Neil H. Baum, MD; Alan H. Bryce, MD; and E. David Crawford, MD, presented “COVID-19 Vaccine Roundtable Discussion” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in January 2021.

How to cite: Bryce, Alan H. Baum, Neil H. Crawford, E. David. “COVID-19 Vaccine Roundtable Discussion” January 2021. Accessed Mar 2024. https://dev.grandroundsinurology.com/covid-19-vaccine-roundtable-discussion/

Summary:

E. David Crawford, MD, Professor of Urology at UC San Diego and Editor-in-Chief of Grand Rounds in Urology, interviews Alan H. Bryce, MD, Medical Director of the Genomic Oncology Clinic at Mayo Clinic Arizona in Scottsdale, and Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, about the COVID-19 vaccine—how it works, its safety, and possible side effects. Currently, Pfizer and Moderna have each created a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, both of which are mRNA vaccines containing code for the protein found within the virus. Dr. Bryce describes how this portion of RNA causes cells to synthesize what is known as a “spike protein,” which then stimulates an immune response. He observes that side effects are typically mild and similar to what one could expect with a standard flu vaccine, notwithstanding rare, severe reactions. Dr. Baum then addresses  the psychological manifestations associated with COVID-19, such as anxiety, fear of contracting or spreading the disease, PTSD, depression, and even suicide. It is important to note that these symptoms are also associated with burnout which, within the medical community, impacts urologists to a greater degree. Dr. Baum warns that the stress of being a frontline worker, decreases in income, and the shift from in-person to telehealth appointments and related “Zoom fatigue” may further increase burnout among urologists.

About the Authors

Neil H. Baum, MD

Neil H. Baum, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also a retired urologic surgeon and the current Medical Advisor to Vanguard Communications. Dr. Baum is the author of Marketing Your Clinical Practice – Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, which is in its 4th edition, has sold over 175,000 copies, and has been translated into Spanish. He also wrote The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice, which was published in 2015. Dr. Baum was the columnist for American Medical News for more than 25 years. Dr. Baum also wrote the popular column, “The Bottom Line,” for Urology Times for more than 20 years. He is a requested speaker each year to the Practice Management Seminar for the American Urological Association (AUA), where he discusses techniques for making urology practices more efficient and more productive. He has written more than 9 books on practice management and over 250 peer-reviewed articles on various urologic topics.

Alan H. Bryce, MD

Dr. Bryce is the Medical Director of the Genomic Oncology Clinic at Mayo Clinic Arizona in Scottsdale, where he utilizes whole genome sequencing of tumors to identify key driver mutations. This approach allows for precise targeting of a patient’s tumor, leading to a greater chance of remission. Dr. Bryce received a BS in Biochemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles. He then went on to receive his MD from Finch University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School. He completed a residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, and then received a Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology, also at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine. He eventually served as Chief Fellow of Hematology/Medical Oncology there. Dr. Bryce studies cancer genetics and novel therapeutics with a focus on personalized medicine. His clinical practice centers on genitourinary malignancies (prostate, kidney, bladder, and testicular cancers) and melanoma. In addition, Dr. Bryce participates in community outreach to underserved populations and has an interest in health disparities research. He also conducts Phase I clinical trials of new cancer drugs.