“As the next wave of the pandemic unfolds, the rise in cases is once again straining health care systems. But that’s not the only reason hospitals and health systems could experience an influx of emergency or critical care visits. Findings from t…
Category: primary care
Why clinicians can’t keep ignoring care coordination [PODCAST]
“Provider organizations may look at their budgets and think the traditional model of fax machines and landlines is serving their entity in optimizing revenue streams. They may even look at their providers’ full schedules and believe there isn’t a…
I’m your primary care doctor. May I take your order?
My Tuesday out of clinic started off like any other Tuesday. I got up (sluggish, still chronically sleep-deprived), scrubbed my face and brushed my teeth, slipped into workout clothes then set to getting my two girls ready for school. After packing lun…
Expanding health care access and equity through telehealth
The COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) has been an amplifier and catalyst for numerous issues. The pandemic has impacted health care delivery significantly, and inequities for the Black community are more apparent. Federal and state rules for teleh…
Amid powerlessness, reclaim your personal power
You have more power than you realize. It’s no secret that medical providers feel structurally powerless in our chaotic health care system. Control over the volume, pace, and elements of our work often rests squarely in the hands of others. But kn…
I was thinking about retiring, and COVID-19 gave me a push [PODCAST]
“Last March, I was working in a small primary care practice on the west side of Denver. COVID-19 came to town. On Thursday, March 12, we were told the schools would be closing. On Friday, we were told that clinic staff had to wear masks — and the…
Uncertainty in medicine: the patient’s and doctor’s roles
“When will I go home?” asked the patient. “Hopefully, by the end of the week, if everything goes well,” said the doctor. “What do you mean by ‘if’?” Uncertainty. It’s the one thing that is common am…
Some health issues should not be evaluated in the office
I received a phone call from an elderly gentleman who was closer to ninety years of age than 80, was taking an aspirin, and had just suffered a fall and hit his head. He did not know why or how he fell. He asked for an appointment the same day to “chec…
A story of a physician photojournalist [PODCAST]
“Her face is decorated in colors of the earth. With events on Earth Day and throughout the week, New York City celebrates sustainability and ways to live in harmony with the planet. Scheduled festivities include a march down Broadway with a mix o…
Why storytelling is critical in medicine
I love stories, either told, written, or listened to. Songs tell stories, as does art. Blogs such as the rich content open so many doors for rich conversations. Telling stories is part of who I am. My father loved to tell them, as did my grandfather, w…
