The residency interview trail quickly becomes a lonesome journey, so when I was on it this winter, I’d usually have the hotel room television turned on for some background noise and often find myself watching ESPN’s SportsCenter. On my last interview i…
Category: KevinMD
What to do with physicians who don’t explain
How doctors treat patients’ need for information has changed significantly over the past decades. Sixty years ago medical practice was much more paternalistic than it is now, although some would say it continues to be so in important ways. Still, not t…
Physicians and the employee conundrum
I used to loathe being an employee. I felt like I was always a slave to the whims of my employer. Exposed. So it was with great excitement that I started a business of my own. Yet, it took only a short period of time to realize that being your own boss…
Physicians and the employee conundrum
I used to loathe being an employee. I felt like I was always a slave to the whims of my employer. Exposed. So it was with great excitement that I started a business of my own. Yet, it took only a short period of time to realize that being your own boss…
The consequences of being treated by a master herbalist
In August 2014, a 13-year-old boy with Type 1 diabetes died after being treated by self-described “master herbalist” Tim Morrow who was tried for child abuse resulting in death and practicing medicine without a license. He had told the boy’s mother to …
Why this physician will no longer see nursing home patients
Our practice will no longer see nursing home patients in our office. If a nursing home patient is already established with us, then we will see him; but, we have decided not to accept new patients. Of course, we believe that these individuals — l…
A diagnosis of pneumonia in a rehab facility: We can do better
I’ve known Pat McCann (identifying information changed) for many years. He carries a diagnosis of COPD and has a preventative and a rescue inhaler, but he has never really had any serious flare-ups. He fell and broke his hip. Then he went to skilled re…
10 tips for success after you finish residency
If you’re done with your residency or fellowship, you’ve paid your dues. And I am excited for you. Life is about to get better. A lot better. If you read my prior article about going unmatched, you know that things have not always gone smoothly for me….
Physicians: Do not be intimidated by administrators
A piece of advice I would give to any younger physician, especially one who is just graduating residency, would be to expect a whirlwind ride into the realities of frontline medical practice. It’s something that you are totally not prepared for in the …
Pulmonary embolism: the killer clot in your veins
We had just exchanged “I love yous” about 15 minutes before the intercom blared: “Code blue.” Just like that, my sister was gone — all from what seemed like a simple knee surgery. Simple in the fact that the type of surgery my s…
