The Podcast by KevinMD

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Robert Pearl, MD on doctors and the 5 stages of grief Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

"Physicians have had a rough century, so far. In addition to battling COVID-19, doctors have spent the past two decades fighting the health care industry's fiercest players and losing, badly.

Power in the industry now belongs to health insurance companies, major drugmakers, and hospital tycoons. Physicians feel beaten up, burned out, and abused by a system so overrun with regulations that clinicians now spend more time filling out paperwork than helping patients.

Doctors long for the last century. Back then, they were paid well, revered by everyone, and largely left alone to practice as they please. As the war against COVID-19 winds down, doctors believe now is the time to demand a return to the glory days when physicians ruled medicine. To get there, doctors want more money, respect, and autonomy. They'll get none of that because our nation can't afford to give it to them."

Robert Pearl is a plastic surgeon and author of Uncaring: How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors and Patients. He can be reached on Twitter @RobertPearlMD.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Doctors and the 5 stages of grief." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/07/doctors-and-the-5-stages-of-grief.html)

Redefining traditional gender roles and the importance of a growth mindset Aug 15, 2021

Show notes

"Maybe it's a testament to a hardy relationship that there was no resulting argument. Without thinking, I blurted out, 'You are so sexist!' I could immediately tell by my husband's face, his upper eyelids and eyebrows lifted a bit, his mouth freeze-framed in a small 'o' — my exclamation surprised and insulted him. Maybe it was a completely unfair assessment; after all, he was standing at the sink, his hands covered in soap, washing the dinner dishes.

Can you be sexist and clean up after a meal?

Can you be sexist and love your spouse?

Can you be sexist and a female MD?"

Christine J. Ko is a dermatopathologist.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Confession from a female doctor: I am sexist." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/06/confession-from-a-female-doctor-i-am-sexist.html)

A physician's journey to walk again and how she learned self-compassion Aug 14, 2021

Show notes

"Suffering something similar in my career, I know the detrimental impact of not having a voice or being heard in the medical community. Medical professionals do not want to appear weak, so they continue until something breaks.

As a pain physician, I understand where the frontline health care workers are coming from. The intense pain and suffering that they are experiencing. I want to help those that feel this pain before it becomes too much. In my writings, I reveal my own personal journey from burnt out to balanced life in medicine and the advice that helped me. I hope it will help you too.

You are not alone."

Olivia Ong is a pain and rehabilitation medicine physician in Australia.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "The unspoken pandemic in frontline health care workers." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/06/the-unspoken-pandemic-in-frontline-health-care-workers.html)

Let's look at what's right about nursing homes Aug 13, 2021

Show notes

"Extensive media coverage of the emotional and death tolls that COVID-19 inflicted on nursing homes has intensified concern for preserving the humanity of an often-overlooked population. There is an opportunity to re-examine the policies and practices that shape the nursing home experience and to add quality metrics that capture the aspects of life and community that matter most to residents and their families."

Carol Podgorski is an associate professor of psychiatry.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "We need to re-examine quality-of-life metrics in nursing homes." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/06/we-need-to-re-examine-quality-of-life-metrics-in-nursing-homes.html)

Why it is essential to prioritize universal coverage Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

"Looking to other countries that provide universal coverage to see what works and what would fit well for the U.S. is an option. Countries like France, Australia, and England provide universal coverage and rank their health care systems very highly, and are culturally and socioeconomically similar to the U.S.

Whatever health care direction the country moves toward, it is essential to prioritize universal coverage. Otherwise, Americans will eventually end up paying for inefficient, expensive services in the form of higher premiums and taxes, while millions of Americans will remain uninsured, without access to health care or life-saving medications. Many, like my friend and patient, will die.

That is too high a cost to pay."

Payman Sattar is a cardiologist.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Why it is essential to prioritize universal coverage." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/06/why-it-is-essential-to-prioritize-universal-coverage.html)

Unconscious biases against vitamins and supplements Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

"Like many scary health scenarios where patients seek some modicum of influence, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to patient demand for 'immune-boosting' dietary supplements. Toilet paper wasn't the only essential item being limited by stores; bottles of zinc and vitamin C flew off the shelves as consumers stocked up. The role of vitamin D in COVID-19 has been conflated and deflated depending on the study-du-jour. And of the eight 'drugs' in President Trump's top-of-the line treatment, three of them were natural products. The medical professional has, for the most part, dismissed vitamins as nothing more than 'expensive pee.' But as an integrative medicine physician examining the data, I urge my colleagues to take a more thoughtful approach to supplement recommendations and consider whether unconscious biases are influencing how you counsel patients."

Melinda Ring is an integrative medicine physician.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "6 unconscious biases against vitamins and supplements." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/01/6-unconscious-biases-against-vitamins-and-supplements.html)

You have options when it comes to board certification Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

"Remember, board certification is supposed to be an option and not a requirement. Unfortunately, finding and keeping your dream job if you're not board certified will add unwanted stress for you and your family.

And in case you're wondering, I don't work for or have anything to gain from informing you about any other board. I want you to know that you have other valid options for taking your boards, regardless of what you're made to believe during residency.

So at this point, you may be asking yourself, why hasn't an article like this ever been written before?

Well, the answer is quite simple: It's called monopoly."

Emmanuel K. Konstantakos is an orthopedic surgeon. Jeff Morris is chief executive officer, American Board of Physician Specialties.

They share their stories and discuss the KevinMD article, "You have options when it comes to board certification." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/you-have-options-when-it-comes-to-board-certification.html)

Put yourself in the shoes of a nursing home resident Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

"Visit a nursing home and talk with some of the residents. They are not only moms and dads, but also retired teachers, first responders, former athletes, government employees, and soldiers—the basis of our country's past lives within these walls.

Older adults should be honored with the dignity they deserve.

As we again open as a society after this pandemic, make that commitment and visit a nursing home.

Just make sure after you enter, the door doesn't lock behind you."

Gene Uzawa Dorio is an internal medicine physician who blogs at SCV Physician Report.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "The nursing home crucible." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/07/the-nursing-home-crucible.html)

A pediatric infectious disease physician shares his pandemic lessons Aug 08, 2021

Show notes

"COVID-19 has changed nearly every aspect of society as we know it, and doctors in hospitals across America are at the forefront of those changes. As a pediatric infectious diseases doctor who also writes curriculum to help the next generation of doctors prepare for their medical exams, I've seen firsthand how this current pandemic is changing our roles with patients, shifting what families and communities expect from us, and expediting advances in training and information sharing across the field.

While my work at a children's hospital is obviously focused on children and adolescents, the shifts I'm observing and the lessons I've learned impact doctors in all areas of practice who want to provide exceptional care to their communities."

Nicholas Rister is a pediatric infectious disease physician.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "3 lessons I've learned as a doctor during the pandemic." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/04/3-lessons-ive-learned-as-a-doctor-during-the-pandemic.html)

My child wants to be a doctor Aug 07, 2021

Show notes

"As a family physician, guest lecturer at a local medical school, and creator of a pre-med curriculum for young learners, I'm often asked by parents how to support their child who wants to be a doctor.

The most important point to remember is that you don't need to have any science background or be a professional of any sort to support your child. We all want to help our children follow their dreams! Most parents know as little about supporting a budding physician as I do about how to help my son, who wants to dance professionally. That's OK! I do the same thing as you: I look for answers online. And I'm here to give you some ideas. If you know anything about dancing classical ballet professionally, you're welcome to help me in return!

So here is the advice I give parents who want to do their best for their child who wants to be a doctor."

Robin Dickinson is a family physician and creator, Dr. Robin's School.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "My child wants to be a doctor." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/05/my-child-wants-to-be-a-doctor.html)

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