“If both of you are the same, then one of you is unnecessary.”
That’s one of my brother-in-law’s favorite quotes, and I think it’s applicable to the ongoing debate for physicians to be called “physicians” instead of “providers.”
When you think about what’s been happening in health care, physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners are advertised as equivalent.
How is this equivalence being promoted? By lumping us all into the same category called …
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Shame.
It’s what keeps physicians silent. It’s what keeps physicians from getting the help they need.
I’ve been a successful doctor for many years, but I’ve lived with the shame of having an eating disorder. It was my secret that hardly anyone in my life knew about.
No more. My shame is gone, and I’m ready to tell you my story.
When I was in eating disorder recovery, my …
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I got married the day after I graduated from medical school to someone I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with. Seven years later, we were divorced.
Even though a high percentage of marriages end in divorce, there is still a stigma that many of us who divorce feel. I had already completed residency and was an attending by the time I got divorced, and I remember feeling so …
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For the past six months, I’ve spent my free time becoming a certified life coach. I’m a hospitalist, but a little more than a year ago, I was introduced to life coaching. I love the changes it has produced in my life – particularly how it’s changed me as a mother. Coaching helps me to be more present for my family and more emotionally available for my kids. It’s changed …
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I recently attended my 10-year medical school reunion class party, and I have to admit, I had a great time. From the beginning, my class was special. We had 104 amazing people who were truly inspired to make a difference.
However, regardless of how talented and hard working you are, medical school is one of the most challenging things you will ever …
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I’ll admit it. I like reality TV. In fact, one of my favorite reality TV shows is Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team. It shows what it takes to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader (DCC). Why am I talking about cheerleading in a health care blog? Because the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders put more effort into hiring cheerleaders than most health care …
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A few weeks ago, my husband and I took my parents to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. I was excited to go because the food is excellent and the customer service is top notch. In the past, I’d always had a great experience … until then.
That night, the restaurant was packed as they were offering half-priced desserts. My husband and I arrived first. I noticed when we ordered …
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“Doc, can I ask you one more thing?”
These words are classic symptoms for those patients suffering from the “one more thing” syndrome. We’ve all been there. The visit has ended, your hand is on the doorknob, and you’re about to leave the room. Precisely at that moment, your patient stops you and says he has one more thing to discuss.
You think to yourself, “No! I almost made it out of …
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I get it. It is a little strange. In fact, some people even think I’m crazy. Why? I’m a physician, but in my free time, I love helping my colleagues improve their patient satisfaction. Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time discussing a patient satisfaction survey known as CG-CAHPS (Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems). I’m sure it doesn’t surprise you to learn that CG-CAHPS is …
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