Category: KevinMD

Trust me, I’m an expert: the pandemic parade of pompous professionals

In a world where experts are our go-to for solving everything, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how fallible these specialists can be. Despite impressive titles and years of experience, many experts were just as clueless as the rest of us, often with…

Ways to overcome the grief of disillusionment about medicine

As a physician who cares about patients’ health and well-being, you have likely experienced the grief of disillusionment. You spent years in college, medical school, and residency, imagining the kind of health care you’d provide. It would b…

Care teaming: a new paradigm for anesthesia care teams and beyond

When one envisions a team, sports teams likely come to mind. Musical groups represent another common example, as both musical groups and sports teams consist of bounded and static collections of individuals working toward a common goal. These individua…

The legal trap every doctor needs to know before signing a contract

Are hospitals crazy? I suspect many physicians would answer “yes” to that question without much contemplation. I have always assumed that, although hospitals are profit-driven and therefore likely to have very different priorities than phys…

A patient gave me the best gift of my life

I’m at a loss for words—how can someone give something so beautiful to a complete stranger who is nothing more than a doctor? I first met him a year ago when he was referred to us by the neurosurgery department following his brain tumor surgery. …

Doctors, stop chasing wealth: How to find true happiness beyond the paycheck [PODCAST]

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! We sit down with W. Ben Utley, a certified financial planner specializing in helping physicians navigate the unique financial challenges of their careers. We explore how d…

Planting the seeds of a work ethic

I was in eighth grade when I boarded a plane alone for a flight from Atlanta to Philadelphia. The airport was a confusing but magical place. This was before the tragedy of 9/11, and by today’s standards, we got out of our cars and almost waltzed …

The role of epigenetics in fertility: Can lifestyle choices affect future generations?

Epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of how lifestyle factors—such as diet, stress, exercise, and environmental exposures—affect fertility. Unlike genetic mutations, which change the DNA sequence, epigenetic changes modify how genes are exp…

The erosion of autonomy in sports and medicine

The fourth major concussion recently suffered by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa – his third in 24 months – brings into sharp focus the balance between patient/player autonomy and treatment decisions. The right to self-determination, even in …

7 proven strategies to conquer board exam anxiety for physicians

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill This quote comes to mind when I look back at board prep and all the times I sat for those inhumanely long exams. You might be an early-career physician in the midst of pr…