UAB Med Cast

Rehabilitation psychologists help patients with disabilities and chronic health conditions maximize their health and holistic well-being. Casey Azuero, Ph.D., explains these psychologists’ unique qualifications and how they function on interdisciplinary teams to address the full context of a patient’s recovery. This work includes helping patients navigate emotional challenges,

Functional neurological disorder (FND) results in fluctuating control of voluntary activities. Victor Mark, M.D., explains why FND has only recently begun to be acknowledged as a neurological rather than purely psychological disorder. He discusses conditions related to FND and effective rehabilitation coordinated between neurologists, psychologists, physical therapists, and others

What is the best approach to treating substance use disorders? In part two of their discussion on substance use disorders within the health care provider population, Christopher Godlewski, M.D., and Sudheer Potru, D.O., explore the often-complementary effects of medication-assisted therapy and psychotherapeutic approaches. They urge education and empathy among providers to break do

Just as many health care providers face substance use disorder (SUD) as the general population, yet they are more likely to conceal it due to a professional stigma. Christopher Godlewski, M.D., and Sudheer Potru, D.O., discuss how burnout and demanding work environments contribute to SUD, and how colleagues’ reluctance to intervene can delay help. Learn how peer support, resilien

For patients with AFib, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion should now be part of any non-emergency cardiac operation, and surgical ablation should also be considered. Panayotis Vardas, M.D., discusses how he and colleagues from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons arrived at stronger recommendations for these procedures in their 2023 guidelines. Learn more about related surgical pro

Interventional endoscopic ultrasound, once a purely diagnostic tool, has given GI specialists a minimally invasive approach to a wide range of procedures. Ramzi Mulki, M.D., guides us through the evolution of the endoscope since the 1980s; various current uses of interventional endoscopy such as pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, and bariatric procedures; and how AI may soon expand

A new type of catheter ablation called pulsed field ablation (PA) allows for a more precise and non-heated way to treat many cases of atrial fibrillation (A-fib). Tom McElderry, M.D., discusses the advantages of PA ablation as an alternative to radio frequency and cryotherapy ablation, the most common types. Dr. McElderry was involved with clinical trials which demonstrated that PA

Almost everyone with spinal stenosis will see decreased pain and other symptoms following treatment, no matter their age. Thomas Staner, M.D., a neurosurgeon, discusses how improved imaging and a multidisciplinary approach has enhanced care for those with pain and other symptoms caused by spinal stenosis. Learn how treatments can progress from physical therapy and NSAIDs (for mild

Telehealth coupled with patient-collected data is allowing doctors to manage diabetes more effectively. Anish Patel, M.D., an endocrinologist, discusses how telehealth reduces hospitalizations and readmissions, and allows doctors to personalize treatment plans based on a stream of real-time data. Learn more about how easy it can be for patients to collect their own data, which doct

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a new, more precise name for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Fernando Bril, M.D., an endocrinologist, explains how this name precisely describes the way in which fatty acids build up in the liver of patients who have insulin resistance. Learn more about the close relationship of MASLD, type 2 diabetes, and obesit