Author: The HMS CME Online Team

Why Does This Doctor Talk about His Addiction? Because “Secrets Make You Sick”

[The following post by Dr. Peter Grinspoon has been shared with us by Harvard Health Publishing after originally appeared on their website in May of 2019.]

Going Public with Sobriety…

 

Alcoholism is hardly a rare disorder in the United States. According to recent studies, 12.7% of adult Americans currently suffer from alcohol use disorder, more commonly known as alcoholism; according to other studies, 29% will meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder at some point during their adult lives.

If you add drugs to the mix, addiction (substance use disorder, including alcoholism) is even more common: it is estimated that in 2015, 20.8 million Americans met criteria for a substance use disorder within the prior year.

Given how common this problem is, one might think addiction would be readily accepted by our society, and that all one would have to do in order to get support is to admit one’s problem and ask for help. Right? Continue reading “Why Does This Doctor Talk about His Addiction? Because “Secrets Make You Sick”” →

Emotional Intelligence for Physician Leaders

“By teaching people to tune into their emotions with intelligence and expand their circles of caring, we can transform organizations from the inside out and make a positive difference in our world.”   –Daniel Goleman

The Hard Impact of Soft Skills

Have you ever regretted saying the wrong thing in the heat of the moment, or wished that you could quickly diffuse a tense situation, or could get a better sense of how others viewed you? Many of the challenges of health care stem from working in a highly complex, emotionally demanding environment. The ability to manage yourself and your relationships with others is an invaluable skill that physicians and other health care leaders must possess in order to be successful. Continue reading “Emotional Intelligence for Physician Leaders” →

Primary Cares Initiative Tests Value-Based Pay—Will It Work for You?

By Krishnan Narasimhan M.D.
May 8, 2019

The road from fee-for-service payments to value-based care has been a bumpy one for the entire health system. Current models have not found the most effective way to pay and incentivize primary care.

At an April 22, 2019 event in Washington, DC, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new payment models that aim to transform primary care through value-based options. This Primary Cares Initiative 1 will also test financial risk and performance-based payments for primary care physicians. The voluntary initiative includes five new payment models under two paths—Primary Care First (PCF) and Direct Contracting (DC). These models will be rolled out in 20 states starting in 2020. Continue reading “Primary Cares Initiative Tests Value-Based Pay—Will It Work for You?” →

Best Practices for Engaging Physicians in Health Technology

By Ted James, MD, MHCM
March 28, 2019

Advances in health technology allow health care professionals and organizations to meet ever-increasing demands for performance improvement—or at least that should be the case. The problem is that the adoption of technology in health care is a slow process with many hurdles. Wearables, predictive analytics, remote medicine, EHRs, digital health, AI, diagnostic algorithms, self-care apps, and next-generation clinical decision-support all have the potential to improve patient care; however, fundamental issues with usability and implementation need to be addressed for physicians to engage with these health innovations. Continue reading “Best Practices for Engaging Physicians in Health Technology” →

Dispelling Common Myths about Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy

By Sarah Bernstein, MD and Jessica Gray, MD
March 21, 2019

The opioid crisis and rise in overdose deaths in recent years has received a great deal of media attention. Though the media has helped to raise awareness, it has also contributed to stigmatization of individuals struggling with addiction. Pregnant and parenting women are among those who have been severely affected by the epidemic and perhaps most shamed by society for their use. Sadly, at a time when many women feel motivated to connect with the health care system and make healthy choices, women with addiction often avoid interacting with providers due to feelings of shame and mistrust. There are many misconceptions regarding the risks and benefits of medical treatment for women with substance use disorders as well as the treatment of neonatal withdrawal. We hope to dispel some of these myths and provide a better understanding of the evidence supporting the treatment of substance use disorders in the setting of pregnancy as well as neonatal withdrawal. Continue reading “Dispelling Common Myths about Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy” →

Promoting and Implementing Size Inclusivity in Health Care

By Jamie M. Marchetti, MS, RDN, LD
March 14, 2019

Beth was obese. She had been bigger her whole life, so this was not news as she reached her late-twenties. Beth ( her name has been changed to protect her privacy) was getting married and ready to start a family, so she went to her obstetrician/gynecologist to have her intrauterine device (IUD) removed and to discuss the implications of her polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) on fertility. The doctor scoffed and stated, “I don’t know how we’re going to get it out. At your size, I’m not even sure how they managed to get the IUD into you.” Further, it was discovered that Beth had grapefruit-sized cysts on both ovaries, and the doctor told her that neither he nor any doctor would do surgery to remove the cysts given her body size. Beth was desperate, so through her hurt and anger, she chose a crash diet to follow, which resulted in acute renal failure within weeks. Heartbroken and at the end of her rope, Beth found herself crying in a dietitian’s office, convinced that the well-balanced diet she was already eating must be harming her since doctors insisted she must not be nourishing herself properly if she wasn’t losing weight. Beth explained that she was content with her body, but that she was tired of seeking medical care and being treated poorly because of her size. Continue reading “Promoting and Implementing Size Inclusivity in Health Care” →