Posts about Primary Care
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide are changing the way we approach obesity. Some have even described them as a “medicinal version of bariatric surgery.” While these medications don’t interfere with nutrient absorption the way surgery does, they do dramatically reduce appetite. That means our patients need to be much more intentional about the foods they choose.
Few chief complaints in pediatrics are as common—or deceptively simple—as fever in children. Especially when that fever shows up in toddlers without a clear source.
Let’s be honest: most of us in healthcare didn’t learn about how much medications actually cost our patients when we trained. The system is opaque, the rules are ever-changing, and even the language is confusing.
Mental health might not be what we trained for, but in primary care and urgent care, it’s become a core part of the job. Managing anxiety, depression, and ADHD can be a daily challenge, especially when psychiatric support is limited.
Let’s set the scene: You’re finishing up clinic, maybe finally stealing a minute for lunch, when your phone rings. It’s the medical board—or so it seems. The caller knows your license number, your full name, and insists your credentials have been used in a drug trafficking scheme in another state. They sound serious. You’re a responsible provider and a little spooked, so you listen.
Collagen supplements. You’ve seen them everywhere: mixed into smoothies, stirred into coffee, hyped on social media. Patients ask about it. Your friend swears it made their skin glow. But is collagen just another wellness buzzword, or is there real science behind the hype?
Managing dyslipidemia often means going beyond just statins, especially for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), statin intolerance, or persistently high LDL-C levels.
As a primary care provider, you’re often the first to catch signs of substance use—and one of the most trusted to help manage it. Urine drug screening (UDS) is one of the tools in your back pocket, but it comes with questions:
In my primary care practice, I see a lot of women in perimenopause and menopause. But since my training was during an era when the WHI had raised alarms about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), I've had to get up to speed. Fortunately, the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) updated their hormone therapy position statement in 2022, and we now know the benefits of menopausal hormone therapy outweigh the risks for many people.
You’ve probably seen the headlines: Autism rates are rising. You might have heard it called an epidemic—a term that’s not just attention-grabbing, but also fuels fear and confusion. Parents might be asking you about this in clinic. Many argue that the rise in diagnoses just means we’re getting better at identifying what has always been there. Others feel the alarm bells ringing, wondering what’s causing this apparent surge.
Pelvic exams can be uncomfortable—even distressing—for many patients. That’s why adopting a trauma-informed care approach is essential. It means recognizing how common trauma is and shaping your care to prioritize safety, empowerment, and trust. When done thoughtfully, a pelvic exam can become more than just a clinical necessity—it can be a meaningful moment of connection and support.