MedPod Today | from MedPage Today

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MedPod Today Ep. 1: The Medical Misinformation Mess Aug 23, 2023

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MedPod Today: the podcast series where MedPage Today reporters share deeper insight into the week's biggest healthcare stories. This week, MedPage Today reporters discuss recent cases of doctors spreading fake news. Featured Stories: Story one, story two, story three, and story four. Episode produced and hosted by Rachael Robertson Sound engineering by Greg Laub Reporting by Kristina Fiore, Michael DePeau-Wilson, Rachael Robertson, and Jennifer Henderson

Is There a Doctor in the House? Jul 21, 2023

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This is a podcast about the other parts of medicine. Not the drugs, or the latest clinical trial, or the how-to-schedule-your-clinic sort of best-practice discussions, but it’s the place that we talk about medicine and what keeps us coming back for it. It’s the ‘je ne sais quoi’ that makes it special, that lets us forgive it for all its faults and that lets us continue to love it for what it is. Every episode, we cover three stories around a central theme in medicine and storytelling. Our theme today is a really great one: Is there a doctor in the house? This means the obvious when we’re in our usual day (or night) at work at the hospital, at the clinic, or wherever it is that you practice. But it’s something really special that the skills of our occupation follow us into all aspects of our lives. And that’s what this episode is about: When you end up doctoring even when you aren’t really on the clock, because doctoring is something you do, but truly, a doctor is something you are. We can’t turn off the drive to help and the need to care. It’s what makes us special, and it’s what makes medicine as a career path special. Because it’s not just a career, but an identity. Chapter 1: From HIIT Workout to Hair Apposition (2:22) — Pediatrician sows up split scalp with nothing but his bare hands and skill. Story by Ted Handler, MD. Chapter 2: A Crisis Curveball at the Cubs Game (13:46) — From baseball spectator to patient of a child neurologist. Story by Jennifer Rubin, MD. Chapter 3: A Code Blue While Dressed in Red (23:27) — Cardiologist tosses off heels to resuscitate man down at American Heart Association event. Story by Evelina Grayver, MD. Episode produced by Genevieve Friedman Sound engineering by Greg Laub Theme music by Palomar

Mysteries: Cracking the Complex Case Apr 07, 2023

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Anamnesis is where we celebrate the parts of medicine that don’t always hit the limelight. It’s not about the newest drugs or the latest how-to on the cool procedure — this is where we talk about the medicine behind medicine — what keeps us going in this field. And what keeps us going in medicine. Here on this episode, we have three doctors sharing their mysteries — follow along as you watch them hunt and put together clues to finally crack the mystery. Chapter 1: Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best (3:44) — Pediatric neurologist braces himself for the worst-case scenario. Story by Jeffrey Russ, MD, PhD. Chapter 2: Not Diagnosed Sooner Because He Wasn’t White (21:45) — Presented with classic signs and symptoms, but still not tested. Story by Jennifer Taylor-Cousar, MD. Chapter 3: You Have to Treat the Entire Patient (39:53) — Surgeon puzzled by source of bony buildup after knee injury. Story by Sonya Sloan, MD. Episode produced by Sophie Putka Sound engineering by Greg Laub Theme music by Palomar

One Addiction Clinic, Five Stories of Perseverance Jan 17, 2023

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This Anamnesis episode follows Michelle Jobes, PhD, CIP, a clinical research specialist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse in Maryland, as she recounts the experiences of five patients she’s worked alongside to help overcome substance use. Bittersweet Holidays (8:57) When Perseverance Pays Off (10:40) Inspiring Others Through Art (12:47) The ‘Mayor’ (14:32) An Unexpected Package (16:24) Never Forgotten (18:00) Episode produced by Brendan Murphy Sound engineering by Greg Laub Theme music by Palomar

A Nurse. A Pandemic. An Addiction. Feb 11, 2022

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Over the holidays, a nurse in recovery from opioid use disorder struggled to keep her addiction in check. She was caring for coronavirus patients on the front lines in an ICU outside Seattle. She asked her hospital for more support, and received little. She reached out to her family, but that just made things worse. On Sunday, January 3, 2021, Tiffany Swedeen relapsed. Tiffany's story highlights the fact that when it comes to substance use disorders, our healthcare system has one standard for patients and another for nurses. And while nurses have responsibilities not only to themselves, but to the public, it's worth remembering that substance use disorder is still a chronic but treatable brain disease, and not a moral failing. This episode of Anamnesis features discussions of drug abuse and suicide that may be disturbing to some listeners. Discretion is advised. Chapter 1. Blacked Out on Fentanyl for a Day (2:40) -- A nurse in recovery shares one of her loneliest moments. Chapter 2. Job, License, and Livelihood on the Line (11:09) -- After diverting drugs, the foundation begins to crack for this nurse. Chapter 3. Nurses Are Not Unbreakable (26:20) -- We as a society need to serve nurses better. Episode produced by Shannon Firth Special thanks to Crystal Phend Sound engineering by Emily Hutto Theme music by Palomar

Scar Tissue: Emotional Vulnerability in Clinical Practice Dec 10, 2021

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Our theme this month is "Scar Tissue." And I don’t mean the surgical scar tissue, the ones from the fall we took ice skating when we were 6, or the ones we give patients when we take out their appendixes or sew up their lacerations — this is about the emotional vulnerability that we all have in clinical practice — and that accepting what we feel is the first step in healing. Now, this is a hard one for us as clinicians. We all fancy ourselves healers — but don’t always like to acknowledge that in the process, we need healing ourselves. Because the burdens we elicit from our patients, we often shoulder ourselves — whether subconsciously, or in empathy — and those burdens can chip at us, like they do any human. But that’s what we are — human. Chapter 1. I Can't Do This Again (3:28) -- A physician reaches his limit. Story by Taison Bell, MD. Chapter 2. When the Patient Becomes the Healer (16:17) -- A doctor finds hope from an unexpected place. Story by Ashanda Saint Jean, MD. Chapter 3. It Is Not a Sin to Cry (29:09) -- How being a good doctor is being human. Story by Hannah Brooks, MD. Episode produced by Genevieve Friedman Hosted by Amy Ho, MD Sound engineering by Greg Laub Theme music by Palomar

Heal Thyself: When Work Hits Home Oct 29, 2021

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What happens when you become the patient? That's what we're here to explore today -- with this episode's theme: Heal Thyself. Think about it. We diagnose and often intervene with medicines, surgeries, treatments. These interventions generally temporize and support the body, so that the body can heal itself. The concept of "healing" thyself, then, really does often have to accept that modern medicine can't do the healing. Sometimes we have to do it ourselves. And sometimes that's more mind than matter. Today, we have three incredible stories for you -- by three different doctors, of three different specialties, who all share a story of how they "Healed Thyself" of a disease in their very area of expertise. Chapter 1. Researcher Turned COVID Long-Hauler (3:04) -- A story of knowledge and recovery. Story by Paul Garner, MD. Chapter 2. I'm a Neurologist With Alzheimer's (15:52) -- How knowledge helped one doctor's uncertainty. Story by Daniel Gibbs, MD, PhD. Chapter 3. Prayer's Place in Treatment (25:50) -- "Dr. Hope" credits his remission, in part, to tens of thousands of strangers. Story by Gary Onik, MD. Episode produced by Judy George Hosted by Amy Ho, MD Sound engineering by Greg Laub Theme music by Palomar

Resilience: Being Tough in Tough Times Sep 24, 2021

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Resilience is a core necessity in medicine. Resilience is toughness. Resilience is tenacity. Resilience is recovering and coming back for more. You need resilience to survive the long education and training for nearly every role in medicine. And as a patient, you need resilience to just make it through not only your acute care but the often weeks, months, or years of healing that happen afterward. Day in and day out, we call on our own resilience to get through difficult situations, tragic experiences, and more — so that we can keep doing what we do best. Resilience is a core necessity in medicine. Resilience is toughness. Resilience is tenacity. Resilience is recovering and coming back for more. You need resilience to survive the long education and training for nearly every role in medicine. And as a patient, you need resilience to just make it through not only your acute care but the often weeks, months, or years of healing that happen afterward. Day in and day out, we call on our own resilience to get through difficult situations, tragic experiences, and more — so that we can keep doing what we do best. Chapter 1. From Tragedy to Advocacy (3:00) — When the worst happened to his son, one father took the opportunity to help others. Story by Martin McNair. Chapter 2. Balancing Medicine and Country Music Stardom (17:00) — How one doctor’s story of following a passion turned out a few hits. Story by James Robert Webb, MD. Chapter 3. The Power of Social Media (32:22) — This doctor discovered a better way to communicate health information. Story by Austin Chiang, MD, MPH. Episode produced by Ryan Basen Hosted by Amy Ho, MD Sound engineering by Greg Laub Theme music by Palomar

Winning in Medicine: Victories Large and Small Aug 23, 2021

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This has been a bit of a tough summer for everyone in healthcare. Our worlds have been a bit topsy-turvy, to say the least. That makes this all the more important of a time to remember to celebrate wins, of all sizes. Times are tough, remember every day of our lives is still riddled with victories. Some are small — a patient who listened to your advice, a colleague who thought you were right, even the warm blanket you brought to a patient that cheered up their day a little bit. Some are big — a literal life saved, a life changed, sometimes even an entire community improved. Our impact as healthcare professionals is incredible, now more than ever. We influence our patients, our families, our communities and get an amazing opportunity to be listened to and respected so that we can expand our impact even more. Chapter 1. Early in COVID: A Win and a White House Call (2:47) -- Years of work led to wins during a difficult time. Story by Brian Garibaldi, MD. Chapter 2. Breaking Down Patients' Barriers (16:04) -- A doctor helps a reluctant patient thrive. Story by Fred Pelzman, MD. Chapter 3. A Victory for Cancer Prevention (27:21) -- A tale of engaging, educating, and advocating for patients. Story by Len Lichtenfeld, MD.

Empathy: The Most Critical Skill in Medicine Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

There are few things more core to the pillars of medicine than the concept of "empathy." Now empathy is something we hear about from day one in medical school, nursing school, or PA school. Hey, it's even something we hear in pre-med! It's probably something we even wrote about in our admissions essays. And that's because empathy is a critical part of care. You cannot care for a patient if you cannot relate, commiserate, and feel with them. In this episode, three storytellers have their own stories of empathy, all with a different spin on how it came out to them. Chapter 1. 'Can You Explain Why You're Sending Me to the ICU?' (2:57): Doctor-turned-patient reflects on empathy in medicine after the harrowing birth of her child. Story by Lauren Rissman, MD. Chapter 2. It Isn't the Dead Child Who Haunts Me (21:31): A doctor is reminded of an intern's reaction often. Story by Maryanne Chrisant, MD. Chapter 3. Treating Cancer Patients 'Like Cattle About to Be Slaughtered' (42:33): What "heartless" oncology in Russia taught this doctor. Story by Vadim Gushchin, MD. Episode produced by Amanda D'Ambrosio Hosted by Amy Ho, MD Sound engineering by Greg Laub Theme music by Palomar

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