Mick Connors

Nov 18, 2024 | kevinmd.com | Damane Zehra |Dan Rosandich |Martha Rosenberg |Mick Connors

Almost three years ago, I was the chief resident of our training program. The chief resident was primarily responsible for designing curricular activities in collaboration with the faculty, attending and representing the department and the residency program at the majority of hospital and administrative meetings, providing regular updates on resident performance, designing the on-call schedule and rotations, and supervising juniors. It was the most difficult job for me.

Nov 17, 2024 | kevinmd.com | Mick Connors |Alpa Shah |Dawn Baker |James Han Mattson

There is something strangely captivating about the RVU (relative value unit) system in medicine. It’s as if it has become our own “precious”—a golden ring that offers power and financial viability, yet comes at a great cost. Just like the One Ring in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the RVU system exerts a powerful, almost mesmerizing hold on the medical profession. It promises us control—of our practices, our autonomy, our livelihoods.

Nov 12, 2024 | kevinmd.com | Mick Connors |Advait Suvarnakar |Aashka Suvarnakar |Michele Luckenbaugh

In medicine, when something isn’t working, we tend to fix it. Whether it’s a treatment plan that isn’t delivering results or a clinical process that’s creating inefficiencies, we identify the problem, adjust the approach, and find a better solution. But when it comes to the RVU (relative value unit) system—the very framework that dictates how physicians are compensated—we seem to be stuck.

Oct 31, 2024 | kevinmd.com | Mick Connors |George Mathew |Steven Siegel |Ronald A. Paulus

The quadruple aim represents an ambitious, holistic vision for the future of health care: improving population health, enhancing the patient experience, reducing per capita costs, and improving the work-life balance of health care providers. While many health care systems have adopted this framework, the widespread use of the relative value unit (RVU) system fundamentally undermines these goals.

Sep 22, 2024 | kevinmd.com | Mick Connors |Casey Paul Schukow |Kellie Stecher |Naomi Tweyo Nkinsi

Working as a pediatrician offers a unique and unparalleled joy—a privilege shared among those who dedicate their lives to caring for children and supporting families. This summer, while working on a U.S. military base in Germany, I experienced this joy in its fullest form. Rather than my usual role of just seeing sick kids in an ER, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to serve as a primary care pediatrician.