Medical
Medical aid in dying is not assisted suicide
In the KevinMD article, “Assisted suicide: a change of heart,” the author contends that there is salvation in suffering, but not everyone believes that is true. While I support the author’s ability to decide how she wants to die, her personal beliefs should dictate how I die. I retired as an internist a few years…
Read MoreMedical school in the age of Zoom
What has medical school been like in the age of Zoom? Before I was a student doctor, I was an undergraduate student pining after the halls of medicine and the truthfully looking forwards to the rigors of medical school. Upon acceptance to medical school at the University of California, San Diego, I celebrated via Zoom…
Read MoreThe vulnerability of abortion access and training
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed how vulnerable access to abortion care is in the U.S. health care system. Abortion is one of the most time-sensitive, potentially life-altering procedures an individual can undergo, however, lawmakers since March have explained it away as an elective and non-essential procedure. Bans and restrictions were instituted in 12 states in…
Read MoreIt’s time to change the way we approach the mental health care of physicians
I recently published an essay on physician suicide: “Doctors are killing themselves, and who is taking notice?” My intent was to bring awareness to this issue and honor a fallen colleague. I want to continue the discussion. I realized that year after year, I fill out the medical licensure recertification without much thought. I live…
Read MoreThis physician is tired, and he’s not alone
I have a lot of energy. I have been going and going and going for so long. And today, it hit me. I’m tired. I began this pursuit of medicine in 1983 when I decided to be a zoology major. I worked and went to medical school. And I went to medical school and worked.…
Read MoreWhat it’s like to write about COVID-19 while it’s killing your mom [PODCAST]
“My mom was beyond vulnerable to the virus. May of 2020 marked two years since she’d become a nursing home resident—receiving care for several chronic illnesses. She died of failure to thrive due to Coronavirus 2019 on June 1, 2020, at the age of 75. As her oldest child, her health care proxy, and a…
Read MoreWe are suffering from an epidemic of anger
The nation’s racial upheaval, particularly vis a vis law enforcement, has shown us the value of the skill of de-escalation. A situation arises, and several outcomes are possible, although some are clearly preferred. The specific technique and approach utilized may determine the end result. A range of options is often available. What can make these…
Read MoreReflections on caregiving from a nursing school dropout
My first—and last—clinical rotation was at a newly built nursing home attached to a community hospital near school. I didn’t have a car on campus, and hitched rides from classmates who were typically commuters with night jobs. They were a tougher, more sophisticated breed of young women than I was used to in my hometown.…
Read MoreThe importance of rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients
COVID-19, first diagnosed in China in December 2019, has since spread across the world and affected over 37 million individuals. While most people infected with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate illness and recovery without the need for hospitalization or medical intervention, some require intensive care for weeks to months. Despite an estimated 28 million individuals…
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