Marc Zarefsky

Evanston

Contributing News Writer at American Medical Association (AMA)

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Storyteller. @KelloggSchool Content Strategist. @MedillSports consultant. Tweets are mainly about sports, journalism and social media.

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Articles

Conflicts of interest: What resident physicians should know

2 weeks ago | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

Conflicts of interest can arise in any profession, and the medical industry is certainly no exception. An educational module from the AMA helps residents better understand how to recognize a potential conflict and how ignoring it can have severe consequences on both a professional and legal level. Laurel Road student loan refinance: 0.25% rate discount. Access to the JAMA Network™, ClassPass gym discounts & more!Supporting you today. Protecting your future.
Therapy caps hinder recovery: Physicians push for policy reform

3 weeks ago | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

Sam Porritt was enjoying a relaxing vacation in central Italy with his wife when one misstep changed his life. His attention was on the stunning scenery. As he used his cell phone to take photos overlooking a patio terrace, he lost his balance and fell off a 15-foot wall. The fall injured his spinal cord, paralyzing him from the belly button down.
Spot, support, treat: What physicians should know about depression

1 month ago | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental health conditions in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The disorder is a serious health condition that can cause people consistently poor moods, lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed, and lack joy or pleasure in their lives.
Making content about AI in medicine more accessible

1 month ago | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

In the span of 24 hours last month, a podcast about open-source large language models diagnosing complex cases was released, an investigation that examined priorities and applications for augmented intelligence (AI)—often called artificial intelligence—for older adults was published, and an evaluation of AI summaries of ophthalmology notes was written. The AMA has achieved recent wins in 5 critical areas for physicians.
Teaching resident physicians how to make patient handoffs safer

2 months ago | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

Eighty percent of serious medical errors involve miscommunication during patient handoffs, which occur at hospitals at all hours of the day and night and for a variety of reasons, from shift to shift or from one department to another. The AMA has an online module for medical residents and physicians with handoff best practices and other advice to help prevent those errors so patients continue to receive quality care. Laurel Road student loan refinance: 0.25% rate discount.
Understanding when HRT makes sense in menopause

2 months ago | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

Each day, about 6,000 women in the U.S. enter menopause and begin to deal with the associated physical and mental changes. Menopause is natural as women move away from their reproductive years. Yet the transition can bring about significant physical and emotional changes that can affect a woman’s overall well-being. While most women have minimal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, about 15% will require treatment for more severe problems.
Leadership program is changing doctors’ lives at Ochsner Health

2 months ago | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

Nigel Girgrah, MD, PhD, has been told his work as chief wellness officer at Ochsner Health is changing lives. He hears it from doctors across the Louisiana-based health system. He even hears it from physicians' spouses. Dr. Girgrah and his colleagues have found effective ways to reduce burnout among Ochsner Health physicians. And it started with making physicians feel valued.
An end-of-life-care primer for your residency program’s learners

2 months ago | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

When it comes to providing end-of-life care to a patient, treatment decisions are not always black and white. In fact, a lot of gray area exists. Does an advance directive exist? Do family members know what type of care their loved one wants? Are there legal ramifications if a doctor goes against a patient’s wishes? All of these are questions medical professionals face in determining the care a patient receives. Laurel Road student loan refinance: 0.25% rate discount.
Geisinger is taking sting out of prior authorization for doctors

Mar 21, 2025 | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

Leaders at Geisinger wanted a way to reduce physician burnout. Thanks to a team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, they are doing just that by tackling one of the biggest headaches in medical practice today: prior authorization.
Putting a spotlight on lifestyle medicine to prevent chronic disease

Mar 7, 2025 | ama-assn.org | Marc Zarefsky

Patients often talk about wanting to increase their lifespan, says Michael Suk, MD, JD, MPH, MBA. He wants them to instead focus on their health span. A person can live to be 100, but if they are suffering from chronic disease or other illnesses the entire time, “that wouldn't be a very effective and productive life," said Dr. Suk, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees.