The Podcast by KevinMD

"Looking to other countries that provide universal coverage to see what works and what would fit well for the U.S. is an option. Countries like France, Australia, and England provide universal coverage and rank their health care systems very highly, and are culturally and socioeconomically similar to the U.S. Whatever health care direction the country moves toward, it is essential to prioritize universal coverage. Otherwise, Americans will eventually end up paying for inefficient, expensive services in the form of higher premiums and taxes, while millions of Americans will remain uninsured, without access to health care or life-saving medications. Many, like my friend and patient, will die. That is too high a cost to pay." Payman Sattar is a cardiologist. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Why it is essential to prioritize universal coverage." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/06/why-it-is-essential-to-prioritize-universal-coverage.html)

"Like many scary health scenarios where patients seek some modicum of influence, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to patient demand for 'immune-boosting' dietary supplements. Toilet paper wasn't the only essential item being limited by stores; bottles of zinc and vitamin C flew off the shelves as consumers stocked up. The role of vitamin D in COVID-19 has been conflated and deflated depending on the study-du-jour. And of the eight 'drugs' in President Trump's top-of-the line treatment, three of them were natural products. The medical professional has, for the most part, dismissed vitamins as nothing more than 'expensive pee.' But as an integrative medicine physician examining the data, I urge my colleagues to take a more thoughtful approach to supplement recommendations and consider whether unconscious biases are influencing how you counsel patients." Melinda Ring is an integrative medicine physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "6 unconscious biases against vitamins and supplements." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/01/6-unconscious-biases-against-vitamins-and-supplements.html)

"Remember, board certification is supposed to be an option and not a requirement. Unfortunately, finding and keeping your dream job if you're not board certified will add unwanted stress for you and your family. And in case you're wondering, I don't work for or have anything to gain from informing you about any other board. I want you to know that you have other valid options for taking your boards, regardless of what you're made to believe during residency. So at this point, you may be asking yourself, why hasn't an article like this ever been written before? Well, the answer is quite simple: It's called monopoly." Emmanuel K. Konstantakos is an orthopedic surgeon. Jeff Morris is chief executive officer, American Board of Physician Specialties. They share their stories and discuss the KevinMD article, "You have options when it comes to board certification." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/you-have-options-when-it-comes-to-board-certification.html)

"Visit a nursing home and talk with some of the residents. They are not only moms and dads, but also retired teachers, first responders, former athletes, government employees, and soldiers—the basis of our country's past lives within these walls. Older adults should be honored with the dignity they deserve. As we again open as a society after this pandemic, make that commitment and visit a nursing home. Just make sure after you enter, the door doesn't lock behind you." Gene Uzawa Dorio is an internal medicine physician who blogs at SCV Physician Report. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "The nursing home crucible." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/07/the-nursing-home-crucible.html)

"COVID-19 has changed nearly every aspect of society as we know it, and doctors in hospitals across America are at the forefront of those changes. As a pediatric infectious diseases doctor who also writes curriculum to help the next generation of doctors prepare for their medical exams, I've seen firsthand how this current pandemic is changing our roles with patients, shifting what families and communities expect from us, and expediting advances in training and information sharing across the field. While my work at a children's hospital is obviously focused on children and adolescents, the shifts I'm observing and the lessons I've learned impact doctors in all areas of practice who want to provide exceptional care to their communities." Nicholas Rister is a pediatric infectious disease physician. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "3 lessons I've learned as a doctor during the pandemic." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/04/3-lessons-ive-learned-as-a-doctor-during-the-pandemic.html)

"As a family physician, guest lecturer at a local medical school, and creator of a pre-med curriculum for young learners, I'm often asked by parents how to support their child who wants to be a doctor. The most important point to remember is that you don't need to have any science background or be a professional of any sort to support your child. We all want to help our children follow their dreams! Most parents know as little about supporting a budding physician as I do about how to help my son, who wants to dance professionally. That's OK! I do the same thing as you: I look for answers online. And I'm here to give you some ideas. If you know anything about dancing classical ballet professionally, you're welcome to help me in return! So here is the advice I give parents who want to do their best for their child who wants to be a doctor." Robin Dickinson is a family physician and creator, Dr. Robin's School. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "My child wants to be a doctor." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/05/my-child-wants-to-be-a-doctor.html)

"When a colleague in health care mentioned hesitation to get the COVID-19 vaccine in two separate instances, I was shocked and dismayed. If we recommend vaccination to our patients, how can we not take the same precautions for ourselves? With COVID-19 especially, anyone working in health care is exposed to many people and should be especially motivated to get vaccinated. As cut-and-dry as this issue seems to me, I do remember similar issues with encouraging the flu vaccine and even mammograms among health care workers. We need to remember what worked in those instances and use the same tactics to improve vaccination rates among our colleagues." Dava Gerald is a physician surveyor, The Joint Commission. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "4 steps to convincing health care colleagues to get vaccinated." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/05/4-steps-to-convincing-health-care-colleagues-to-get-vaccinated.html)

"Our nation is at a crossroads, but one thing is clear – the health of our country depends on the health of all individuals in it, regardless of income, gender, or race. ACPM is committed to doing our part to promote and advance health and safety for all populations. On a community level, there are several options that can be taken to maintain support. As preventive medicine specialists, I call on all my colleagues, more than 10,000 across the country, to continue to bridge the gap by encouraging policymakers to strive to eradicate structural racism and inequalities in our cities and states." Stephanie Zaza is a preventive medicine physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Addressing racial disparities in health begins upstream with racial equity in society." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/05/addressing-racial-disparities-in-health-begins-upstream-with-racial-equity-in-society.html)

"I think back to the first time I ever brought Natalie to an emergency room. It was my fault. It was an odd accident. I had lifted her out of her car seat, grabbing my purse and a bag of groceries at the same time while turning and closing the car door and in doing this I also closed Natalie's foot in the door. I didn't know that I had done it until I pulled away and couldn't go any further because she was caught. I actually had to open the door with the handle to release her foot. For me, it was horrific. For Natalie, less so, because while she fussed, she wasn't nearly as hysterical as I was. I immediately put her back in the car seat and headed to the hospital. All my arrivals at the emergency room are frantic, and this one was as well. But I guess that's common. Which is why they have to weed people out according to severity and even have signs explaining that this is not a first-come first-serve establishment. After I explained the reason we were there and frantically waving Natalie's chubby little foot at everyone who would look or listen, I was escorted back pretty quickly." Christine Naman is a writer and author of About Natalie: A Daughter's Addiction. A Mother's Love. Finding Their Way Back to Each Other. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "A daughter's addiction. A mother's love." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/05/a-daughters-addiction-a-mothers-love.html)

"If you don't ask for something you want, then you have already accepted the answer of no. Go ahead and ask for what you want and need. You may not get it this time but ask again in the future. We will change health care eventually. In the meantime, you can change your thoughts today. Reach out if I can help. Reach out to many resources on the internet, Facebook, your community. You are not alone." Dawn Sears is a gastroenterologist and can be reached on Twitter @GutGirlMD, YouTube, and at GutGirlMD Consulting. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "10 replaceable thoughts (and 15 books) to help you survive burnout." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/05/10-replaceable-thoughts-and-15-books-to-help-you-survive-burnout.html)