Lessons My Patients Taught Me
By Elliot Davidson MD
Lessons My Patients Taught MeSep 19, 2021
The Fascinating World of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery in 2024: A Conversation with Dr. Joe Lahorra. #48
Dr. Joe Lahorra, Chief of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Akron General shares his insights, experiences, and lessons from years on the front lines of this life saving field.
The Privilege of Doctoring: A Conversation with the Dynamic Dr. Sandy Snyder. Episode # 47
Family Doctor, Program Director, leader of the Transformative Care Continuum, Sandy Snyder, DO, shares her common sense and dedication to doctoring and education.
Leading with your Heart: A Conversation with Dr. David J. Davidson #46
Preventive Cardiologist, Lipidologist, and weight loss expert David J. Davidson, MD shares his cutting edge approach to heart disease prevention and living life to the fullest.
Equanimity and Grace: Episode #45
This patient taught me some very valuable lessons. How important is age in deciding if surgery is the right option? How can we face the ultimate challenges in life with courage and grace?
Easy to Swallow: A Conversation with Esophageal Expert Dr. Ronnie Fass. #44
Dr. Ronnie Fass is a world expert on esophageal disorders and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). He explains his groundbreaking research and how to manage this very common condition.
How to Pick a Consultant. Episode # 43.
When should your primary care provider send you to a specialist? And when they do, how does one pick the right specialist for you. In this podcast, I share what factors I use to improve patient satisfaction in this often scary experience.
Nurturance and Empowerment: A Conversation with Dr. Kit Belen. Episode #42
Dr. Kit Belen, family doctor and educator, hails from the Philippines and brings her unique story and perspective about the challenges facing minorities and women in medical education, practice and access to health care.
Courage to Caregivers: A Conversation with founder Kristi Horner Episode#41
Need resources to care for someone struggling with mental or physical illness? Looking for compassion and resilience? Listen to this wide ranging conversation with founder and executive director, the dynamic Kristi Horner.
https://www.couragetocaregivers.org/
Gyn Oncology: A Conversation with Dr Steven Waggoner. Episode #40
Dr. Steven Waggoner is a world expert on Gynecologic Cancers and he shares his approach to treating the whole patient and being there for them for every phase of their experience including their survivorship!
The Making of a Family Doctor: the Transformation of Michael Arnold, DO. Episode #39
My conversation with Dr. Michael Arnold, one of the pioneers of the Transformative Care Continuum (TCC), a 6 year combined medical school and family medicine curriculum. Nearing graduation, Michael shares some of his challenges and successes, the lessons of COVID, and why vulnerability is the secret to growth.
10,000 Brains: A Conversation with Dr. Firas Al-Ali. Episode #38
Neuro-Interventional Surgery Specialist Dr. Firas Al-Ali discusses his extensive experience and how he places patient autonomy as the first priority. We discuss research integrity, how algorithms affect physician decision making and the role AI may play in the future.
Conquering Back Pain and other Physical Therapy Secrets: A Conversation with Dr Phil Toal. Episode #37
Dr. Phil Toal, an experienced and wise physical therapist and teacher, shares his secrets for diagnosing and treating low back pain and many other orthopedic issues. He explains how to help patients understand their condition and GET BETTER!
How to Succeed in Academic Medicine: A Conversation with Dr. Bret Lashner. Episode #36.
Dr Bret Lashner is sought out by other doctors, politicians and kings for his expertise in inflammatory bowel disease. He explains how he provides his expert care while teaching, researching and publishing and enjoying every minute of it.
From Platoon Leader to Community Family Doctor: A conversation with Dr Brian Krusemark Episode #35
Dr. Krusemark was a platoon leader in Iraq for 4 years, won the Bronze Star, decided to be a family doctor and now he is working hard but having a ball. He shares his many lessons for success with patients and in life.
Lady Problems: Lessons from the World of Uro-Gynecology. A Conversation with Emily Davidson, MD. Episode #34
Dr. Emily Davidson, a specialist in Uro-Gynecology discusses the most common causes of urinary incontinence and how to treat it, and why it may be a matter of life or death for some patients. She explains the common condition of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause and a simple and effective treatment. She describes the importance of listening to patients, especially on topics that patients may be reluctant to talk about.
The No Holds Barred Insights of STD Surgeon and Researcher Dr. Peter Leone. Episode #33
Dr. Leone is a leader in the treatment and research of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Herpes and HIV. He also loves to cook and has a great sense of humor. He shares his insights on STDs, pandemics and the best in Italian cooking.
Making Marriage Work and Other Life Lessons from Master Individual and Marital Therapist: A Conversation with Jane Freeman, LISW, MSW. Episode #32
Jane Freeman, LISW, MSW, for over 4 decades, has been teaching family doctors and medical students how to encourage strong marriages and build better family functioning in their patients and families. Here she shares some of her secrets and techniques for conflict resolution, growing together as a couple, encouraging strong self-esteem in children in the era of social media, and more.
Blogs and Gastro Dialogs: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Kirsch Lesson #31
Dr. Michael Kirsch, gastroenterologist and long-time blogger @ MDWhistleblower.blogspot.com, shares insights on improving the Dr-Patient relationship and lessons he has learned from practice and parenting.
Demystifying Weight Management Meds and Diabetes Care 2023: A Conversation with Megan Adelman, Pharm.D.
Confused about weight management meds? Incredibly knowledgeable and helpful Dr. Megan Adelman breaks it all down for us, highlights the new Diabetes Care guidelines, and shows us the importance of having a pharmacist on your team.
Mastering Cardiology and Humanity: A Conversation with Dr. George Litman Lesson #29.
In 50 years in medicine, and over 40 years teaching and mentoring medical students and residents, Dr. George Litman has exemplified what it means to heal while never losing sight of his or any of his learner's humanity. In this podcast, he shares some valuable lessons and how he avoids falling into the cynicism trap.
How to Prevent Heart Disease: A Conversation with Preventive Cardiologist Dr. Michael Davidson #28
Internationally known expert, Dr. Michael Davidson, shares that we already know how to prevent coronary heart disease, the number one killer. He recommends some simple yet powerful tools for doctors and patients to live longer, healthier lives and explains what drew him to his exciting work in lipidology, research, and as a biotech CEO.
How to Achieve Med School Success: Dr David Sperling and the Chamber of Secrets Episode #27
The secrets to succeeding in those critical third and fourth years of medical school by master teacher, Family Physician, Dr. David Sperling. More great ideas in this episode than in a whole Kaplan Course. Not to be missed!
The Magic of Dermatology: A Conversation with Dr. Eliot Mostow, Episode #26.
Do you find diagnosing a rash daunting? Wondering how to best prepare to apply to a derm residency?
Master dermatologist and teacher, Dr. Eliot Mostow addresses all this and more in this profound and insightful episode.
Patients' Biggest Fear - It is not what you think. Lesson #25
Patients do fear death and dying but many things are even scarier. What are they and how can we help alleviate them?
The State of Infertility Treatment Today: A Conversation with Dr. Rachel Weinerman. Episode #21.
One of my most interesting, informative, and controversial discussions. Dr. Weinerman, a specialist in Reproductive Endocrinologist and Infertility, discusses many aspects of infertility, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and how the new "Heartbeat Bill" will affect her practice.
The Power of Suggestion and Patient-Centered Care: A Conversation with Dr. Moshe Torem - Episode #23
A wise psychiatrist shares his tips on how to discover aspects of one's personality and how to tailor treatment.
Miracles Do Happen! Episode #22.
Hard to believe something like this could happen, but it did. A miracle is the only way to describe it.
Perfect can be the enemy. Episode #20.
Ever think you have the perfect treatment in mind for your patient? Sometimes, perfect is not the best choice.
Episode #19 Shift your Paradigm.
Ever wonder how to change your patient's outlook. How about your own? Here is one case that did just that in an amazing and surprising way.
Episode #18 A Conversation with Dr. Paul Lecat.
Master clinician and teacher Dr. Paul Lecat shares his secrets for teaching without intimidating. How do you give constructive feedback AND build up the learner? And of course some physical exam pearls!!
Episode #17 Medicine can hurt as much as help.
Worry about side effects, drug interactions, choosing the wrong drug, or the wrong treatment regimen? This podcast if for you.
Episode #16 Knowing Yourself.
What can Stephen Covey, William Shakespeare, and Anne Rice teach us about being a good doctor? Quite a lot!
Episode #15 A Conversation with Dr. Debbie Plate.
The devoted and much sought-after educator and family physician shares her secrets for helping patients, from adolescents to octogenarians, develop trust in their doctor.
Episode #14 What Can Heal You
Simple but powerful tools you can use to heal your patients and yourself.
Episode #13 What Can Kill You!
What should the wise doctor be alert for in their patient and in themselves?
Episode #12 Urology 101: A Conversation with Dr. Howard Abromowitz
Dr Howard Abromowitz was one of the busiest urologists in Dayton, Ohio for 33 years. Here is some of what he learned about prostates, kidneys, patients and sex.
Episode #11 Father and Son
How can you be successful in Med School and Residency? My son Zach and I banter about that elusive work/life balance. We also discover some early lessons you can learn if you are paying attention.
Episode #10 How to Beat Cancer
This one is personal for me. I describe how my patients and my beloved sister taught me different ways to beat cancer.
Episode #9 A Conversation with Dr. Herman Abromowitz
He is my mentor, my role model. What are some of the lessons Dr. Herman Abromowitz learned from almost 60 years of medical practice.
What a gold mine!
Lesson #8 House Calls May Amaze You
Ever wonder what goes on at a house call or what the doctor may learn. Here I describe some patients that taught me some valuable lessons in their own homes.
Lesson#7 Know your line
This episode explores several ways to deal with racist or discriminatory comments you may hear in your office. It is also available as a blog post: https://lessonsmypatients.wordpress.com/2021/05/15/lesson7-know-your-line/
Lesson#6 The Consultant is Not Always Right
A diagnostic dilemma. Try out your clinical acumen. Maybe you are smart enough to figure this out and save the patient.
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://lessonsmypatients.wordpress.com/2018/03/18/lesson6-the-consultant-is-not-always-right/
Lesson #5 How did you see that?
Another important lesson I learned from my patients. This time, the importance of close observation. This episode is also available as a blog post: https://lessonsmypatients.wordpress.com/2016/03/14/lesson-5-how-did-you-see-that/
Lesson #4 Your Words Matter
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://lessonsmypatients.wordpress.com/2016/02/16/lesson-4-your-words-matter/
Whether you are a med student, a doctor or a friend, your words have tremendous power.
Lesson #3 Style and Substance
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://lessonsmypatients.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/lesson-3-style-and-substance/
A new doctor needs style and substance and here is why and how to do it.
Lesson#2 Don’t Only Listen to the Patient
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://lessonsmypatients.wordpress.com/2015/12/06/lesson2-dont-only-listen-to-the-patient/
Rule #1 Listen to the patient! But if you do only that, they can take you down the wrong path. Don't forget Rule#2, just as important.