The Podcast by KevinMD

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Stories of surgery, clarity, and grace Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

"My mother, bless her ninety-year-old heart, is slowing down. The things that made her happiest — getting to church, visiting friends, taking walks, and wandering the aisles in the grocery store —are increasingly difficult. She worries that her lack of energy will soon make every activity impossible.

It is 2005 and she is living alone in Chicago, about ninety miles from where my wife and I live. My father died suddenly the year before, and she is settling into the life of a widow. She has always been very healthy and upbeat, but she's become more and more fatigued. 'What do you think it is?' she asks. 'Do you think it is my heart?'

'Let's find out.' We arrange an appointment with her internist. Sure enough, her heart rate is uncharacteristically slow and does not speed up when she walks or moves about.

'I believe you need a pacemaker,' her doctor confirms. 'I'll arrange a visit with a cardiologist.'

This gives my mother something new to worry about. 'I'm too old for any procedures, don't you think?' she says. 'Do you think I could tolerate having a pacemaker?'"

Bruce Campbell is an otolaryngologist who blogs at Reflections in a Head Mirror. He is the author of A Fullness of Uncertain Significance: Stories of Surgery, Clarity, & Grace.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Mom's new pacemaker: a story." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/09/moms-new-pacemaker-a-story.html)

A physician's guide to the best way to invest in real estate Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

"Institutional real estate private equity funds have dramatically outperformed all other methods of investing in real estate such as syndicated real estate deals, crowdfunding, and REITs because larger real estate funds have the best deal sourcing capabilities that enable them to identify and execute opportunistic acquisitions with speed and at the most attractive pricing.

Syndicated deals, crowdfunded deals, small deal sponsors, and REITs just cannot compete with institutional investment funds. Unfortunately, institutional real estate private equity funds have been inaccessible to individuals due to their multi-million dollar minimum investment required. And the more experience a real estate manager is, the more capital they attract. I set out on a mission to change this."

Alan Donenfeld is founder and CEO, CityVest (https://www.cityvest.com/home.html), providing investors with insider access to pre-screened, institutional real estate investments historically unavailable to individuals.

This episode is sponsored by CityVest (https://www.cityvest.com/home.html), providing investors with insider access to pre-screened, institutional real estate investments historically unavailable to individuals.

Bonnie Koo, MD on taking control of your finances and pursuing financial independence Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

"While much of the conversation around financial independence is tied to the ability to retire early, the real prize is flexibility.

I hear a lot of 'I love what I do and will work until I die' amongst physicians. Not so fast. Your goals and priorities will likely change as you get older. And sometimes, you don't have a choice. A close family member needs extra care or passes away. Your child has special needs or other needs that require your time and attention. You never know what life may bring.

Working toward financial independence as a woman physician allows you to create your dream job. You have the ability to scale back your hours, take a leave of absence, or make other arrangements to optimize your day and your life. In short, you have a fall-back when life throws you curveballs.

By taking control of their finances and pursuing financial independence, women physicians are able to be better physicians, better mothers, and better partners. Being debt free, spending mindfully, and employing other strategies to reach financial freedom gives the woman physician choices and flexibility to live on her terms."

Bonnie Koo is a dermatologist and founder and editor, Wealthy Mom MD.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Why women physicians should take control of their finances." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2019/05/why-women-physicians-should-take-control-of-their-finances.html)

What you don't know about pain will hurt you Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

"If you treat chronic pain, or are someone living with it, remember this: Changing the brain can change pain. Addressing emotional health directly impacts physical health, because brain and body are always connected. Pain psychologists can serve as pain coaches – it doesn't mean you're crazy, and it's not 'all in your head' (it's in your brain!). Try biobehavioral interventions like CBT, biofeedback, and mindfulness, and demand that your insurance company reimburse these treatments. If you're a health care provider, spread the word about biopsychosocial pain management. Teach patients how pain works, connect brain with body, and offer hope. Knowledge is power. Let's empower our patients – and each other – to find integrative solutions that work."

Rachel Zoffness is a pain psychologist.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "What you don't know about pain will hurt you." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/11/what-you-dont-know-about-pain-will-hurt-you.html)

Physician communication using the tools of a trial attorney Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

"For twenty years, I defended doctors when they were sued, and now I coach female leaders from all industries on how to advocate for themselves and their potential with the tools of a trial lawyer. I know that when doctors are exhausted, distracted and powerless they're more likely to be sued. They're also more likely to burnout, less likely to enhance the patient experience, and more likely to have complications. And I know there is another way."

Heather Hansen is a communications consultant and attorney. She can be reached at Heather Hansen Presents.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "When telemedicine leads to burnout." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/10/when-telemedicine-leads-to-burnout.html)

Omicron: 2 infectious disease physicians on the new COVID variant Nov 28, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to this special episode of The Podcast by KevinMD, where I interview two infectious disease physicians on the COVID Omicron variant. They share their unique perspective on this threat answer the following questions: How do these early days of the Omicron variant contrast with past variants? What do they think about the travel restrictions? How has the media covered Omicron? What are the best-case and worst-case scenarios? And about Omicron keeps them up at night?

Nahid Bhadelia is an infectious disease physician and founding director, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy & Research (CEID). She can be reached on Twitter @BhadeliaMD.

Paul Sax is an infectious disease physician and contributing editor, NEJM Journal Watch Infectious Diseases. He can be reached on Twitter @PaulSaxMD.

Fear of vaccines grows with the need for medical ethics Nov 27, 2021

Show notes

"While individual doctors have obligations to both the individual and public health, their first concern is their patients. And these decisions have to acknowledge fears and respect the stance. Providers must balance reassurance with acknowledgment, care, data, and the intent to 'do no harm.'

It is undeniable that the COVID vaccination has saved countless lives and will be crucial to come out of this crisis. In particular, the OAZv has many advantages for global use. But the success of a vaccination program should not expend of public trust or we may jeopardize the future of global public health."

Mallika Sekhar is a hematologist-oncologist.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Fear of vaccines grows with the need for medical ethics." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/04/fear-of-vaccines-grows-with-the-need-for-medical-ethics.html)

Will the COVID Omicron variant change the world again? Nov 27, 2021

Show notes

"The variant keeps me up at night a little bit because it has 32 mutations in the spike protein, in contrast to the Delta mutation.

But it's not just the mutations. In terms of biological plausibility, it's plausible that it could be more evasive against immunity. Not just vaccines, but potentially reinfection.

What really worries me is seeing the signals line up in the wrong way. It first started in Botswana, but it's surging not just in one part of South Africa, but across six different provinces in South Africa, all at once."

Eric Feigl-Ding is an epidemiologist and health economist. He can be reached on Twitter @DrEricDing.

He shares his story and discusses the new COVID Omicron variant.

Grieving our collective loss with compassion Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

"Cultivating compassion for ourselves and others is a practice in which we release judgment, anger and heal our emotional wounds. We can then move forward to a version of a better world where we have evolved to a new beginning. Change is always happening, and that is our constant. What we focus on while it happens is what will determine how much we will suffer or thrive as we go through it.

So, as we emerge through this time, whether as a health care worker, a parent, a newlywed or whatever your role is, let us stay present in what we have gained and be hopeful of the world that we will create tomorrow.

Let us focus not on what seems to be an obvious loss or grieving process but one in which we can find introspection, wisdom, strength, and a new set of purpose. It is in this that we can evolve personally and as a collective. It is not easy.

There is a lot of discomfort in shedding our old self and grieving our collective loss. Yet if we do this with compassion, we can find comfort knowing hope is waiting for us on the other side."

Diana Londoño is a urologist.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Grieving our collective loss with compassion." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/11/grieving-our-collective-loss-with-compassion.html)

To Aaron Rodgers, from a physician and Packers fan Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

"Mr. Rodgers, I'm glad you're feeling well. This isn't altogether unsurprising given your younger age and elite physical fitness (though cases in young unvaccinated people can and have become severe) and I hope you continue to feel well as you quarantine. The medical and scientific community works on data, lots and lots of data. The process of running clinical trials and publishing data is rigorously vetted and peer-reviewed. We do not have good data that supports the use of ivermectin. In fact, a couple of preprint studies have been removed from the internet due to inaccuracy and flaws in their data.

Furthermore, I fear you are missing — and propagating — a very important point. We don't just get vaccinated for ourselves, but for the greater good. As I've said, I'm glad you're feeling well. As an unvaccinated young, healthy person you pose a greater risk of spreading the virus to the portion of the very young, very old, and immunocompromised population who do not share in your level of fitness than if you were fully vaccinated, especially with the travel required of you and going maskless. Some of these people make up your fan base. As someone who has been part of a team for his whole life, I wish you would see these individuals as part of your larger "team." We have to all be in this together to achieve our goals of herd immunity just as you have had to work together with your teammates to win games and titles.

I wish Mr. Rodgers a speedy recovery and hope he uses this time to reevaluate some of his recent statements and their possible repercussions. I'll be watching and cheering on Jordan Love and the rest of the team."

Allison Neitzel is a physician and public health student.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "To Aaron Rodgers, from a physician and Packers fan." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/11/to-aaron-rodgers-from-a-physician-and-packers-fan.html)

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