“The science of complexity lays a conceptual foundation for understanding “complex adaptive systems.” What all complex adaptive systems have in common is that they are all bound by the same set of physical laws. Their “behavior,” i.e., growth, ma…
Category: primary care
10 ways to pay for women in medicine program
“That’s great. You want to start a women in medicine program! How are you going to pay for it?” This is the most common question and potential barrier from colleagues, leaders, and those who understand the value of these programs. We found that our tw…
Medicine is very much like driving. But don’t be a passive driver.
Medicine is very much like driving. As an emergency physician, when you see a patient, you ask the same questions, “What brought you in today? What’s bothering you?” and go through the normal flow of the history and physical. You order the same labs an…
Training rural physicians is racial justice
Training physicians to serve in rural areas is a vital piece of modern medical education. It’s also frequently overlooked. Most medical education institutions are in cities, because cities allow us to concentrate the learning opportunities: the special…
3 ways this physician experiences and creates joy
At the start of this year, I decided to go on a “joy quest.” Too often, we rush from one mental worry to the next and don’t take the time to notice, experience, and create the joy that’s either already there or that can be added…
When are we going to start talking about patients’ bedside manner?
For years the trend has been a continued critique about physicians and their bedside manner, or lack thereof. It is an important topic as we have moved from a time of paternalistic care to a collaborative model where patients and doctors work together…
The psychology of fear: How to use it to your advantage
Fear is something that most of us have felt at one time or another. That feeling of being threatened, when you feel as though your current state is in jeopardy. It’s an instinctive reflex to flee or fight the threat. This instinct has been with u…
PCPs could counter virtual plans by increasing telehealth visits [PODCAST]
“If PCPs want to meet the new competition from virtual primary care plans, I suggest that they gradually increase the percentage of their visits that they do through telehealth. Now that payers are reimbursing those visits at the same level as in…
My 10 Commandments of a Servant Leader
I have seen great leadership and bad leadership. As a leader, I have also made my share of mistakes, and I am sure I will make more. When I do, I will immediately take ownership of it, learn from it, and do all I can not to make the same mistake. Howev…
“Difficult” patients”: Is it them or is it us?
It was past midnight in the ED, and she was writhing on the bed, palms clutched over her abdomen. I pulled up a stool, notebook, and pen in hand. I was ready to listen to Mrs. Walker’s story. But I also felt a sense of dread rising: From a quick chart …
