delve into the world of medical traditions and their impact on patient care. Our guest is Brian Elliott, an internal medicine chief resident. From the white coat tradition to the multiple Hippocratic oaths …

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The hidden gems of health care: Unlocking the potential of narrative medicine

Physician
March 24, 2023

“It’s such a shame that you’ve got all this data, and it goes unpublished … others need to benefit from our results!”

This statement is often repeated, in different forms, across all medicine departments, about the abundance of data from hospitals and clinics. This data, which can be utilized for research purposes, identifying emerging trends, and drawing new conclusions, often goes unpublished, especially in underfunded settings or countries.

Medical schools worldwide place …

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The realities of immigrant health care served hot from America’s melting pot

Policy
March 24, 2023

By the time I was in elementary school, I was Mom’s right-hand man when it came to interpreting official documents, work emails, or confusing American jokes. Like 20.3 percent of the U.S. population, I grew up in a primarily non-English speaking home since Korean is my parents’ native tongue. Among all the odd translations my mom consulted me for, health care ones were always the hardest. Even today, as …

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The dark side of immortality: What if we could live forever?

Physician
March 24, 2023

I sat in a lecture hall at Baylor College of Medicine many years ago. It was noon, and though October had bought some respite from Houston’s heat and humidity, the air-conditioned room was still very inviting. To top it, there was lunch. The lunch came with a rider — sitting through Grand Rounds — and I welcomed the occasion to get off my feet for the next hour. With the …

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Lazarus: the dead man brought back to life

Conditions
March 24, 2023

Lazarus is a man of the new testament, living in the time of Jesus Christ in the city of Bethany. He was the brother of two of Christ’s followers, sisters Mary and Martha. Bethany sat less than 2 miles south of Jerusalem in Israel. The story of Lazarus’ death and Christ’s rising from the dead is depicted in John 11:1-45.

What are the details of Lazarus’ illness and subsequent reappearance?

As only …

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Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 23, 2023
YouTube video

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

Today’s episode features Brian Gelbman, a pulmonary and critical care physician. The COPD management space is facing a growing crisis, with a shortage of pulmonologists and respiratory therapists, and limited access to pulmonary rehabilitation facilities. This has …

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What I think it means to be a medical student in the wake of AI

Tech
March 23, 2023

As the COVID class, entering medical school in 2020, we have seen our fair share of paradigm-shifting moments in medicine.

  • The pandemic and response
  • The overturn of Roe v. Wade
  • The transition of Step 1 from scored, and largely dictative of what future specialty one can match into, to pass/fail

Even with that last transition, It still took me a couple of months of studying to consistently pass Step 1. Less …

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It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

Physician
March 23, 2023

Is your facility struggling to recruit and staff full-time physicians? Are you spending excessive amounts on staffing agencies and private management companies to make up for your shortage of physicians?

Physicians are leaving traditional clinical medicine because you, the C-suite, are not adapting to the changing times.

Do you care, or are you more focused on replacing physicians with cheaper labor?

Unlike the older generation of retiring physicians, the younger generation is not …

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The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

Conditions
March 23, 2023

She was one of my first long-term, supervised psychotherapy cases during my second psychiatric residency year. She was young but still a year or two older than her inexperienced, wet behind the ears therapist, and I use that term very loosely. I was to see her once a week, and every other week or so, I would enter the office of my supervisor/mentor to discuss whatever progress I had failed …

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From rural communities to underserved populations: How telemedicine is bridging health care gaps

Physician
March 23, 2023

Telemedicine, the practice of delivering health care services remotely using technology, has become increasingly popular in recent years. The potential for reduced health care costs, improved efficiency, and greater accessibility for patients and providers alike have driven its adoption. In this article, we will investigate the economic benefits of telemedicine, examining its impact on health care expenditure, its ability to enhance patient care, and its role in mitigating the strain …

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5 essential tips to help men prevent prostate cancer

Conditions
March 23, 2023

1. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eating a healthy diet is an important way to help prevent prostate cancer. Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage that can lead to cancer. Fruits and vegetables that are particularly beneficial for prostate cancer prevention include cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, kale, and cauliflower), tomatoes, citrus fruits, berries, apples, …

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Unlock the power of physician compensation data in contract negotiations [PODCAST]

Podcast
March 22, 2023
YouTube video

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

In this episode, we’re joined by Kyle Claussen, a physician contract attorney. Are you a physician who’s unsure of what your salary and benefits should be? You’re not alone. In a society where compensation information is often …

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From pennies to attending salaries: Why physicians should teach their kids financial literacy

Finance
March 22, 2023

As physicians, we have been taught to value education. And many of us have pursued academic excellence starting from a young age. However, one aspect of education we are not taught traditionally in school: financial education. Personally, it was not until I was in my mid to late 30s that I began my journey of understanding money management and the concept of making investments.

Financial literacy is essential, and while it’s …

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From solidarity to co-liberation: Understanding the journey towards ending oppression

Physician
March 22, 2023

Three weeks ago, I attended a diversity, equity, and inclusion conference, the Inaugural Kenniebriew Conference at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where I had the pleasure of being one of the keynote speakers. To close this conference, my wonderful colleague and fellow keynote speaker Dr. Ann-Gel Palermo gave a riveting and inspiring talk on moving from allyship to co-liberation.

What I took away from this very insightful inquiry is that …

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Changing the pediatric care landscape: Integrating behavioral and mental health care

Conditions
March 22, 2023

One in five children and adolescents will receive a behavioral or mental health diagnosis by 18. That is more than the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer (1 in 8). According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 50 percent of pediatric office visits involve behavioral, social-emotional, or developmental concerns. Seventy percent of behavioral health medications are prescribed by primary care clinicians. However, …

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CME Spotlights