The Podcast by KevinMD

Latest Episodes:

How this physician escaped the system May 08, 2021

Show notes

"If you are happy with where you are in the current system – that is wonderful, continue what you are doing. However, if you are feeling trapped, frustrated, or like the work you are doing is no longer meaningful, then there are plenty of opportunities for you to get out of the system. Start looking at your options – start learning about them and looking for opportunities now. Whether you end up deciding on an alternative clinical career, a nonclinical career within medicine, or a career outside of medicine altogether – you have the skills you need to succeed as long as you are persistent. There are options if you want to stay employed and opportunities to start your own business. The critical thinking skills, listening skills, and drive to succeed that you need to survive training to become a physician can help you create a career that will support you and your family and allow you to live a fulfilling life. The first step is to start."

Nithya Natrajan is a family physician and can be reached at Blossoming Mamas.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "How this physician escaped the system." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/02/how-this-physician-escaped-the-system.html)

Responding to the COVID pandemic: a lesson in coalescence May 07, 2021

Show notes

"When faced with an existential crisis, any organization, as large as a nation or as small as a marriage, will go one of two ways. Either it will bond together, coalesced in a common purpose, or it will collapse in a spasm of blame and shame. While our health care institutions displayed the inestimable value of coalescence, our political leaders demonstrated the catastrophic impact of divisiveness. And our national statistics confirm the result. More than a half million deaths to date from a preventable pandemic.

Is there any hope for our nation? Can we learn an important lesson from the health care industry? Can we find the will to coalesce as health professionals have done? I believe we can. We have done so many times in our history, and the current administration is already displaying a penchant for facing the truth, learning from science, and promoting the collaboration needed to overcome our common foe. Coalescence. Let's support our leaders in this welcome change."

Nate Link is chief medical officer, Bellevue Hospital, New York City, NY, and author of The Ailing Nation: Lessons from the Bedside for America's Leaders.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Responding to the COVID pandemic: a lesson in coalescence." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/02/responding-to-the-covid-pandemic-a-lesson-in-coalescence.html)

Gender disparities in medicine: How popular literature mirrors society May 06, 2021

Show notes

"Coffee in hand, I decided to try and collect my thoughts. I realized that a large portion of the literature we grew up reading has in many ways tried to implant this subconscious bias that contributes to gender disparities and these ideas about women that have continued to ruminate throughout parts of society to this day. Literature in and of itself is a reflection of the times in which it is and was written. Sadly, examples of stark contrasts in comportment, demeanor, and overall health and well-being amongst men and women are nowadays ever-present and are all around us.

It is of paramount importance that we as physicians now take a step back and analyze how subconscious bias affects us in all aspects of medicine."

Theodore Klug is a clinical research fellow.

He shares his story and discusses the KevinMD article, "Gender disparities in medicine: How popular literature mirrors 2020 society." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/02/gender-disparities-in-medicine-how-popular-literature-mirrors-2020-society.html)

How reviewing medical malpractice claims made me a better gastroenterologist May 05, 2021

Show notes

"When a patient is dissatisfied with his or her care, he or she can consult an attorney, who will enlist a physician 'expert' to determine if a doctor has deviated from the standard of care and whether that deviation caused a negative outcome. Over the past decade of reviewing cases involving medical malpractice, I have identified five categories of medical error, which has improved how I care for my patients."

Scott Choi is a gastroenterologist.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "How reviewing medical malpractice claims made me a better gastroenterologist." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/04/how-reviewing-medical-malpractice-claims-made-me-a-better-gastroenterologist.html)

Rest in peace, primary care May 04, 2021

Show notes

"The corporatization of medicine has destroyed primary care as a specialty. The primary care physician is supposed to be your go-to doctor, your advocate, the coordinator of your health care. Now that corporations buy out hospitals and private practices in an almost predatory fashion, the priority is turning a profit for the corporation at the expense of not only patient health but also the health and well-being of the primary care physician. Who do you think bears the brunt of patient frustration and public misconception? The PCP."

Alexis Gopal is an internal medicine physician and can be reached at Vitality Medicine of New York.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Rest in peace, primary care." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/01/rest-in-peace-primary-care.html)

End-of-life conversations: Embrace the responsibility May 03, 2021

Show notes

"For physicians who lack experience in end-of-life counseling, the process can be daunting at the beginning. However, they can be confident that once they have obtained the proper training, preparation, and experience, these conversations will be among the most fulfilling of their careers. By regarding end-of-life planning as a shared responsibility, physicians can become more well-rounded professionally and help patients conquer their most profound fears.

It's time to start the conversation."

Caroline DeFilippo is an internal medicine physician.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "End-of-life conversations: Why physicians should embrace the responsibility." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/end-of-life-conversations-why-physicians-should-embrace-the-responsibility.html)

Falling in love during a pandemic: a medical scribe's story May 02, 2021

Show notes

"Nowadays, I go on long walks through the city alone. I make dinner for one. When I go on bike rides, it's a solo activity. I find comfort in myself, slowing down and making every small occasion a simple, peaceful one. I have a stronger sense of self, and through that, I have rekindled the fire that I felt during my first years of being in medicine. When I return home from the hospital, I don't dive into the distraction of another person. Now, I write daily journal entries that help get my heart on a page, where I can set it aside and leave it be for some time before revisiting it. I put music on in my apartment, and dance and dance and dance. My new self-soothing methods aren't perfect (none are), but at least they are now focused on nurturing and strengthening myself. No distractions, just facing my feelings head-on. It's an art I am starting to get the hang of."

Fae Kayarian is a medical scribe.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Falling in love during a pandemic: a lesson in self-soothing." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/01/falling-in-love-during-a-pandemic-a-lesson-in-self-soothing.html)

An acupuncturist's take on the doctor-patient relationship May 01, 2021

Show notes

"Every professional I have done the exercise with admitted that their ideal patient was inspired by someone they were close to in their personal life. It was usually a family member, a best friend, or themselves. The ones who carry the most unbearable sufferings-the kind that reminds us of ourselves and our loved ones most likely would become our "ideal patients." After all, our compassion for others' aches comes from understanding our own pain. We heal to be healed. Healing's mutualism continues to amaze me every day. It's a gesture of kindness and love that elevates both the giver and the receiver."

Tedi Zeng is an acupuncturist.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Who is the ideal patient?" (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/01/who-is-the-ideal-patient.html)

What role does the science of complexity play in medicine? Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

"The science of complexity lays a conceptual foundation for understanding "complex adaptive systems." What all complex adaptive systems have in common is that they are all bound by the same set of physical laws. Their "behavior," i.e., growth, maintenance, and death, can all be described using the same set of mathematical relationships. These systems (animals, plants, ecosystems, etc.) are the most productive and functionally effective systems known to man.

Unfortunately, our health care system has not been bound by the same physical laws and mathematical relationships as other complex adaptive systems. Thus, it has not been able to implement the same mechanisms that our ecosystems and cells have in order to obtain optimization in their ability to perform a function. This is most blatantly highlighted by the fact that 100,000 to 400,000 (depending on the source) Americans die each year due to medical errors."

Robert Trent is a graduate student.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "What role does the science of complexity play in medicine?" (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2019/08/what-role-does-the-science-of-complexity-play-in-medicine.html)

What medical professionals can do to take climate action Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

"As health professionals, we have the platform to enact change within our own institutions, as well as local and federal governments. We must elect leaders and officials who spearhead climate action. We must reduce the carbon footprint of healthcare. And we must educate our colleagues and our patients about the impact of climate change on health.

We need every single one of us to take action. Our patients' health depends on it."

Sarah Hsu is a medical student. She shares her story and discusses the KevinMD article, "5 things medical professionals can do to take climate action." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/10/5-things-medical-professionals-can-do-to-take-climate-action.html)

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