The Podcast by KevinMD

Palliative care physician and certified physician development coach Christie Mulholland discusses her article "Why every physician needs a sabbatical (and how to take one)." Christie reveals the harsh reality that while sabbaticals exist on paper, unwritten rules often prevent doctors from accessing this critical recovery tool until it is too late. She shares her personal journey of taking an unsanctioned, unpaid break to combat burnout and how that decision allowed her to return to medicine with renewed purpose. The conversation explores why elite athletes and tech companies prioritize strategic rest while health care treats it as a luxury, offering practical steps for financial planning and reentry. Discover how stepping away from the grind might actually be the only way to stay in the profession you love.

True team-based care starts with you. When you join ChenMed, you'll feel seen, heard, and valued. That's because ChenMed practices transformative, physician-led care, focusing on prevention and empowering providers to have a lasting impact on their patients and communities.
So, whether you're applying for a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, cardiologist, or medical director position, you'll feel supported and fulfilled in every aspect of your career. Find a job that feels right. Visit ChenMed.com/Physicians to learn more.
VISIT SPONSOR → https://chenmed.com/Physicians
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast
RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Otolaryngologist Alan P. Feren discusses his article "How system strain contributes to medical gaslighting in health care." Alan explores why encounters that patients experience as dismissive or manipulative often stem from communication breakdowns driven by productivity pressures rather than clinician malice. He examines the cognitive reality of modern practice where heuristic shortcuts and a discomfort with uncertainty lead well-intentioned providers to offer premature reassurance that feels like invalidation. The conversation highlights critical inflection points like early interruptions and reliance on "normal" test results that erode trust and delay diagnosis. Alan argues that resolving this crisis requires moving beyond blame toward a partnership model where uncertainty is explicitly named and shared. Learn how shifting the focus from transactional care to collaborative sense-making can restore safety and humanity to the exam room.

True team-based care starts with you. When you join ChenMed, you'll feel seen, heard, and valued. That's because ChenMed practices transformative, physician-led care, focusing on prevention and empowering providers to have a lasting impact on their patients and communities.
So, whether you're applying for a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, cardiologist, or medical director position, you'll feel supported and fulfilled in every aspect of your career. Find a job that feels right. Visit ChenMed.com/Physicians to learn more.
VISIT SPONSOR → https://chenmed.com/Physicians
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast
RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Board-certified internist with a long-standing focus on public health, tobacco control, and preventive care Edward Anselm discusses his article "The economic case for investing in tobacco cessation." Edward reveals that while smoking rates have hit historic lows, 19.5 percent of adults still use tobacco, with significant disparities persisting across race, ethnicity, and income levels. He analyzes why only 6.4 percent of patients receive optimal treatment involving both counseling and medication despite 80 percent of users being advised to quit. The conversation highlights the financial argument for cessation, noting that Medicare reimburses $15.50 for brief counseling, yet systems bill this for less than 2 percent of visits. Edward outlines how a systems-change approach can create a net reduction in costs and generate substantial revenue for accountable care organizations. Discover how treating tobacco use aggressively is both good medicine and smart business strategy.

True team-based care starts with you. When you join ChenMed, you'll feel seen, heard, and valued. That's because ChenMed practices transformative, physician-led care, focusing on prevention and empowering providers to have a lasting impact on their patients and communities.
So, whether you're applying for a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, cardiologist, or medical director position, you'll feel supported and fulfilled in every aspect of your career. Find a job that feels right. Visit ChenMed.com/Physicians to learn more.
VISIT SPONSOR → https://chenmed.com/Physicians
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast
RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Family physician Kelly Bain discusses her article "Why physician business literacy matters." Kelly explains that while doctors are trained to diagnose and treat patients, they are rarely prepared to navigate the complex financial realities of the modern health care industry. She argues that bridging this educational gap is essential for health systems to survive the shift from fee-for-service to value-based care models like WISeR and TEAM. The conversation highlights how understanding coding, risk adjustment factors, and operational efficiency empowers clinicians to become active stewards of resources rather than passive participants. Kelly emphasizes that when physicians master the business side of medicine, they protect patient access and ensure the long-term sustainability of care for vulnerable populations. Learn why the future of medical leadership requires a seat at the financial decision-making table.

True team-based care starts with you. When you join ChenMed, you'll feel seen, heard, and valued. That's because ChenMed practices transformative, physician-led care, focusing on prevention and empowering providers to have a lasting impact on their patients and communities.
So, whether you're applying for a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, cardiologist, or medical director position, you'll feel supported and fulfilled in every aspect of your career. Find a job that feels right. Visit ChenMed.com/Physicians to learn more.
VISIT SPONSOR → https://chenmed.com/Physicians
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast
RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Psychiatrist Sarah Hollander, clinical psychologist Kelly D. Holder, and physician advocate and physical therapist Kim Downey discuss their article "Joy in medicine: a new culture." Sarah, Kelly, and Kim explore how the culture of medicine must evolve from a system of endurance to one of meaningful well-being. They examine the critical role of medical education in shaping the next generation, arguing that joy is not just an emotion but an alignment of purpose that can be taught and modeled. The conversation highlights the power of shared vulnerability and how caring for each other through heartbreak fosters a deeper, more resilient professional community. Discover how integrating humanity into the curriculum can help physicians avoid burnout and rediscover the soul of their practice.

True team-based care starts with you. When you join ChenMed, you'll feel seen, heard, and valued. That's because ChenMed practices transformative, physician-led care, focusing on prevention and empowering providers to have a lasting impact on their patients and communities.
So, whether you're applying for a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, cardiologist, or medical director position, you'll feel supported and fulfilled in every aspect of your career. Find a job that feels right. Visit ChenMed.com/Physicians to learn more.
VISIT SPONSOR → https://chenmed.com/Physicians
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast
RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended