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…
Category: KevinMD
The allure of complementary and alternative medicine
“Complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) is a category that includes all the methods of physical or mental healing that do not fall under the umbrella of western medicine. Examples include comprehensive healing traditions from other cultures, suc…
The allure of complementary and alternative medicine
“Complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) is a category that includes all the methods of physical or mental healing that do not fall under the umbrella of western medicine. Examples include comprehensive healing traditions from other cultures, suc…
Don’t ask caregivers to be data entry clerks for the Joint Commission
I received an email from our hospital accreditation coordinator/quality coordinator in a manner that wasn’t clear if it was directed to me personally or if it was sent to the entire medical staff. It said that she was reviewing the Joint Commission…
How climate change affects your skin
Global climate change is reaching a critical mass. Since the advent of the industrial revolution, we have seen the global mean temperatures increase by 1°C (1.8°F), and significant steps must be taken by 2030 to mitigate an even larger global temperatu…
5 confessions of a medical student
I’ve finally stopped thinking about the process of getting into medical school. But with friends going through the application cycle, waiting on and making decisions, I’ve been reflecting on my process and remembering just how terrible the whole thing …
The quest to cure medical professionals’ student loan debt
It’s no secret that society has encountered a student loan crisis. Politicians from both sides of the aisle share similar concerns but promote widely disparate solutions. With over $1.5 trillion of student debt outstanding and default rates skyro…
Physician compensation is on the chopping block
Being a physician has served me well. It has given me purpose and identity throughout my career. It has also provided me with a stable income. I knew, however, from the beginning that things were changing. From the earliest days of practice, I pursued …
Why patients should read their medical notes
For centuries, doctors felt that their notes were their property, and none of the patients’ business. This attitude slowly shifted, and the Health Insurance Portability and Availability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 put into law the fact that patients must be al…
A physician volunteers with migrants. Here’s what she saw.
“At least seven children are known to have died in immigration custody since last year,” according to a NBC News report last month. I recently spent a Saturday working with amnesty-seekers that had been detained at California detention centers in the d…
