Overcoming obstacles and discrimination has shaped my approach to medicine in a profound way. I've come to believe that everyone, from patients to medical students, has intrinsic value. My goal is to treat each person as an individual, recognizing their unique reality and challenges. Whether it's a patient with a…
We speak with Shivana Naidoo, a child psychiatrist, about the critical steps parents can take to prevent youth suicide. Shivana shares practical advice on recognizing early warning signs, creating a safer home environment with the GO SECURE framework, and empowering families to support children dealing with suicidal thoughts. Shivana Naidoo…
Finding myself labeled as an outsider by my fellow students was a harsh reality. Despite my efforts to bridge the gap, they had already made up their minds that I didn't belong. Faced with this, I turned the tables and focused on what I needed to do to finish school…
We sit down with Angela Nelson, a seasoned health care executive, to discuss the critical role of parent involvement in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children and teens with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Angela shares insights on how health care professionals can foster collaboration with parents, address challenges in…
I became a regional expert on rare diseases through sheer dedication and long hours. Putting in 15-hour days at the clinic was the norm, and my reputation grewif you were really sick, you came to see me. Even intensive care units trusted me with their toughest cases. While others focused…
Unexpected challenges can arise when you're the only resident on duty in the ICU overnight. When the entire hospital lab went down, it was up to a second-year resident to think quickly for a patient with renal failure and hyperkalemia. Monitoring the EKG and T waves became the innovative solution,…
Every person you meet has something to teach you. In my experience, both patients and medical students hold unique value. Interacting with them isn't just about imparting knowledge; it's a two-way street. I find myself learning something new from each individual I encounter. Staying humble allows me to absorb lessons…
We dive into the controversial world of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising with health reporter Martha Rosenberg. Drawing from her extensive knowledge, Martha unpacks how DTC drug ads manipulate consumers, fuel hypochondria, and create demand for obscure medical conditions. We also explore the alarming tactics behind soap product advertisements, revealing how fear-based…
Low staffing levels in healthcare can lead to serious issues like patient mortality and hospital-acquired infections. Our research highlights how these challenges also affect patient satisfaction, especially when nursing support is lacking. We've examined the impact of using overtime and agency nurses to manage staff shortages. Interestingly, these strategies can…
Only a small fraction of physicians in the U.S. have physical disabilities, challenging a deeply ingrained stereotype. When a doctor cares for a disabled patient, they're often seen as the hero, standing proudly beside them. But what happens when that very patient grows up to become your boss or even…
We sit down with Marissa Caudill, a psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health, to explore the findings from the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory “Parents Under Pressure.” We discuss the skyrocketing levels of stress among parents, the balancing act of caregiving, financial struggles, and the mental health toll…
When everything went wrong in the hospital overnight, one second-year resident showed incredible resourcefulness. With the lab down and no attendees around, he had to manage a critical ICU patient with hyperkalemia. Using just the patient's EKG and T waves, he effectively monitored the treatment. Hearing about this at morning…
Can I provide the care my patients truly need? Working on a stroke floor presents unique challenges, especially when patients can't get out of bed, speak, or feed themselves. These individuals require full care, and it's crucial to ensure they don't develop complications like respiratory issues or pressure ulcers from…
Could changing how we measure nurse staffing transform hospital payments? In this video, I explore the potential of including nurse staffing hours per patient day and turnover rates in hospital comparisons. This could eventually influence the hospital value-based payment program. There's also a long-term discussion on whether we need a…
We sit down with Maria Iliakova, a bariatric and general surgeon, to explore the exciting ways AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping clinical practice. Maria shares her experiences using AI to enhance hospital staffing, analyze patient data, and predict patient flow in real time. We discuss how AI can help…
Reflecting on where I truly became a physician led me back to my residency days. Coming from the Midwest, I found myself interviewing at a prestigious Boston hospital. During a tour, I asked the chief resident about Boston City Hospital, and his admiration for their residents was palpable. He called…
We sit down with Alopi Patel, an anesthesiologist and interventional pain physician, to explore the gender-based inequities women face in their careers. Inspired by the metaphor of flamingos losing their pink during times of adversity, we delve into the personal, professional, and physical challenges women navigate throughout their lives. Alopi…
Why are so many nurses leaving the profession? Our recent research sheds light on this pressing issue. We've discovered that understaffing and poor working conditions are creating an environment where nurses fear harming patients. This fear leads to moral injury, a trauma stemming from the inability to deliver the care…
When hospitals prioritize profits over patient care, it paints a troubling picture of the healthcare system. In New Jersey, Barnabas Health's actions are setting a precedent that has the entire hospital system on edge. They're aware that nurses are fed up and demanding change. Nurses across the board are staunchly…
Can we really improve hospital staffing by setting mandatory thresholds? Research indicates that mandating nurse-to-patient ratios is the most effective strategy. Other methods, like including bedside nurses in staffing committees or publicly reporting staffing levels, haven't shown any significant impact. Incentives for hiring more nurses also fall short due to…
We sit down with Amol Shrikhande, a nephrologist, to explore the challenges faced by frontline health care workers in an overburdened system. We delve into the real-world impact of budget constraints, staffing shortages, and administrative decisions on patient care, as well as the emotional toll on nurses and physicians. Amol…
Trust is the cornerstone of exceptional care at our level one trauma center. These young patients, the most vulnerable among us, face incredibly complex health challenges that can overwhelm their families. My role is to build a relationship with them rooted in trust, ensuring they know their child is my…
We welcome back internal medicine physician Vijay Rajput. Two years ago, he shared his insights on the KevinMD article, "Top 10 things new interns should do." Today, he returns to discuss updates on those recommendations, with a new emphasis on empathy, compassion, and introducing the power of kindness in medical…
Stories are the heartbeat of our connections, whether in teaching or in our relationships with others. When working with students and residents, I always aim to share stories that highlight the importance of commitment and compassion. Like the one about the resident and the patient's EKGmoments that drive home the…