Jimmy Carter’s end-of-life decision: Respecting patient autonomy and the importance of hospice care

Here are the stories you missed on KevinMD. Thank you for your continuing readership. --------------------------------------------------------------- Here are the stories you missed on [KevinMD](. Thank you for your continuing readership. --------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsors [Suki’s voice assistant]( is secure, affordable, and works seamlessly with all EHRs. Start a [15 day free trial]( to see how much time you can save. As we pass the [three-year anniversary]( of the COVID-19 pandemic and the end of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) on May 11, it is a [time for reflection]( on the exceptional challenges faced and the incredible heroism we witnessed from all health care professionals. [Find your dream job with Careers by KevinMD](. Search 6,500+ employers and top physician jobs added daily. Connect with premier organizations and advance your career today. --------------------------------------------------------------- KevinMD Plus: Apr 17, 2023 [Jimmy Carter’s end-of-life decision: Respecting patient autonomy and the importance of hospice care]( A KevinMD article about Jimmy Carter’s end-of-life care decision, “The heartbreaking story of Jimmy Carter: a call for Medicare reform in end-of-life care,” indicated that the former president’s decision was heartbreaking. However, I have a different view. In my opinion, the 39th president, at age 98, made an autonomous and well-informed decision. On February 18, [...] [Is it time to say goodbye to medical school rankings?]( Premeds, don’t let them mislead you again. It was once said that if we were 30 percent less intelligent, we would likely become happier. Sadly, awareness precedes intelligence. There is terrifyingly little strength involved in witnessing any tragedy that would either take a very long time to unsee or would stick with us to the [...] [6 ways ChatGPT can help you succeed in medical school]( Medical school can be a daunting journey for many aspiring physicians. As I look back now at the beginning of my 4th year, this has certainly been the case for me. With an overwhelming amount of information to learn and retain, students often find themselves struggling to keep up with the pace of the curriculum. [...] [How AI can help alleviate the strain on the medical system]( The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on the health care system and its professionals. With an increased demand for nursing staff during the crisis, many young nurses entered the workforce to fill the gap. However, this new generation of nurses has brought a set of expectations and attitudes that are now putting a [...] [I’m not so different from Lionel Messi – and neither are you]( In the United States, 16,783,000 viewers watched the 2022 World Cup final. That number doesn’t include me, who inconspicuously watched the match over the shoulder of a stranger sitting one row ahead of me on a flight — a traveler who had the means to purchase the plane’s Wi-Fi while I, a student surviving on [...] [Psychological safety: the unspoken key to health care success [PODCAST]]( In this episode, we are joined by clinical psychologist and health systems leadership consultant, Nicola F. De Paul, to discuss the importance of psychological safety in health care environments. Nicola shares her personal experience of addressing psychological safety concerns at an academic medical center [...] [Hospitalsplaining: a lawyer’s perspective on condescension in the medical field]( It will come as no surprise to anyone reading my articles that hospitals can be extremely condescending to physicians. As a physician’s lawyer who spends his days reviewing and negotiating physician employment agreements, I am also frequently “treated” to this phenomenon. My firm has coined the phrase “hospitalsplaining” to describe how hospitals routinely talk down [...] [Physicians: Don’t believe these career transition myths]( Are you a physician looking to explore nonclinical career options and make a fresh start? While the thought of transitioning away from your current job might be daunting, these five myths about career transition should not hold you back – there are actually many opportunities available for advancing professionals like yourself who have the courage [...] [Why doctors are experts at dissociating]( When you think of the word dissociate, it likely conjures up images of someone stumbling up a beach with no recollection of their life before being washed up on shore. Sure, dissociative amnesia is a (rare) phenomenon. But dissociating is not. In fact, doctors are trained to do it. When I was in clerkship in [...] [Strategies for effective patient communication: a guide for physicians with the aid of ChatGPT]( Effective communication is the cornerstone of the patient-doctor relationship, fostering trust, empathy, and understanding between both parties. As a physician, honing your communication skills helps to facilitate accurate diagnoses and treatment plans and improves patient satisfaction and adherence to medical recommendations. This article will explore strategies to help you communicate more effectively with your patients [...] [Doctors: We must fight against frivolous lawsuits]( Lawyers assert that they never file a frivolous lawsuit. All malpractice claims are legitimate because there is a reasonable suspicion of fault when a case is filed. On January 21, 2022, at 11:40 a.m., I received a call from my attorney, who represented me in a frivolous malpractice lawsuit, informing me that I was unconditionally [...] [United by medicine: a journey of friendship, success, and the power of character [PODCAST]]( Join us in this episode as we dive into the incredible bond between Sharyar Baradaran, a periodontist, and Arya Shamie, an orthopedic surgeon. Despite their different religious backgrounds and specializations, these two childhood friends from Iran have come a long way to excel in [...] [Physicians take a stand against anti-LGBT laws: a call to action]( In the 1970s, my brother and I were raised as twins. He’s a year older than me, but we wore matching denim outfits, had thick side-parted hair, and worshiped The Beatles. Near identical though we were, only one of us was queer. And America was lying in wait. When I was a toddler, the American [...] [A man’s life turned upside down by pneumonia and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome]( An excerpt from Particles in the Air. As he sat in the empty waiting room several hours later, Forest couldn’t recall how he made it through the remainder of the morning. He had never felt so terrible in his life, even as a child. His chest and ribs were exceptionally sore from three days of [...] --------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsors As a physician, you lead a busy life. At Pattern, we offer [fast, accommodating, and easy-to-understand disability insurance]( comparisons to save you time. Lock in lower rates this spring with our help and check this off your to-do list today! [Accelerating Wealth]( is a 5-week online course for physicians and high-income professionals. Learn the exact process to profitably invest in short-term rental properties with 57 bite-sized modules, checklists, calculators, live Q&A support, and experienced coaches. [Maximize your compensation and secure financial success]( with Contract Diagnostics' comprehensive physician contract reviews, tailored to your unique needs and backed by unparalleled expertise. --------------------------------------------------------------- ​​​​​​ [Why physicians are losing autonomy]( There are difficult issues confronting physicians generally, regardless of whether they are primary care physicians or specialists or employed or in private practice. The list is long and growing as more and more requirements, costs, mandates, and regulations are being inflicted in an environment of decreasing compensation. All of these lend to the rapidly lost [...] [The invisible epidemic: How physician burnout is affecting the medical community]( Physicians dedicate their lives to the well-being of their patients, often neglecting their mental health in the process. The demanding nature of their profession, coupled with long hours, emotional exhaustion, and immense responsibility, can result in physician burnout, depression, anxiety, and even suicide. In this article, we will discuss the importance of mental health and [...] [Rural America’s health care crisis: Unmasking the physician shortage epidemic]( Data published in 2021 by the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the U.S. could experience a shortage of 37,800 to 124,000 physicians by 2033. Rural America is struggling, as the majority of graduate training facilities are disproportionately located in metropolitan areas. This geographic imbalance directs doctors and residents away from already underserved and [...] [Physician and nursing shortages: How AI can help [PODCAST]]( In this episode, we talk with Harvey Castro, a physician and health care consultant, about how artificial intelligence (AI) can help tackle the physician and nursing shortages in the United States. We discuss the contributing factors behind the shortages, the ongoing efforts to address [...] [The rise and dark side of fungi: Exploring health benefits and pathogenic threats]( Fungi have a well-deserved surge in popularity. More mushroom varieties have found their way to grocery store shelves, shopping lists, and food blogs. Mushroom foraging is a trending activity as people endeavor to connect to nature. There is a growing market of mushroom coffee shops touting health-related boosts and “medicinal fungi” being sold as herbal teas and supplements. [...] [Professional creep in medicine challenged by AI: How ChatGPT is revolutionizing medical diagnosis]( Professional “creep” refers to the phenomenon where the responsibilities and expectations of a particular profession gradually expand beyond their original scope and begins to overlap with other professions. This can occur due to various factors, such as technological changes, societal expectations shifts, and personal and financial gains. Professional creep can be both positive and negative. [...] [The true value and power of respect is too often undervalued]( Everyone recognizes that respect is essential in critical relationships with colleagues, patients, their families, and others. So why should the topic deserve closer scrutiny? Seven Ways to Fix Policing NOW: Building Trust, Authentic Partnerships, and Safe Communities was authored by Kathleen O’Toole and my colleague Robert Peirce. They describe why a Chicago detective had such an [...] [An anesthesiologist’s story: Going beyond the protocol to save a life]( I was waiting for my son at the ice rink in one of Chicago’s northern suburbs. Hundreds of people had gathered to watch the Illinois State Championship games. A parent, who knew I was an anesthesiologist, grabbed me by the elbow and said, “Hey, Doc, someone in the lobby is not feeling well.” I went [...] [Why weight loss drugs are not the answer to obesity]( Drugs that cause weight to melt away sound more tempting than chocolate cake, but weight loss drugs won’t cure obesity. And that’s OK, because obesity isn’t a disease to be cured. Obesity is just a risk factor for more important risk factors. Fat people are more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and [...] [Healing the healer: How physicians can overcome the struggle of caring [PODCAST]]( Catch up on old episodes! Join us in this insightful podcast episode as we welcome Karen Leitner, an internal medicine-pediatrics physician and life coach, to discuss the unique challenges physicians face when their loved ones need medical care. Karen shares her personal experiences and sheds light on the logistical, [...] --------------------------------------------------------------- If a friend sent you this email and you want to subscribe, go to [KevinMD](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 345 Hudson Street New York NY 10014 USA [Unsubscribe]( | [Change Subscriber Options](