I am a first-year medical student in South Korea. I wrote this essay to share what it feels like to enter a system that demands so much and still receives so little understanding in return. I haven’t even worn a white coat yet, but I already feel…
Category: KevinMD
Measles is back: Why vaccination is more vital than ever
As an infectious disease fellow years ago, I was called to the hospital in the middle of the night for a possible case of measles. I reviewed the clinical basics, as I was not quite sure what to expect, not previously having seen a case of measles. The…
When errors of nature are treated as medical negligence
Risk management has been around for centuries. In ancient times, there were oracles and soothsayers. In the 1950s, risk management became a science. Nevertheless, 75 years later, a medical malpractice lawsuit is still a problem. An unknown number of cl…
Physician job change: Navigating your 457 plan and avoiding tax traps [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Shane Tenny discusses his article, “Navigating your 457 plan: key steps for physicians changing jobs.” He provides crucial advice for physicians, particularly …
The hidden chains holding doctors back
If you have been to the circus and toured the tent where the elephants rest and are fed, you will see that large, two-to-three-ton elephants are tethered to a small wooden stake with a small chain around the ankle of one of their hind legs. This tiny w…
Hope is the lifeline: a deeper look into transplant care
A few months after meeting her during rounds at a dialysis center, an elderly woman gripped my hand and quietly asked, “Do you think I’ll make it in time?” Her voice trembled. She had been silent for weeks, worn down by dialysis and o…
Why medical students are trading empathy for publications
In the race to get into competitive medical residency training, today’s medical students are chasing something that may surprise you: scientific abstracts, posters, workshops, and research papers. Lots of them. Not necessarily new ideas or meanin…
From hospital bed to harsh truths: a writer’s unexpected journey
It’s 4:30 in the morning. I can see the small clock across the room. I lie in a hospital bed. The woman who approaches, the nurse, I know a bit. She greets me with, “I need to take your vitals.” I know there is more to her message, bu…
Reclaiming trust in online health advice [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Urologist Diana Londoño discusses her article, “From healers to influencers: How fear took over health care advice.” Diana addresses the concerning trend of ph…
The business lesson new doctors must unlearn
When graduating residents and fellows begin their careers as attending doctors, there is a wealth of financial advice out there. Grow into your salary slowly. Don’t buy a house right away. Get disability insurance. Plan ahead for the tax bomb tha…
