Professional Practice

According to Google, some of the most common questions people have about physician assistants (PAs) are the following:  “Is a physician assistant a doctor?”“Can a physician assistant prescribe medication?” “What are physician assistants not allowed to do?” As someone who has been practicing as a PA for almost three years now (and in graduate school for read more…

Searching for non clinical physician jobs? You’re not alone. Whether you’re a fresh-faced healthcare professional exploring your options or a medical veteran eager for change, you’re one of the countless physicians who may be interested in working outside the clinic. And we have some great news for you! From education to consulting, there are a read more…

I spend a lot of my life inside the cardiac operating room. It’s a high-stakes arena with up to nine medical staff assuming different roles for the care of the patient: anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist, perfusionist, circulating nurse, scrub technician, first assistant, cardiologist, and device rep, not to mention any medical students in training. As you read more…

It’s been just over two years of homeownership for me, and a multitude of contractors have suddenly entered my life. I’ve developed an entourage, including an electrician, a drywall team, insulators, plumbers, landscapers, and many more. Naturally, I have to put my trust in the contractor if I’m going to write them a check for read more…

I remember the feeling of graduating pediatric residency very well. At first, I felt exuberance and excitement! I had finally completed this monumental (not to mention, expensive) task that had been my life’s mission for many, many years. There was also a feeling of gratitude for making it this far and for the privilege of read more…

“Imposter syndrome” is a psychological phenomenon in which people doubt their own abilities, feel they don’t deserve to be where they are in life, and fear they will be exposed as fraud. The beginning of the academic year can heighten these anxieties among medical trainees as they climb the next rung on the ladder, taking read more…

As a resident, you have a unique opportunity to shape the future of medicine by teaching medical students. Not only is it a chance to pass on your knowledge, but it also allows you to refine your own skills as a clinician. As the saying goes, “SODOTO: See one, do one, teach one.” If you read more…

As an MD, your continuing education is of paramount importance. By reading journal articles, networking with colleagues, and seeing how things are done at different places, your skill set widens, new knowledge gets put into practice, and as a result, you have better patient outcomes. To illustrate the importance of lifelong learning, I’m going to read more…

As a physician assistant, the ability to effectively communicate with patients is not just a desirable skill—it is an indispensable art that lies at the heart of providing quality healthcare. Beyond the mastery of medical knowledge and technical expertise, the art of communication sets the stage for building trust, fostering collaboration, and ultimately delivering exceptional read more…

As an anesthesiologist, I treat many patients with hypotension. Sometimes, it’s my fault, but in those cases, it’s expected and correctable with the right medication. Of course, outside of the OR, the workup of hypotension, whether chronic or acute, can present more of a problem. In those cases, the question becomes why is the patient read more…

As a physician, I’ve had my fair share of moments that remind me why I do what I do. In these moments, I can’t help but remember everything I was taught regarding empathy in medicine. “Put yourself in your patient’s position,” I hear the mentors telling me from my medical school classes a decade ago. read more…

As a practicing or aspiring physician in a clinical setting, you understand the important role that medical consultations play in the everyday responsibilities of your job. Understanding how to manage a consultation and effectively communicate information can make all the difference. Let’s carefully break down a theoretical case study to master what it means to read more…

Effective communication and interpersonal skills are necessary for a well-functioning medical team. As a practicing or aspiring physician, it is your duty to set an example in proper communication for your team members.  Whether you’re a resident learning clinical duties or an attending physician, these strategies are sure to improve communication among your medical team. read more…

Starting day one of your residency, patients and attendings will have certain expectations of you. As a resident, it is crucial that you are proficient in communication to retrieve clinical questions in caring for patients, relay this to your attendings, and use evidence that will be used to address said medical concerns. Of course, skillfully read more…

From contending with burnout to struggling with managing your finances, residency is a difficult stage in any medical professional’s journey. But perhaps one of the biggest stressors of all is “learning on the job.” Whether you’re a chief resident teaching juniors or it’s the other way around, it’s important to foster a rich educational environment read more…

With labor shortages in medicine as tight as they are, it seems pretty hard to get fired nowadays. The media has thrown stories like that of Christopher Duntsch (Dr. Death) into the limelight, and we have learned that even a surgeon with terrible outcomes and possible malice behind his actions still collected an enormous paycheck read more…

As physicians, there are many challenges that get thrown our way during the course of a year, a work week, or even a single clinical shift. And if you don’t know how to manage these stressors and adjust your attitude accordingly, then staying healthy, positive, and productive as a medical professional can feel seemingly impossible. read more…

Maybe you’re accepting your first PA job offer or maybe you’ve had experience trying to take charge (and falling short) while negotiating your PA contract. Whatever the case, knowing how to effectively make your case during contract negotiations is an essential skill for any healthcare professional. What Happens Before the Job Offer Gets to You? read more…

Whether you have one job offer or multiple, the process of finally accepting your first position as a newly certified PA is equally as exciting as it is overwhelming. You’ve worked so hard to make it to this point, and now your career as a health care professional is finally materializing.  However, it’s important to read more…

One of the most exciting yet stressful times in your PA school experience is when you find yourself finishing up clinical rotations. In between preparing for the PANCE, awaiting graduation, and finally looking at job opportunities, it’s important to celebrate your accomplishments yet practically impossible not to feel overwhelmed. So, to alleviate the stress and read more…