The Podcast by KevinMD

"This survey study examines the self-reports of personal attacks and sexual harassment of physicians through social media outlets. A total of 108 physicians (23.3%) reported being personally attacked on social media, with no significant difference between female and male physicians. In contrast, women were significantly more likely than men to report online sexual harassment." Shikha Jain is a hematology-oncology physician who blogs at her self-titled site, Dr. Shikha Jain. She can be reached on Twitter @ShikhaJainMD. She shares her story and discusses the article, "Prevalence of Personal Attacks and Sexual Harassment of Physicians on Social Media."

"The collective resiliency of the medical education community shone through the challenges of the past year. In medicine, physicians must adapt to all situations, and GME is no exception. Even in a pandemic, everyone adjusted as needed. Program coordinators and faculty were flexible and creative, while applicants remained passionate and pushed past roadblocks. It seems that there is no situation to which GME cannot adjust. With the financial and time-saving benefits of an all-virtual and/or hybrid recruitment model on the horizon, applicants and programs can rest assured that, while it will take some getting used to, the residency recruitment process will be changed forever." Jason Reminick is a physician-entrepreneur. He shares his story and discusses the KevinMD article, "A transformative year for GME recruitment: How the process has changed forever." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/05/a-transformative-year-for-gme-recruitment-how-the-process-has-changed-forever.html)

"My mother screamed. It meant my father needed a doctor — now. But why? We just visited the hospital days before to refill his drugs. He would be better if he used the drugs. Magic drugs. That is what he called them. I stood up from the mat where I slept beside them to find him not moving. But why? When he got sick, he moved. He moved a lot. Then, he got better and stopped moving. But he always moved first. My mother noticed me. Her eyes reminded me of a movie. The warrior dropped her sword in the middle of a battle. Her comrades were all dead. But she was not. I never understood why she dropped her sword. She could have fought and lived. But she died. My mother held the same look as the warrior." Sarah Fashakin is a medical student. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "What my father taught me about language." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/10/what-my-father-taught-me-about-language.html)

"Practicing culturally relevant care means we can account for the social determinants of health, barriers to access, and the emotional disconnect that results from the status quo, one-size-fits-all approach many patients have come to expect. It helps us reach into underserved communities and lift them up, which is essential during a pandemic that disproportionately affects low-income and diverse Americans. If we, as clinicians, can align around the fact that we exist to serve all patients, we must realize that culturally relevant care is more than a situational deviation from the norm. Rather, it must represent the new normal—the new standard of care." Vik Bakhru is a clinician and health care executive. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "To achieve health equity, we must make culturally relevant care the standard of care." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/04/to-achieve-health-equity-we-must-make-culturally-relevant-care-the-standard-of-care.html)

"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 know this: Your own personal power over your work remains formidable and fully intact. If you're stressed out, burning out, and dreading Mondays, you have the power to make quality decisions about your work and life — decisions that honor who you are and what you want. Imagine waking up excited to do work that gives you joy, not despair. Imagine work that promotes happiness and wellbeing, not stress and impairment. As a health expert, surely you deserve healthy work." Cathy Woodhouse is an internal medicine physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Amid powerlessness, reclaim your personal power." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/10/amid-powerlessness-reclaim-your-personal-power.html)

"I can attest to the tremendous power of simply noticing these rhythms and attending to them. It's part of a larger attempt to live a more authentic life. So much of my time over the past 20 years has been vying to achieve someone else's standards or to live the way I 'should.' I should exercise in the morning since it's healthier! I should shut down my computer at 5 p.m. so I can be focused on my family! I should block out all distractions on the weekends! The fight against the 'should' is a common one for many physicians, especially female physicians. We are inculcated with the notion that success is defined by one particular aspect of our lives or one particular way of being. In the process, and in the struggle, we silence the part of ourselves that knows a better way. We silence the truth inside that is trying to guide us down our individual path. If we turn towards that truth – little by little – we open up to endless possibilities and countless ways of being. We can turn on our creativity and bring forth our unique gifts and skills; and in doing so, increase our abilities to honor ourselves and serve others." Laura Huete is a family physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "An argument against time management." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/03/an-argument-against-time-management.html)

"My mother, bless her ninety-year-old heart, is slowing down. The things that made her happiest — getting to church, visiting friends, taking walks, and wandering the aisles in the grocery store —are increasingly difficult. She worries that her lack of energy will soon make every activity impossible. It is 2005 and she is living alone in Chicago, about ninety miles from where my wife and I live. My father died suddenly the year before, and she is settling into the life of a widow. She has always been very healthy and upbeat, but she's become more and more fatigued. 'What do you think it is?' she asks. 'Do you think it is my heart?' 'Let's find out.' We arrange an appointment with her internist. Sure enough, her heart rate is uncharacteristically slow and does not speed up when she walks or moves about. 'I believe you need a pacemaker,' her doctor confirms. 'I'll arrange a visit with a cardiologist.' This gives my mother something new to worry about. 'I'm too old for any procedures, don't you think?' she says. 'Do you think I could tolerate having a pacemaker?'" Bruce Campbell is an otolaryngologist who blogs at Reflections in a Head Mirror. He is the author of A Fullness of Uncertain Significance: Stories of Surgery, Clarity, & Grace. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Mom's new pacemaker: a story." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/09/moms-new-pacemaker-a-story.html)

"Institutional real estate private equity funds have dramatically outperformed all other methods of investing in real estate such as syndicated real estate deals, crowdfunding, and REITs because larger real estate funds have the best deal sourcing capabilities that enable them to identify and execute opportunistic acquisitions with speed and at the most attractive pricing. Syndicated deals, crowdfunded deals, small deal sponsors, and REITs just cannot compete with institutional investment funds. Unfortunately, institutional real estate private equity funds have been inaccessible to individuals due to their multi-million dollar minimum investment required. And the more experience a real estate manager is, the more capital they attract. I set out on a mission to change this." Alan Donenfeld is founder and CEO, CityVest (https://www.cityvest.com/home.html), providing investors with insider access to pre-screened, institutional real estate investments historically unavailable to individuals. This episode is sponsored by CityVest (https://www.cityvest.com/home.html), providing investors with insider access to pre-screened, institutional real estate investments historically unavailable to individuals.

"While much of the conversation around financial independence is tied to the ability to retire early, the real prize is flexibility. I hear a lot of 'I love what I do and will work until I die' amongst physicians. Not so fast. Your goals and priorities will likely change as you get older. And sometimes, you don't have a choice. A close family member needs extra care or passes away. Your child has special needs or other needs that require your time and attention. You never know what life may bring. Working toward financial independence as a woman physician allows you to create your dream job. You have the ability to scale back your hours, take a leave of absence, or make other arrangements to optimize your day and your life. In short, you have a fall-back when life throws you curveballs. By taking control of their finances and pursuing financial independence, women physicians are able to be better physicians, better mothers, and better partners. Being debt free, spending mindfully, and employing other strategies to reach financial freedom gives the woman physician choices and flexibility to live on her terms." Bonnie Koo is a dermatologist and founder and editor, Wealthy Mom MD. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Why women physicians should take control of their finances." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2019/05/why-women-physicians-should-take-control-of-their-finances.html)

"If you treat chronic pain, or are someone living with it, remember this: Changing the brain can change pain. Addressing emotional health directly impacts physical health, because brain and body are always connected. Pain psychologists can serve as pain coaches – it doesn't mean you're crazy, and it's not 'all in your head' (it's in your brain!). Try biobehavioral interventions like CBT, biofeedback, and mindfulness, and demand that your insurance company reimburse these treatments. If you're a health care provider, spread the word about biopsychosocial pain management. Teach patients how pain works, connect brain with body, and offer hope. Knowledge is power. Let's empower our patients – and each other – to find integrative solutions that work." Rachel Zoffness is a pain psychologist. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "What you don't know about pain will hurt you." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/11/what-you-dont-know-about-pain-will-hurt-you.html)