Author's posts
Why always being positive might be the worst thing for physicians to do
During the current COVID-19 pandemic and with staffing shortages, you’ve probably heard the phrase “stay positive.” Perhaps this message comes from well-intended institutional leadership, mentors, colleagues, family members, friends o…
The toxic doctor-insurer relationship
My introduction to health insurance companies was very abrupt and simple. I received my medical training in the U.S. Navy and served three years after that. Then, I was finally discharged. I had treated thousands of patients as a Navy doctor, but I had…
The telehealth problem: full pay, but less value
The regulation allowing full reimbursement for telehealth visits in the setting of the pandemic was a wise and compassionate decision. As more doctors participated, many thousands — likely millions — of sick and susceptible elderly were able to access …
Why I became a doctor: reflections on a calling
The landscape of medical practice has changed dramatically over the many decades I have been in practice. Most of these changes are intensely discouraging and depressing and are negatively affecting the physicians of today. The government, hospitals, n…
Lessons about love from the too-often overlooked among us
“Last question,” the woman from the insurance company said. Good, I thought; I was eager to get back to seeing patients. “How long have you been taking care of Sarah?” “I’m not sure,” I replied, “How old is she?” “She’s 34.” “Then I have been taking ca…
It’s time to revisit the 4 R’s of the doctor-patient relationship
“We have met the enemy in medical education, and he is us!” My paraphrase of the “philosophy of Pogo” is pertinent to today’s crop of graduating medical students. We have inserted them into the most toxic environment for learning medicine, ever. Dr. Mi…
