The Podcast by KevinMD

"We are all interrelated. This is the foundational basis of osteopathic medicine. Whether considering internal relationships of the systems of the body or the external relationships of a person with the world around them, connection is a key principle at the core of osteopathy. Developed at a time when the baseline medical practice was lacking and offered as an answer to the beckoning call for a new perspective on methods of practice, osteopathic medicine is itself a call to curiosity and creativity. It is an invitation to challenge the status quo while standing in reverence of the grand design of human form and respect for the engagement with all of nature. Is there anything about the current practice of medicine that frustrates you? Do you notice outcomes that seem inappropriate, unfair, or discriminatory? Considering the possibility of health, do you see untapped potential in patients? Osteopathic philosophy offers the opportunity to see through to possible solutions." Amelia L. Bueche is an osteopathic physician and founder, This Osteopathic Life. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Expanding the osteopathic concept for the health of all things." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/10/expanding-the-osteopathic-concept-for-the-health-of-all-things.html)

"COVID-19 has propelled the nation into widespread telehealth services to provide consumer-based care, especially for those who access this technology. Equity issues arise when using digital communication because many underserved populations lack access to digital and/or mobile services. Inevitably, this brings up the greater concern of an unintentional exacerbation of disparities because low-income groups face limited access to both computers, mobile services, and the internet. Hence, investing in access to the internet and smartphones should be prioritized for underserved populations. As telehealth expands, broadband providers and municipal broadbands will cater to the demands in unserved areas by expanding their internet services." Sammi Wong is a medical student. Krysti Lan Chi Vo is a psychiatrist. They share their stories and discuss the KevinMD article, "Telehealth in underserved populations needs telecommunication expansion." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/telehealth-in-underserved-populations-needs-telecommunication-expansion.html)

"At that point, I realized Thanksgiving came early this year, and I missed it. It was a reminder of why many of us go into medicine. I didn't go into medicine for glory or fame. Nor did I go into medicine for financial reward. Still, I often told the resident physicians I was training, after seeing a particularly kind patient, 'Can you believe we just got paid for seeing such a nice person?' I went into medicine because I enjoyed helping people. Sometimes, we need a little reminder of that. Or, in this case, a big box of reminders." Marc L. Frost is a dermatologist. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Thanksgiving came early this year. I just didn't appreciate it." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/12/thanksgiving-came-early-this-year-i-just-didnt-appreciate-it.html)

"The first thing my husband said when I told him about MBA school was, 'the NBA has a school?' It didn't help that we first had our conversation about MBA school during the NBA playoffs but really – NBA school? I quickly overcame this moronic start to the conversation by saying 'M' as in Michael Jordan – MBA school. He got it from there and every day since. And every day since has led me to this point of reflecting over the past two years. How did I get an MBA? Why did I get an MBA? Was it worth it? Rewinding the clock to April 2018 brings back many fond memories and some memories I would sooner like to forget. I was 37 years old with a 1-year-old baby and a few months into my full-time job as a transplant nephrologist at a thriving transplant department. The job demands were significant, but the rewards matched the demand. I learned exponentially about transplant nephrology, which I find incredibly gratifying today; however, the learning curve, demand, and stress had me concerned about my long term ability to do this job while maintaining a healthy physical and mental disposition. Out of all of this uncertainty came one certainty: I wanted to possess the ability to pivot to a new job if necessary." Manpreet Samra is a nephrologist. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "To MBA or not to MBA as an MD: a physician's journey." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/to-mba-or-not-to-mba-as-an-md-a-physicians-journey.html)

"I am a veterinarian. More specifically, I am a veterinary specialist, board-certified in emergency and critical care. I don't play with puppies and kittens. I treat the worst of the worst in a specialty hospital setting with a state-of-the-art ER and ICU. Despite years of education, including veterinary school, internship, fellowship, and residency to obtain this education and specialty board certification, I was not prepared for the emotional toll of becoming a veterinarian." Garret Pachtinger is a veterinarian. He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "Suicide in veterinary medicine is a huge problem right now." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/10/suicide-in-veterinary-medicine-is-a-huge-problem-right-now.html)

"I am a medical doctor—a hospitalist working in an environment with many talented professionals. We share our knowledge and our approach to medicine with one another in ways that profoundly affect our patients and other personnel in the hospital. At our best, we are a community whose foundation is a willingness and openness to discuss hard facts and make difficult decisions. So why is it that when I was first diagnosed with infertility, I felt so alone? I was 1 in 8. Where were the others? There are hundreds of thousands of female doctors; where were the thousands who shared my situation? I didn't know anyone else. Because no one talks about it." Kate Hoppock is an internal medicine physician and can be reached at Fertility Found. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Normalizing infertility conversations in the workplace." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/normalizing-infertility-conversations-in-the-workplace.html)

"Oh, Canada! Every presidential election cycle, my colleagues joke that if the election result is not to their liking, they will move to Canada. On election night 2016, 'move to Canada' trended on Google, and the Canadian immigration website crashed. This election cycle America is having an existential crisis. What does America stand for? Who is American? What are American values? This time around, my colleagues aren't chuckling. Instead, they are frantically emailing Canadian colleagues, scouring the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons site for details, and hoping they don't have to take additional exams. So, to ease the presidential election anxiety, here's a guide on practicing medicine in Canada." Ashwini Bapat is a palliative care physician. She shares her story and discusses the KevinMD article, "Election anxiety? Here's a guide to practicing medicine in Canada." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/election-anxiety-heres-a-guide-to-practicing-medicine-in-canada.html)

"It is often difficult to reflect on the holidays when we are grieving positively. One thing to keep in mind is that the loved one/ones we lost would want us to remember them fondly and enjoy the holiday season. The holidays are rare occasions when families who are often separated by long distances come together. That time is precious, and as we well know, is limited. Making the most of the time, you have together will be a work in progress and a pathway to healing." Anjani Amladi is a psychiatrist and can be reached at her self-titled site, Anjani Amladi, MD. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Empty chairs at the table this holiday season." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/empty-chairs-at-the-table-this-holiday-season.html)

"The pandemic has been difficult, but it has managed to change my perspective for the better. I mourn for the suffering and loss we have experienced as humanity, and moving forward, I have a new sense of appreciation. I am hopeful for the future, and I know we are in this together. We should try to focus on appreciation, resilience, adaptability, and self-discipline. This is the most difficult time to do it as it seemingly has been forced upon us, but if we do not try it now, then when? As you read this, I want to know how the pandemic affected you directly. What have you improved upon, what have you grown to appreciate even more? I think we can all learn from each other, and if we focus on our resilience and some positivity, it may be a little easier to move forward and focus on hope for our future." Jasmine Toor is an internal medicine physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "Positive growth from the COVID-19 pandemic." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/11/positive-growth-from-the-covid-19-pandemic.html)

"Vaccines have been around as early as 1776 when Edward Jenner first pioneered the smallpox vaccine and Louis Pasteur produced a rabies vaccine. As a microbiologist's child, I grew up hearing these stories from my father and thinking of these men as heroes. Vaccines have been proven so effective and safe that we are guilty of taking them for granted. There may have been a few mishaps, but given current standards for testing efficacy and safety, there is very little to worry about. In 1980, the World Health Organization declared that smallpox was eradicated from the face of the earth, and there was no need for further vaccination. I, for one, cannot wait to hear the same about COVID-19." Anupama Verma is a nephrologist and can be reached on Twitter @anuvmd. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "#ThisIsOurShot to end the pandemic." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2021/01/thisisourshot-to-end-the-pandemic.html)