Edwin Leap
As seen in:
LinkedIn,
Medium,
MSN,
HuffPost,
USA Today,
The Atlantic,
POLITICO,
Substack,
Emergency Medicine News,
Yahoo
and
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Edwin Leap
The Growth of Maternity Deserts
This appeared first in Emergency Medicine News last June. I have edited it slightly. https://journals.lww.com/em-news/fulltext/2024/06000/the_growth_of_maternity_deserts.8.aspx We had a call from a rural EMS crew a few weeks ago letting us know that a young woman had delivered her fourth baby in the back of a basic EMS unit and that they were on their way.
The emergency department crisis: Why patient boarding is dangerous
Last night when I came to work most of the beds in our 31-bed emergency department (ED) were full. There were more than 20 patients either in the waiting room proper or in the chairs that serve as “rooms” behind the triage area. Much of the problem was the fact that we were boarding patients who were waiting on inpatient beds, psychiatric admissions, or transfer to higher levels of care elsewhere.
Boarding Is Making Our Emergency Departments Miserable
Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
'Blah, Blah, Tumor, Blah, Blah, Cancer'
Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
The Injurious Gifts of Snow
Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
Back-to-Back Hurricanes Have Left Medical Disaster in Their Wake
Continue reading More for You Continue reading More for You
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
You may know someone who has a condition called atrial fibrillation. You may have it yourself! In fact, a lot of people have it. I seem to see it more and more in the ER. But what is it? Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm. The heart consists of two upper chambers, or atria, and two lower chambers, or ventricles. Electrical impulses start in the atria and normally go down nice, normal pathways into the ventricles, which move blood into the lungs and out to the body.
Gus Walz and the male loneliness crisis
As Tim Walz accepted the vice presidential nomination at the DNC, his teenage son, Gus, inadvertently became internet famous after clips of him crying and exclaiming, “That’s my dad!” circulated. While many across the political spectrum found the display of emotion endearing, inevitable ugliness ensued.
Can AI save the medical profession?
I was working in a busy GP clinic when I finished seeing my last patient for the day, and I felt a sense of relief that the day was over; however, that relief was quickly overshadowed by the daunting mountain of paperwork I needed to complete before I could go home. In general practice, this work pattern is becoming expected practice throughout the profession. GPs routinely spend 1 to 3 hours outside work daily, catching up on patient notes, referrals, insurance claims, and lab results.
Examining the coverage of DOs in the mainstream media
In mainstream media, physicians are often depicted wearing a white coat, stethoscope, and name badge with the letters “MD.” In contrast, television and news coverage of doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) is notably absent or skewed. As a result, osteopathic medicine is not as well-recognized or well-known as allopathic medicine. One example was seen recently on ABC’s The View, where host Sunny Hostin described DOs as not being medical doctors. This could not be further from the truth.
The Coming Red Tide in Healthcare
Life and Limb is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. I was walking behind a very tall young man in an airport recently. He had the appearance of an athlete. I looked at his right knee and with each step, it seemed to slide out to the side, then ‘clunk’ back in place as if there were some instability of a ligament. You watch the human body long enough and you learn things.
The many faces of anger: from frustration to social change
Understanding human anger is complex and multifaceted, rooted in a myriad of psychological, social, and even biological factors. We frequently confront personal experiences with everyday people reacting angrily to situations that could be handled with communication and a kind approach. The daily news is filled with violence related to anger. One of the primary catalysts for anger is unmet expectations.
I was trolled by another physician on social media. I am happy I did not respond.
I enjoy using social media (SoMe). These social communications-based, user-generated platforms part of Web 2.0 can be a great way to eat up time while scrolling mindlessly through funny posts, “how-to” cooking videos, or find breaking news updates (while being mindful of source reputation, of course).
Clean drug paraphernalia in harm reduction [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join us for a discussion on harm reduction and the controversy surrounding the provision of clean drug paraphernalia in harm reduction kits. Our guest, Bonzo Reddick, a family physician, will shed light on the principles of harm reduction, dispel myths, and explore the evidence behind these initiatives.
Social media: Striking a balance for physicians and parents
We live in an always-on, information-overloaded, highlight-reel, echo-chamber world. Medical practices are increasingly relying on mobile applications and social media for communication, service promotion, and education. How can we balance social media and device use—arguably imperative activities for many of us—with the other things in life that matter? And how can we, physicians using these programs both personally and professionally, serve as role models for our families and communities?
What’s love got to do with it? The emotional toll of the practice of medicine.
In medicine, we are taught to be professional and, at all times, to keep our emotions at bay. While this approach may work for some professionals, it is particularly challenging in medicine, especially in primary care. As a family physician, I have witnessed the journey of my patients over the years—sometimes spanning generations within a single family. I have seen my teenage patients grow into responsible adults and parents.
How microplastics harm your health
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a paper titled “Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events,” which detected the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in carotid artery plaque, with a higher risk of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months follow-up than those in whom MNPs were not detected.
The battle of the bulge: The struggle is real
The economic impact of obesity looms large, casting a shadow over both individual well-being and national prosperity. Beyond the personal struggles and societal pressures surrounding weight management, the financial ramifications of obesity ripple through health care systems, labor markets, and various sectors of the economy.
Wholly Healthy: Health Documents
The past few years have opened my eyes to so many of the non-medical things involved in the wellbeing of my patients and family members. Our world is awash in assorted forms and documents that are often, if not absolutely necessary, certainly very helpful when loved ones become sick or injured, and especially near the end of life.
social media's role in modern justice [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! We explore the intersection of high-profile legal cases and social media with renowned psychiatrist and author Doug Bremner. In this episode, we’ll be discussing the impact of social media on public perception, the challenges of maintaining due process in the digital age, and the complex dynamics at play in cases like Amanda Knox’s and Kyle Rittenhouse’s.
How social media alters young brains [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join Marc Arginteanu, a neurosurgeon, as we delve into a 2023 study revealing the alarming effects of social media and electronic addiction on the developing brains of middle school-aged children. Discover the intricacies of the study’s findings, the connection between TikTok and pseudo-Tourette’s syndrome, the impact of Instagram, and how excessive screen time affects brain structure and function.
Business knowledge matters
Isn’t it incredible that generations of physicians today still do not know how to make money in a professional business way that is easy to learn, implement, and use?
Navigating emotional storms in the ER [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join Victoria Goodheart, an emergency physician. In this episode, we explore the intricate world of health care professionals, their emotional journeys, and the profound impact they make on the lives of patients and families. Victoria shares personal stories and insights, shedding light on the challenges, resilience, and humanity that define the frontlines of health care. Victoria Goodheart is an emergency physician.
A doctor's tale of dismissiveness and patient harm [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join Alan Lindemann, an obstetrics-gynecology physician, who shares his insights and real-life experiences, shedding light on the issues surrounding patient care, medical decision-making, and the role of institutions and personal connections in shaping health care outcomes. Discover how the pursuit of quality care can sometimes be obstructed by self-interest and the need to protect reputations.
Unlocking emotional healing: the power of EMDR therapy
The therapeutic modality developed by Francine Shapiro and referred to as eye movement desensitization reprocessing or EMDR, when embedded in the context of a wider lens, focuses on specific events and feelings with a view to overarching goals. We become who we are in a relationship, and specifically in our earliest relationship with a primary caregiver who shapes our worldview before we can give this active consideration.
Wholly Healthy: What Does Hospice Care Mean?
Recently, I encouraged a dear great aunt to go into a hospice program. Like so many seniors, she lives alone, is adamant that she wants to do so, and has caregivers who come to help. Her will is strong, her mind sharp but her body is frail. Simple activities like moving around a room are remarkably hard for her. She was hesitant at first. A lot of people are. So what does it mean to be on hospice?
Does the legal system harm psychiatric patients?
It is a typical day on the inpatient unit. A patient is refusing medication, and I want to take her to court to compel her to take medication while her lawyer is arguing for her right to refuse. Me: “She’s clearly psychotic.
What the media gets wrong when reporting on "overprescribing"
A recent article in the Macomb Daily reported that a “Shelby Township doctor was convicted last Thursday of all counts for conspiring to distribute more than 300,000 opioid prescription pills valued at over $6 million, following a trial in U.S. District Court in Ann Arbor, according to federal authorities.” This sounds very serious on its face. But without context, the public, and even we, have no idea what this means.
Time to retire quarantine: Why 5-day isolation guidelines are doing more harm than good
I’m making morning rounds on the pediatric unit today: First up, 4-year-old twins with a severe asthma flare; next an infant with bronchiolitis on supplemental oxygen; then a dehydrated 3-year-old listless in bed. These children are all hospitalized with viral illness – but none of it is COVID-19. Meanwhile, their sniffling peers fill daycares and classrooms, and my daughter is among them.
Wholly Healthy: Shocking Truth — The World is Not Overpopulated - Baptist Courier
Here’s a shocking tidbit that doesn’t get much news coverage: The world is not overpopulated. In fact, it is steadily and rapidly becoming underpopulated. In fact, the U.S. population is just barely at maintenance (that is, each adult replaces himself or herself). And this is mainly due to immigration. People just aren’t having many children. Countries that we expect to be growing are contracting.
Doctors' emotional struggles in the medical field
Most humans, especially doctors, are completely disconnected from their bodies. This conditioning starts in childhood, escalates through teenage years, and peaks in residency where we are trained to completely detach from our body. Our emotions are held in our body. But in order to survive the chronic stress and trauma of medical training, we stop feeling. It’s our coping mechanism. It’s survival.
Drug prices and fast approvals can harm patients
An excerpt from Big Food, Big Pharma, Big Lies. Few fail to be shocked at the rising prices of some prescription drugs. “Drug companies have raised prices relentlessly for decades while manipulating the patent system and other laws to delay competition from lower-priced generics,” reported the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in December 2021.
a family physician's inspiring journey [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join Dhruva Gulur, a family physician, to explore his journey from burnout, addiction, and self-hatred to emotional freedom and personal growth. Discover the unique concept of “Empower ACES” and “Disregard FACES” that helped him turn his life around and how daily mind hygiene through writing became a transformative practice. Dhruva Gulur is a family physician.
Physicians can write their way to increased empathy
“When and how much?” I tried to recall the list of questions for intoxicated patients. A middle-aged man, much older than the demographics printed on the documents I hold, was writhing in pain, vomiting, and sobbing. The paper stated: chief complaint – mouse poison pellet ingestion, attempting suicide. “How and why?” I kept asking. I was his first encounter upon entering the emergency room, a terrified fifth-year medical student at a hospital in Tehran.
The real story behind Woodstock is not the brown acid
In my search for ever-obscure rock music from my generation – not the greatest generation but the flower generation – I came across a CD collection of rare songs titled “Brown Acid: The Seventeenth Trip,” appropriately subtitled: “Heavy Rock from the Underground Comedown.” The record review began as follows: “Lucky number 17? You better believe it.
We all make mistakes. Don't let them define you.
We are human and we all make mistakes. It’s an inherent part of our nature. It’s easy to get caught up in the belief that our mistakes define us or determine our worth; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. As physicians, mistakes often serve as the uninvited guests in our otherwise meticulously planned professional lives. Yet, it is crucial to recognize that these errors are not stamps of incompetence but rather intricate threads woven into the fabric of our growth and wisdom.
An emergency physician's insights on health partnerships [PODCAST]
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes! Join Drew Remignanti, an emergency physician, as he delves into the fascinating world of medicine and discusses his book, The Healing Connection: A Partnership for Your Health. Get ready to explore the insights and experiences of a medical professional who has dedicated his life to saving lives and fostering a deeper connection between patients and health care providers. Drew Remignanti is an emergency physician.
Why emotional intelligence is critical for safe nurse staffing
In Daniel Goleman’s model of emotional intelligence (EQ), there are two main competencies: Personal competency, which includes self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation; and social competency, which includes social skills and empathy. We can think of both competencies in terms of communication. Personal competency relates to our abilities to identify and value our needs, wants, limits, etc., and to express them respectfully, i.e., speaking up.
Reevaluating beliefs: the role of real doctors
Real doctors see patients. For years, I have held this thought as a truth. But it’s not a fact; it’s a belief, and it is no longer serving me. I’ve been questioning this belief for a while, but this weekend at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, I gained some clarity. There, I met, heard from, and spoke with so many fascinating physicians—physicians who are doing all sorts of amazing things in support of children.
Tomb of the unknown emergency physician
An overly familiar alarm buzzes at 4:20 a.m. My first thought was, “I should have slept more.” I lazily brush my teeth with the combination of spearmint and reflux mixing in the back of my throat. With heavy arms and legs, I wearily climb into scrubs in the dark and carefully exit the house – a thief in my own night. The pitch-black drive is less interesting this morning. News radio in the background drones on about the ongoing conflicts and controversies of the world.
Metric shaming in medicine and 3 ways to overcome it
Looking back at my career as an emergency physician, I remember how my first year out of residency was a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs, practicing as an emergency physician in a semi-rural town in Illinois. But once I found my stride and confidence as an attending physician, I recall distinctly knowing to my core that I was a good doctor. I was strong in my clinical knowledge. I connected well with patients.
My takeaways from an entrepreneur and real estate conference for physicians
Navigating the dynamic world of real estate investment and entrepreneurship has always been an exhilarating journey for me. As both an investor in real estate and the proud business owner of a coaching program, I’ve always believed in the power of continuous learning and forging meaningful connections. I recently attended one of the largest entrepreneurship and real estate conferences for physicians.
COVID vaccines and weight loss medications: a tale of 2 needles
I am perplexed by two different needles which, when viewed together, illustrate the irrational themes which dominate our shared humanity. They inform me that, despite being a doctor for more than twenty years, I honestly feel dumber each day about human behavior. If, unlike me, you have somehow figured out more along the way, good for you. The first needle which vexes me was the one stuck in my arm on Saturday, December 19, 2020.
Coping with haunting memories of a patient's loss
“That patient still haunts me,” I heard one of the PICU fellows murmur as he walked out of the auditorium. I wondered if I should have taken comfort after hearing that I was not the only one still struggling with this patient’s death. Despite months passing since this baby died, the memories of this family and their child continued to gnaw at me. It wasn’t until after that morbidity and mortality conference that I realized how raw I still felt. Why was I still so upset from this one patient?
Challenging the diagnosis: dehydration or bias?
The mediation was scheduled for noon. When the attorney in charge of the mediation was an hour late, his assistant began earnestly to find him. This was not typical behavior at all. A phone call to the condominium where the attorney lived sent security guards to his residence and then to the parking garage, where they found him slumped behind the wheel, seat belt securely fastened, and his keys in his hand. Emergency services were immediately called.
Contemporary weight loss: Unveiling the quest for elusive elixir
Recently, I received a call from an old friend. We had drifted apart over the years, but his purpose in calling wasn’t rooted in a desire to rekindle the embers of yesteryears. No. Rather, it was an explicit inquiry into whether I could assist him in obtaining the elusive elixir of contemporary weight loss.
Crying to be heard: women in emotional pain
I am struck by how often crying is overlooked or trivialized by doctors despite its therapeutic value and need for recognition. Crying can play a significant role in healing and overall well-being. Research has shown that crying serves as an emotional release, provides pain relief, reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances communication. Encouraging a culture of acceptance and understanding around crying in medical settings can contribute to holistic and empathetic patient care.
Unlocking emotional freedom and empathic communication
Has there ever been a time you judged yourself? Or that one time you resented yourself and repeatedly went over that event, thinking, “Gee, I wish I could’ve changed that one thing.” Has there ever been a time where you’ve said, “I’ll never be able to forgive myself”? Then, you begin to complain incessantly and blame others. “I see too many patients. There’s too much paperwork. Can you believe that the patient said that to me? How dare they?
Wholly Healthy: Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Although summer is drawing to a close, those of us in the South know that summer goes on and on, and Autumn can feel a lot like summer — so can parts of winter and spring. As such, it seems there are always bugs around. We learned this painful lesson in our log house, when it seemed that every new season brought a new, and different, infestation that seemed a little like a series of biblical plagues (ranging from ladybugs to scorpions!).
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Edwin
Contact Edwin, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack