Recently, Bloomberg published an article titled “The Miseducation of America’s Nurse Practitioners” by Caleb Melby, Polly Mosendz, and Noah Buhayar, which brings to the public’s attention the dismal state of education for APRNs….
Category: primary care
When a doctor acts like one of the kids
Sue went to the operating room today, which was not at all what I recommended, not that we ever discussed my personal opinion on the matter. With a worsening small bowel obstruction, I woke up this morning and, realizing that matters had worsened overn…
Why diversity in sports medicine is the key to better patient care
The field of sports medicine is steadily growing, highlighting the imperative for a more inclusive workforce. There has been a notable rise in female athletes at all levels of sports. The success of U.S. female athletes at this summer’s Paris Oly…
How to stay calm and lead effectively in high-stress medical emergencies
Can you remain steady in the midst of chaos—whether in the emergency room, on the unit, or in the clinic? There are times in medicine when chaos ensues. Maybe it’s a trauma rushing into the ER. Or a refractory asthmatic coming into the office who rapid…
Mastering health literacy: the key to taking control of your well-being
In an increasingly complex world, where technology, science, and medicine are rapidly evolving, health care literacy is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The ability to understand and use health information effectively can mean the difference between…
Empathy at the bedside: a gaping injury in our training
“Please grab a chair and sit,” I told my resident, who was preparing to discuss a procedure with a patient. She smiled. Her confusion was evident in the gentle lift of her upper lip, showing just the tip of her incisors. A touch of surprise…
Cultivating joy beyond the clinic: a physician’s tale of rediscovering hobbies
It smelled like hay, molasses, and mice. I really hoped there wasn’t a mouse in the oat bin again. It was early fall, and the pasture was eaten to the ground, so the horses received “special oats” with some molasses and corn added so …
The future of health care depends on hands-on training: We cannot afford to cut corners
Imagine walking into a doctor’s office or hospital and being treated by someone who has never actually touched a patient before. Sounds absurd, right? Yet, this could become a reality if we continue to push aside the hands-on training of our futu…
Is saliva the key to early disease detection and better oral health outcomes for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
Dental appointments for patients with special health care needs – especially those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) – are no easy feat. Fraught with challenges, uncertainties, and fears, a dental appointment can be, at best, a try…
Celebrating women physicians: Keeping our foot on the gas
Given that September is Women in Medicine month, my thoughts turn to celebrating women across the spectrum of medicine, from pioneers like Elizabeth Blackwell, MD, the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S., to physicians today caring for pat…
