Month: October 2024
Let it go!
By: Dr. Shruti Venkitachalam, Head and Neck Surgeon, Chennai, India It was an early morning surgery. I was the second assistant, retracting for a neck dissection. After almost three hours of retracting, I asked if I could get a five-minute break. The prompt reply was, “Why? Are you pregnant?" I was appalled and embarrassed. The others in the OR giggled. It made me cringe. He didn’t pause to think before saying that, and I was embarrassed - not him! Since completing my fellowship training, I have worked with only male superiors in different hospitals. I saw them as ‘surgeons’ and not as ‘male surgeons’ – until certain situations forced me to look at them that way. Years passed and faces changed but the story remains about several ‘hims’ and me. One morning, ‘he’ gave me several tasks to do. I scrambled to finish them but was late for the clinic....
From Sci-Fi to Surgery: Exploring Neuro-Enhancement Technologies
By Larissa Werneck For centuries, the idea of enhancing human cognition has captivated scientists and thinkers alike. Early experiments in brain augmentation, such as Roberts Bartholow’s 1874 electrical brain stimulation, laid the foundation for further exploration (Patra et al., 2019). Today, rapid technological advancements and increasing scientific curiosity have led to a surge in neuro-enhancement research (Clark et al., 2014). These innovations are revolutionizing healthcare, particularly in surgery, where they are used therapeutically (Giordano, 2012) and to enhance surgical performance (Patel et al., 2020). As research in this area expands, neuro-enhancement technologies hold the potential to revolutionize surgical practice, pushing the limits of precision, stamina, and ethics. How will this rapidly evolving field reshape the future of surgery? Neuro-enhancement technologies are various tools aimed at optimizing cognitive and neurological functions, either by enhancing existing abilities or compensating for deficits (Giordano, 2012). Examples of these technologies include brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), neurofeedback...
Sustainability, and Beyond…Another Case for the Resurgence of Private Practices
By… Erin King-Mullins, MD Sustainability has become a critical concern across all sectors, and the healthcare industry is no exception. While large hospital systems often grab headlines for their sustainability initiatives, private medical practices are emerging as unsung heroes in the quest for a more environmentally friendly and sustainable healthcare system. Physicians and trainees are grappling with tough decisions regarding the type of employment. One of the many concerns pertains to sustainability (including self-preservation). Let's explore how smaller, more agile entities are making a significant impact in this arena. Reduced Energy Consumption Private practices typically operate in smaller spaces compared to sprawling hospital complexes. Whether by using smaller office spaces and on site staff, or performing operations in ambulatory surgical centers, this inherently leads to lower energy consumption for heating, cooling, and lighting. In my practice, I utilize a virtual medical assistant to help with patient callbacks, scheduling and many...
Navigating Uncertainty on Medical Mission Trips: Lessons in Adaptability and Patient Care
By Mindy Hong Murphy’s Law—“Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”—has often resonated with me during my medical mission trips. Despite thorough preparation, unforeseen challenges inevitably arise. I’ve realized that, as medical students, we must embrace adaptability and flexibility to overcome these challenges and grow as future physicians. My experiences on two medical mission trips, one as a rising third-year and the other as a fourth-year medical student, have shaped my approach to patient care and broadened my understanding of global health. The Guatemala Mission: Building Clinical Confidence My first mission trip as a third-year medical student took me to Guatemala, where I would work clinically for the first time. I was eager yet uncertain, as each day brought new patient populations in various locations. Roles were fluid, and I found myself working as a pharmacy technician—far from what I anticipated but essential for understanding healthcare systems and team-based...
Becoming part of the pathway
By Shaidy Moronta, DO I march along to different appointments with my elderly grandparents—a normal routine for first-generation non-English speaking immigrants. We prefer to serve as the primary interpreters for our family. In many cases, this is our first introduction to the medical field. In other cases, it is where we find our life’s calling. I recall a particular appointment with my Abuelita for a colonoscopy screening. The doctor, an African American man who led a very pleasant appointment, tried to explain the plan in Spanish as best he could. My Abuelita began to weep immediately. She was in this country for less than a year and was navigating the foreign world of medicine in a language she could not comprehend. This was the first physician who tried to speak to her in her language. At that moment I realized just how important it was to feel seen, to be...
The Evolution of Women in Surgery: Defying Barriers and Shaping Medical History
By: Andrea Iturralde, MD Women in surgery have been in a constant state of evolution. In the early history of medicine, women played a fundamental role in surgery, but by the Middle Ages, they were forbidden from practicing. Despite these restrictions, women found ways to remain involved, demonstrating that when a woman has a dream and a strong desire, she doesn't let go. In Greek mythology, Asclepius, the god of healing, married Epione. They had five immortal daughters and two mortal sons. Their daughters—Hygieia, Aceso, Iaso, Aegle, and Panacea—were all physicians who represented different stages of the healing process and pharmaceutical treatment (Filippou et al., 2020). In the 11th and 12th centuries, another remarkable woman, Trota of Salerno (also known as Trotula), contributed as a practitioner and writer to the medical field. She was part of the Medical School of Salerno and was responsible for important advances in education and...