Category: Pediatrics

A fight this physician didn’t ask for

I have a story to tell. And it’s going to be hard to read. Would you believe me if I told you that the health care industry is not immune to the same gender disparities and discrimination we see all over the news these days? I realize it’s difficult to…

Children surprise their doctors to say thank you

Children surprise their doctors by dressing up just like them to say thank you for the incredible work they do each day. Happy Doctors’ Day, courtesy of Children’s Health.
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A physician’s empathy in urgent care makes a big difference

While winter is traditionally the busiest time of year for pediatricians, this winter has been particularly difficult in the Midwest with not only a larger number of ill visits, but a late and heavy flu epidemic hitting at a point where most of us were…

It’s time to acknowledge the developmental behavioral pediatric workforce

There are roughly 15 percent of the nation’s children who suffer from a developmental-behavioral condition or about 1 in 6 children. Unfortunately, many of those children often do not get the help they need. Children with developmental and behavioral c…

Diagnosing autism: many nations, one world

I pause for a moment and close my eyes — to center myself in this country, where I am today.   I am about to walk through the door and tell the parents what my assessment has shown. I nod to the interpreter waiting behind me and knock firmly befo…

These are the moments that define medical care

Brownian motion was what was seemingly driving Joe (not the real name) as he aimlessly wandered all around the waiting room mumbling to himself. However, there was directed thought since he avoided the chairs and the hanging computer keyboard in the ro…

The win-win solution for patient satisfaction

People are told by big media that doctors will probably hurt you and you will never see it coming.  They are told to stick up for themselves, be an advocate for your child/parent/dependent.  Ask for more tests.  They must be missing something.  Ask for…

Adverse childhood experiences: How changing a child’s environment can help

Some children present to me with complex problems or multiple problems that fail to resolve after the typical interventions. I recall a child with severe abdominal pain. He had tried numerous medicines and had had scopes and studies galore. It had reac…

How to increase your HPV vaccination rates

As chair of general pediatrics for a large medical group, I knew our HPV vaccination rates back in 2016 were low, but didn’t completely understand why. I’m here to share how we figured it out, and how we improved. The first task was to understand the b…

Clear and concise communication is key while delivering bad news

“Guys, are you alright in there?” I ask casually while taking the first bite of my dinner on a 24-hour PICU shift. No answer. “What is going on? Why is she beeping so much? Is her tube blocked?” My voice gets louder. Complete human silence. Except for …