Background: Physician advocacy and knowledge of healthcare policy are vital elements of medical education and included within the ACGME Core Competency of Systems-Based Practice. The ability to advocate effectively has potential to impact healthcare regulations for both inpatient and outpatient practice. However, many GME programs do not incorporate these topics into their trainee education. To [...]

Background: Developing effective tools which enhance patient-physician communication is crucial to improving the patient experience. Existing research has shown that there are several components which are central to effective communication, including creating a good interpersonal relationship, facilitating exchange of information, and including patients in decision making. Based on our experience at an underserved community hospital [...]

Background: Although the intended purpose of the hospital gown is not to cause harm, it reinforces the role of being subordinate to the physician. Gowns put patients in a vulnerable position because they can be readily exposed all day. The identical, interchangeable patient gown reinforces the role of the lowly patient in the hospital hierarchy, [...]

Background: In the United States, vulnerable communities experience significant health disparities, which are largely driven by various social, economic, and environmental factors. Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach and reinforces the need to equip healthcare providers with the needed awareness, competence, and expertise. Given that resident physicians represent a significant proportion of frontline healthcare [...]

Case Presentation: We present a 25-year-old female with past medical history of right fibular hemimelia who presented with acute on chronic leg pain. She had a history of multiple prior limb lengthening surgeries complicated by Staphylococcus aureus infection with hardware removal. Patient endorsed weeks of worsening leg pain and cramping. Had been seen by orthopedic [...]