Medical
Infertility: Where uncertainty is the only thing that is certain
Physicians love to feel in control. We thrive in environments where we feel we can predict the outcome. Do well in medical school and on boards—you will get into a residency. Take the statin—it will improve your cholesterol. Do the screening colonoscopy—it will improve your chances of catching cancer early. I think most of us…
Read MorePatient advocacy is more important now than ever [PODCAST]
“In the best of times (and these are certainly not), all patients need advocates all the time; now more than ever, vulnerable patients need them more but don’t have access to them. Vulnerable populations have more at stake when visitors are limited or prohibited. What’s more, vulnerability may be exacerbated due to youth, advanced age,…
Read MorePrimary care pearls from trending CME/CE courses on Pri-Med.com
This article is sponsored by Pri-Med.com. As a clinician during this challenging time, it’s critical to have access to timely, reliable information. Pri-Med, a leading medical education provider, has developed new courses on COVID-19 and other relevant topics each week to meet the educational needs of today’s primary care clinicians. Included in this review are…
Read MoreThe role of physician assitants during the pandemic
As the world battles COVID-19, summer has turned to autumn, and a new chill is in the air. With this change, even in a pandemic, comes the flu season. As a physician assistant (PA), one concern for my patients’ health is the possibility that many will forgo routine health checks or other preventative care because…
Read MoreUphold your Hippocratic Oath by advocating for action on climate change
Dear Class of 2024, You are embarking on a career in medicine during one of the most pivotal times in our nation’s history. Each of you has an intimate experience with COVID-19, whether through first-hand contact with the disease or through the efforts to minimize its spread. And over the course of the next four…
Read MoreHow to cope when a loved one is depressed, suicidal, or manic
If you aren’t sure how to cope when a loved one is depressed, suicidal, or manic, it may be time to learn. The number of people reporting depression symptoms shot up when the pandemic began, with a recent study suggesting depression tripled among Americans this past spring. The greater burden fell on people with fewer…
Read MoreRapid changes to AOA inclusion are inequitable
The social unrest that has erupted in the wake of the George Floyd murder has prompted many U.S. professional organizations, including those dedicated to medical education, to make changes to advance racial and socioeconomic equity. Right now, a fierce debate rages among medical students over how the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (AOA) nominates…
Read MoreOne physician’s journey from burnout to bliss reveals the creative muse in all of us
An excerpt from Right Brain Rescue: One physician’s journey from burnout to bliss reveals the creative muse in all of us. I was about to perform reconstructive surgery, to change someone’s life forever. My hands were posed above the body, and my knees felt wobbly. I inhaled briskly, and the scent of the sharp, sterile…
Read MoreIt’s so important for medical students to share their stories [PODCAST]
“As a medical student, you find potential patients everywhere. Whether you’re on an airplane or on a romantic dinner date, we’ve all heard those famous words, ‘Is there a doctor in the house?!’ Here are some of my favorite ‘patient’ encounters. The best friend curbside. I was playing ball with my boys – that’s right…
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