As an orthopedic surgeon, I wasn't the most productive in terms of the numbers on the monthly reports, and it was tough to sit in meetings and feel ostracized for it. But I knew that focusing solely on productivity wasn't the way to provide the best patient care. I refused…
Being a physician is not about being the smartest person in the room, it's about being diligent and accountable. You don't need to have an IQ like Einstein, but you do need to pay attention to the details, cross your T's and dot your I's, and make sure that every…
Today's episode features John Chase, an orthopedic surgeon and author of You What?!: Humorous Stories, Cautionary Tales, and Unexpected Insights About A Career in Medicine. John shares some of his most memorable moments interacting with patients throughout his career. He shares some of the humorous and witty responses he's received…
Being a physician can be an incredibly rewarding profession, but it can also be one of the most demanding and stressful. It's easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of work and lose sight of your own well-being. If you're a physician and you're feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and…
Breaking up with clinical medicine felt like going through a painful divorce with my ex-husband who had anti-social personality disorder. It's hard to admit, but I was trapped in this twisted relationship for over two decades, completely unaware of the damage it was doing to me. But as I finally…
Today's show discusses the telltale signs of a toxic relationship between physicians and their job, with guest Elizabeth Hughes, a dermatologist. In this episode, we delve into the similarity between an emotionally manipulative marriage and a career that starts with passion and purpose but morphs into a job that feels…
It's important to recognize that recurrent urinary tract infections that aren't culture positive could be a red flag for a sexually transmitted infection, especially in older adults. While it's common for older adults to experience urinary tract infections, it's important not to overlook the possibility of an underlying sexually transmitted…
It's time to celebrate and embrace the sexual health of older adults. Rather than assuming that older adults are asexual or shying away from discussions around sexuality, we need to open up a dialogue and recognize that sexual health is an important aspect of overall well-being, regardless of age. To…
We welcome Shannon Dowler, a family physician and author of the book Never Too Late: Your Guide to Safer Sex after 60. In this episode, we delve into the sexual revolution that began in the 1960s and how it challenged social norms, liberated individuals from sexual repression, and transformed society's…
Having a systematic way of conducting rounds can significantly improve the efficiency and impact of healthcare teams. By bringing together the entire healthcare team, including nurses, social workers, and clinical pharmacists, we can ensure that everyone is on the same page and that all aspects of patient care are being…
I believe that having a system-wide approach is crucial for making healthcare more effective and efficient. To achieve this, there are several changes I would recommend making to the surrounding system. First and foremost, we need to prioritize standardization and consistency across all levels of healthcare. This means developing clear…
Today's guest is Maha Al-Ghafry, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist who shares her experience with clinical rounds. As health care professionals, we know the struggle of clinical rounds, where you receive patient handoffs, pre-round on EHR, physically pre-round on patients, and then move onto some form of "proper" rounds. You order medications,…
Taking time away from the world of medicine is essential for my mental and emotional well-being as a physician. Ballroom dancing provides me with an opportunity to decompress and disconnect from the stresses of my work. It allows me to clear my mind, recharge my batteries, and return to my…
Ballroom dancing has had a profound influence on my life as a physician. When I step onto the dance floor, I leave behind the stress and worries of my work week and fully immerse myself in the art of dance. This has allowed me to recharge and rejuvenate, giving me…
Meet Corinne Sundar Rao, an internal medicine physician who found her passion in ballroom dancing. After 14 years of practicing medicine, she transitioned into being a full-time hospitalist but still felt like something was missing. One day, she walked into a dance studio and was immediately captivated. Becoming a competitive…
If you find yourself in a gaslighting relationship, the first step to ending it is to stop trying to win the argument or convince the gaslighter to be reasonable. Instead, focus on developing a strong sense of self-worth and a clear understanding of who you are. This can help you…
Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation where the gaslighter seeks to destabilize the victim by sowing seeds of doubt in their beliefs, perceptions, and memories. Unlike other forms of emotional manipulation, gaslighting is characterized by an intentional effort to make the victim question their sanity and sense of reality.…
Join us as we delve into the topic of gaslighting and its impact on our lives. Our guest, Robin Stern, is a psychoanalyst and the author of The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide: Your Personal Journey Toward Healing from Emotional Abuse. In today's fast-paced world, we are constantly bombarded with news…
In the last two centuries, hospitals have undergone a significant transformation. While they were once seen as charitable institutions dedicated to helping the sick and needy, they have now become a major cause of medical bankruptcy in the United States. Today, medical bills are one of the leading reasons why…
The Hippocratic Oath has been around for over 2,000 years, dating back to 400-500 BCE, and is attributed to Hippocrates. However, when we examine its content, it doesn't quite match up with the values found in the other works of the Hippocratic Corpus, which were written by Hippocratic physicians. Some…
Join us as we delve into the world of medical traditions and their impact on patient care. Our guest is Brian Elliott, an internal medicine chief resident. From the white coat tradition to the multiple Hippocratic oaths and physical exams, we'll discuss the origins and importance of these practices in…
Digital health solutions are the way of the future, especially for managing chronic diseases. They can complement traditional healthcare practices without threatening the physician-patient relationship. Often, physicians don't have enough time to address all the essential details of patients' care, such as tobacco cessation or proper use of inhalers and…
Did you know that COPD patients face numerous challenges every day? One of the most significant obstacles they face is limited mobility due to their chronic illness. This limitation often leaves them homebound, making it challenging to visit their doctors regularly. As a result, decisions made on their treatment plans…
Today's episode features Brian Gelbman, a pulmonary and critical care physician. The COPD management space is facing a growing crisis, with a shortage of pulmonologists and respiratory therapists, and limited access to pulmonary rehabilitation facilities. This has resulted in a fragmented care landscape that leaves patients with limited options and…