A new triple threat – 09/22/2021 – Used to the ideal academic provider was a triple threat if he/she conducted original research, taught students and residents, and provided top-notch patient care. This author argues that this has changed, especially as the writer spends more time juggling work and caring for his three-year-old during COVID. His definition of the new triple threat which I totally endorse is one who is a well-rounded provider, who is a connected self-care giver, and who is a fully engaged parent!
A Therapeutic Relationship – 11/10/2021 An anecdotal piece focusing on the importance of touching our patients, even during this time of the pandemic.
Code Words – 08/15/2022 -This is a moving perspective essay from a fellow working in the pediatric ER, and is centered around what happens after a young patient dies in the emergency department.
Common Sleep Disorders in Adults: Diagnosis and Management – 04/20/2022 – It’s estimated that 60 million adults report chronically disturbed sleep. Lots of excellent tables, refresh how we counsel about sleep hygiene-no clock watching, no napping during the day, no watching tv or other electronic devices in bed! Go to bed only when sleepy.
Health, Humor, and Harmony – 04/04/2022 – Check this out when you can. Dr. Roy completed her residency here at Duke. She lives in NYC and I believe was holding down 3 different jobs all while appearing on MSNBC and NBC news over 300 times during the COVID Pandemic. She has created a delightful health show that covers a number of themes of interest to primary care providers.
Inherited patients taking opioids for chronic pain- considerations for primary care – 02/22/2022 – Take a look at this article and think about what happens in your clinic when you or a colleague inherit a patient who has been maintained for some time on opioids for chronic pain. I think the coaching tip is to try to consider providing a therapeutic bridge for the patient until a solid plan of care can be created and agreed upon.
Medical Advice for Commercial Air Travel – 10/21/2021 – This article involves information that would be helpful if you were counseling a patient who might be planning a trip. Of note, timed melatonin is supposed to be a highly effective way to treat jet lag.
Medical Violence – 11/10/2021 – A compelling article was written by a physician providing care to a diabetic patient with glucose over 500. The patient was an inmate, and there was moral clarity that the author writes about in a compelling fashion.
Nutrition Support Therapy-01/12/2022 -Avoid percutaneous feeding tubes in patients with advanced dementia.
With helpful tables that include guidelines for how best to monitor nutrition support therapy.
Poignant Vignettes –Peak Moments- When Kindergarten is High Risk – A moving perspective article just published, written from the perspective of a mother who has a significant underlying immune abnormality that puts her at high risk for death if she were to become ill with a COVID infection.
Who was she? – 09/23/2022 – This is an important story told by an infectious disease doctor who cared for a 30-year-old pregnant woman with severe Covid pneumonia-the patient had recently migrated from the Caribbean. The patient was afraid of the potential negative effects of the vaccine on her fetus. The author writes about how knowing a patient’s country of origin can be important, especially so that we might think about providing culturally congruent resources.