Surgery

Reigniting after burnout: 3 physician stories

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 …

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Inside the grueling life of a surgery intern

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 …

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Motorcycle helmet laws: Balancing freedom and financial impact

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 …

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From academic medicine to private practice [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 12, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Carmen Fong, a colorectal surgeon, as she shares her journey through the world of medicine. Carmen’s experiences highlight the challenges women face in academic medicine, from gender disparities to work-life balance. We delve into her decision to transition to private practice, …

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Surgical decision-making: Navigating catastrophic scenarios

Conditions
September 4, 2023

Let me describe what it’s like to operate in a potentially disastrous situation. Notwithstanding having one’s faculties and wits gathered and finely honed, being as in command of yourself as you can possibly be, it may test and demand everything you can bring to bear. I’ve been in war, where I feared daily for my life. It’s not pleasant, but in some way you can get used to it. In …

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Explore the rise in facelift options and embrace the trending popularity

Conditions
August 21, 2023

The facelift procedure was first described in 1901 by Eugene Hollander and in 1916 by Erich Lexer. Over the last century, the facelift has become the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and continues to grow in popularity. One of the reasons we can attribute this growth spurt to is the options and advancements in how facelifts are handled. Let’s delve into the fascinating realm of modern facelifts, exploring the incredible …

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TikTok aging filters may help those considering cosmetic surgery

Conditions
August 18, 2023

There’s a new viral trend on TikTok, and it’s motivating a lot of people to consider plastic surgery. It’s the platform’s latest facial filter, meant to show one’s older self, and many people are taking it as accurate and predictive. However, while it can be accurate in several ways, it does have its faults. TikTok has many of these filters that use programming and AI to change how a …

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A letter that shook this urologist [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 16, 2023
YouTube video

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We delve into urologist William Lynes’ emotional journey as a physician grappling with burnout and the weight of medical decisions. A distressing note triggers introspection, unraveling the hidden turmoil of a healer. Join us to explore the …

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A surgeon’s inspiring journey [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 12, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Maria Iliakova, a bariatric and general surgeon, as she shares her challenging yet transformative journey through surgical residency, where she faced overwhelming pressures and doubts. Discover how she found solace and fulfillment in the operating room, …

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The untold struggles of a surgical fellow

Physician
August 7, 2023

My experiences with mental illness have been intimately tied with my experiences of being a surgical trainee. If you read my medical chart, you will see diagnoses like postpartum depression, generalized anxiety, and adjustment disorder. If you read my residency rotation reviews, you will read descriptors like “hardworking,” “reliable,” and “good team leader.” You would not guess that I almost quit residency less than a year from graduating because I …

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What teens and parents need to know about nose jobs [PODCAST]

Podcast
August 4, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Babak Azizzadeh, a facial plastic surgeon, in discussing the sensitive topic of getting a nose job, or rhinoplasty, particularly for teenagers. We delve into the importance of thorough research, honest communication with parents, and understanding the …

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Youth vs. experience: Who wins in medicine?

Physician
July 28, 2023

Harvard researchers who recently wrote an essay analyzed data from Medicare to draw conclusions about hospitalists and surgeons who treat hospital in-patients for non-elective admissions. The researchers grouped the physicians by age to determine which groups performed better. The yardstick by which they were measured was mortality within 30 days of admission. The sample size was significant—over 700,000 Medicare patients, all over 65 years of age. What they found were …

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Harnessing light field technology for enhanced navigation and imaging

Tech
July 26, 2023

Imagine being able to cross a chasm between a digital world and a physical world in an operative environment. The medical technology sector has only begun to tap into the vast possibilities presented by light field technology, particularly in surgery, where it offers significant advantages, including computational imaging, improved data quality, and the elimination of harmful radiation. The application of light field technology holds the potential to revolutionize the operative …

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I am one of those women who left academic medicine

Physician
July 21, 2023

Since before the COVID-19 pandemic, anecdotal evidence and small survey-based studies show that women were leaving academic medicine in droves and were not returning— up to 40 percent of women leave medicine or go to a part-time position within six years of finishing residency. One landmark study pointed out the rarity of women in leadership positions— thirty-five years ago, less than 11 percent of women faculty were …

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Overcoming limiting beliefs in a culture of growth

Physician
June 27, 2023

Limiting beliefs are thoughts that often hold us back from achieving a desired outcome. An example of this is internalizing negative criticism received. Instead of being an opportunity for growth, the dark side of criticism is that it can make us believe we are not talented enough, innovative enough, or qualified enough. That we are not enough. Often, this depends on how and when it is delivered.

According to the National …

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A surgeon’s confessions expose corporate influence and physician struggles [PODCAST]

Podcast
June 18, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this captivating podcast episode as we delve into the world of health care with Paul Ruggieri, an esteemed general surgeon and the author of the compelling book, Confessions of a Surgeon: A Deeper Cut. …

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How to approach teen nose jobs with parents

Conditions
June 14, 2023

Getting a nose job, also known as rhinoplasty, requires extensive research and planning. For teenagers, it requires extensive communication and collaboration, and for parents, it requires a lot of understanding and compassion.

A nose job can be a life-changing decision for anyone planning on getting the procedure. If someone is a good candidate, it can help one’s confidence and even improve breathing function in some scenarios. However, discussing such a sensitive …

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