Early in my career, I had an unexpected moment with a patient that made me rethink everything. I was explaining an epilepsy diagnosis and treatment plan to a little girl's family. Simple, right? But then, the father hit me with a straightforward question: What does the medicine do? It was…
Pediatrician and certified coach Jessie Mahoney discusses her article, "Why physicians find negotiating challenging—and what they can do to negotiate better." She explores why negotiation often feels stressful for physicians, linking it to medical training that emphasizes service, self-sacrifice, and conflict avoidance over self-advocacy, particularly impacting women. Drawing from her…
Anesthesiologist and psychotherapist Maire Daugharty discusses her article, "Why real therapy isn’t just about crisis." She challenges the common misconception that therapy is only necessary or effective during acute crises ("crisis-hopping"), explaining that this view can lead to premature termination—a "flight to health"—when underlying work remains. Maire emphasizes that periods…
Burnout in medical school is no joke. It's a topic that's often overshadowed by the focus on attending physicians, but it's a real issue that needs more attention. Imagine juggling endless rotations and the stress of clerkshipsit's intense! In this video, we're tackling this heavy topic head-on and shedding light…
Physical therapist and food allergy advocate Lianne Mandelbaum discusses her article, "Flying with food allergies: Combating misconceptions and advocating for safety." Sharing harrowing personal experiences with dismissive airline staff that ignited her advocacy work with No Nut Traveler, she highlights the pervasive fear and inadequate safety measures faced by food-allergic…
Internal medicine physician Kara Pepper discusses her article, "From burnout to balance: 5 stages of career transformation." Drawing from her own journey away from burnout and her experience coaching hundreds of physicians, she outlines five predictable stages doctors often traverse when seeking more autonomy, purpose, and sustainability in their work.…
Food poisoning can be a real pain, but did you know it might be linked to IBS? A recent meta-analysis sheds light on which types of food poisoning are most likely to lead to this pesky condition, and the results are surprising! Picture this: You're enjoying a meal, but little…
Family physician Atharva Joshi discusses his article, "How the system hunts physicians who refuse to kneel." He argues that the health care system often targets minority physicians not through overt actions but via subtle, bureaucratic processes—a form of systemic discrimination based on culture or perceived difference, which he terms a…
Navigating doctor jargon can feel like you're deciphering a secret code, right? You walk into a consultation, and boomyou're hit with words like non-specific hyperintensities. Sounds intense, huh? For doctors, it's just another day at the office, but for the rest of us, it's like trying to understand a different…
Management consultant and author Roger A. Gerard discusses his article, "10 ways health care leaders sabotage their own success—and how to stop." He identifies common, often unintentional, ways health care leaders undermine their credibility and effectiveness, frequently due to a lack of formal leadership training. Roger outlines ten key pitfalls,…
Pediatric neurologist Paige Kalika discusses her article, "Why ADHD kids struggle and how we can truly help," sharing insights from her perspective as a pediatric neurologist and parent of a child with ADHD. She outlines compassionate ways to talk to children about ADHD, starting by validating their efforts ("Are you…
Ever wonder how a Harvard history and science grad pivots from interventional cardiology dreams to shaking up the healthcare scene from a completely different angle? Its a wild ride, and youre gonna want to hear this one. Picture this: Starting out in Cleveland with big dreams of a career in…
Research scientist Nichole Cubbage discusses her article, "The silent grief of vanishing twin syndrome: Why words matter in health care." She explains that Vanishing Twin Syndrome (VTS), the loss of one fetus in a multiple pregnancy, often leads to unique and isolating grief, frequently unacknowledged by health care providers. Nichole…
Historian and ethicist Nigel Cameron discusses his article, "C. Everett Koop's fearless fight against the tobacco industry," drawn from his biography of the former U.S. surgeon general. He recounts how C. Everett Koop, initially facing ridicule and expected to be ineffective, strategically used the 1982 Surgeon General's report on smoking…
Ever wondered how medicine might just resemble a cult? This video spills the beans on how the medical profession has an uncanny resemblance to cult-like systems. Picture this: you dive into a world where financial commitments are sky-high, and the journey to repay them seems endless. Here's what you'll learn:…
Physician executive Grace E. Terrell discusses her article, "Physicians must innovate and focus on medicine's core, not chores." She introduces the concept of "core vs. chore," urging health care workers to distinguish essential patient care duties from the administrative tasks that often dominate their time, exemplified by an incident where…
Nurse anesthetist Christine King discusses her article, "The heartbreaking pandemic story I will never forget." Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic five years later, she shares the profound impact of collective trauma through personal and professional lenses. Christine recounts a moving encounter with a musician patient who endured extreme isolation and…
Growing up in an Asian household with immigrant parents meant money talk was off the table. It was like this hush-hush topic, right? They worked hard and probably didn't want us to worry. Saving was about the only thing I picked up on. But fast forward to now, in our…
Family physician Jay K. Joshi discusses his article, "Why patients and doctors are ditching insurance for personalized care." He explains that as traditional insurance becomes less accessible and covers fewer proactive and preventive services, both patients and physicians are seeking alternatives. Jay outlines a direct-pay model, often focused on functional…
Communications consultant and attorney Heather Hansen discusses her article, "Why every doctor needs a translator." Drawing on her background as a medical malpractice defense attorney, she explains the "curse of knowledge," where physicians, once expert, find it difficult to imagine not knowing complex medical information, leading to communication barriers with…
Palliative care physician and author Alen Voskanian discusses his article, "Discover the secrets to regaining joy in medicine," based on an excerpt from his book. Drawing from his personal experience with burnout where he felt isolated and like a failure within the demanding medical industry, Alen strongly emphasizes that burnout…
Internal medicine physician Edward Hoffer discusses his article, "Can rural health care be saved?" He outlines the significant health care disparities facing rural communities, including higher death rates from major diseases, increased opioid overdoses, ongoing hospital closures, and an aging physician workforce without adequate replacement. Edward questions the effectiveness of…
Are you a physician contemplating a leap into leadership? This video spills the tea on the top 5 skills that every physician leader needs. Picture this: navigating the tricky terrain of healthcare with the added twist of business acumen. How does that sound? In the Kevin MD article, we explore…
Health care attorney Dennis Hursh discusses his article, "What every physician should know before buying into a medical practice." He emphasizes that while receiving an offer to buy into a practice is typically a significant honor and opportunity, physicians must perform thorough due diligence to avoid potential pitfalls. Dennis advises…