Patients struggle to afford medications, leading to unnecessary ER visits | THE BEST OF The Podcast by KevinMD
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Patients struggle to afford medications, leading to unnecessary ER visits
As an emergency physician, I frequently encounter patients with uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes. These chronic conditions, which should be manageable, often bring patients to the ER because they can't afford their medications. During my shifts, I ask patients if they are taking their prescribed medications. Many respond, "No, I can't afford them." When I inquire if they've discussed this with their primary care physician, they often say they haven't. This lack of communication stems from discomfort discussing financial issues or a lack of trust in their patient-doctor relationship. Consequently, patients leave with prescriptions they can't fill, leading to worsening conditions and repeated ER visits. This cycle not only deteriorates their health but also results in large medical bills for preventable emergencies. It's a troubling reflection of the gaps in our healthcare system that prevent patients from receiving the continuous care they need.
Neill Slater is an emergency physician.
Adolescent diabetes care: the power of GLP-1 medications
What I envision is for physicians to embrace a comprehensive approach to metabolic health, especially when treating adolescents. It is crucial to be open to all available treatments and to initiate conversations about GLP-1 receptor agonists. By doing so, we can begin to address insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes more effectively in this young population.
Physicians need to expand their knowledge about these medications and consider their potential benefits. For instance, the TODAY2 study provides valuable insights into type 2 diabetes in adolescents and highlights the efficacy of these treatments. It’s important for us as medical professionals to stay informed and proactive, given that our training may not have covered these newer developments extensively.
Furthermore, assessing your patients thoroughly is essential. Obtain their lab results and avoid assumptions that they will simply outgrow their conditions. Don't shy away from discussions about potential treatments out of fear of causing harm. Many teens are struggling significantly with metabolic health issues, and their parents often feel lost in how to support them. As physicians, we must take the lead in ordering labs, discussing insulin resistance, exploring medication options, and considering prescriptions when appropriate.
Karla Lester, M.D., FAAP is a pediatrician, certified life and weight coach, and diplomate, American Board of Obesity Medicine.
?? FULL EPISODE → https://www.kevinmdpodcast.com/glp-1-medications-for-teens-balancing-weight-loss-and-metabolic-health/
Lab worker well-being with AI insights
A few weeks ago, I gave a talk to lab workers about their mental health and well-being. I used AI to identify specific areas where lab workers might face particular stresses or difficulties in their jobs. By leveraging AI, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges lab workers encounter both in their professional and personal lives.
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In addition to pinpointing these stressors, I also utilized AI to draft initial solutions and guidelines aimed at improving mental health and well-being. These recommendations included actionable steps that lab workers could take on their own, as well as strategies that employers could implement to support their employees. This comprehensive approach aimed to create a healthier and more supportive work environment for lab workers.
J. Wesley Boyd, MD, PhD is a psychiatrist.
?? FULL EPISODE → https://www.kevinmdpodcast.com/ai-ethics-in-medical-education/
The impact of debt on physician autonomy
Neglecting your finances can profoundly impact your career and the choices available to you as a physician. Graduating with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt can significantly affect your autonomy. If you immediately purchase a large house, a new car, and take on additional debt, your career options become limited, especially if you work in a small town with few employment opportunities.
Financial constraints can stifle your ability to speak out on issues you care about or push back against anything that encroaches on your autonomy. When you're financially overextended, you might feel trapped and unable to make career moves that align with your values or professional goals. This financial burden can lead to a sense of being backed into a corner, making it challenging to advocate for yourself or your patients effectively.
I strive to communicate this message to new attendings, emphasizing the importance of financial mindfulness. By managing your finances wisely, you can maintain greater control over your career, uphold your values, and ensure you have the freedom to make choices that truly reflect your professional and personal aspirations.
Neill Slater is an emergency physician.
Embracing AI to elevate medical excellence while mitigating risks
AI is here to stay, and we must acknowledge its existence and employ it for good. While there are potential harms, by being open-eyed about the future, we can ensure AI is used beneficially and enhances the capabilities of future physicians.
AI is revolutionizing healthcare, improving diagnostic accuracy, personalizing treatment plans, and enhancing operational efficiency. However, it also brings potential risks and ethical considerations. Transparency, rigorous validation, and continuous monitoring for biases are crucial to ensure AI tools are reliable and fair.
AI should not replace the human touch in medicine. While AI provides valuable insights, the empathy, intuition, and critical thinking skills of human physicians remain irreplaceable. Medical professionals must stay informed about AI advancements and participate in ongoing education and training.
The future of medicine is intertwined with AI. By embracing this technology with an open yet cautious mindset, we can unlock its full potential to improve healthcare outcomes and elevate medical excellence.
J. Wesley Boyd, MD, PhD is a psychiatrist.
?? FULL EPISODE → https://www.kevinmdpodcast.com/ai-ethics-in-medical-education/
Women's Health Advocate/Lobbyist/Artist
4 个月While I admire your dedication to patients especially pain patients and how your care for them is integrated with your care for the doctors who treat them, I am weary of the medical profession creating a belief that patients have a condition which only can be helped by medical treatments such as drugs or surgery. I used to believe the medical medical profession had the only solution that could help me when I agreed to undergo TAH/BSO. Not only did it not help my pain, but it created more pain. Now, I am dependent on a system whose only solutions are inadequate drugs, more surgery and invasive treatments. The only solution available which really turned my life back around are hormone pellets, but they compete with manufactured drugs, so they are bastardized. I wish I would have kept my organs. I didn't know how important they were or that I would need their products for the rest of my life.
Physical Therapist/ Craniosacral Therapist/ Generative Coach
5 个月How to reduce ER visits by patients with chronic diseases for issues that can be managed outside of it? * Address the social determinants of health. Patients who are unable to pay for their meds might also be food insecure. * Integrate care managers/ social workers into primary care. * Lifestyle medicine and patient education. Medicaid in some states is paying for food as medicine. * Expand palliative care.
Retired & Differently Abled / Disabled.Former Business Owner at Joe Fogarty's Fine Jewelry, Awards & Engraving and THE SPOT Knoxville, Tennessee Spiritual Assertive Empath and Volunteer Patient Advocate????
5 个月I need to go to an ER every day but I don't.
Founder 360 Wellness Village
5 个月When are physicians going to stop complaining and listen. WHY are people returning to the ER? Because MDs should get paid less from BIG PHARMA.
Explorer, MD, PhD | Physician, Scientist, Clinical Informatics, CMO, VP, Board Member, Director, Advisor, Consultant, DEI Health
5 个月Kevin Pho, M.D. !!!!