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…
We sit down with Dennis Hursh, a health law attorney with decades of experience representing physicians in their interactions with hospitals. Dennis shares eye-opening stories of how hospitals use restrictive contracts and aggressive tactics to retain physicians—sometimes even against their will. We explore why these situations occur, what they reveal…
Can you imagine a world where your health is shaped more by your environment than your genetics? In this video, I explore the powerful impact of social and environmental conditions on health, a factor that makes up 80% of health outcomes in America. It's crucial that we shift our conversation…
In the core of what we do, nothing's really changing. Deep down, this is who we arecaring for complex patients over time, solving problems, and being disease detectives. We're expert diagnosticians at heart. Sure, there are external pressures that complicate things and add to the moral tension we feel. It's…
It's astonishing how vaping can impact reproductive health, yet so many overlook it. Recently, a patient shared their long-term vaping habits with me, vaping two to three times a day for years. Despite their efforts, improving sperm quality remains a challenge. The correlation between vaping and poor sperm health suggests…
Facing challenges in medicine requires more than just skill; it demands strong advocacy. I'm thrilled to share how the American College of Physicians is at the forefront of this effort. Our annual Leadership Day in Washington D.C. allows us to engage with congressional leaders on critical issues impacting our field.…
We welcome Ann-Louise Puopolo, a nurse executive, to discuss the critical issue of the nursing shortage crisis and the impact of burnout and technology fatigue on health care workers. Ann-Louise shares insights from her experience at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, exploring how technology can support the nursing workforce, improve…
The stories that initially shocked me began to reveal a fascinating pattern. By the 20th time, it became clear there's a narrative epidemiology at play. In the U.S., we often believe health is solely based on individual choices, but Telltale Hearts suggests otherwise. These stories highlight how social and environmental…
Growing up with a general surgeon as a father, medicine was always a part of my life, but not in the way you'd typically expect. My journey took me to medical school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, a city without a public hospital at the time. The real…
Public hospitals are unique spaces where diverse communities intersect for a common cause. As an internal medicine physician trained at Boston Medical Center, Ive seen firsthand how these environments reflect the greater challenges in our public health and social safety net systems. Practicing in this setting shows how healthcare meets…
We sit down with Taylor J. Christensen, an internal medicine physician and health policy researcher, to discuss his health care incentives framework. Taylor explains how restructuring financial incentives can encourage providers and insurers to deliver higher value for patients. Tune in as we explore the barriers preventing patients from choosing…
Understanding health in America requires looking beyond medicine to our social and environmental conditions. We need to engage in social and health policy initiatives at a public health level, or we'll face serious financial challenges as Medicare and Medicaid expand. Thinking about health in all policies, like how the USDA…