Articles related to PRACTICE PEARLS

An oncologist reflects on his last decade as a physician and what he’s learning through the art of oncology — the daily practice that is outside the latest data and is often not explicitly taught in fellowship — that has become ever more important and gratifying. Age, a changing work environment, a pandemic and telemedicine, reports of physician burnout, and colleagues leaving practice — all part of the daily routine. Here, the oncologist shares a few key rules that that have helped and sustained his practice.

Having a child with cancer is one of the most stressful events for any parent to endure. And, according to a report in JAMA Network Open, that stress contributes to often fractious relationships between parents and the medical teams treating their cancer-stricken children. JAMA reports that a quarter of parents have a difficult, or challenging, relationship with their pediatric oncologist and related medical team. The study also found that the tense feelings are mutual between parents and doctors. Among physicians surveyed, 37.6% reported that they felt the relationships they had with parents of the children they treated were challenging.

Let’s be honest, some medical specialties are easier than others, offering better hours at higher rates of pay and with less stress. However, for every doctor whose specialty affords them time on the golf course, there are other specialties that leave physicians trapped in a spiraling cycle of unpredictable hours, bad pay, and terrible work-life balance. How does your specialty measure up?

“MB” is a frail, wheelchair-ridden, nearly blind, and mostly deaf woman living with early dementia and neglected lung cancer. What this oncologist thought MB wanted and needed was a lot different than what MB actually wanted and needed after discussing various options with her and talking to her family on numerous occasions. A humbling, honest view of an oncologist’s biases.

The Journal of Clinical Oncology has a heartfelt account of one family’s struggle to access medical records after the death of a child from a brain tumor. Closing down online access to medical records is a common practice at hospitals and healthcare clinics following the death of a patient, often to the pain of family members who still have questions and seek answers.

You want speedy access to comprehensive records. Clinical decision-making tools. Optimized communication and data exchange. EHRs should be as unique as you, so whether you’re looking to replace or implement your first, this list can get you started.