Expand search form

Featured, Health Policy, Healthcare Reform, Medicine, Politics, Socialized Medicine, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: Wendell Potter Is the Insurance Industry’s Worst Nightmare!

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Wendell Potter – https://www.americaoutloud.news/wendell-potter-is-the-insurance-industrys-worst-nightmare/

When I was in law school, the first elective I signed up for was Insurance Law. Unfortunately for the future lawyers of America, this enlightening class had few students. The teacher began with a joke: Farmers paid a claim. The class reinforced my feeling that the insurance industry were indeed as economist Andrew Tobias called it, the Invisible Bankers.

The insurance industry is built on the fact that life is uncertain and insurance will soften the blow of life’s unexpected events. The insurance market in the United States is one of the largest in the world. In 2022, Insurance premiums amounted to $1.48 trillion. The health insurance industry alone had net earnings of $31 billion in profits in 2020. About 8 percent of Americans are uninsured, and of the insured, 65 percent have private insurance and 36 percent have government-sponsored insurance.

We have to remember that insurers are not really in the business to take care of us. They are in the business of making money. Making money is fine, but insurers should not pretend otherwise or hoodwink their customers. They have actuarial tables that project when you will die, whether you will get in an accident depending on the kind of car you have, and so on. The industry is in the business of calculating risk to maximize profits.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the new bad boy in town. Recently, a class action lawsuit was launched against UnitedHealthcare, America’s largest health insurer. The lawsuit alleged that United used an artificial intelligence algorithm to wrongfully deny coverage under Medicare Advantage health policies. The algorithm determines the amount of rehabilitation to which a beneficiary is entitled after an injury or stroke, for example. The AI program consistently overrode the physicians’ recommendations, but case managers faced termination if they veered more than 1 percent from the AI determination. The insurer continued to use the algorithm knowing that a mere 0.2 percent of rejected patients would file an appeal – that was highly likely to end in the patient’s favor.

Nothing related to denial of medical services shocks me anymore. According to a Stat investigation, a UnitedHealth official said in a company podcast, “If people go to a nursing home, how do we get them out as soon as possible?” Was this kind words wishing for good health and a speedy recovery or kicking granny to the curb to save money?

My guest and I will discuss the health insurance industry and ways to make sure that all Americans have access to quality medical care.

Websites:

Center for Health and Democracy: https://centerforhealthanddemocracy.org

Business Leaders for Health Care Transformation: https://www.blhct.org

Newsletter: Health Care un-covered, https://wendellpotter.substack.com

Bio

Wendell Potter had a long career in corporate public relations, having served as press secretary to a Tennessee gubernatorial candidate, head of advertising and PR for a large integrated health care system in East Tennessee, a partner in an Atlanta public relations firm, and a state and federal lobbyist. In 2009, he testified before the Senate panel on health care reform about what he witnessed as a former vice-president at Cigna Healthcare, recounting how health insurers make promises they have no intention of keeping, and infuse billions into public relations campaigns to advance corporate interests at the expense of those of the patients. Wendell was an investigative journalist whose articles and commentaries have appeared in many publications including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Tampa Bay Times, The Guardian, Newsweek, The Nation, Huffington Post, CNN.com, NBC.com, Democracy Journal, and healthinsurance.org. He has appeared frequently as a guest on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX News Channel, MSNBC, PBS, and NPR. He is the author of the award winning book, Deadly Spin, An Insurance Company Insider Speaks Out on How Corporate PR Is Killing Health Care and Deceiving Americans and Obamacare: What’s in It for Me?: What Everyone Needs to Know About the Affordable Care Act.

Culture & Society, Current Events, Featured, Health Policy, Medicine, Politics, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: From Physician to Activist with Dr. Jane Hughes

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Dr. Jane Hughes – https://www.americaoutloud.news/from-physician-to-activist-meet-jane-hughes-md/

There was a time when patients sought medical care from a physician, not a “healthcare system.” Now there’s over-priced health insurance that falls short when you actually need it; Medicare Advantage plans that trap you like a roach motel and then don’t provide care when you actually get sick.

Rather than going after flash mob thieves, the government eyeballing parents who have the audacity to actually go to PTA meetings. Schools are supporting so-called gender affirmation without parental notification or consent. Physicians are acquiescing to government, corporate, and political pressures rather than individualized patient care. What’s a person to do?

Almost 50 years ago, an iconic speech in a critically acclaimed film written by Paddy Chayesfsky expressed it better than I ever could: (Peter Finch as Howard Beale, Network, 1976.)

I don’t have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It’s a depression. Everybody’s out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel’s worth; banks are going bust; shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter; punks are running wild in the street, and there’s nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there’s no end to it.

We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat. And we sit watching our TVs while some local newscaster tells us that today we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that’s the way it’s supposed to be!

We all know things are bad — worse than bad — they’re crazy.

It’s like everything everywhere is going crazy, so we don’t go out any more. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we’re living in is getting smaller, and all we say is, “Please, at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials, and I won’t say anything. Just leave us alone.”

Well, I’m not going to leave you alone.

I want you to get mad!

I don’t want you to protest. I don’t want you to riot. I don’t want you to write to your Congressman, because I wouldn’t know what to tell you to write. I don’t know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street.

All I know is that first, you’ve got to get mad.

You’ve got to say, “I’m a human being, goddammit! My life has value!”

So, I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell:

“I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!!”

I recently heard someone say that there are three kinds of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. We must be the people who makes things happen. No act is too small. As Sir Edmund Burke said 200 years ago, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.”

My guest, Dr. Jane Hughes has put the act in activism and will share her thoughts about medicine, our health care “system,” and the government’s role in our lives.

Bio

Dr. Jane Hughes is the current president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. She is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She received her medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio where she also completed her residency. Dr. Hughes is co-founder of American Doctors for Truth and serves on Congressman Chip Roy’s Physician Advisory Council for Healthcare Policy.

Culture & Society, Current Events, Featured, Health Policy, Medicine, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: The Highs and Lows of Medical Cannabis with Dr. Dustin Sulak

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Dr. Dustin Sulak – https://www.americaoutloud.news/the-highs-and-lows-of-medical-cannabis/

Pot, Mary Jane, weed, grass, and reefer are among the many names for marijuana. Marijuana is one strain of cannabis, the plant species that includes hemp. Hemp contains low levels of the psychoactive compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marijuana has high levels. Another active compound in cannabis is cannabidiol (CBD) and it is non-psychoactive. Any Baby Boomers who indulged can confirm that the amount of THC in marijuana has increased over the last 25 years. In the mid-1990s, the average THC content of confiscated weed was roughly 4 percent. By 2014, it was about 12 percent, with a few strains of pot containing THC levels as high as 37 percent.

Cannabis was a key crop of the early American colonists. Indeed, one of our first president, George Washington’s main crops was hemp. In fact, the Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut colonies were required to grow it. Hemp was used for fabric and rope. It wasn’t until the mid 1800s that cannabis was sold in doctors’ offices and pharmacies for medicinal purposes in the United States, mainly for stomach problems.

Cannabis had been used medicinally and recreationally for thousands of years, with artifacts from China suggesting it was used for malaria, poor memory, gout, and rheumatism. Immigrants from Mexico during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900 were primarily responsible for the start of recreational use in the U.S. Unfortunately, during the Depression and the Prohibition era, the focus shifted to outlawing cannabis as an evil brought here by Mexican immigrants. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed cannabis. The Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 made selling, possessing or transferring hemp products for anything but industrial use a crime. The first person to violate the Act was sentenced to 4 years of hard labor.

Although the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 repealed the Marijuana Tax Act, the law made marijuana a Schedule I drug, meaning it had no medical use and the potential for addiction. This is the category that includes heroin, ecstasy, and LSD! But things began to change when California’s Compassionate Use Act of 1996 legalized marijuana for medical use by chronically ill persons. Today medical marijuana is legal in all but 11 states, although it remains illegal under federal law.

Recreational marijuana has been gradually moving from the culprit in “Reefer Madness” to a mainstream indulgence. However, many fear complete legalization as cannabis – thanks to its narcotic Schedule I status – has not had the research it deserves. (Fortunately, the Department of Health and Human Services has recommended to the Drug Enforcement Administration that the cannabis be downgraded to the class of drugs with more safety and lower potential for abuse.)

Many doctors are not familiar with the types of cannabis and the various uses. It can sometimes help patients when other more mainstream medications and treatments have failed.

My guest today is an integrative medicine physician and a highly regarded national expert in the use cannabis.

Dr. Sulak’s website: Healer.com; HealerCBD.com

Bio

Dustin Sulak, D.O. is a renowned integrative medicine physician based in Maine, whose practice balances the principles of osteopathy, mind-body medicine, spirituality in healthcare, and medical cannabis. Dr. Sulak educates medical providers and patients on its clinical use. Dr. Sulak excels in the treatment of patients with conditions that have not responded well to conventional treatment. Dr. Sulak received undergraduate degrees in nutrition science and biology from Indiana University, a doctorate of osteopathy from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed an internship at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency.

Culture & Society, Current Events, Featured, Health Policy, Medicine, Politics, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: Opioid Addiction and Settlement Funds with Dr. Molly Rutherford

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Dr. Molly Rutherford – https://www.americaoutloud.news/its-2024-what-is-happening-with-opioid-addiction-and-the-settlement-funds/

In 2020, 54 million U.S. adults were living with chronic pain. Management of non-cancer pain went through a slow evolution starting in 1980 to include opioids. While opioids are indicated in many types of pain, they carry potential risk of addiction and overdose. The National Institute on Drugs Abuse data in 2019 revealed that 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them; between 8 and 12 percent of people using an opioid for chronic pain develop an opioid use disorder.

In 1995, the pharmaceutical companies insisted that their new opioid pain relievers, particularly OxyContin, were safe and effective and not addictive. Not true. Worse yet, an April 13, 2022 congressional oversight committee report revealed that at least 22 McKinsey consultants were simultaneously working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on opioid safety and advising Purdue Pharma on how to influence the regulatory decisions of the U.S. FDA, as well as how to maximize sales. The bad behavior travelled down the food chain. For example, an email in the records of distributor AmerisourceBergen revealed during a state trial last year in West Virginia described their addicted consumers as “pillbillies” and referred to OxyContin as “hillbilly heroin.” Distributors also sent massive quantities of OxyContin to small rural communities clearly disproportionate to the population.

Now many of the major players in the prescription opioid debacle are paying the piper. Several physicians have been prosecuted – some unjustifiably – for overprescribing, others were a frank embarrassment to the profession by operating pill mills.

The national opioid settlement resolved thousands of civil lawsuits by state, local, and Native American governments. The lawsuits alleged that the sometimes sketchy business practices of many firms in the chain of commerce contributed to the opioid crisis. The national opioid settlements are the second-largest public health settlement of all time, following the $246 billion tobacco master settlement of the 1990s.

The largest pharmaceutical opioid distributors, (McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health) will pony up $21 billion and one manufacturer (Johnson & Johnson) will contribute $5 billion as well as cease manufacturing prescription opioids. Teva, Walgreens, and Walmart and several other smaller companies add to the financial mix.

The creator of OxyContin, Purdue Pharma (not to be confused with Perdue, the chicken supplier) entered into a separate settlement for $6 billion as part of its bankruptcy proceedings. While 60,000 vocal victims approved of, and were awaiting the funds, the federal government decided the terms immunizing Purdue’s owners, the Sacklers, from personal liability was not consistent bankruptcy law since the Sacklers did not declare personal bankruptcy. The case is currently in front of the Supreme Court and no ruling is expected until June 2024.

Who will control the funds? Currently several states have created councils that vary in their make-up but generally include health professionals, law enforcement, and victims of addiction. Importantly, where will the money go?

These councils are deciding on where to allocate the funds and are now the objects of multiple companies pitching their products. Most agree that the biggest portion should go to treatment by building treatment facilities and increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder, including for the uninsured, and providing naloxone to reverse overdoses. Some local governments want to use the funds to purchase law enforcement tools. Despite usefulness in curbing drug trafficking, as you can imagine, many groups are unhappy with this option. Additionally, many worry that as with the tobacco settlement, monies would go to unrelated projects.

My guest will share her expertise in addiction medicine and public policy.

*Dr. Rutherford’s website: Blue Grass Family Wellness: https://bluegrassfamilywellness.com

*To find how the settlement funds will be used in your area go to:

https://www.naccho.org/uploads/downloadable-resources/OpioidSettlementsPDFFinal.pdf

Bio

Molly Rutherford, MD, MPH is the founder, medical director, and physician at Bluegrass Family Wellness—a direct primary care clinic in Kentucky. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, and employs a holistic approach to her patients’ physical health. She has more than a decade of experience treating opioid addiction.

Culture & Society, Featured, Health Policy, Law, Medical Ethics, Medicine, Politics, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: Defining Death with Dr. Heidi Klessig

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Dr. Heidi Klessig – https://www.americaoutloud.news/defining-death-with-heidi-klessig-md/

Historically, people advocated for at least 24 hours between the diagnosis of death and burial in case a mistake was made in the diagnosis. For years physicians searched for a sure sign of death. Some thought putrefaction of tissues was the only sure sign. Ultimately it seemed reasonable to define death as when all spontaneous vital functions ceased permanently. Then came organ transplantation and the whole concept of the moment of death has changed— irreversibly, like death itself.

The advances in medical science have made adherence to medical ethics more essential than ever. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation and artificial nutrition were only the beginning. We now are experimenting with pig to human transplants and freshly obtained aborted fetal tissue is being used to create “humanized mice”. We can’t get carried away with the technology and forget the humanity. First and foremost, a patient has the right to self-determination and the physician’s duty is to respect the patient’s decisions and to do no harm to the patient. Incidents where patients were labelled DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) without their (or their family’s) consent are unacceptable.

Unfortunately, along with the innovations that can prolong life and sometimes cure, we have drifted into a utilitarian mindset when considering patient treatment alternatives. Often times, the suggested treatment—or non-treatment—pathway is at odds with the concept of the innate dignity of being a living human being. All involved persons must remember that we are far more than clumps of cells or a collection of body parts for future use.

Also disturbing is the popularity of euthanasia and physician assisted suicide, euphemistically called “medical aid in dying” (MAID). In Canada, assisted suicide has been in effect since 2016. In 2022 medically assisted deaths constituted 4.1 per cent of all deaths in Canada. This was a 30 percent increase from 2021. The patient who partakes need not be terminally ill. According to a BBC news report, social problems like poverty, lack of housing, or extreme loneliness may contribute to the patient’s willingness to request MAID, and this “prompted fears it could be used as a solution for societal challenges.” As of March 17, 2024. Now persons suffering solely from a mental illness will be eligible for MAID.

As there is more and more discussion of scarce medical resources, we have to be vigilant that as physicians we maintain our commitment to respect human life. Marilyn believes death is a separation of body and spirit, but Dr. Singleton must deal with ethics, legal definitions and guidelines.

Today my guest will discuss the past, present, and future of the concept of “brain death.”

Dr. Klessig’s website: https://www.respectforhumanlife.com

Dr. Klessig’s latest book: https://www.respectforhumanlife.com/books

Bio

Dr. Heidi Klessig attended medical school at University of Wisconsin, where she also completed her residency in anesthesiology. She received the American Board of Anesthesiology’s certificate of added qualification in pain management. She was a founding partner of the Pain Clinic of Northwestern Wisconsin and was an instructor for the International Spinal Injection Society. She recently authored The Brain Death Fallacy. Dr. Klessig and Christopher W. Bogosh, RN-BC also maintain a website called Respect for Human Life that deals with issues surrounding organ transplantation

Culture & Society, Current Events, Doctors, Featured, Health Policy, Medicine, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: Do We Really Need to Take So Many Pharmaceuticals?

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Richard Amerling, MD – https://www.americaoutloud.news/do-we-really-need-to-take-so-many-pharmaceuticals-richard-amerling-md/#

The second opinion is—or should be—a staple of medicine. Second opinions can help you make better decisions about your health. In one large national survey, one-fifth of patients who saw a doctor in the past year sought a second opinion. According to one study, a second opinion affected treatment plans for 37 percent of patients and changed diagnoses for almost 15 percent.

And why should you get as second opinion? Sometimes your insurer requires one, especially for surgery or expensive treatments. I doubt they are looking out for you. They are likely making sure they can save a few bucks. If you have an unclear diagnosis or want an expert on your condition, you should definitely talk to another physician. It may turn out that the recommendations are the same. If you are still uncomfortable, get a third opinion.

One very important reason for getting a second opinion is that your current treatment is not working, is risky, and/or you have major side effects. You may wonder if such drastic treatment is actually necessary. On the flip side, always get a second opinion if your doctor tells you that you have no options. And remember to ask if waiting is an option.

I have a few personal rules about treatment. The doctor is not always right. In a trusting relationship, your doctor will welcome your questions and offer that you get another opinion. He or she will not be insulted if you ask whether the treatment is really necessary. Never feel rushed unless a real emergency. It’s your body; the final choice is up to you.

One of the things I can thank Covid for is that it exposed the flaws in the “follow the science” mantra. It got many doctors asking, whose science? Does anybody really have the last word in how to treat patients? Remember statins, low fat diets and countless other differing and changing opinions in medicine?

Unfortunately, during Covid, many doctors were whipped into submission by fear and intimidation. But standing your ground works. Physicians filed lawsuits against California’s AB 2098 (Sec. 2270 of Business and Professions Code). This was the “misinformation” law that threatened physicians with the loss of their licenses if they disagreed with the official “scientific consensus” on Covid-19. Then magically, this Covid misinformation law was quietly repealed by a late amendment provision (sec. 19) to Senate Bill 815.

In today’s episode, my guest and I will talk about medical opinions, medical consensus, and your overall health.

Bio

Dr. Richard Amerling is a board-certified internist/nephrologist with over 35 years of clinical experience, mostly in New York City.  In 2016, he took a position at St. George’s University and taught there until July 2021, when he refused the Covid vaccine. Dr. Amerling is Past-President of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. 

Culture & Society, Featured, Health Policy, Medicine, Politics, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: Teeth, Drugs, and the Business of Medicine

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Joel Strom, DDS and Kenneth Schell, D.Pharm. – https://www.americaoutloud.news/the-down-and-dirty-business-of-medical-care-joel-strom-dds-and-kenneth-schell-d-pharm/

The world of medicine encompasses so many ins and outs that patients never see. As costs go up, patients need to be aware of the reasons, and hopefully do something to keep those costs down for themselves—even if the politicians won’t do it.

Almost everyone in U.S. (92 percent) has health insurance whether private or government-financed, yet half have trouble with costs and 41 percent report have medical debt. Thirty-five percent of adults have delayed dental care due to costs. Our teeth are more important than many think they are, but dental care is the most common service to go. Prescription medicines are another culprit. Twenty-five percent of adults either skipped a dose or cut pills in half to save money.

The down and dirty business of medical care is starting to make the news as much as the end result: high costs. Five insurance companies control half the market. Now there is a proposed merger between two of them: Cigna and Humana. Cigna has Express Scripts, the second largest pharmacy benefit manager. Humana has Humana Pharmacy Solutions, the fourth largest PBM. This would significant consolidate the PBM market. Humana is big in the Medicare Advantage market. Medicare Advantage is the HMO with fixed rates for medical care Medicare beneficiaries.

We also have private equity firms buying up medical practices and consolidating them into one large group. The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down because these purchases have led to higher prices. For example, prices charged by anesthesiology groups increased 26 percent after they were acquired by private equity firms. (The most commonly represented medical groups included anesthesiology (19.4%), multispecialty (19.4%), emergency medicine (12.1%), family practice (11.0%), and dermatology (9.9%) From 2015 to 2016, there was also an increase in the number of acquired cardiology, ophthalmology, radiology, and obstetrics/gynecology practices.)

Do buy-outs and mergers help or hurt patients? My guests deal with patients and health policy. We are going to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of what is under the surface of medical care.

Bio

Dr. Joel Strom has practiced general dentistry for more than 40 years and is a former President of the California State Dental Board. He has extensive leadership experience in all aspects of the dental profession including education, regulation, professional leadership, clinical practice and as an expert witness.  He is an Adjunct Professor at the Forsyth Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, former Chairman of Ethics in the Practice of Dentistry at USC, And Dr. Strom had a 12-year tenure on the California Science Center Board of Directors. Dr. Strom founded the Dr. Joseph Warren Institute, a 501c4 non-profit designed to educate and motivate health care professionals to become leaders in the political and public policy debate on health care reform.

Bio

Kenneth H Schell, Pharm.D earned his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of California, San Francisco. He has almost 40 years’ experience in clinical pharmacology and pharmaceutical science, including overseeing pharmacy operations in managed care, pediatric and adult hospitals, medical groups, home infusion, hospice and mail order organizations. Dr. Schell served as president of the California State Board of Pharmacy and on the Board of Directors and as Presidential Officer of the California Society of Health System Pharmacists. He is also lectures at the Skaggs UCSD School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences where he teaches Pharmacy Law and Ethics. He currently serves on the Sharp Healthcare Institutional Review Board for research projects. He also served in compliance and privacy as Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer at a major Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM).

Dr. Schell also serves on several other Boards including Disability Rights Now, which champions disabled individuals seeking to become attorneys and ACTG Biopharma, an organization seeking to support novel therapies for individuals with brain injuries.

Current Events, Featured, Health Policy, Healthcare Reform, Medicine, Politics, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: The Impact of Social Justice and Artificial Intelligence in the Future of Medicine

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Elaina George, MD  – https://www.americaoutloud.news/the-impact-of-social-justice-and-artificial-intelligence-in-the-future-of-medicine/

After many years in medicine, I am amazed at all the new advances and that as clinicians we are in a constant state of learning. I think back to medical school and the rigorous science courses and long hours I put in to learn the skills to give great care patients.

It’s sickening that medicine is now burdened with an increase in violence — five times more than employees in all other industries. This is not just at the hands of the mentally ill. Patients are also frustrated by difficulty in getting attention due to staffing shortages and a variety of social issues. According to a JAMA study nearly 24 percent of physicians have endured “occupational distress” by verbal insults and harassment by patients and visitors.

According to a survey of medical students in 91 countries, 21 percent are considering quitting. A whopping 60 percent are worried about their current mental health. Some contributing factors include financial and academic pressures, and the worry of future shortages and burnout. In spite of the negatives, 89 percent of the students are devoted to improving patients’ lives.

Organizations are trying to improve the well-being of health care personnel starting with the medical students. The majority of medical schools have joined many universities and instituted pass-fail grading systems. Removing grades is meant to allow students to focus on studies, not grades. Additionally, the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 (basic science) score reporting shifted from a three-digit score to a simple pass-fail.

The AMA views this licensing exam grading change as a chance to improve student well-being. However, 86.2 percent of residency program directors listed the USMLE Step 1 score as an important factor in deciding which applicants to interview. The program directors are now looking for other attributes by which to judge applicants and to look at the student more holistically. They have to rely more on letters of recommendation and personal statements.

I do believe a well-rounded person is good for communication with patients and the ability to see the patient as a whole person. But will future doctors be taught more social justice than science? After all, they can look to Chat GPT for a diagnosis.

My guest, Dr. Elaina George, and I will discuss the changing face of medicine – in education and how it is practiced in light of the social justice movement and artificial intelligence.

Dr. George’s website: http://drelainageorge.com

Living in the Solution podcast: http://drelainageorge.com/podcast-2/

Book: Big Medicine: http://drelainageorge.com/product/big-medicine/

To find an independent physician go to the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons website: https://aapsonline.org/direct-payment-cash-friendly-practices/.

Bio

Dr. Elaina George is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat physician). She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Biology and received her Masters degree in Medical Microbiology from Long Island University. She earned her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. Dr George completed her residency at Manhattan, Eye Ear & Throat Hospital. She is the author of Big Medicine: The Cost of Corporate Control and How Doctors and Patients Working Together Can Rebuild a Better System, a book which explores how the U.S. healthcare system has evolved and explains how patients and doctors can create a healthcare system that is based on the principles of price transparency with the power of the doctor patient relationship. She currently also has a radio show, Living in the Solution.

Culture & Society, Doctors, Featured, Guest Column, Medicine, What's New

Navigating the Medical Maze: Strategies for Avoiding Burnout

No Comments

Guest column by Virginia Cooper.

In the relentless and demanding field of healthcare, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of burnout. As a medical professional, you are familiar with the high-stress environment and the toll it takes. Yet, there’s hope. By adopting specific strategies, you can preserve your well-being and continue to provide the best care to your patients.

Embrace Wellness Rituals

Your health is as critical as that of your patients. Integrating wellness rituals into your daily routine is not a luxury but a necessity. Think about activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Maybe it’s a morning jog, an evening of painting, or simply reading a book. Exercise not only keeps you physically fit but also serves as a mental escape from the pressures of work. Regularly engaging in hobbies can rejuvenate your spirit, making you more resilient in your professional role.

Be Conscious About Alcohol Intake

In the high-pressure world of medicine, turning to alcohol might seem like a quick fix for stress. However, moderation is key. Excessive drinking can lead to health issues and impact your ability to perform at work. If you find yourself struggling, consider seeking help. There are various treatment options in the area, with many rehab centers accepting major health insurance providers. Research facilities focusing on factors like treatment methods, location, and patient reviews to find the best fit for your needs.

Improve Decision-Making Under Stress

High-stress situations are part and parcel of medical work. Developing a strategy for making sound decisions under pressure is crucial. Before reacting, take a moment to assess the situation mindfully. This pause allows you to respond thoughtfully rather than reactively. Envision the broader implications of your decisions and trust your well-honed instincts, using the information at hand.

Building a Support Network

The path of a healthcare professional need not be a solitary journey. Building connections with peers can offer a much-needed sense of understanding and support. These relationships provide a safe space to share experiences, challenges, and advice. Engaging in conversations with colleagues who understand the unique pressures of the medical field can be both comforting and enlightening.

Consider Taking a Sabbatical

Sometimes, the best way to recharge is to step away temporarily. A sabbatical, or an extended break from work, can be a transformative experience. It offers an opportunity to rest, pursue personal interests, or engage in professional development activities without the daily pressures of patient care. This time away can provide a fresh perspective and renewed energy, ultimately benefiting both you and your patients.

Reflecting on Your Career Path

In the dynamic world of healthcare, it’s important to periodically reassess your career goals. Are you where you want to be? Is your current role fulfilling? Sometimes, a change within the medical field can reignite your passion for healthcare. Whether it’s specializing in a new area, shifting to a different facility, or even transitioning to a teaching role, these changes can provide new challenges and renewed motivation.

Mastering the Art of Saying “No”

One of the hardest but most essential skills to learn in any demanding career is the ability to say “no.” Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining your mental and physical health. It’s okay to decline extra shifts or additional responsibilities when you’re already stretched thin. Remember, taking on too much can compromise the quality of care you provide to your patients.

Prioritizing Your Mental Health

The psychological toll of working in medicine can be significant. Regularly check in with yourself. Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed? Seeking professional help through counseling or therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Mental health professionals can provide coping strategies and support, helping you navigate the complexities of your role with resilience and clarity.

In the fast-paced, high-stakes field of healthcare, taking care of yourself is not just a personal priority—it is a professional necessity. From managing stress to seeking treatment for an alcohol issue and evaluating your career path, each step is crucial in avoiding burnout. Remember, making good decisions under stress is a skill that can be honed with practice and mindfulness. By prioritizing your well-being, you ensure that you can continue to provide the best care for your patients, day in and day out.

Virginia Cooper is a retired community college instructor. She always encouraged her students to see the real-world value in their education, and now, she wants to spread that message as wide as possible. Her hope is that Learn a Living (learnaliving.co) will be a go-to resource for adult learners embarking on starting, continuing, or finishing their education.

Image: Freepick

Culture & Society, Featured, Medicine, What's New

America Out Loud PULSE: The Epidemic of Diabetes and Obesity

No Comments

From my America Out Loud Pulse podcast with Dr. Dan Weiss – https://www.americaoutloud.news/the-epidemic-of-diabetes-and-obesity-daniel-weiss-md/

At its last count, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 40 percent of U.S. adults age 20 and over, 21 percent of teens, and 14 percent of preschoolers are obese. A December 2019 study that analyzed 26 years of body mass index (BMI [the relation of weight to height]) data concluded that half of U.S. adults will be obese (BMI>25) by 2030. Some 25 percent will be severely obese (BMI>35). Moreover, less than 5 percent of adults get the recommended 30 minutes a day of physical activity. And even when people living in “food deserts” were presented with healthy options, only 10 percent changed their evil eating ways.

According to the CDC’s last comprehensive analysis, the annual medical cost of obesity in the United States to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers was $147 billion in 2008. And the medical costs for obese people were $1,429 higher than those of healthier weights.

Rising rates of obesity have led to significant increases in the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes worldwide. In 2021, an estimated 536.6 million (10.5%) people aged 20-79 years were living with diabetes, a number that is projected to rise by 2045 to 783.2 million (12.2%).

The saddest development is the cultural normalization of obesity with lingerie models, singers, and television shows celebrating fatness. Do we high-five people with other lifestyle related conditions such as alcoholism, emphysema, or coronary artery disease? Of course not.

U.S. pharmaceutical companies spent $6.1 billion on direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising in 2017. Many ads feature chunky type 2 diabetics happily frolicking about, thanks to the drug company’s magic pill. The ads might as well say, “pass the chocolate cupcakes with statin sprinkles drizzled with insulin.”

Today we’ll talk about the causes of the obesity epidemic – and most importantly what we – doctors and patients — can do about it.

Bio

Daniel Weiss, MD, CDCES, is an endocrinologist and physician nutrition specialist in St. George, Utah, with Intermountain Health. Dr. Weiss earned his medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He completed an internal medicine residency followed by a fellowship in endocrinology-metabolism at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

Dr. Weiss has served as a manuscript reviewer for Annals of Internal Medicine, the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, and the American Journal of Physiology. He has been the principal investigator for 90 clinical research projects, mostly for persons with diabetes and his work has been published in various medical journals.

His opinions on this podcast are his own and do not reflect the views of Intermountain Health, his employer.

1 2 3 … 12
Close Menu