During the pandemic, healthcare workers were frequently hailed as heroes, and this framing, while well-intentioned, did not prove helpful in my experience as a clinician, nor did it seem to benefit others in the field. This label, I believe, stemmed from a place of genuine gratitude from managers and hospitals,…
Join Vickie Leff, a palliative social worker. We'll dive into a thought-provoking conversation about shifting the health care paradigm, where we explore the emotional toll on health care professionals, the need for sustainability, and how institutions can take more responsibility in supporting their staff. Vickie Leff is a palliative social…
Join Shan Liu, an emergency physician and co-author of Masked Hero: How Wu-Lien Teh Invented the Mask and Ended an Epidemic. Discover the journey of Wu Lien-teh, Shan's great-grandfather, who played a pivotal role in ending a devastating plague in China in 1911. We'll explore the challenges he faced as…
As a bariatric surgeon, it's important to consider how both the public and healthcare providers perceive and approach surgery in the context of obesity. While I touched on this briefly earlier, let's delve into a more detailed approach and explore how we should ideally frame bariatric surgery. Obesity is a…
Join Beth Boynton, a nurse consultant, as we delve into the pressing issue of health care worker resilience. Discover the importance of empowering health care professionals, developing essential interpersonal skills, and the role of emotional intelligence in promoting safe nurse staffing and improved health care outcomes. Explore practical strategies and…
Join Scott Ellner, a general surgeon. We delve into a compelling story from a decade ago, where a medical error had profound consequences for both a patient and the surgeon involved. Discover the emotional toll on health care professionals, the importance of creating a just culture in health care institutions,…
Maintaining a strict hierarchy, concealing any errors even if inadvertently made, and avoiding any display of vulnerability are essential. I don't believe that the gaslighting that occurs in such situations is necessarily intentional. Some have argued that what I describe may not fit the traditional definition of gaslighting due to…
Join Dawn Sears, a gastroenterologist, and Kim Downey, a physical therapist. We delve into the insights that reveal how taking care of your doctor can ultimately lead to better care for you. They share perspectives on improving patient-physician relationships, understanding health care dynamics, and fostering empathy in the medical field.…
We sit down with Tracey O'Connell, a radiologist and physician coach, to explore the pervasive issue of medical gaslighting within the health care industry. Tracey shares her own experiences and insights, shedding light on how this phenomenon impacts both medical professionals and patients. Tracey O'Connell is a radiologist and physician…
We're joined by Jill Wener, an internal medicine physician, as we delve into the transformative concept of dialectics. Join us for an exploration of how dialectical thinking can help you navigate complex emotions, foster better health care practices, and promote constructive dialogue on contentious issues. Jill Wener is an internal…
I'm baffled by the occurrence of errors being sometimes concealed or ignored, as this practice ultimately benefits no one. From my perspective, errors should not be pinned solely on any one individual, whether they are intentional or unintentional, as they often highlight weaknesses within existing systems. When errors do arise,…
Join medical student Leana Pande. We'll explore the vital role health care practitioners play in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV). Discover how education, training, patient-centered care, and risk assessment tools can empower health care providers to make a positive impact. Learn how to create a safe environment for patients to…
L. Joseph Parker, a research physician, sheds light on how AI has been employed to target physicians and reshape the landscape of health care, especially in the context of the opioid crisis. Discover the ethical and legal implications, the impact on patient care, and the challenges faced by doctors in…
Join Adam Mariano, a health care executive. We'll delve into the world of Big Data and tokenization in health care, exploring how these technologies are revolutionizing patient insights, data security, and health care outcomes. Learn about the latest advancements, practical applications, and the future of data tokenization in this dynamic…
Preparing to enter a patient's room for a challenging encounter, or gearing up for a complex procedure, I'd often pause just before crossing the threshold, taking a few deep breaths. As unremarkable as it may seem, this simple practice had a profound impact on me. You see, I'm usually the…
In this episode, retired cardiologist Sarah Samaan delves into the world of meditation. We discuss the perception of meditation in health care, its benefits for physicians, and the scientific research supporting its effectiveness. Join us as we explore how meditation can enhance medical skills and offer practical advice on starting…
Our guest, Scott Ellner, a general surgeon, shares insights and real-life stories that shed light on the challenges health care providers face when financial incentives clash with patient-centered care. We'll explore the impact of wasteful spending, the power of the False Claims Act in combatting fraud, and the Department of…
Join Maryna Mammoliti, a psychiatrist, as we explore the complex concept of "defensiveness" in the medical field and beyond. We'll discuss why labeling reactions as "defensive" can carry negative connotations, the role of defensiveness as a natural survival mechanism, and how understanding it can lead to more compassionate and empathetic…
Join Daniela Valenti, a psychiatrist, as she brings a unique perspective to her writing, weaving psychological depth into her characters. Today, she discusses her book, Sentinel 10, The Edge of Destiny. We'll explore the creation of her intricate world, the development of her protagonist, and how her professional background influences…
A mother and her son arrived at the office one day, unaware that their physician had decided to close the doors without informing them. The abrupt closure left them in a state of panic, as the medications required for their medication-assisted therapy needed to be tapered gradually; abruptly discontinuing them…
Join physician Jill Becker as we delve into the world of medication-assisted therapy (MAT) for opioid use disorder. Discover why MAT is crucial, the challenges patients face, and how Jill's compassionate approach sets her apart from the norm in the medical field. Jill Becker is a physician. She discusses the…
We sit down with Catherine L. Chen, an anesthesiologist and health services researcher. Join us as she shares her personal story of facing a Medicare Part B enrollment denial for her mother during a vacation in Hawaii. Catherine's unique perspective as a physician-scientist unveils the complexities of the Medicare system…
I delved into the concept of distress tolerance, particularly focusing on practical skills in this area. A prime example is the box breathing technique, famously used by the Navy Seals, known as the 4-4-4-4 method. This simple yet effective method involves a cycle of inhaling for 4 seconds, holding the…
Join R. Lynn Barnett, a patient advocate. We'll explore the world of caregiving, its challenges, and the profound impact it has on individuals and families. Discover valuable insights on caregiver stress, self-care, and the importance of respite care. R. Lynn Barnett is the author of What Patients Want: Anecdotes and…