Why is it so hard to get what we really need in healthcare? Despite our local administration and hospital CEO acknowledging the need and wanting to support it, corporate always says no. In our recent contract negotiations, we pushed for a third nurse on night shifts. We asked repeatedly, but…
Join us for a conversation with Michelle Tollefson, a physician specializing in lifestyle medicine, obstetrics, and gynecology. Michelle shares her transformative experiences visiting Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world's Blue Zones where people live longer, healthier lives. We'll explore how these communities' habits align with the principles of…
Feeling trapped in an understaffed and under equipped healthcare system? In this video, I share how transitioning to self-employment allowed me to optimize my workflow and regain control. Additionally, I reveal how investing in real estate and having the hospital rent my medical office created a steady stream of passive…
Patients admitted to the hospital can end up waiting in the emergency department for hours, sometimes even days. This delay occurs because the units where they should be admitted and safely cared for are not staffed. Chronic understaffing has resulted in preventable harm and even death. The Boston Globe recently…
Imagine working a night shift with no essential supplies and malfunctioning equipment. That's the reality we face every day, dealing with credit holds that stop deliveries and gear that's barely operational. Our IV pumps and computers fail us with battery lives lasting just seconds. On several nights, we ran out…
In this episode, we celebrate Women in Medicine Month with guest Janet A. Jokela, an internal medicine and infectious disease physician. We dive into the experiences and challenges women have faced across generations in medicine, from pioneers like Elizabeth Blackwell to today’s leaders. Janet shares personal stories of confronting gender…
Imagine facing a life-threatening emergency and finding out that the hospital is understaffed. On July 5th, 2023, I had to rush my 18-year-old son to the ER at Nashoba. He was diagnosed with new onset type one diabetes and was in diabetic ketoacidosis. Despite the excellent care from the staff,…
We sit down with Ben Reinking, a board-certified pediatric cardiologist, medical educator, and certified physician development coach, to explore the challenges and rewards of medical training. We dive into themes of delayed gratification, maintaining work-life balance, and how medical students can navigate the tension between professional identity and personal fulfillment.…
They portrayed us as a failing hospital to justify closure, but the real story runs much deeper. Corporate executives systematically deprived our hospital of essential resources for years. We lacked consistent gastroenterology, general surgery, urologists, and anesthesiologists. As a result, Neshoba had to transfer patients for care we could no…
Experiencing constant shortages of vital supplies and poorly maintained equipment is more than frustratingit's a crisis. Our emergency department faces frequent credit holds, leaving us without essential items like IV pumps and computers that fail within seconds. Working night shifts has exposed me to the harsh reality of running out…
Imagine walking into an emergency department and witnessing a chaotic scene where patients' lives hang in the balance due to sheer understaffing. An 81-year-old man with pancreatic cancer died because there were only 11 nurses available for 95 patients. In another case, a 28-year-old man in a mental health crisis,…
We sit down with Kevin Ramotar, a clinical psychologist and health care executive, to explore the evolving landscape of mental health care. We dive into the challenges of measuring therapeutic outcomes, the role of technology in improving access and care, and the rise of measurement-informed care. Kevin shares his insights…
Working in small rural hospital emergency rooms is a unique experience that challenges you in unexpected ways. Without the bells and whistles of a major medical center, you rely heavily on your skills and resourcefulness. These hospitals are slowly disappearing, being absorbed by larger systems and down converted to what…
Ever wondered how pre-op rituals can impact team performance in the operating room? In this video, I discuss the essential pre-operation checklist that we rely on to confirm patient details and ensure everyone is on the same page. We go through patient names, surgery locations, and other critical information, which…
We sit down with surgeon Charles Dinerstein to explore the complex role of race in medical research and practice. We dive into the historical use of race as a variable in health care, its limitations, and potential alternatives like genetic ancestry and social determinants of health. Together, we examine the…
Balancing patient care with metrics can be a real challenge in the healthcare system. Even when it feels like there's no right answer, just being aware of the framework can help physicians and other healthcare providers feel less conflicted. It's important to recognize when certain metrics don't make sense and…
Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of traditional employment? Many physicians express frustration over being understaffed and under-equipped, leading to inefficiency and burnout. In this video, I discuss how optimizing workflow in your office can significantly boost productivity and efficiency. By taking control through self-employment, you can create a more manageable…
In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Fisher, a cardiologist, mindfulness teacher, and expert in holistic heart health. Drawing from his personal journey through anxiety and burnout, Jonathan shares insights from his book Just One Heart, revealing seven timeless traits for vitality and well-being. We explore how he bridges…
How clear are you on your finances? There's so many women and men out there teaching physicians about money, and it's incredibly important. You have to remember that you are often the primary source of income, which is a massive negotiation point. We tend to think of ourselves as easily…
Routine can be a game-changer in achieving consistent outcomes in medical procedures. In this video, I share my thoughts on how sticking to a set process each time can lead to reliable and positive results for patients. From scrubbing the patient's abdomen to ensuring the port is in my left…
In this episode, we sit down with vascular surgeon Adam Tanious to explore the complex relationship between "big business" and modern medicine. Drawing from his experience in the operating room and his deep dive into the influence of medical device companies, Adam sheds light on the ethical challenges faced by…
Breaking free from the traditional employment setting reveals your true market value. In my case, not having a non-compete contract was a game changer. I could take my 5000 patients wherever I wanted, giving me significant leverage. In a small rural setting, this meant the hospital system risked losing a…
In this episode, we sit down with Kyna Fong, a health care executive, to explore the evolution of health technology and its challenges. From the rapid adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) to the current usability crisis, Kyna shares insights on how AI can transform the health care landscape—if we…
How do surgeons develop their own unique rituals in the operating room? In this video, I share insights on how surgeons observe and incorporate techniques from their mentors to create personalized practices. It's fascinating to see how my own methods have been shaped by experiences at different institutions, blending influences…