Category: Nephrology

The need for on-demand access to medical technologies when treating COVID-19 patients

It’s well known that New York City was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring, having been the epicenter of U.S. cases for several weeks. As I write this, more than 245,000 of my fellow New Yorkers have been stricken, and an estimated one in t…

Is there life after medicine?

My group of nephrologists is trying to convince our 75-year-old colleague to retire from full-time clinical practice.  I think he truly believes that the day he retires, his essence, soul, chi — whatever you want to call it — will be forcib…

A 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 cer…

Dissecting systemic racism in health care

A couple of months ago, I had a lecture on the “Principles of Epidemiology and Public Health.” I remember looking at the graphs taken from the American Heart Association and noting that the incidence of developing coronary heart disease or …

From the COVID-19 front lines: the present and future impact on nephrology

In anticipation of the strain on resources and staff in New York City, part of the battling strategy included deployment calling for providers from all areas to directly devote their efforts in the care of COVID-19 patients.  Despite being relieved tem…

MKSAP: 26-year-old man with back pain

Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians. A 26-year-old man is evaluated during a follow-up visit after presenting to an urgent care clinic for back pain 1 week ago. Laboratory studie…

A case for nephrology

In recent times, physician burnout has rightfully surfaced as a social concern for the medical fraternity. Physician burnout is a thing, and lately, I was thinking about it related to nephrology. Many national physician organizations and local hospital…

MKSAP: 45-year-old man with anorexia, dizziness, and weakness

Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians. A 45-year-old man is evaluated for anorexia, dizziness, and weakness. He was discharged from the hospital 5 days ago after transsphenoidal pi…

MKSAP: 38-year-old woman with primary membranous glomerulopathy

Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians. A 38-year-old woman is evaluated during a follow-up visit for primary membranous glomerulopathy. Diagnosis was made by kidney biopsy 4 months…

The dangerous medical liaison

She placed the stack neatly aside with all forms diligently signed and dated. The inbox was cleared. Being finally rested, her tasks of staying on top of duties and focusing on executions became briefly easier. A few patient callbacks, an eight-page di…