Medical
It’s time to return civility to medical discourse
I was scrolling through Facebook when it popped up. “Live! America’s Frontline Doctors address COVID-19.” A group of physicians in white coats stood before the Supreme Court, speaking into a microphone. As I stopped to watch, I was surprised to see several familiar faces—physicians I had interacted with on various social media physician groups. I…
Read MoreWhy the pandemic is the perfect opportunity to introduce meditation to children
As the globe continues to surf the wave of this unpredictable global pandemic in a time of technological advancement, one question seems to come up often during pediatric outpatient visits: Will the kids be OK? One thing is for certain: all this uncertainty and stress will surely impact the next generation. Experts across the globe…
Read MoreA letter to my first patient
It was only my first week in the hospital as a third-year medical student when we met. I entered your room early Tuesday morning. Only knowing your chief concern, I knocked on your door and entered the room. You didn’t complain when I awakened you. You didn’t complain when I asked many questions about a…
Read MoreA post-COVID medical world
As we navigate everyday life in the midst of battling COVID-19, our thoughts naturally migrate to what medicine might look like post viral pandemic. As the new norms of social distancing, virtual meetings, and little to no human contact continue, we cannot help but wonder will these new social norms become permanent behavior patterns? And…
Read MoreMaking a career change for better work-life balance [PODCAST]
“Is it possible to have it all? Can you have a job that you love, helping people and using your brain and hands all at the same time; plus, a family, with a spouse and children, that you are always there for? Is it possible to have a balance between your work and your family…
Read MoreA sober emergency physician returns to work, just in time to face the COVID-19 pandemic
An excerpt from Ballad of a Sober Man: An ER Doctor’s Journey of Recovery. As if I needed more reminders of my imperfections, I had Maggie and the Kidney Stone Lady, forever. Little Maggie, the cute five-year-old from early in my career who came in with her croupy cough and low-grade fever. She responded so…
Read MoreA physician on the importance of taking pause
“I’m one of the doctors taking care of your dad.” As a resident, I made this call countless times. Even more than breaking bad news to patients, I feared surprising their families at night by telephone. Nearly always, though, people were calm and certain despite the circumstances, and their response was always the same: “Do…
Read MoreHow COVID-19 worsens digital eye strain
While retailers have been struggling with business after lockdown, optometrists have noticed something rather unexpected. COVID-19, it seems, has caused the number of people getting eye tests to skyrocket. Pre-COVID, most people came simply because they were due. Now, the majority of people have problems, and many are seeing an optometrist for the first time.…
Read MoreHow to help your child get the sleep they need
This year, back-to-school plans are still a work in progress, and some (perhaps many) children will be learning from home because of the pandemic. As tempting as it might be to let the summer sleep schedules stay in place, it’s important that children have a regular routine — and that they are sleeping during the…
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