News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
How endometriosis affects fertility and what you can do [PODCAST]
Fertility specialist Oluyemisi Famuyiwa discusses her article, "Endometriosis and fertility: What every woman should know." She explores how endometriosis, an inflammatory condition affecting 10 percent of reproductive-age women, disrupts fertility through pelvic adhesions, ovarian damage, and chronic inflammation. Yemi breaks down treatment strategies, from laparoscopic surgery and hormonal therapy to assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. She also highlights the role of dietary and lifestyle changes in reducing inflammation and improving reproductive outcomes. Tune in to learn about cutting-edge fertility treatments, diagnostic advancements, and personalized approaches to overcoming endometriosis-related infertility.
Starting a pediatric critical care transport program from scratch [PODCAST]
Pediatric critical care physician Kyle Willsey discusses his article, "When every second counts: the evolving challenges of pediatric transport." He shares the high-stakes realities of transporting critically ill children, from his experience stabilizing a severely injured toddler during fellowship to his current role in building a pediatric transport team from the ground up. Kyle highlights the lack of standardization in pediatric transport medicine, the financial barriers to maintaining specialized teams, and the need for high-fidelity simulation training. He also explores how shrinking pediatric inpatient resources make efficient transport systems more essential than ever. Tune in for a deep dive into the evolving challenges of pediatric transport and what it takes to save lives when every second counts.
The unspoken weight of words: reflections on a Vietnamese patient’s final choices
A Vietnamese patient with advanced cancer struggles with language barriers, cultural expectations, and systemic obstacles while making impossible choices about his care, ultimately prioritizing his daughter’s well-being over his own treatment.
Through the lens of COVID: a radiologic technologist’s story
A radiologic technologist reflects on the emotional, physical, and systemic challenges of working during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the toll on health care workers, the failures of the health care system, and the urgent need for reform.
Data accuracy failures in health care [PODCAST]
Internist and psychiatrist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article, "How data accuracy failures are costing lives and money in health care." He explores the consequences of inaccurate data in health care, from billing errors and wrongful prosecutions to the broader impact on medical decision-making and patient care. Muhamad highlights real-world cases, including his own legal battle over Medicare claims and the flawed prosecution of an interventional cardiologist, to illustrate how poor data fidelity can lead to catastrophic errors. He also explains how artificial intelligence may amplify these risks if data integrity issues remain unresolved. Tune in for insights into the urgent need for accurate, reliable health care data and solutions to improve data quality in medicine.
10 ways health care might be killing you (and what you can do about it)
Despite its healing intentions, the health care system often causes harm due to communication failures, financial barriers, bias, burnout, and systemic inequities, but proactive reforms and personal advocacy can help protect patients and improve outcomes.
How hospitals are quietly taking control of physicians
Physicians, despite being the primary drivers of health care revenue, are increasingly controlled by hospital executives through bureaucratic systems, financial incentives, and strategic disempowerment, eroding their autonomy and patient relationships in favor of administrative priorities.
The unexpected truth behind these misdiagnosed medical cases
Two patients initially misdiagnosed in a primary care setting revealed unexpected conditions—one presenting with yellow nodules mistakenly linked to hyperlipidemia but actually caused by gout, and another suffering from ketoacidosis due to alcoholism rather than diabetes—highlighting the complexity and surprises of medical diagnosis.
Why it's OK to feel conflicted about motherhood [PODCAST]
Psychotherapist and author Margo Lowy discusses her article, "Maternal ambivalence: the side of motherhood no one talks about." She explores the often unspoken emotional complexities of motherhood, where love and frustration coexist. Margo delves into the concept of maternal ambivalence, a term that acknowledges the full spectrum of emotions mothers experience, including joy, guilt, resentment, and even fleeting moments of hatred. She explains how naming and accepting these emotions can foster resilience and deepen maternal wisdom. Tune in to learn why normalizing these feelings is essential and how embracing maternal ambivalence can lead to greater self-awareness and fulfillment in parenting.
From burnout to balance: 5 stages of career transformation
Recognizing burnout and career dissatisfaction, physicians can transition to fulfilling work through five stages of change: acknowledging exhaustion, realizing the need for change, exploring alternatives, gathering resources, and taking action.
Why hand washing isn't enough to stop infections in hospitals [PODCAST]
Emergency physician W. Frank Peacock discusses his article, "What if a doctor didn't wash their hands between patients?" He explores the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing hospital-acquired infections while exposing a major gap in infection control: unwashed stethoscopes. Frank highlights how stethoscopes, often overlooked in sanitation protocols, can transfer pathogens between patients, rendering rigorous hand hygiene efforts ineffective. He critiques disposable stethoscopes for their poor acoustic quality and high misdiagnosis rates, advocating instead for single-use disposable barriers that create a touch-free, aseptic environment. Tune in to discover why standard cleaning methods fail and how innovative solutions could revolutionize medical hygiene.
How price transparency fails patients and what insurers must reveal next
Requiring health care price transparency has led to mandated hospital and insurer price disclosures, but without clear and practical tools for consumers, the system remains convoluted, necessitating further quality reporting from insurers to ensure fair access and oversight.
How diversity transforms health care and patient outcomes [PODCAST]
Family physician Pamela Buchanan discusses her article, "Why diversity in medicine saves lives." Pamela shares powerful stories from her career, like adjusting a biracial child's treatment for a scalp infection and saving a Black woman with sickle cell disease from misdiagnosis, to illustrate how diversity enhances patient care. She addresses systemic biases—such as the undertreatment of Black women's pain and misdiagnosis of women's heart attack symptoms—and backs her insights with research showing better outcomes with diverse physicians. Pamela urges health care professionals to embrace cultural competence and collaboration, offering a clear takeaway: Diverse perspectives in medicine are essential for reducing disparities and saving lives.
C. Everett Koop’s fearless fight against the tobacco industry
In his first major press conference as U.S. surgeon general, C. Everett Koop boldly confronted Big Tobacco, reshaping the government’s stance on smoking, challenging industry narratives, and cementing his authority as a public health advocate.
The emergency department crisis: Why patient boarding is dangerous
Emergency department boarding is a nationwide crisis caused by staff shortages, lack of inpatient beds, delayed transfers, and systemic inefficiencies, leading to overcrowding, increased patient risk, and worsening conditions for both patients and medical professionals.
How to hold ambulance chasers and hired guns accountable for frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits at little to no cost
Doctors can hold attorneys and expert witnesses accountable for malicious and frivolous malpractice lawsuits by utilizing ethical review boards and peer review commissions at little to no cost.
Rebuilding after disaster: lessons in community resilience [PODCAST]
Pediatrician Derek W. Moss discusses his article, "How natural disasters reveal resilience and the power of community." Derek reflects on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which flooded his Hendersonville Pediatrics practice and devastated his North Carolina community, drawing parallels to the Los Angeles fires. He shares the emotional toll of loss—homes, businesses, and routines—and the challenges of rebuilding without immediate insurance support. Derek highlights the inspiring resilience of community members, from heroic first responders to neighbors offering space and supplies, emphasizing actionable lessons: lean on local networks, adapt to setbacks, and embrace collective strength to recover.
Physicians are feeling betrayed. How do we protect our peace when health care is under siege?
Physicians facing deep frustration and exhaustion amid political and public health upheaval must protect their well-being, set firm boundaries, and respond with intentional, strategic action to preserve their ability to care for others.
Mastering the language of medicine [PODCAST]
Pediatric neurologist Paige Kalika discusses her article, "Learning the language of medicine: from student to fluent physician." Paige compares mastering medicine to learning a language, from grasping basic vocabulary like anatomy to becoming conversational during clinical rotations and fluent in residency. She highlights the challenge of translating complex medical jargon into plain English for patients, emphasizing that true fluency lies in effective communication. Paige offers actionable takeaways, urging aspiring physicians to immerse themselves in specialties and refine their ability to connect with patients clearly and compassionately.
Adapting to survive: lessons from Blockbuster for primary care
Traditional primary care must embrace innovations like advanced practice provider-led clinics, AI-driven health care, and direct-pay models to avoid becoming obsolete, much like Blockbuster’s failure to adapt to digital streaming led to its downfall.
The silent grief of vanishing twin syndrome: Why words matter in health care
Vanishing twin syndrome (VTS) is often overlooked in patient care, with many individuals receiving inadequate communication and support from health care providers, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines, standardized resources, and compassionate discussions to improve patient experiences.