Episodes

Aug. 18, 2021

A neurosurgeon's lessons on love, loss, and compassion

"Dehumanizing patients can lead to indifference in physicians. It is a privilege to be trusted to take care of every patient we encounter, yet we can lose sight of this and begin to see our patients as a burden, or …

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Aug. 17, 2021

Physicians' sense of powerlessness and being a cog in a wheel

"Toward the end of my clinical career, I didn’t feel like I had control over much at all. The patient safety issues loomed large. We used ridiculous workarounds for broken processes. The constant vigilance to provide excellent care in a …

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Aug. 16, 2021

Robert Pearl, MD on doctors and the 5 stages of grief

"Physicians have had a rough century, so far. In addition to battling COVID-19, doctors have spent the past two decades fighting the health care industry’s fiercest players and losing, badly. Power in the industry now belongs to health insurance...

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Aug. 15, 2021

Redefining traditional gender roles and the importance of a growth mi…

"Maybe it’s a testament to a hardy relationship that there was no resulting argument. Without thinking, I blurted out, 'You are so sexist!' I could immediately tell by my husband’s face, his upper eyelids and eyebrows lifted a bit, his …

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Aug. 14, 2021

A physician's journey to walk again and how she learned self-compassi…

"Suffering something similar in my career, I know the detrimental impact of not having a voice or being heard in the medical community. Medical professionals do not want to appear weak, so they continue until something breaks. As a pain …

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Aug. 13, 2021

Let's look at what's right about nursing homes

"Extensive media coverage of the emotional and death tolls that COVID-19 inflicted on nursing homes has intensified concern for preserving the humanity of an often-overlooked population. There is an opportunity to re-examine the policies and practices...

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Aug. 12, 2021

Why it is essential to prioritize universal coverage

"Looking to other countries that provide universal coverage to see what works and what would fit well for the U.S. is an option. Countries like France, Australia, and England provide universal coverage and rank their health care systems very highly,...

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Aug. 11, 2021

Unconscious biases against vitamins and supplements

"Like many scary health scenarios where patients seek some modicum of influence, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to patient demand for 'immune-boosting' dietary supplements. Toilet paper wasn’t the only essential item being limited by stores; bottles...

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Aug. 10, 2021

You have options when it comes to board certification

"Remember, board certification is supposed to be an option and not a requirement. Unfortunately, finding and keeping your dream job if you’re not board certified will add unwanted stress for you and your family. And in case you’re wondering, I...

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Aug. 9, 2021

Put yourself in the shoes of a nursing home resident

"Visit a nursing home and talk with some of the residents. They are not only moms and dads, but also retired teachers, first responders, former athletes, government employees, and soldiers—the basis of our country’s past lives within these walls....

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Aug. 8, 2021

A pediatric infectious disease physician shares his pandemic lessons

"COVID-19 has changed nearly every aspect of society as we know it, and doctors in hospitals across America are at the forefront of those changes. As a pediatric infectious diseases doctor who also writes curriculum to help the next generation …

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Aug. 7, 2021

My child wants to be a doctor

"As a family physician, guest lecturer at a local medical school, and creator of a pre-med curriculum for young learners, I’m often asked by parents how to support their child who wants to be a doctor. The most important point …

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Aug. 6, 2021

How to convince your health care colleagues to get vaccinated

"When a colleague in health care mentioned hesitation to get the COVID-19 vaccine in two separate instances, I was shocked and dismayed. If we recommend vaccination to our patients, how can we not take the same precautions for ourselves? With …

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Aug. 5, 2021

Addressing racial disparities in health begins upstream with racial e…

"Our nation is at a crossroads, but one thing is clear – the health of our country depends on the health of all individuals in it, regardless of income, gender, or race. ACPM is committed to doing our part to …

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Aug. 4, 2021

A daughter's addiction. A mother's love.

"I think back to the first time I ever brought Natalie to an emergency room. It was my fault. It was an odd accident. I had lifted her out of her car seat, grabbing my purse and a bag of …

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Aug. 3, 2021

Replaceable thoughts and essential books to help you survive burnout

"If you don’t ask for something you want, then you have already accepted the answer of no. Go ahead and ask for what you want and need. You may not get it this time but ask again in the future. …

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Aug. 2, 2021

How racial microaggressions lead to poor care outcomes

"A few weeks ago, a white physical therapy colleague of mine unconsciously committed a racial microaggression. She was interviewing her patient, a middle-aged Black male, about his living environment. She asked him if his daughter was at home with him...

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Aug. 1, 2021

How technology in the ER boosts the patient experience

"When harnessing easy-to-use technology to provide answers to frequently asked questions such as the ER wait time, or the ER’s address, for instance, patients and their families are properly informed, and clinical staff are given the time to focus...

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July 31, 2021

Medical school and the lessons learned from football

"In the Spring semester of my final year as a football player, my college team faced necessary coaching, staff, and player position changes. At this point in my college career, we had yet to have a winning season. These changes …

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July 30, 2021

An underutilized way to relieve stress

"As a former hospitalist who transitioned out of clinical practice in 2015, I’ve been deep in the physician wellness space for years. Far and away, the most effective way I’ve supported health care professionals during this time (often in my …

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July 29, 2021

Remote patient monitoring: a health IT perspective

"The primary benefits for mobile care units are the fact that they decrease patient travel times by arriving at their residences and ensuring that appointments are never missed. It also relieves the stress of finding transportation for dialysis...

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July 28, 2021

President Biden's tax proposal and its effects on estate and income t…

"While physicians provide a vital service to the U.S., they often have blind spots when it comes to maintaining their own financial health. Many in the medical field believe that financial planning is as simple as having an IRA account …

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July 27, 2021

Doctors beware: There’s a $400,000 target on your back

"President Joe Biden recently signaled that a multi-trillion-dollar spending plan for our country should be paid for by the rich corporations and wealthy individual Americans who make over $400,000. Doctors fit the latter category and should tune in....

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July 26, 2021

Why it's important for physicians to change the system

"What if I had access to real solutions? What if I had resources to provide to a person to help them overcome their problem? As a primary care provider with over 20 years of experience, I know viscerally that I …

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