Category: KevinMD

When treating kids, learn communication lessons from the emergency department

There are limited studies regarding pediatric malpractice claims, especially for the emergency department (ED). A recent study of malpractice claims involving children highlights the role of communication and systems issues. This 10-year study is impor…

What can be done to improve our maternal death rate?

Why does the most expensive health care system on the planet do such a poor job protecting the lives of pregnant women? More important, what can be done about it? The United States continues to lead the world in health care spending yet it has the high…

In medicine, use a strong lede

In journalism, the lede is the first part of a news story. A good lede will entice the reader to read more. It contains the key points and gives the general idea of the article. Ledes are also crucial in the field of medicine. As a graduate student in …

Physicians explain Sia’s chronic pain

Australian singer/songwriter Sia (born Sia Kate Isobelle Furler), 43, is known for wearing elaborate wigs and headpieces that hide her face. However, the “Chandelier” singer is not hiding the fact that she was recently diagnosed with the co…

How to make the most out of your doctor’s visit

For most of us, going to the doctor is not at the top of our favorite things-to-do list, but it may be one of the most important. Whether the visit is for a scheduled check-up or to deal with a new problem, there are ways you can make the visit less st…

Get rid of the guilt. You matter as a physician.

“When you start seeing your worth, you will find it harder to stay around people who don’t.” – Unknown After graduating from my residency a few years ago, I accepted a job within my organization as a staff psychiatrist and a medical director. The…

Get rid of the guilt. You matter as a physician.

“When you start seeing your worth, you will find it harder to stay around people who don’t.” – Unknown After graduating from my residency a few years ago, I accepted a job within my organization as a staff psychiatrist and a medical director. The…

Primary care should be one of the highest-paid specialties

Working in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, I have to frequently recommend my patients follow-up as soon as possible with their primary care doctors. I work in a couple of different locations, urban and rural, and I must say I have noticed a …

Primary care should be one of the highest-paid specialties

Working in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, I have to frequently recommend my patients follow-up as soon as possible with their primary care doctors. I work in a couple of different locations, urban and rural, and I must say I have noticed a …

Hospital immobility is an encapsulation of our system’s fundamental flaws

Is your patient having trouble breathing? I can ask respiratory to give him a nebulizer. I’m looking at his chest X-ray now — why don’t we bump up that Lasix, too? I wish the ER would have grabbed an ultrasound of that swollen leg. Does he …