Understanding the balance between joy and hardship in end-of-life situations is crucial in the medical field. When I speak to medical students, I emphasize that although these moments are challenging, they are also profoundly human. Contrary to popular belief, most of our pediatric patients actually recover, with a mortality rate…
In this episode, we explore the urgent need to redefine physician identity in today's health care landscape. Joined by health care executive Olivia Morris and physician advocate Kim Downey, we delve into the challenges physicians face in maintaining their well-being, the impact of systemic issues on their sense of self,…
Seeing agreements titled Specialty Residency Supervision Agreement is a surprising twist in the medical field. These agreements essentially pay physicians for supervising residents, which has traditionally been just another part of the job. Usually, physicians receive a salary that covers a range of duties including charting, teaching residents, and perhaps…
Witnessing the strain on emergency departments across the country has been eye-opening. From skyrocketing patient-to-nurse ratios to dangerous boarding levels, the challenges keep mounting. The pandemic only made things worse, with higher costs, infection rates, and mortality. Medicine has shifted from patient safety to profit-driven decisions, compromising care quality. Staff…
Join us in this episode as we dive into the powerful story of "Max," a patient who steadfastly refused all vaccines despite his well-controlled HIV infection. Through persistence, respect, and trust, our guest Janet A. Jokela, an internal medicine and infectious disease physician, shares how she gradually guided Max to…
Physicians interested in the intersection between clinical medicine and industry often wonder how to make the leap effectively. My biggest piece of advice is to be honest with the companies. Many think that if they don't say what the company wants to hear, they won't be considered. In reality, companies…
Microplastics are sneaking into our lives in ways we don't even realize. Take the synthetic fibers in our clothing, for example. Recent studies show that these fibers shed microplastics during washing. The government is now advocating for changes in washing machine filters to combat this. Have you thought about the…
Join us on this episode as we talk with Tod Stillson, a family physician and entrepreneur, who has successfully transitioned from traditional employment to becoming a high-earning independent contractor. Tod shares his journey, revealing the limitations of traditional employment models in primary care and how he broke free to thrive…
Imagine being just months away from completing your training, only to face an unexpected threat to your future. It's a new year, and out of nowhere, a serious issue arises, causing stress and uncertainty. This doesn't just happen to those in training; even high-level academics at top institutions, including multi-grant…
Healthcare facilities often serve our most vulnerable populations, especially people of color and low-income individuals. These communities frequently rely on these facilities due to limited access to primary services. Hospital buyouts and financialization of medicine are making the situation worse by affecting Medicaid and Medicare patients. This trend is exacerbating…
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of rituals and superstitions in surgery with Carmen Fong, a colorectal surgeon. Discover how these seemingly irrational practices impact surgeon performance, confidence, and patient outcomes. Carmen shares personal anecdotes and insights on the psychological mechanisms behind these rituals, balancing evidence-based practices…
When I first started writing about anorexia, I had so much information that I felt compelled to share. There was so much pain and misunderstanding around the topic that I couldn't stay silent. It began slowly, with incremental posts, but I knew the importance of sharing truthful stories. People called…
Is it possible to halt cancer-related lymphoedema, or is lifelong compression the only option? Our clinical trial suggested just four weeks of compression. If numbers improved or stabilized, no more compression was needed. However, chronic lymphoedema requires lifelong compression, which can be very uncomfortable, especially during heat waves. Yet, when…
We sit down with Scott Abramson, a retired neurologist with over 40 years of experience, to discuss the pervasive issue of physician burnout and moral injury. Scott shares his insights on the external pressures from EMR guidelines, hospital administration, and big pharma, as well as the internal myths that contribute…
Reducing your exposure to microplastics might be simpler than you think. In this video, I share some practical steps you can take to minimize your daily intake of these tiny particles. First, pay attention to the type of food you consume. Next, consider the fiber content in your clothing. Also,…
Feeling like I could die and not knowing where to turn, I was isolated and buried myself under a rock for five years, grappling with survivor's guilt. Then I wrote an article titled, I Risked My Career To Save My Life, which helped me begin to release the guilt and…
We sit down with Ellie Qian, a medical student, to discuss the profound experiences that shape the journey of becoming a compassionate health care professional. Ellie shares a transformative encounter from her first year in medical school, where she practiced medical interviewing with a standardized patient, Chris, who has stage…
Worried that exercise will make lymphoedema worse? It may actually help. In this video, I explore the early detection and treatment options for lymphoedema, starting with the basics like wearing a compression sleeve or glove for four weeks. We also discuss decongestive therapy, which can include massage and specialized machines.…
From serving in the army to rescuing farm animals, my husband and I have had quite the journey. After retiring in 2010, we started a nonprofit farm animal rescue, born from the community's need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Were also proud parents to 11 children, ranging from ages 3 to…
Surviving a severe eating disorder pushed me to find meaning in my experience, and your platform played a crucial role in that process. There were moments when I felt utterly isolated, especially knowing that my presence online could negatively impact others with similar conditions. Balancing the responsibility of how I…
We sit down with Carine Carmy, a health care executive, to explore the often overlooked world of pelvic floor health. Carine shares her personal journey and sheds light on why many women, like herself, discover the importance of pelvic floor health far too late. We dive deep into the pervasive…
Understanding schizophrenia means recognizing both its positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, such as hearing or seeing things that others don't. Negative symptoms, on the other hand, are less known but equally significant. These involve a lack of motivation and reduced interaction, making individuals appear more withdrawn. Additionally,…
Join Deborah C. Smith, a nurse who shares her courageous battle with T-cell lymphocytic leukemia and aplastic anemia. Diagnosed in 2017, Deborah navigated extreme fatigue, frequent transfusions, and challenging chemotherapy regimens before finding hope in ATGAM equine immunotherapy. Despite facing severe side effects and a subsequent diagnosis of congestive heart…
Our oldest children are now beginning to live on their own and make financial decisions independently. Our oldest son has joined the military and is currently stationed in Arizona. Three of these children have tried to stay local but found it impossible due to high housing prices. They struggle to…