The Podcast by KevinMD

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What do physicians really want in life? Sep 25, 2021

Show notes

"It is no wonder that in 2020, a Doximity physician compensation report revealed there were no specialties in medicine in which women earned the same or more than men. We can all agree that many things could account for this, including structural barriers and lack of diversity or mentorship. It may also include factors such as women not maximizing billing knowledge, not knowing how to negotiate, not asking for the same or more of what is offered and just not thinking about what they really want. Instead as women, we think of others first, or what others expect of us.

Yes, we know we want the job or the position. But is that position truly, truly, taking you towards your true purpose? Becoming chief of department, manager or CEO, are remarkable goals and should be pursued. But are the pursuits authentic to what you consciously found your purpose is? It is not about what your family thought you should achieve, but about doing something that truly takes you and continues to propel you on your true-life purpose.

If you have not thought about it, then I challenge you to find introspection. Find consciousness and think about your true purpose. Continue to follow its path to experience joy so it will not leave you with regret when you look back.

Find your purpose.

Ask yourself, 'What do I really want in life?'

And do it today."

Diana Londoño is a urologist and can be reached at her self-titled site, Dr. Diana Londono, and on Twitter @DianaLondonoMD.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "What do you really want in life?" (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/08/what-do-you-really-want-in-life.html)

Our health care system may be failing, but it isn't broken Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

"The problem with health care isn't 'fixing' the system. The problem is continuing to ensure that profits can be made and millions can be employed while better health care outcomes and experiences are achieved.

We won't find the solution to that problem by embracing the solutions offered by either the right or the left. We need to leave the past behind and start again, building a new health care system that better meets our needs. We have to build from the ground up, starting with a new foundation. I can't wish away the political realities that stand in the way of such fundamental reform. But given all that's at stake, I'm unwilling to accept anything less than this goal. Hopefully, you agree."

Jeb Dunkelberger is a health care executive and author of Rich & Dying: An Insider Calls Bullsh*t on America's Healthcare Economy.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Our health care system may be failing, but it isn't broken." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/06/our-health-care-system-may-be-failing-but-it-isnt-broken.html)

Primary care: the variety and the intimacy of the problems I see Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

"Fifteen minutes for a checkup or urgent problem, thirty minutes for a physical. In the tiny gasps of time in between: Refilling scripts, checking labs, and signing medical supply orders and insurance authorization requests. Maybe lunch. Maybe a chance to get to the restroom if I am lucky. Clicking, always clicking away on my EMR, hoping to finish my notes. Maybe typing notes while holding on a phone call (why do patients call with a question about a medicine, but they leave the vial upstairs and have to retrieve it while you wait?), while trying to cram a few bites of lunch, while wondering if I will get out of there in time to get the blasted Valentine's napkins before picking up the kids from their after-school program.

I take a deep breath."

Melissa Schiffman is an internal medicine physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Primary care: I love the variety and the intimacy of the problems that are placed before me." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/08/primary-care-i-love-the-variety-and-the-intimacy-of-the-problems-that-are-placed-before-me.html)

Try this new technique when talking to vaccine skeptics Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

"When we hear skepticism, our first instinct may be to end the conversation. After all, why spend our time trying to convince someone who has made up their mind? Our second instinct may be to counter the person's position without pausing to hear more about their perspective. Unfortunately, trying to force someone into getting the vaccine often results in defensiveness and anger."

Alicia DiGiammarino is a health educator.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Try this new technique when talking to vaccine skeptics." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/08/try-this-new-technique-when-talking-to-vaccine-skeptics.html)

Digital health equity is an emerging gap in health Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

"The pandemic has demonstrated the value of online platforms, especially in health care – but equitable access has not matched this growth. Sadly, many Americans cannot reap the benefits of connectivity. State and federal funding sources are required to enable digital health equity. Moreover, there should be a focus on measuring/creating standards of care in digital health equity. Public financing and public infrastructure (broadband) will be essential to coordinate organizations and defragmenting care. Now is our moment to create a new and better health care system that emerges from the dark days of COVID-19."

Joshua W. Elder is an emergency physician.

He shares his story and discusses the KevinMD article, "Digital health equity is an emerging gap in health." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/06/digital-health-equity-is-an-emerging-gap-in-health.html)

Compassion and patient rapport building in health care Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

"As we enter a year and a half into a worldwide pandemic, many of us working in health care are fatigued, over-worked, and burned out on compassion. Burnout has been so widespread that the CDC published guidelines on how to cope with the stresses of the job as COVID-19 cases persist. As the Delta variant continues to spread and individuals remain unvaccinated despite the data, health care workers find themselves attempting to care for their patients and simultaneously try and care for themselves.

This episode outlines some myths about the "softer side" of health care and focuses on compassion and rapport building— exploring the ways in which providing patient-centered care for those who seek our help not only improves clinical outcomes but can also help improve ourselves."

Katherine Buaron is a community nurse consultant, Rush University.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "5 myths about compassion and patient rapport building in health care." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/09/5-myths-about-compassion-and-patient-rapport-building-in-health-care.html)

This episode is sponsored by the Rush University Series at The Podcast by KevinMD. (https://www.rushu.rush.edu/)

Racial disparities in surgical care Sep 19, 2021

Show notes

"As a practicing surgeon for 30 years in the super-specialized field of otology, neurotology and skull base surgery, I have been privy to some of the most disturbing realities of surgical care. Often, these realities are bleaker than most people expect. One thing physicians, and the general population, need to be more aware of is the very real racial disparity in surgical care.

Are the outcomes for Black and Hispanic patients truly different than white patients when it comes to surgery? The answer is an astounding yes. Are the differences related to other factors such as socioeconomic class, insurance status, gender, income, extent of disease at presentation or other comorbidities? Even when controlling for many of these factors, racial disparities in the delivery of surgical care persist."

Sanjay Prasad is a surgeon and founder, SurgiQuality.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "The bleak reality of racial disparity in surgical care." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/08/the-bleak-reality-of-racial-disparity-in-surgical-care.html)

Where does the joy and meaning in medicine dwell? Sep 18, 2021

Show notes

"The same question could be asked about the joy and meaning in medicine. Where does it dwell? And the answer may be the same. It dwells wherever we choose to let joy and meaning in medicine into our physician-healer lives.

As I look back upon my career, it saddens me to know that those doors to my dwelling were closed shut so often. For so often, I had not a clue as to where lay the key to unlock them. For so many years, this encounter would have been chalked up to another annoying, unfathomable "little old lady dizziness syndrome." But, on that day, in that encounter, I was graced to have those doors opened by an 86-year-old, dizzy, square dancing roller skater.

I hope the doors of that dwelling never close again."

Scott Abramson is a neurologist who blogs at Doctor Wisdom.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Where does the joy and meaning in medicine dwell?" (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/07/where-does-the-the-joy-and-meaning-in-medicine-dwell.html)

Who needs scientists? It's not like we listen to them anyway. Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

"I am a proud science-trained medical doctor and concerned mother. I am not going to remain silent when the biggest tragedies are yet to hit earth yet. Like seriously, I do not want to become like the dinosaurs. History wasn't too kind to them. Just saying. Scientists say the worst is yet to come if America doesn't listen. What do scientists know anyway?

You might disagree with my words, but If you want to get angry, write many insults, and be in denial, go ahead. I am a mother bear, and I do bite, as it's called self-defense. To all my fellow scientists and torchbearers of the truth, I salute you. Let us not stop speaking the truth until real change happens."

Tomi Mitchell is a family physician.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Who needs scientists? It's not like we listen to them anyway." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/08/who-needs-scientists-its-not-like-we-listen-to-them-anyway.html)

Dying after leaving against medical advice Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

"This is where we are: Hospitalizations rising, new variants that are more infectious, and many people believing that this is all a hoax, or that millions of people have conspired together to make injections that harm people rather than helping them. Patients leaving AMA and dying because there's no trust anymore.

This is where we should be: People recognizing that we don't like wearing masks or getting shots but maybe we should in order to get things under control, people trusting that health care workers are really working toward the best interest of everyone, health care workers optimistic because they see progress.

How do we get from here to there?"

Steve Burgess is a hospitalist and creator, Hospital Medicine Seminars, where he teaches CME focused on updates for those who practice hospital medicine.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Dying after leaving AMA." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/08/dying-after-leaving-ama.html)

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