The hottest Medical Practices Substack posts right now

Understanding the nuances of healthcare for transgender youth is essential for improving the quality of care.
Nuanced debates about transgender youth healthcare are important, despite controversies and biases.
Major medical organizations emphasize the importance of gender affirming care for youth, but ongoing research challenges and the need for responsible practices remain.

The AMA's new BMI policy acknowledges the historical harm, racist exclusion, and limitations of using BMI, suggesting it be used alongside other measures.
The AMA's recognition of the limitations of BMI doesn't fully address the core issue of pathologizing bodies based on size, perpetuating weight stigma and inequalities in healthcare.
The AMA's connection to the weight loss industry raises concerns about their motives behind the new policy, impacting healthcare decisions and patient care.

Doctors giving diet advice without evidence can harm patients' health
Mistrust of patients by questioning their adherence to diets is a common issue in healthcare
Healthcare practitioners should reconsider their training on intentional weight loss and biases towards higher-weight patients

In 18th-century Ireland, midwife Mary Donally performed the first known successful caesarean section, saving a woman's life and her child's life.
The story showcases the resilience and strength of women, like Mrs. O'Neal and the woman from Augher, who endured unimaginable hardships with courage and fortitude.
Medical cases from history, like those described, highlight the remarkable toughness of the human body, particularly women's bodies, in facing challenges and continuing to persevere.

Routine weigh-ins at healthcare facilities can be harmful, especially for fat patients and those with eating disorders, leading to missed screenings and late diagnoses.
The emphasis on weight by healthcare providers can overshadow addressing actual health concerns, and the practice may be fueled by profit motives in the weight loss industry.
Healthcare providers should reconsider the necessity of routine weigh-ins, promote weight-neutral care, and provide options for patients to refuse weigh-ins.

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In the 18th century, a man underwent extreme and bizarre methods to rid himself of tapeworm infestation, showing the dangerous lengths people may go to in desperation for a cure.
The man endured multiple ineffective treatments prescribed by physicians before resorting to self-experimentation and ingesting home-made hooks to extract tapeworms, showcasing the challenges and risks of old-time medical practices.
Ultimately, after a year of experimenting with various remedies, the man found a solution that successfully expelled a significant amount of tapeworms from his body, demonstrating the perseverance and determination of individuals in seeking relief from illness.

William Thomas' ambition to become a doctor was sparked by a jovial local doctor in his community.
Thomas gained valuable experience in medicine through hands-on training, learning about bedside manner and patient interaction.
Despite facing challenges and unexpected responsibilities in his early career, Thomas persevered and continued to grow as a medical professional.

The past is filled with morbid medical-themed stories involving supernatural encounters, like a 7-foot-tall corpse standing upright in a dissecting room.
Even physicians, like an unnamed doctor in New York, have encountered eerie incidents, such as being led to a patient by a deceased child.
Victorian medical students' antics, like assembling and playing pranks with a bleached skeleton, sometimes crossed into the realm of the supernatural, leading to life-altering experiences.

The author shares her experience in the hospital after undergoing an appendectomy and battling an acute infection.
The author reflects on the limitations of modern hospitals compared to 19th-century healing practices like access to healing gardens and uninterrupted sleep.
The author expresses gratitude for her immune system and the lessons she learned from 'dissident doctors' about personal responsibility for immune health.

Bone-setters were community healers who treated fractures and musculoskeletal issues without formal training, relying on experience and intuition.
Sarah Mapp, a bone-setter in 1736, achieved fame for her ability to treat injuries, attracting a wide range of patients from rich to poor, showcasing her strength and tenacity.
While Sarah Mapp's success was celebrated during her time, her celebrity was short-lived, and she died in poverty, highlighting the changing perceptions and fleeting nature of fame.