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Second Opinions

Essays and opinions from our readers, always thought-provoking, sometimes controversial

A photo of the cover of the book Under the Gun next to the author Cedric Dark, MD, MPH.

Long Before I Was a Doctor, I was Just a Teen Whose Cousin Was Shot Dead

An excerpt from Dark's new book, Under the Gun

A graphic of a stethoscope creating a heart with the words: World Patient Safety Day inside.

'Failing Wisely' Can Promote a Safer Healthcare System

Don't assume old strategies and new technologies will improve patient safety

A computer rendering of a transparent human head with the brain highlighted.

Brain Health Risks: Digital Quality Measures and the Future of Neurological Care

Access to advanced tools must be equitable

A photo of people watching the presidential debate at a bar.

Common-Ground Healthcare Policies Both Trump and Harris Can Support

Can our future leaders place public health ahead of politics?

A photo of New York City fire fighters standing on the rubble pile of the World Trade Center.

Never Forget the 9/11 Responders Who Risked Their Lives

Care is available for those who continue to face health consequences

A photo of a little girl sitting on a step stool in front of a refrigerator.

The Invisible Epidemic of Childhood Food Insecurity

We can help ensure our pediatric patients have adequate nutrition to thrive

A photo of a blood test in culture bottles in an incubator being tested for bacterial growth.

What Can We Learn From Blood Culture Bottle Shortage?

Its disparate impact offers lessons in resource sharing and medical ethics

A photo of the Project 2025 booth at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Project 2025: Assessing the Impact on the Healthcare Workforce

Effective and equitable training does not appear to be a priority of this agenda

A photo of a smiling female physician at the foot of the bed of a little girl undergoing cancer treatment.

The Emotional Toll of Chronic Illness in Childhood

Let's do more to promote mental well-being in pediatric patients

A photo of a female physician talking to her senior female patient.

Should We Attribute Patients' Conditions to 'Old Age'?

Fueling denial of the realities of aging comes at a great cost

A photo of FDA headquarters in Silver Spring Maryland.

Diversity Action Plans for Clinical Trials: Evaluating FDA's Draft Guidance

A critical analysis reveals opportunities and challenges prior to finalization

A photo of a nurse sitting next to a male patient who is reading braille.

I'm Embarrassed to Admit I Have No Idea How to Care for Patients With Disabilities

All medical schools should prepare trainees to meet the needs of this population

A photo of the south facade of The White House.

Presidential Candidates Should Undergo Standardized Cognitive and Physical Testing

And the findings should be made public when situations emerge that raise alarm

A photo of a neffy nasal spray over a blurred photo of shelves of medication at a pharmacy.

Neffy Is About to Hit Shelves: Considerations for Prescribing

The first needle-free epinephrine option is encouraging, but we must proceed with caution

A computer rendering of an artery blocked by plaque.

The Widowmaker: Clarifying the Record for Our Patients

Fear shouldn't drive medical intervention

A photo of a mushroom based pain relief ointment on a tray in a wellness clinic.

Is 'Wellness' Bad News for Healthcare?

The growing industry is a double-edged sword

A photo of a woman speaking to a female physician who his holding a clipboard.

Your Patient Has Been Dealt a Hand With Four ACEs. What Now?

In cancer survivorship, we must address patients' psychological wellness

A photo of Matthew Perry.

What the Matthew Perry Tragedy Reminds Us About Ketamine Use

We must develop multi-disciplinary safety standards for ketamine clinics

A computer rendering of sickle cells blocking blood flow.

Too Many Kids With Sickle Cell Disease Aren't Getting Appropriate Preventive Care

Findings from my recent study shook me to my core

A photo of a statue of J. Marion Sims in Central Park, New York City.

How Should Unethical Legacies in Medical History Be Handled?

Reexamining legacy and revoking reverence help restore medical integrity

A photo of medical staff attending to Noah Lyles after the finish of the Men鈥檚 200 meter final.

An Olympic-Sized Miss in Managing COVID-19

Did high stakes lead to foregoing prevention and mitigation?

A photo of Evan Gershkovich at Andrews Airforce Base after he was released from Russian prison.

Surviving Russian Prison: Evan Gershkovich's Health After Incarceration

We wish him the best support in reintegrating back home

A photo of a female physician holding an IUD with her out of focus patient in the background.

I've Seen the Extreme Pain of IUD Insertion

CDC's new guidance is a good first step, but more is needed to acknowledge women's pain

A photo of a nurse drawing blood from a male patient.

Blood Test for Colon Cancer: Panacea or Hype?

This newly approved testing modality brings challenges and opportunities

A photo of pall bearers carrying a casket.

Death Is Inevitable. It's Time We Learned to Talk About It.

By fostering honest and compassionate discussions, we can provide patients with more dignity

A photo of Simone Biles at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

A Leave of Absence -- From Medicine or the Olympics -- Is Not a Sign of Weakness

Taking a step back is sometimes necessary to move forward

A photo of a nurse holding a bag of intravenous medication.

PBMs Are Stacking the Deck Against Patients and Independent Physician Practices

Infusion services and other therapies must be delivered without delay

A photo of a container of urine on a drug testing form.

He Hadn't Had a Drop of Alcohol in Nearly a Year -- But the Test Said Otherwise

Faulty testing protocols threaten the freedom of those entangled in the U.S. legal system

A computer rendering of mpox virus particles.

Mpox Is Becoming More Deadly. We Need Global Action Now to Prevent Another Pandemic.

A new, more dangerous variant has emerged

A photo of a tired looking new mother sitting on a couch with her baby on her lap.

The Postpartum Cliff Doesn't Need to Be So Steep

Extending the standard of care to at least 1 year post-birth can save lives

A photo of a senior woman receiving care at home by a female nurse while her husband looks on.

Extend the Hospital-at-Home Waiver Before It's Too Late

Older adults should continue to receive care where they feel and heal their best

A photo of packages of Plant Based Organic Burger Patties for sale in a supermarket.

Plant-based Food and Drink Labeling Is a Battlefield

Public health considerations are missing in action

A photo of Anthony Fauci, MD, during a Senate hearing on the federal response to the covid pandemic.

What Is 'Character Assassination' in Medicine?

The consequences affect not only the targeted clinician but patients and institutions too

A photo of a medical training dummy in a hospital bed.

Medicine Made LGBTQ+ Health the Problem. Medical Schools Can Help Course Correct.

Medical training has let discrimination go unchecked for far too long

A photo of a portable ultrasound machine next to a woman lying on a hospital bed.

POCUS and Malpractice: Separating Fact From Fear

The benefit to patients from point-of-care ultrasound should outweigh litigation concerns

A photo of a female pharmacist at a shelf of medicines.

Community Pharmacy Gets an Unfairly Bad Rap

I'd like to set the record straight

A photo of diary cattle.

Fighting Blind: There Remains Much We Don't Know About the H5N1 Outbreak

Here are key questions we need to answer to prevent larger crises

A photo of the Capitol building in Washington, DC.

Another Medicare Cut for Physicians? Look to Congress, Not CMS

Medicare patients and providers deserve better

A photo of a male hand holding a pen over a non-disclosure agreement form.

Non-Disclosure Agreements Have No Place in Medicine

Just because something is legal doesn't mean it's ethical

A photo of the cover of The Connection Cure next to a photo of the author Julia Hotz.

Doctor's Orders: A Social Prescription for Health

An excerpt from Hotz's book, The Connection Cure

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