One January, our urgent care was flooded with teens suffering from unexpected skin rashes. The culprit? A heavily promoted holiday brand with ingredients unsuitable for their skin. This eye-opening experience highlighted the immense influence of social media and influencers. Fast forward to today, and the quest for information has only…
Professor and patient advocate Edward G. Rogoff discusses his article "How to choose the right doctor for you." In this episode, Edward explains why selecting the right physician is one of the most important health decisions a patient can make. He shares practical guidelines such as finding a doctor who…
When it comes to medical devices, trust is everything. Imagine you're in a hospital, needing a critical device installed. You would want to ensure that the device comes from a manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality, right? Here are three key takeaways from the conversation: - The importance of…
Physical therapists Kim Downey, Ziya Altug, and Shirish Sachdeva discuss their article "How physicians can reclaim resilience through better sleep, nutrition, and exercise." In this episode, Kim, Ziya, and Shirish explain how the triad of sleep, balanced nutrition, and physical activity forms the foundation of physician resilience. They outline practical…
Cultural humility is key in patient care. Physicians, it's crucial to navigate sensitive interactions with empathy and understanding. Acknowledging when we've unintentionally triggered a patient is a vital part of healing and building trust. Here are three things to keep in mind: - Recognize the impact of past trauma on…
Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Hatef, Jr. discusses his article "Guilty until proven innocent? My experience with a state medical board." In this episode, Jeffrey shares the shocking story of how his medical license was summarily suspended without a hearing and how incomplete records, flawed expert testimony, and questionable legal tactics created a…
Patients turning to TikTok for health advice? It's more common than you might think. Understanding why patients or their families seek information online is crucial. It provides context about their past healthcare experiences and any negative interactions they've had. Here's my approach in these situations: - Listen and understand their…
Veteran attorney Dennis Hursh discusses his article "Private practice employment agreements: What happens if private equity swoops in?" In this episode, Dennis explains how private equity acquisitions of medical practices complicate the traditional path for employed physicians who expect eventual ownership. He highlights risks such as working years at below-median…
American healthcare's pricing makes no sense. Why are we being charged exorbitant fees just to have a seat at the table? From tech companies demanding $150,000 a year to materials management firms asking for $1,500,000 to be a preferred partner, the costs are staggering. And what are we really paying…
Family nurse practitioner Erica Dorn discusses her article "ChatGPT in health care: Risks, benefits, and safer options." In this episode, Erica explains how clinicians are experimenting with ChatGPT to help with HPI prompts, procedure documentation, and discharge instructions, while also cautioning against its risks such as inaccuracy, lack of HIPAA…
In the exam room, empathy is the best tool a primary care physician can have. Understanding the lived experiences of trans patients requires sensitivity and the right questions. Dr. Evans shares a simple yet effective approach. Start by introducing yourself with your preferred pronouns. Ask open-ended questions about their journey…
Kidney transplant recipient Charlie Cloninger and nephrologist Nauman Shahid discuss their article "How early care saved my life from silent kidney disease." Charlie shares his personal story of being diagnosed with kidney disease while feeling healthy, making lifestyle changes with the help of his care coordinator, and ultimately receiving a…
AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming the way patients access medical information. But what happens when these AI platforms give convincing yet inaccurate advice? In the exam room, this can create a complex challenge for healthcare providers. - The blurred line between accurate and misleading AI-generated medical information - The…
Psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article "It's time to operationalize physician wellness." Muhamad explains why wellness cannot remain a slogan or a poster in the breakroom but must be embedded into the structure of health care systems. He outlines practical steps such as protecting…
Writing can be a powerful form of catharsis, especially when facing life's toughest challenges. As a physician, it's easy to forget that each patient has a story far beyond their medical records. These stories, often unwritten, hold immense value. When I began writing about my experience on the advice of…
Licensed counselor and coach Mary Remón discusses her article "A mindset shift for physicians: Retrain your brain to see what's going well." Mary explains how physicians are trained to scan constantly for risks, but that habit can carry over into daily life and lead to stress and burnout. She shares…
Weight-based bullying can leave deep scars, affecting self-esteem and social interactions. Imagine being so affected by this that your only hope lies in a weekly injection. A young girl faced years of victimization due to her weight, impacting her social growth and self-image. She was shy, withdrawn, and hesitant to…
Amanda Heidemann, family physician and senior clinical content consultant for clinical effectiveness at Wolters Kluwer Health, discusses her article, "Gen Z's DIY approach to health care." Amanda explains how digital natives are turning to TikTok, friends, and online research as their primary sources of health information, often disregarding professional guidance…
Visible blood in the urine can be alarming, but what's really behind it? As a primary care doctor, I've seen the occasional UTI cause this, especially in younger patients. But when should you consider it a red flag? Here's what you need to know: - Recurrent episodes of visible blood…
Infectious disease physician Tyler B. Evans discusses his article "Meeting transgender patients where they are: a health care imperative." Tyler, an infectious disease specialist and author of Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics: Decoding the Social and Political Drivers of Pandemics from Plague to COVID-19, shares striking data on violence, mental health,…
Building strong relationships with patients is the heart of primary care. When patients connect with you, they don't just come back, they bring their entire family. This unique bond is something that few other specialties experience, making primary care truly special. In this video, you'll learn: - How primary care…
Health care data strategist Lee Ann McWhorter discusses her article "Why health care reform must start with ending monopolies." Lee Ann explains how monopolistic control by entities like GPOs, PBMs, EHR vendors, and MMIS platforms drives up costs, suppresses innovation, and undermines patient safety. She highlights how opaque contracts and…
Surgeon Fateh Entabi discusses his article "A surgeon's take on God, intelligence, and cosmic responsibility." Fateh reflects on how the complexity of the human body inspired him to think more broadly about intelligence, consciousness, and the idea of God—not as a distant creator, but as an evolving intelligence embedded in…
Navigating the world of pediatric health can feel like an uphill battle, especially when conventional advice falls short. Years of feeling stuck and unsatisfied with treatment options for my child led me to question the standard practices in pediatric care. Here's what I learned along the way: - The impact…