Burnout, discrimination and single GME: Read The DO’s top stories of 2016

It’s 2017, and The DO staff is hard at work reporting on the issues that will impact the osteopathic medical profession this year. But before we close the books on 2016, here’s a closer look at the top 10 stories that most resonated with our readers last year. The following articles made it on to the list by generating exceptional page views, reader engagement and/or social media buzz; many of them cover topics that will continue to be relevant to the profession in 2017.

1. Best and worst states for doctors: Where did your state land?

In response to Medscape’s annual Best and Worst Places to Practice report, DOs in a few of the report’s “best” and “worst” states discuss the results and their experiences.

2. If at first you don’t match, what’s next?

Not matching can be a major disappointment, but there are steps students can take to make the experience less painful. Two DOs and a student services director share strategies and tips, and another DO explains how not matching helped her find her true passion.

3. Is there a doctor on board? 5 tips to provide care at 30,000 feet.

Beth Longenecker, DO, never imagined that her journey home from a blissful trip to Hawaii would end with her helping a passenger found unconscious in the bathroom. Several DOs also shared in the comments how they were called to provide care in the air.

4. The new Ultimate Men’s Health Guy is an osteopathic ER physician.

Fitness enthusiast Jedidiah Ballard, DO, who appears on Men’s Health’s November cover, shares how his commitment to health affects his approach to medicine.

5. Single GME update: Successes, challenges and a solution.

“Programs have begun applying for osteopathic recognition and have been successfully achieving initial recognition from the ACGME’s Osteopathic Principles Committee, including some programs that previously were accredited only by the ACGME. It’s historic,” says AOA President Boyd R. Buser, DO.

6. AOA convenes coalition to address assistant physician legislation.

In response to the proliferation of states considering assistant physician legislation, the AOA convened a group of stakeholders from 19 health care organizations to discuss the laws’ implications for quality care and patient safety.

7. NASA’s top doc: DO oversees the health of astronauts, preps for Mars mission.

In his new role as NASA’s chief health and medical officer, J.D. Polk, DO, discusses the health challenges astronauts might encounter on the first human journey to Mars.

8. ‘Discrimination affects us all’: When physicians experience prejudice.

“It’s important to share so you can open up dialogue and bring positive outcomes from a negative situation,” says Ashley Denmark, DO, who blogged about the discrimination she faced when a flight crew declined her offer to treat an ill patient on a flight.

9. Social status: DO leverages skyrocketing online presence to launch foundation.

Growing from 1.5 million at the time of publication to 2.2 million Instagram followers today, Mikhail Varshavski, DO, aka Dr. Mike, uses the platform to create a support system for students trying to achieve their goals.

10. Deepak Chopra shares his top tips for managing stress and avoiding burnout.

The integrative medicine pioneer discusses the challenges facing physicians and why he thinks meditation and sleep are the most important pillars of wellness.