As physicians, we are bound by four ethical principles. Beneficence (acting for the benefit of the patient), nonmaleficence (avoiding the harm of the patient), autonomy (respecting patients’ right to make their own decisions), and justice (fair a…
Category: Psychiatry
The cannabis education gap: Why patients are left in the dark
Imagine that you are suffering from chronic pain. The pain keeps you awake at night so you don’t get much sleep. Lack of sleep most nights and the ensuing chronic fatigue causes you some anxiety during the day. Your primary care physician suggests that…
A glimmer of hope for a child with suicidal ideations
Eleven-year-old Abby sat nervously in the emergency department, her eyes darting around the room as she clutched Patches, her beloved stuffed sheep. Her guardian sat beside her, anxiety etched on her face as she explained the situation to me. Abby had …
Are doctors ready to discuss psychedelic therapies with patients?
As I’m pre-charting for my primary care clinic, I see Ms. C on the schedule, whom I know well through our nearly monthly follow-up visits over the past two and a half years of residency. We talk in Spanish as it’s her preferred language. Sh…
Doctors and nurses are dying by suicide, as America’s health care workers call for change
In the spring of 2020, as COVID-19 swept through hospitals in the tri-state area, Dr. Lorna Breen, a physician who served as the medical director of the emergency department at New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, contracted COVID while caring for pat…
From helplessness to hope: a psychiatrist’s story of working with suicidal teens [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! In this episode, we are joined by Shivana Naidoo, a child psychiatrist, who shares a poignant reflection on her experiences with some of her most worrisome teenage patients. As she prepares…
Processing grief: a vital step for health care workers during COVID-19 [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! In this episode, our guest Susan MacLellan-Tobert, a pediatric cardiologist and physician coach, delves into the challenges faced by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despi…
Why work shouldn’t define your self-worth [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! In this episode, we are joined by Tracey O’Connell, a radiologist and physician coach, to discuss the pitfalls of “do what you love” as career advice, particularly for college graduates. We…
Breaking the silence on mental health: Why understanding past traumas is key
Depression is a complex and multifaceted illness that affects millions of people worldwide. For a long time, the prevailing explanation for depression has been that a chemical imbalance in the brain causes it, and I, like many other clinicians, accepte…
The secret to staying alert during night shifts: coffee naps and more
Working night shifts in health care, particularly emergency medicine, requires maintaining alertness and focus during extended hours. I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges and risks associated with sleep deprivation, including a frightening i…
