In can be confusing and even demoralizing for a medical student or resident to understand what’s expected of them... more

To commemorate the start of our fifth season, we revisit a conversation we had almost two years ago about the... more

The two doctors charged for their roles in the events leading up to actor Matthew Perry’s death were both involved... more

The term “Narrative Medicine” (NM) refers to a range of activities, including close reading and reflective writing about literature, designed... more

There is an idealized version of physician-patient communication that is taught in medical schools, reinforced with acronyms like PEARLS, SPIKES,... more

The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as a “chronic disease” occurring in the brain – Many believe this... more

In his book, The Present Illness, American Health Care and Its Afflictions, physician and historian Martin Shapiro, MD, PhD, MPH... more

A recent NEJM article and accompanying podcast episode (“Tough Love”) authored and hosted by the Journal’s national correspondent sound... more

“Sonny’s Blues” is a 1956 story by the author, James Baldwin, about a “sensible” and pragmatic algebra teacher and his... more

In a 2021 episode that we reran last month, “About me being racist: a conversation that follows an apology,” Saul... more

We are re-running this episode from 2021 because we’re releasing a sequel next month in which Saul reflects on his... more

For years, when physicians order tests to assess lung function, or blood work to determine kidney function, or look up... more

The practice of urine drug testing during pregnancy and then often reporting positive results to Child Protective Services triggers a... more

Direct, covert observation of health care is a novel and underutilized tool to assess health care trainees and clinicians. In... more

In the prior episode we learned that there is no evidence that time-limited testing improves test validity and that, in... more

There is a widely held perception that being able to complete a test quickly is an indication of mastery when... more

Stefan interviews co-host Saul about his experiences becoming a doctor with a learning disability.  This episode, first run in 2020,... more

A recent New York Times article, titled "When Doctors Use a Chatbot to Improve Their Bedside Manner," should raise questions... more

The narrative that getting patients with chronic pain off opioids makes them safer was reinforced by a recent paper... more

We might assume that a patient who is chained to their hospital bed must be restrained for good reason, but... more