The Christ Hospital Health Network’s Post

October 18 is Medical Assistants Day. One of the fastest-growing careers in the nation, medical assistants make medical offices run more smoothly and are instrumental in overall quality patient care. #MedicalAssistantsRecognitionDay #patientcare #qualitycare #DDK #surgicals #DDKHealthcare

to Become a Medical Assistant in 5 Steps

Burnout isn’t just for emergency medicine physicians. Physician assistants are feeling it too! By providing transparency to the emergency medicine job marketplace, Ivy Clinicians is actively working to lower the burnout rate in our field. Ivy gives you info about every ED and EM practice  in the country so you can find an emergency medicine job you love. Get started (it’s free!) at ivyclinicians.io! 

#what does this look like to you? Patient comes in complaining of persistent ear fullness; when he clears his ears, he has a sensation of hearing his own breath. NPs, PAs, and Medical Students, check out our course in comments below. One NP school using our course for 3 consecutive semesters noted ear knowledge metrics going from 78% pre course knowledge to 94% post course ENT knowledge. ENT is hard to teach - and most graduate medical, NP, and PA school with inadequate knowledge of the most common ear and ENT conditions they will see in the Urgent Care/ER/Primary clinic. #medicaleducation #ent #urgentcare

💡Reflecting on the Power of Human Connection in Medicine💡 During my time in the ICU as a medical student, I witnessed something profound during our morning rounds. 👁️🗨️ Two patients, almost the same age, were discussed. One was alone—no visitors, no responding relatives, and his condition was declining both physically and mentally, despite the dedicated efforts of the medical team. On the other hand, a patient in a similarly critical condition had a supportive family by his side, visiting regularly and actively participating in his care. This patient was not only in better spirits but also showing signs of physical improvement. 💬 Our Chief of the department took a moment to highlight the contrast between these two cases. He reminded us that medicine isn’t always about the most potent drug or the competency of the physician. Sometimes, it’s the seemingly smaller details—like having someone there for you—that make all the difference.This experience reinforced a lesson I will carry with me throughout my career: Medicine is as much about human connection as it is about science. The presence of a caring family or support system can be as crucial to recovery as any medical intervention. #Medicine #Healthcare #ICU #PatientCare #HumanConnection #MedicalStudent #FamilySupport

Reflecting on my journey as an ED resident, here are 5 key principles I wish I knew from the start: 1️⃣ Never assume a patient's vitals in the ED. Always recheck before making decisions as a patient's condition can change rapidly. 2️⃣ In emergency medicine, our goal is not just to react to crises but to anticipate and prevent them. Recognizing the signs of potential deterioration in a patient's condition and taking proactive measures can make all the difference. It's about staying vigilant, being prepared, and acting swiftly to ensure the best outcomes for our patients. 3️⃣ Don't hesitate to ask for help when performing a new procedure, regardless of how busy the ED may be. 4️⃣ Maintain professionalism at all times. The ED can be a stressful place and emotions can run high. Avoid arguing or shouting in front of patients as they deserve our utmost respect and care during their difficult times. 5️⃣ Patients arriving after midnight often require admission. Even seemingly trivial complaints warrant thorough evaluation, especially during night shifts when fatigue may impact diagnostic accuracy. Let’s not send them home ! Let's keep these principles in mind as we strive to provide exceptional care in the ED. Here's to continuous learning and growth in the rewarding field of emergency medicine! #EmergencyMedicine #PatientCare

Today, we appreciate the medical assistants supporting our physicians and other medical professionals. They're a crucial part of the system and making sure we get the best care. So thank one today and show them some love on social media! #MedicalAssistants #MedicalProfessionals #NationalMedicalAssistantsDay

What is Bedside Manner in Healthcare? Bedside manner complements the medication, the diagnosis, the injection, the physically painful ambulance ride, and how a healthcare professional delivers extremely traumatic news to a family member. Bedside manner has nothing to do with academic degrees, Fellowships, Board certifications, or the credentials of a healthcare professional. It is directly related to a healthcare professional’s level of emotional intelligence (or lack of it.) And yes, it can be learned. Excerpt taken from my upcoming book "The Emotionally Intelligent Physician, Surgeon, Physician Assistant, Medical Assistant, Nurse, and Healthcare Professional."

If we are all the same as “providers”, why invest millions in lobbying dollars to go from physician “assistant” to physician “associate” for no change in education, training, credentials? There are so many problems to solve that affect mortality, am always taken aback by this made a top priority instead is using the same lobbying to improve patient care. When I talk to patients they find all this confusing. Many think they are seeing a board certified doctor. After all, in many systems an employed board certified physician is an “associate physician.” Will patients know that a physician associate” is not the same? What obfuscates or confuses is not patient-centered. Informed consent involves transparency and clarity. I’ve also been told by patients that they are being pressured to sign papers that they give up any right to sue by newer provider types who are new to having to be personally responsible for their actions on an independent license. Other times those papers are slipped in along with usual patient paperwork to sign. Am not sure if these are outlier occurances or commonplace practice to attempt to take away a patient’s right to legal recourse. Self interest and protection ahead of protecting patients by various business entities is what is wrong with many parts of American medicine.