"I may be practicing the art of repression and washing myself of any speck of contamination that would take me back to the state from which I have come very far. My suffering of the past, today, is a mere jumble of words devoid of any color or feeling. It is now a part of life that happened, changed me for good, and disappeared in the deep waters of the sea, hopefully never resurfacing." Fareeha Khan is an internal medicine physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, " My ...
Dec 26, 2022•20 min
"Building individual health equity starts with a commitment to price transparency. The current system favors a broader, value-based model that does not require individual fees for services. Resources are allocated based on outcomes and are dependent on complex and expensive data acquisition. In a direct pay model, the physician is accountable only to the patient. It requires shared decision-making and informed consent from the patient, not permission from an insurer." Paula Muto is a vascular su...
Dec 25, 2022•20 min
"As we continue this journey as a family in what will likely be an even more challenging six months ahead, the last six months have provided lifelong lessons. Equipped with these learnings, a new exciting professional opportunity to build the type of care my father would be proud of, and with my flock of peeps by my side — I’ll continue to strive to be the best physician-son for my dad." Amish H. Desai is an internal medicine physician. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, " Th...
Dec 24, 2022•19 min
"Until I have dedicated time during the week to tend to administrative tasks, I must work 12 to 14 hours most days just to stay afloat. If I fail to work at least 12 hours per day, my in-basket accumulates, invading weekends, vacation days, and future workdays. As my and my nurse practitioner’s schedules get fuller, the responsibilities increase without respite in sight. It is not sustainable." Today's guest is an anonymous family physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article...
Dec 23, 2022•20 min
"Over the years, I have mentored a lot of trainees. After discovering coaching and seeing my career transform after I started working with a coach, I have become a coach myself. I definitely use coaching techniques with my mentees, but the relationship I have with them is different from the one I have with my coaching clients. Coaching and mentorship are different but complementary approaches to moving your career forward. Potential clients often come to me expecting mentorship. My colleagues ha...
Dec 22, 2022•16 min
"This last doctor was also the happiest doctor I have ever met. He was not a youngster but had a wonderful following of patients and was loved by the entire hospital staff. And he had a very nice singing voice. Today this would be considered dangerous." Ronald Halweil is an otolaryngologist. He shares his story and discusses his book, Fifty Years a Doctor: The Journey of Sickness and Health, Four Plagues and the Pandemic . The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXp...
Dec 21, 2022•18 min
"As a physicians’ attorney who focuses his practice on physician contract review, I have seen some truly horrendous results after physicians have signed agreements they did not understand. Here are just a few of the 'war stories' I have experienced." Dennis Hursh is a physician contract lawyer. He blogs at Physicians Contracts Blog . He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, " Physician contract horror stories ." The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient ...
Dec 20, 2022•17 min
"Physicians today are confronting yet another epidemic, one that affects doctors directly and is not caused by a virus. It is the result of the 'patient portal' through which patients send typed messages directly to their physicians. Though the portal has benefits, anecdotal experience suggests that high message volume is having a deleterious effect on doctors’ blood pressure." Paul L. Fine is an internal medicine physician. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, " What to do whe...
Dec 19, 2022•16 min
"When my colleagues and I visited high-performing primary care clinics across the country, we sought insights to inform a new model for providing the most efficient and high-quality care. Here’s how we’re practicing in Primary Care 2.0." Megan Mahoney is a family physician and member, board of governors, The Doctors Company and TDC Group of Companies. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, " Primary Care 2.0: new thinking and practice redesign ." The Podcast by KevinMD is brough...
Dec 18, 2022•22 min
"Doctors with mental illness don’t need more suicide awareness — we’re aware. And we don’t need confidential treatment opportunities. What we need is assurance from all invested parties — our employers, credentialing bodies, and licensing officials — that it will be OK if we need help, we can get what we need, and that everything for the job can be sorted out once we’re well. Because it turns out, in most cases, that’s true — and in the instances where it isn’t, that’s the reality we need to wor...
Dec 17, 2022•17 min
"We can all work to improve our empathy towards those who differ from us. Please continue to keep an open mind and consider true allyship." Nkem Asianua is a physician assistant student. She shares her story and discusses the KevinMD article, " What does it mean to truly be an ally? " The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience . With so many demands on their time, physicians today report record levels of burnout. Burnout is caused by many factors, one of whi...
Dec 16, 2022•13 min
"Both pain and obesity can have a multitude of causes. Therefore, reducing pain and body weight should be approached in a multifactorial way; nutritionally, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Failure to do so may result in short-term success but long-term failure." Francisco M. Torres is an interventional physiatrist specializing in diagnosing and treating patients with spine-related pain syndromes. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, " We cannot ignore nutrition’s impact ...
Dec 15, 2022•15 min
"Our primary care systems should be designed for all the kids and families they are intended to serve. Incorporating system navigators to support the needs of our most vulnerable families is a feasible step in the right direction." Jeffrey Shahidullah is pediatric psychologist. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, " Difficulties navigating the health care system are causing many Black and brown kids to fall through the cracks ." The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the N...
Dec 14, 2022•16 min
"A good history and physical, including screening, can prevent consequences that burden a patient’s daily life and increase health care costs. Assessing cardiovascular risk is a key part of the evaluation. Transgender individuals may have a compounded risk. Awareness and education for both the patient and the provider are vital. Currently and in the future, given the gender fluidity of society, we need to be aware and not make assumptions about a patient’s gender. Finally, we cannot discount inf...
Dec 13, 2022•18 min
"You are worthy of your own boundaries. You are worthy of protecting what matters to you. Get clear about them. The time to start is now. You deserve it." Yvonne Ator is a physician and personal and executive coach for physicians. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, " What my 10 year old is teaching me about boundaries ." The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience . With a growing physician shortage, increasing burnout, and declining pati...
Dec 12, 2022•24 min
"If you are a physician, don’t fall for the tall tales you have heard from people who do not know how to use their timeshare or were never good candidates to own one in the first place. Their mythical stories include: You must stay at the same place every year, the maintenance fees are too expensive, you can never trade for what you want, etc. Don’t get your advice from someone who can’t figure out how to use their timeshare. Learn what you need to know from those who are successfully doing what...
Dec 11, 2022•21 min
"The hospital ripped my passion for nursing away from me on Thursday. All I’ve ever wanted to be was a nurse. I have no faith in any hospital leaders or administrators. Thursday was the worst day in my nursing career. All I’ve ever wanted to be was a nurse, and I’m not done fighting for my passion yet." Today's guest is an anonymous nurse. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, " All I ever wanted to be was a nurse ." The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon...
Dec 10, 2022•19 min
"Women rely on the internet more heavily than men do to understand health concerns, engage with others about health, and use technology to support health goals for themselves and their families. This is not surprising considering that women have more health needs, are more often caregivers, and make 80 percent of health care decisions for their families. Searching for health information online can make women more informed health care consumers and better self-advocates, if they use credible heal...
Dec 09, 2022•19 min
"Obesity is not the consequence of bad behaviors it is a disease that finally has effective, safe, lasting treatments. Patients with obesity have been marginalized long enough. We, especially health care providers, have got to start taking down barriers for these patients — not adding to them." Christine Meyer is an internal medicine physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, " A personal mission to get obese patients on GLP-1 agonists ." The Podcast by KevinMD is brought...
Dec 08, 2022•21 min
"While patients, the workforce, and key outcomes are way better off in a culture of safety, the process from toxic to healthy culture requires a challenging shift from relationships rooted in distrust to trusting ones. To ensure long-term meaningful change, leaders must steadfastly create a foundation of trust. An apology that acknowledges poor behaviors have occurred, are hurtful, and will not be tolerated will help build trust and open hearts and minds to new ways of being. It will also model ...
Dec 07, 2022•19 min
"Shame has no place in illness or in health. The first step to eradicating shame is to openly speak up about symptoms and concerns and for health care providers to commit to acknowledging and interrogating the needs of every individual thoroughly." Susan Salenger is a writer. She shares her story and discusses her book, Sidelined: How Women Manage & Mismanage Their Health . The Podcast by KevinMD is brought to you by the Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience . With a growing physician shortage, i...
Dec 06, 2022•17 min
"If we want to achieve a physician workforce that mirrors our population, medical schools must collectively understand that we have created an admissions system that selects against Latinx and BIPOC students. We need a new system. But a new admission system will not be enough. More medical students of color, while a start, is not the complete answer: We need more doctors of color." Heidi Chumley is dean, Ross University School of Medicine. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, ...
Dec 05, 2022•16 min
"Understanding and recognizing sensory processing issues may help improve functioning and quality of life for many individuals, starting with children in school. While many are preparing for back to school, it is important for parents, teachers, health care providers, guardians, and policymakers to be aware that millions need funding to get the care they need to succeed." Lisa Yeh is a psychiatrist. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, " Let’s address the needs of millions of ...
Dec 04, 2022•17 min
"As a parent of elementary school children, every mass shooting, particularly ones killing school children like in Uvalde, jolts my doing-the-mom-thing-just-keep-busy-can’t-stop denial. On the last day of school before summer vacation, when the bus doors squeaked open, and my kids hopped off, I experienced a momentary sense of relief. They were safe for one more day, at least from school shootings. I hugged my kindergartener and patted the head (that’s all I’m allowed to do) of my fifth grader. ...
Dec 03, 2022•18 min
"You have the power to make healthier choices to reduce your risk for prostate cancer. While things like genetics are out of your control, there is a wealth of research showing that there are simple ways to reduce your risk for prostate cancer that are within your control. Over the course of this book, we review healthy lifestyle choices, from diet to routine medical screenings, you can integrate into your daily practices to reduce your prostate cancer risk. You have the power to possibly preven...
Dec 02, 2022•18 min
"Picture this. A patient in a hospital or rehab facility has just finished exercising with therapy. He is thirsty, and he thinks he might as well ask for a snack now because he will be hungry in 30 minutes. His therapist sets him up in his wheelchair (brakes locked), tray table with all necessities positioned in front of him, with his call bell within reach. As she approaches the door to leave, she turns and asks, 'Is there anything else I can do for you?' The patient nods and asks for a refill ...
Dec 01, 2022•15 min
"Empathy, intelligence, and commitment are crucial traits every doctor must have to succeed. However, there is one trait that stands above the rest. One of the most important aspects of an effective doctor is the desire to be challenged and overcome difficult situations. I feel I’ve exemplified that throughout my life. Whether it be through those experiences, starting clubs, organizing teams, or helping those less fortunate than me, I haven’t backed down." Jack Straub is a medical student. He sh...
Nov 30, 2022•14 min
"During addiction, the brain becomes 'hijacked,' which then 'exaggerates the need for the drug and minimizes the dangers associated with the use of the drug.' This is so affirming because the chemicals in my brain told me I was going to die if the opioid was not available. It was a horrible and terrifying way to live." Jeffrey L. Fraser is a family physician. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, " Let doctors in recovery be able to recover their careers ." The Podcast by KevinM...
Nov 29, 2022•17 min
"My own burnout episode forced me into some heavy-duty soul-searching and serious reflection. I got lost in the world of seeing as many patients as possible, battling for more operating room time, and keeping up procedure volumes, prior authorizations, and electronic medical record keeping. I failed to notice early warning signs, including a change in my sleep patterns, apathy towards practice, and things I previously enjoyed in life, such as fitness and surfing. I was constantly irritable, espe...
Nov 28, 2022•22 min
"I experienced many deaths when I was a nurse, from babies, kids, young adults, the elderly, and my own family. It was always heartbreaking, but I found that staying with the dying and the family and supporting them in what little way I could made the experience more bearable. I was not a hospice nurse, but I did not fear death, and I managed caring for the dying without difficulty. That does not make me an expert, and when my loved ones die, I’m not sure how I will act, but I’m hoping my experi...
Nov 27, 2022•14 min
