Category: Pediatrics

Doctors’ emotional struggles in the medical field

Most humans, especially doctors, are completely disconnected from their bodies. This conditioning starts in childhood, escalates through teenage years, and peaks in residency where we are trained to completely detach from our body. Our emotions are hel…

The search for a caring physician

I much prefer to be called “doctor,” to be on the side listening and examining, and hopefully to help find a solution. Finding myself on the converse side; trying to explain my perspective and trying to find an explanation and solution to m…

From immigrant to pediatrician: a midlife transformation

I was born in Tehran, Iran. I immigrated to the U.S., specifically Houston, Texas, at the age of 10. I completed my undergraduate degree, medical school, and pediatric training, all in Texas. I consider myself a Houstonian. I am a board-certified pedia…

Reevaluating beliefs: the role of real doctors

Real doctors see patients. For years, I have held this thought as a truth. But it’s not a fact; it’s a belief, and it is no longer serving me. I’ve been questioning this belief for a while, but this weekend at the American Academy of …

Conquering fear: Embracing possibilities beyond the horizon

When you think about a beach vacation, what comes to mind? What do you picture? Fish, seaweed, sharks, sea foam, water bugs, or clear sunny skies? The sound of surfing waves, the feeling of soft sand, or the desire for a perfect tan? My daughter posses…

Understanding childhood mental health [PODCAST]

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join child psychiatrist Shivana Naidoo as she explores the delicate world of mental health in children and young adults. Delve into her unique perspective on how mental illness can be part …

Why aren’t more pediatricians leaning into rural health?

Rural health for children is in trouble. Don’t take my word for it, just ask the CDC. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has just offered further evidence that American children — and rural children in particular — are in…

Shifting social norms and their impact on emerging adulthood [PODCAST]

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! We sit down with Eleanor Menzin, a pediatrician, to explore the changing landscape of young adulthood. Join us as we delve into the shifting social norms, technology’s impact on paren…

Coping with haunting memories of a patient’s loss

“That patient still haunts me,” I heard one of the PICU fellows murmur as he walked out of the auditorium. I wondered if I should have taken comfort after hearing that I was not the only one still struggling with this patient’s death….

The art of pediatrics: Connecting through observation

On my first day of inpatient rounds during intern year, I was taken aback when the attending stated, “Let’s stop outside the room and just spend a few moments watching the child and mom.” I started my residency on my community rotatio…