Josh McGough, MD
@joshmcgoo.bsky.social
Girl Dad | EM Doc | Nice Guy | Views Mine | Never Medical Advice
40 million Americans are about to lose SNAP benefits. That’s 1 in 10 people losing access to food.
Probably won’t see scurvy in the ER, but you’ll see hunger, stress.
Number needed to treat for a turkey sandwich if you’re hungry? One. Feed your people.
Probably won’t see scurvy in the ER, but you’ll see hunger, stress.
Number needed to treat for a turkey sandwich if you’re hungry? One. Feed your people.
October 31, 2025 at 3:24 PM
40 million Americans are about to lose SNAP benefits. That’s 1 in 10 people losing access to food.
Probably won’t see scurvy in the ER, but you’ll see hunger, stress.
Number needed to treat for a turkey sandwich if you’re hungry? One. Feed your people.
Probably won’t see scurvy in the ER, but you’ll see hunger, stress.
Number needed to treat for a turkey sandwich if you’re hungry? One. Feed your people.
Happy Late October, premeds!
Just got your med school acceptance? Do nothing.
Don’t study anatomy. Don’t open Anki. Don’t “get ahead.”
No one halfway through anatomy has ever said, “Glad I skipped seeing friends for flashcards.”
Touch grass. Eat a vegetable. Celebrate.
Just got your med school acceptance? Do nothing.
Don’t study anatomy. Don’t open Anki. Don’t “get ahead.”
No one halfway through anatomy has ever said, “Glad I skipped seeing friends for flashcards.”
Touch grass. Eat a vegetable. Celebrate.
October 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Happy Late October, premeds!
Just got your med school acceptance? Do nothing.
Don’t study anatomy. Don’t open Anki. Don’t “get ahead.”
No one halfway through anatomy has ever said, “Glad I skipped seeing friends for flashcards.”
Touch grass. Eat a vegetable. Celebrate.
Just got your med school acceptance? Do nothing.
Don’t study anatomy. Don’t open Anki. Don’t “get ahead.”
No one halfway through anatomy has ever said, “Glad I skipped seeing friends for flashcards.”
Touch grass. Eat a vegetable. Celebrate.
Apparently they’re called “arginine vasopressin disorders” and not “diabetes insipidus” anymore.
No one told me
No one told me
October 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Apparently they’re called “arginine vasopressin disorders” and not “diabetes insipidus” anymore.
No one told me
No one told me
I somehow have not evaded the Philadelphia chromosome - it’s on the EM Boards
October 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I somehow have not evaded the Philadelphia chromosome - it’s on the EM Boards
I've never seen Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, but the treatment is antibiotics and oral hygiene. Augmentin + metronidazole for 7 days.
October 24, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I've never seen Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis, but the treatment is antibiotics and oral hygiene. Augmentin + metronidazole for 7 days.
According to the boards, 90% of nosebleeds are anterior, coming from the Kiesselbach plexus.
In my experience, they're all 85 and on warfarin
In my experience, they're all 85 and on warfarin
October 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
According to the boards, 90% of nosebleeds are anterior, coming from the Kiesselbach plexus.
In my experience, they're all 85 and on warfarin
In my experience, they're all 85 and on warfarin
Recent travel + watery diarrhea = traveler’s diarrhea. Most cases are self-limiting and don’t need antibiotics. Don't be fooled be colitis on CT either unless there's some severe immunocompromised/c diff at play. The boards wont be subtle
October 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Recent travel + watery diarrhea = traveler’s diarrhea. Most cases are self-limiting and don’t need antibiotics. Don't be fooled be colitis on CT either unless there's some severe immunocompromised/c diff at play. The boards wont be subtle
The average Step 2 score in 1995 wouldn’t even pass today.
That’s how fast the goalposts have moved.
We keep selecting for test-taking machines instead of future physicians.
Soft skills matter. Empathy matters.
Medicine isn’t multiple choice.
That’s how fast the goalposts have moved.
We keep selecting for test-taking machines instead of future physicians.
Soft skills matter. Empathy matters.
Medicine isn’t multiple choice.
October 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The average Step 2 score in 1995 wouldn’t even pass today.
That’s how fast the goalposts have moved.
We keep selecting for test-taking machines instead of future physicians.
Soft skills matter. Empathy matters.
Medicine isn’t multiple choice.
That’s how fast the goalposts have moved.
We keep selecting for test-taking machines instead of future physicians.
Soft skills matter. Empathy matters.
Medicine isn’t multiple choice.
If you’ve never used GoodRx, try it once.
Type in any common med and watch the prices swing by hundreds of dollars between pharmacies on the same block.
Print the coupon. Hand it to your patient.
At minimum, they’ll know you care. At best, you’ll save them real money.
Type in any common med and watch the prices swing by hundreds of dollars between pharmacies on the same block.
Print the coupon. Hand it to your patient.
At minimum, they’ll know you care. At best, you’ll save them real money.
October 23, 2025 at 4:21 PM
If you’ve never used GoodRx, try it once.
Type in any common med and watch the prices swing by hundreds of dollars between pharmacies on the same block.
Print the coupon. Hand it to your patient.
At minimum, they’ll know you care. At best, you’ll save them real money.
Type in any common med and watch the prices swing by hundreds of dollars between pharmacies on the same block.
Print the coupon. Hand it to your patient.
At minimum, they’ll know you care. At best, you’ll save them real money.
If you’ve never used GoodRx, try it once.
Type in any common med and watch the prices swing by hundreds of dollars between pharmacies on the same block.
Print the coupon. Hand it to your patient.
At minimum, they’ll know you care. At best, you’ll save them real money.
Type in any common med and watch the prices swing by hundreds of dollars between pharmacies on the same block.
Print the coupon. Hand it to your patient.
At minimum, they’ll know you care. At best, you’ll save them real money.
October 23, 2025 at 3:24 PM
If you’ve never used GoodRx, try it once.
Type in any common med and watch the prices swing by hundreds of dollars between pharmacies on the same block.
Print the coupon. Hand it to your patient.
At minimum, they’ll know you care. At best, you’ll save them real money.
Type in any common med and watch the prices swing by hundreds of dollars between pharmacies on the same block.
Print the coupon. Hand it to your patient.
At minimum, they’ll know you care. At best, you’ll save them real money.
13 years ago, still smiling with you, just with a developed frontal lobe
October 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
13 years ago, still smiling with you, just with a developed frontal lobe
As I go into some peds shifts as an attending I always remember there’s a nonzero chance every kid with knee pain has an osteosarcoma
October 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
As I go into some peds shifts as an attending I always remember there’s a nonzero chance every kid with knee pain has an osteosarcoma
If you see a newborn in the ER, do you check the mom’s blood pressure too?
There are projects where BP screenings will hit the street - barber shops, etc. Why not in the 6 week postpartum period? Been thinking about that lately
There are projects where BP screenings will hit the street - barber shops, etc. Why not in the 6 week postpartum period? Been thinking about that lately
October 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
If you see a newborn in the ER, do you check the mom’s blood pressure too?
There are projects where BP screenings will hit the street - barber shops, etc. Why not in the 6 week postpartum period? Been thinking about that lately
There are projects where BP screenings will hit the street - barber shops, etc. Why not in the 6 week postpartum period? Been thinking about that lately
A med student with a social media following recently said patients shouldn’t trust an “unhealthy” doctor. People gain or lose weight for countless reasons. Thyroid issues. Grief. Pregnancy. Stress. Recovery from addiction. And in training? Forget it.
Be kind to yourself first!
Be kind to yourself first!
October 12, 2025 at 8:07 PM
A med student with a social media following recently said patients shouldn’t trust an “unhealthy” doctor. People gain or lose weight for countless reasons. Thyroid issues. Grief. Pregnancy. Stress. Recovery from addiction. And in training? Forget it.
Be kind to yourself first!
Be kind to yourself first!
Best part about being an attending?
Responding to emails from residents and med students with a couple words, poor grammar, and an emoji.
Responding to emails from residents and med students with a couple words, poor grammar, and an emoji.
October 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Best part about being an attending?
Responding to emails from residents and med students with a couple words, poor grammar, and an emoji.
Responding to emails from residents and med students with a couple words, poor grammar, and an emoji.
Platysma is probably the silliest muscle name
October 5, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Platysma is probably the silliest muscle name
Reposted by Josh McGough, MD
75% of people still aren’t paying attention
About 1 in 4 U.S. adults worry they or someone close to them could be deported, according to a June @pewresearch.org survey.
About 1 in 4 U.S. adults worry they or someone close to them could be deported
About four-in-ten immigrants (43%) say they worry a lot or some, up from 33% in March.
www.pewresearch.org
October 5, 2025 at 2:04 AM
75% of people still aren’t paying attention
Bringing your cyber truck to preschool drop off is the weirdest flex I’ve ever seen 
October 4, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Bringing your cyber truck to preschool drop off is the weirdest flex I’ve ever seen 
Proud to say my older kid is officially a SLEEP WALKER like her Daddy I'm so proud of her
October 3, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Proud to say my older kid is officially a SLEEP WALKER like her Daddy I'm so proud of her
Government shutdowns hurt patients.
❌ Telemedicine visits not covered → more ER visits
❌ SNAP/WIC paused → families can’t feed kids
❌ Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements stall → fewer providers, higher costs
Patient's cant get to nursing homes on gov't insurance!!!
❌ Telemedicine visits not covered → more ER visits
❌ SNAP/WIC paused → families can’t feed kids
❌ Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements stall → fewer providers, higher costs
Patient's cant get to nursing homes on gov't insurance!!!
October 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Government shutdowns hurt patients.
❌ Telemedicine visits not covered → more ER visits
❌ SNAP/WIC paused → families can’t feed kids
❌ Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements stall → fewer providers, higher costs
Patient's cant get to nursing homes on gov't insurance!!!
❌ Telemedicine visits not covered → more ER visits
❌ SNAP/WIC paused → families can’t feed kids
❌ Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements stall → fewer providers, higher costs
Patient's cant get to nursing homes on gov't insurance!!!
Docs...
Stop telling little girls they’re “trouble” or asking if they have boyfriends. It’s gross, unsafe, and erodes trust in healthcare.
Talk to kids like this instead:
“What’s your favorite show?”
“Do you like to dance?”
“Tell me about your shirt.”
It's not hard!
Stop telling little girls they’re “trouble” or asking if they have boyfriends. It’s gross, unsafe, and erodes trust in healthcare.
Talk to kids like this instead:
“What’s your favorite show?”
“Do you like to dance?”
“Tell me about your shirt.”
It's not hard!
October 3, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Docs...
Stop telling little girls they’re “trouble” or asking if they have boyfriends. It’s gross, unsafe, and erodes trust in healthcare.
Talk to kids like this instead:
“What’s your favorite show?”
“Do you like to dance?”
“Tell me about your shirt.”
It's not hard!
Stop telling little girls they’re “trouble” or asking if they have boyfriends. It’s gross, unsafe, and erodes trust in healthcare.
Talk to kids like this instead:
“What’s your favorite show?”
“Do you like to dance?”
“Tell me about your shirt.”
It's not hard!
Things are busy but things are good
October 2, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Things are busy but things are good
Reposted by Josh McGough, MD
Acetaminophen/paracetamol use in pregnancy doesn't cause autism, no matter what RFK says this week. This is not an unsettled question. Evidence summarized here: sciencebasedmedicine.org/tylenol-and-...
Tylenol and Autism
Earlier this year, HHS secretary RFK Jr. predicted that, "By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we'll be able to eliminate those exposures." Scientists have been researc
sciencebasedmedicine.org
September 21, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Acetaminophen/paracetamol use in pregnancy doesn't cause autism, no matter what RFK says this week. This is not an unsettled question. Evidence summarized here: sciencebasedmedicine.org/tylenol-and-...
RA end diastolic collapse happens first in tamponade because between RV and RA, both of which being baby, RA is a bit more baby.
August 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
RA end diastolic collapse happens first in tamponade because between RV and RA, both of which being baby, RA is a bit more baby.
Starting Facebook marketplace conversations with “Hi, my wife wants me to buy this!” Is 1000% more successful than “hi, is this available?”
August 28, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Starting Facebook marketplace conversations with “Hi, my wife wants me to buy this!” Is 1000% more successful than “hi, is this available?”