Stefan Kertesz
@stefankertesz.bsky.social
The American College of Physicians announced that the *one thing* doctors should *not* take seriously is:
whether their patient with pain feels that they were helped
Dr Saul Weiner & I cover this and other pain-related disasters in our latest podcast On Becoming a Healer pod.link/healer/episo...
whether their patient with pain feels that they were helped
Dr Saul Weiner & I cover this and other pain-related disasters in our latest podcast On Becoming a Healer pod.link/healer/episo...
October 30, 2025 at 4:07 AM
The American College of Physicians announced that the *one thing* doctors should *not* take seriously is:
whether their patient with pain feels that they were helped
Dr Saul Weiner & I cover this and other pain-related disasters in our latest podcast On Becoming a Healer pod.link/healer/episo...
whether their patient with pain feels that they were helped
Dr Saul Weiner & I cover this and other pain-related disasters in our latest podcast On Becoming a Healer pod.link/healer/episo...
4/In our podcast, Saul Weiner and I ask how the medical profession became "addicted" to discussing opioids (mostly, not prescribing) and lost track of how to help someone with pain
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
October 23, 2025 at 3:36 PM
4/In our podcast, Saul Weiner and I ask how the medical profession became "addicted" to discussing opioids (mostly, not prescribing) and lost track of how to help someone with pain
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
3/The ACP's "thumbs up" is 100% opposition to the CDC's current guidance. The CDC knows these measures harmed patients.
Please note ACP gave a big "red thumbs down" to measuring if patients experience their pain care as helpful.
A horrific message:
"The patient isn't your partner in pain care"
Please note ACP gave a big "red thumbs down" to measuring if patients experience their pain care as helpful.
A horrific message:
"The patient isn't your partner in pain care"
October 23, 2025 at 3:36 PM
3/The ACP's "thumbs up" is 100% opposition to the CDC's current guidance. The CDC knows these measures harmed patients.
Please note ACP gave a big "red thumbs down" to measuring if patients experience their pain care as helpful.
A horrific message:
"The patient isn't your partner in pain care"
Please note ACP gave a big "red thumbs down" to measuring if patients experience their pain care as helpful.
A horrific message:
"The patient isn't your partner in pain care"
2/Example: American College of Physicians endorsed quality measures for pain care.
They gave a big "thumbs up" for profiling "use of opioids at high dose" (lower is better).
This has been tried, and led to patient harms as they were cut off of medication.
www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/...
They gave a big "thumbs up" for profiling "use of opioids at high dose" (lower is better).
This has been tried, and led to patient harms as they were cut off of medication.
www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/...
October 23, 2025 at 3:36 PM
2/Example: American College of Physicians endorsed quality measures for pain care.
They gave a big "thumbs up" for profiling "use of opioids at high dose" (lower is better).
This has been tried, and led to patient harms as they were cut off of medication.
www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/...
They gave a big "thumbs up" for profiling "use of opioids at high dose" (lower is better).
This has been tried, and led to patient harms as they were cut off of medication.
www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/...
1/🔊 Our latest podcast focuses on the hollowed-out state of pain care in America. It asks "Why are we addicted to talking about opioids rather than helping people with chronic pain?"
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
October 23, 2025 at 3:36 PM
1/🔊 Our latest podcast focuses on the hollowed-out state of pain care in America. It asks "Why are we addicted to talking about opioids rather than helping people with chronic pain?"
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
"On Becoming a Healer" is on
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2mU6...
2/We interviewed Dr. Anne Walling, a physician of that generation who has published a book based on interviewing 37 of her peers, published by CRC Press
Find us (On Becoming a Healer) on Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0qYH...
Find us (On Becoming a Healer) on Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0qYH...
September 28, 2025 at 6:56 AM
2/We interviewed Dr. Anne Walling, a physician of that generation who has published a book based on interviewing 37 of her peers, published by CRC Press
Find us (On Becoming a Healer) on Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0qYH...
Find us (On Becoming a Healer) on Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0qYH...
1/Women entering med school in the 50s & 60s faced a "Mad Men" like world:
Being pinched & prodded
Playboy photos in lectures
And yet when our podcast guest interviewed them decades later, they were upbeat about their careers
Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast tells their stories
Being pinched & prodded
Playboy photos in lectures
And yet when our podcast guest interviewed them decades later, they were upbeat about their careers
Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast tells their stories
September 28, 2025 at 6:56 AM
1/Women entering med school in the 50s & 60s faced a "Mad Men" like world:
Being pinched & prodded
Playboy photos in lectures
And yet when our podcast guest interviewed them decades later, they were upbeat about their careers
Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast tells their stories
Being pinched & prodded
Playboy photos in lectures
And yet when our podcast guest interviewed them decades later, they were upbeat about their careers
Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast tells their stories
After Dr Smith’s patient died, her husband brought him her diary.
What he read shocked him. He had failed at responding to a woman in the worst moment of her short life.
Dr. Smith is the guest on our latest podcast from “On Becoming a Healer”. That story is in this post
pod.link/healer/episo...
What he read shocked him. He had failed at responding to a woman in the worst moment of her short life.
Dr. Smith is the guest on our latest podcast from “On Becoming a Healer”. That story is in this post
pod.link/healer/episo...
August 19, 2025 at 9:21 PM
After Dr Smith’s patient died, her husband brought him her diary.
What he read shocked him. He had failed at responding to a woman in the worst moment of her short life.
Dr. Smith is the guest on our latest podcast from “On Becoming a Healer”. That story is in this post
pod.link/healer/episo...
What he read shocked him. He had failed at responding to a woman in the worst moment of her short life.
Dr. Smith is the guest on our latest podcast from “On Becoming a Healer”. That story is in this post
pod.link/healer/episo...
Georgia
Film: Ilford HP4
Pentax Super Program
50 mm
f/5.6
Film: Ilford HP4
Pentax Super Program
50 mm
f/5.6
August 10, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Georgia
Film: Ilford HP4
Pentax Super Program
50 mm
f/5.6
Film: Ilford HP4
Pentax Super Program
50 mm
f/5.6
A week ago a limited bronchopneumonia hit
my temp spiked to 102 while my O2 sat hovered at 90%. The X-ray showed some odd and small infiltrates.
Antibiotics were given. I am not back to normal, but I am getting close.
Fencing on the left. I was breathless but in a week, I will be good !
my temp spiked to 102 while my O2 sat hovered at 90%. The X-ray showed some odd and small infiltrates.
Antibiotics were given. I am not back to normal, but I am getting close.
Fencing on the left. I was breathless but in a week, I will be good !
August 3, 2025 at 5:44 AM
A week ago a limited bronchopneumonia hit
my temp spiked to 102 while my O2 sat hovered at 90%. The X-ray showed some odd and small infiltrates.
Antibiotics were given. I am not back to normal, but I am getting close.
Fencing on the left. I was breathless but in a week, I will be good !
my temp spiked to 102 while my O2 sat hovered at 90%. The X-ray showed some odd and small infiltrates.
Antibiotics were given. I am not back to normal, but I am getting close.
Fencing on the left. I was breathless but in a week, I will be good !
6/You can find our conversation with Dr. Iezzoni in the "On Becoming a Healer" podcast wherever you get your podcasts, including:
Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/59rc...
Youtube
youtu.be/y5aokUxvYBw?...
Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/59rc...
Youtube
youtu.be/y5aokUxvYBw?...
July 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
6/You can find our conversation with Dr. Iezzoni in the "On Becoming a Healer" podcast wherever you get your podcasts, including:
Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/59rc...
Youtube
youtu.be/y5aokUxvYBw?...
Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/59rc...
Youtube
youtu.be/y5aokUxvYBw?...
5/One very hard question to answer is "why are doctors and health systems not ready for disability?"
Is it just lack of equipment?
Fears about patients who "slow the clinic down"?
Or is there something in doctors, in US, that makes us fear disability?
We explore all of it in On Becoming a Healer
Is it just lack of equipment?
Fears about patients who "slow the clinic down"?
Or is there something in doctors, in US, that makes us fear disability?
We explore all of it in On Becoming a Healer
July 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
5/One very hard question to answer is "why are doctors and health systems not ready for disability?"
Is it just lack of equipment?
Fears about patients who "slow the clinic down"?
Or is there something in doctors, in US, that makes us fear disability?
We explore all of it in On Becoming a Healer
Is it just lack of equipment?
Fears about patients who "slow the clinic down"?
Or is there something in doctors, in US, that makes us fear disability?
We explore all of it in On Becoming a Healer
1/Are doctors ready to serve patients with disabilities? Only 41% say they are
--Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast explores this with Lisa Iezzoni, MD.
--She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at Harvard Medical School.
--She's a Harvard professor of medicine
--Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast explores this with Lisa Iezzoni, MD.
--She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at Harvard Medical School.
--She's a Harvard professor of medicine
July 17, 2025 at 10:31 PM
1/Are doctors ready to serve patients with disabilities? Only 41% say they are
--Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast explores this with Lisa Iezzoni, MD.
--She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at Harvard Medical School.
--She's a Harvard professor of medicine
--Our latest On Becoming a Healer podcast explores this with Lisa Iezzoni, MD.
--She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while at Harvard Medical School.
--She's a Harvard professor of medicine
Did you know that cytisinocline has trial-quality evidence for helping people quit vaping?
We're hard at work preparing for Friday afternoon's Clinical Update in Addiction Medicine at 445pm at #sgim25 (with Drs. Morford, Mullins and Chan) @societygim.bsky.social
We're hard at work preparing for Friday afternoon's Clinical Update in Addiction Medicine at 445pm at #sgim25 (with Drs. Morford, Mullins and Chan) @societygim.bsky.social
May 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Did you know that cytisinocline has trial-quality evidence for helping people quit vaping?
We're hard at work preparing for Friday afternoon's Clinical Update in Addiction Medicine at 445pm at #sgim25 (with Drs. Morford, Mullins and Chan) @societygim.bsky.social
We're hard at work preparing for Friday afternoon's Clinical Update in Addiction Medicine at 445pm at #sgim25 (with Drs. Morford, Mullins and Chan) @societygim.bsky.social
3 docs found a calling in trying to be of use to folks who are homeless or
At right : SGIM plenary speaker Jim Withers of the Street Medicine Institute
Left Travis Baggett @MGHMedicine and @BHCHP
(Middle) Stefan Kertesz @VABIRMINGHAM & UAB
#SGIM25
At right : SGIM plenary speaker Jim Withers of the Street Medicine Institute
Left Travis Baggett @MGHMedicine and @BHCHP
(Middle) Stefan Kertesz @VABIRMINGHAM & UAB
#SGIM25
May 15, 2025 at 3:19 AM
3 docs found a calling in trying to be of use to folks who are homeless or
At right : SGIM plenary speaker Jim Withers of the Street Medicine Institute
Left Travis Baggett @MGHMedicine and @BHCHP
(Middle) Stefan Kertesz @VABIRMINGHAM & UAB
#SGIM25
At right : SGIM plenary speaker Jim Withers of the Street Medicine Institute
Left Travis Baggett @MGHMedicine and @BHCHP
(Middle) Stefan Kertesz @VABIRMINGHAM & UAB
#SGIM25
A great audience at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council has come to hear summaries from
#HCH25
“What's new in homeless health care? A no-jargon summary of the latest research”
I will share a PDF of our summaries below later today
Dr Travis Baggett presenting up front!
#HCH25
“What's new in homeless health care? A no-jargon summary of the latest research”
I will share a PDF of our summaries below later today
Dr Travis Baggett presenting up front!
May 13, 2025 at 7:53 PM
A great audience at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council has come to hear summaries from
#HCH25
“What's new in homeless health care? A no-jargon summary of the latest research”
I will share a PDF of our summaries below later today
Dr Travis Baggett presenting up front!
#HCH25
“What's new in homeless health care? A no-jargon summary of the latest research”
I will share a PDF of our summaries below later today
Dr Travis Baggett presenting up front!
Former Acting US Attorney Ed Martin concluded 2 months of star power by sending intimidating letters to medical journals
Is that an embarrassing aberration or a sign of things to come?
That’s in the 2nd half in this On Becoming a Healer podcast
open.spotify.com/episode/3Hzt...
Is that an embarrassing aberration or a sign of things to come?
That’s in the 2nd half in this On Becoming a Healer podcast
open.spotify.com/episode/3Hzt...
May 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Former Acting US Attorney Ed Martin concluded 2 months of star power by sending intimidating letters to medical journals
Is that an embarrassing aberration or a sign of things to come?
That’s in the 2nd half in this On Becoming a Healer podcast
open.spotify.com/episode/3Hzt...
Is that an embarrassing aberration or a sign of things to come?
That’s in the 2nd half in this On Becoming a Healer podcast
open.spotify.com/episode/3Hzt...
4/This “On Becoming a Healer” podcast dives into the complaints & the arguments, & how they fit into a popular “playbook” for governments aiming to take down institutions
Streaming everywhere
Apple
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify
open.spotify.com/episode/3Hzt...
Streaming everywhere
Apple
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify
open.spotify.com/episode/3Hzt...
May 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
4/This “On Becoming a Healer” podcast dives into the complaints & the arguments, & how they fit into a popular “playbook” for governments aiming to take down institutions
Streaming everywhere
Apple
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify
open.spotify.com/episode/3Hzt...
Streaming everywhere
Apple
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/o...
Spotify
open.spotify.com/episode/3Hzt...
3/Simultaneously, medical journals like @NEJM and @journal_CHEST have been targeted with letters from a US Attorney asking if they are biased
(reports in @medpagetoday & @statnews )
Are these legit concerns? Why would a US Attorney go after medical journals?
(reports in @medpagetoday & @statnews )
Are these legit concerns? Why would a US Attorney go after medical journals?
May 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
3/Simultaneously, medical journals like @NEJM and @journal_CHEST have been targeted with letters from a US Attorney asking if they are biased
(reports in @medpagetoday & @statnews )
Are these legit concerns? Why would a US Attorney go after medical journals?
(reports in @medpagetoday & @statnews )
Are these legit concerns? Why would a US Attorney go after medical journals?
2/The Liaison Committee for Med Education (LCME) credentials med schools and @acgme for residencies.
The White House order accuses them of “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives as basis for investigation & termination as accreditors. @politico.com reported www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
The White House order accuses them of “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives as basis for investigation & termination as accreditors. @politico.com reported www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
May 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
2/The Liaison Committee for Med Education (LCME) credentials med schools and @acgme for residencies.
The White House order accuses them of “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives as basis for investigation & termination as accreditors. @politico.com reported www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
The White House order accuses them of “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives as basis for investigation & termination as accreditors. @politico.com reported www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
1/The groups accrediting US medical schools & residencies are under new pressure
In a new “On Becoming a Healer” podcast, we look at a 4/23 White House order to investigate & terminate accreditors of US medical education, and curious attacks on med journals from a US Attorney
In a new “On Becoming a Healer” podcast, we look at a 4/23 White House order to investigate & terminate accreditors of US medical education, and curious attacks on med journals from a US Attorney
May 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
1/The groups accrediting US medical schools & residencies are under new pressure
In a new “On Becoming a Healer” podcast, we look at a 4/23 White House order to investigate & terminate accreditors of US medical education, and curious attacks on med journals from a US Attorney
In a new “On Becoming a Healer” podcast, we look at a 4/23 White House order to investigate & terminate accreditors of US medical education, and curious attacks on med journals from a US Attorney
This is the 1st podcast that became more timely in 7 days since we posted it.
I detail the concerns of many who objected to what they saw in recent years. Can what’s happening now be justified?
But the question remains: Can physicians stand up to authoritarianism?
youtu.be/x1iwqRgUPpo?...
I detail the concerns of many who objected to what they saw in recent years. Can what’s happening now be justified?
But the question remains: Can physicians stand up to authoritarianism?
youtu.be/x1iwqRgUPpo?...
April 16, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This is the 1st podcast that became more timely in 7 days since we posted it.
I detail the concerns of many who objected to what they saw in recent years. Can what’s happening now be justified?
But the question remains: Can physicians stand up to authoritarianism?
youtu.be/x1iwqRgUPpo?...
I detail the concerns of many who objected to what they saw in recent years. Can what’s happening now be justified?
But the question remains: Can physicians stand up to authoritarianism?
youtu.be/x1iwqRgUPpo?...
2/In this podcast, 2 physicians wrestle with whether our profession will serve as the “obedient servants” authoritarians expect, or as the champions that patients require.
On Becoming a Healer 🔊streams everywhere!
Listen here: pod.link/healer/episo...
YouTube: youtu.be/x1iwqRgUPpo?...
On Becoming a Healer 🔊streams everywhere!
Listen here: pod.link/healer/episo...
YouTube: youtu.be/x1iwqRgUPpo?...
April 8, 2025 at 12:26 PM
2/In this podcast, 2 physicians wrestle with whether our profession will serve as the “obedient servants” authoritarians expect, or as the champions that patients require.
On Becoming a Healer 🔊streams everywhere!
Listen here: pod.link/healer/episo...
YouTube: youtu.be/x1iwqRgUPpo?...
On Becoming a Healer 🔊streams everywhere!
Listen here: pod.link/healer/episo...
YouTube: youtu.be/x1iwqRgUPpo?...
🚨The record of physicians standing up for our values as healers under authoritarian regimes is not good, historically speaking
In this podcast, we ask if docs in the US will do better, this time around
“On Becoming a Healer” podcast streams on all services - links below /1
In this podcast, we ask if docs in the US will do better, this time around
“On Becoming a Healer” podcast streams on all services - links below /1
April 8, 2025 at 12:26 PM
🚨The record of physicians standing up for our values as healers under authoritarian regimes is not good, historically speaking
In this podcast, we ask if docs in the US will do better, this time around
“On Becoming a Healer” podcast streams on all services - links below /1
In this podcast, we ask if docs in the US will do better, this time around
“On Becoming a Healer” podcast streams on all services - links below /1
Counter-touch in fencing
March 24, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Counter-touch in fencing