The emergency physician across from me had everything on paper. Decent schedule. Six-figure salary. Respected by colleagues. Two kids in college, mortgage nearly paid off. “I should be grateful,” she said, staring at her coffee. “I kn…
Category: KevinMD
U.S. health care leadership must prepare for policy-driven change
I am trapped in a circadian rhythm that I cannot escape from. I think it started when I finished my residency. And to make matters worse, this week it felt like I was also trapped in the series Squid Game. I awake about an hour before first light (some…
Why the pre-med path is pushing future doctors to the brink
I have been on the pre-med path for years. I started college excited to one day become a doctor, but I quickly learned that excitement was not part of the culture. From the beginning, pre-med students are taught to compete with one another. We are forc…
Why the fear of being forgotten is stronger than the fear of death [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Retired surgeon, psychotherapist, and author Patrick Hudson discusses his article, “Why we fear being forgotten more than death itself.” The conversation explo…
How a rainy walk helped an oncologist rediscover joy and bravery
I have never been outside my hospital since I joined two months ago. As the only doctor in the oncology department, I cannot take the time to roam around the hospital. My duty hours are filled with chemotherapy treatments and the continuous monitoring …
How inspiration and family stories shape our most meaningful moments
An excerpt from Real Medicine, Unreal Stories: Lessons and Insights from Clinical Practice. The dinner plates had been cleared and a lazy instrumental playlist drifted through the background. Thad Brigham leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile cro…
A day in the life of a WHO public health professional in Meghalaya, India
8:00 a.m.: The start of a not-so-perfect morning I wake up, already running a bit behind. I toss last night’s leftovers into a lunchbox while thinking, Will this meet my nutrition for the day? Maybe tomorrow I’ll pack something better. Morn…
Why women doctors are still mistaken for nurses
It was early morning—likely the first appointment of the day. The music in the waiting room had not even been turned on yet, and the smell of coffee was just beginning to meet the air. After a few minutes, I was called back to a room and sat in the exa…
How home-based AI can reduce health inequities in underserved communities [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Physician executive Sreeram Mullankandy discusses his article, “Bridging the digital divide: Addressing health inequities through home-based AI solutions.” The…
Adriana Smith’s story: a medical tragedy under heartbeat laws
I’ve felt an overwhelming need to write for about a month now. I struggled to find the right words as recent events in medicine and society have created a constant state of confusion and distress. Most notably, I have found it increasingly diffic…
