Category: KevinMD

Why storytelling and writing are so important in medicine [PODCAST]

“They needed the final story to let go of her body, yet retain her spirit. Looking back on it, that’s when I saw the greatest honor of all — the everyday honor of storytelling for our patients. Maybe that’s the only cure we have for death … trans…

This physician decided not to get offended and started a healing interaction

“I absolutely insist that you accept this 5-dollar bill,” said the slightly hunched, distinguished-looking Caucasian man in khaki shorts and a T-shirt. He held my big brown hand firmly open with the fingers of one hand while placing a five-…

A simple act to help families struggling to find their way in a foreign culture

“Where were you born?” “Here!” Yousef (not real name) with happy, gleaming eyes excitedly pointed at Algeria on the laminated world map hanging on the bulletin board in the exam room. “And Dad was born here,” pointing to Morocco with mom nodding approv…

Stop honoring health care workers with sugary treats

I’m an obesity medicine specialist who is frustrated. I keep running into the same issue, and it’s time we start discussing the elephant in the room: the need we all have to show love and appreciation with food, especially sugar. It’s…

What are Moderna investors actually betting on?

Moderna’s stock price has continued to climb to record highs on the premise that their novel mRNA-based vaccine technology can take control of the spread of COVID-19. Since the beginning of January 2020 to the time of the writing of this article,…

As an oncologist, this is the hardest role I play

As an oncologist, perhaps the hardest part I play is as witness. I am there to give a diagnosis that, more often than not, will alter someone’s life forever. For some, I see resignation—a sense that they’ve known something was wrong and that it’s what …

Tips for applying to medical school in a pandemic [PODCAST]

“If you are finding yourself with trouble studying or focusing due to the state of the world, or due to changing circumstances in your own household, remember that a delay in this test or in any part of your application is not the end of the worl…

3 powerful ways physicians can invest in real estate

It’s not hard to get started in real estate investing, but it can feel overwhelming at first. There are so many questions to answer! Where do I get the money to do it? How do I find the “right” property? Do I have time to be a landlor…

COVID-19 hurts the people closest to you: How group identities affect disease transmission

They say you only hurt the ones you love. In the age of COVID-19, this adage has, almost ironically, attained a new shade of truth. One-on-one contact is definitely a risk factor—but so is what social scientists call “group identities.” Eve…

To wear a mask is to be brave. To trust your doctors is to be brave.

The pandemic is a lie. I will not wear someone else’s fear. This is all fake news. It is remarkable to see these statements littered across the news and social media. Individuals with a fairly decent level of understanding and intelligence pandering to…