Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / RSV Vaccine Effectiveness, Quebec ER Overcrowding, and New Year's Resolution Tips

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RSV Vaccine Effectiveness, Quebec ER Overcrowding, and New Year's Resolution Tips · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

• 0:00
  Good morning and welcome to Morning Medical with Dr.
• 0:02
  Chow.
• 0:03
  I'm your host, Dr.
• 0:05
  Chi-Ming Chow.
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  Today, we're diving into the latest medical news making headlines around the world.
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  Our first topic of discussion is the effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus
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  vaccines in older individuals with weakened immune systems.
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  A recent study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, highlights some
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  concerning findings regarding the immune responses to respiratory syncytial virus
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  vaccines among older immunocompromised individuals.
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  This study, conducted by Dr.
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  William Werbel and his team from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, involved
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  thirty-eight participants between the ages of sixty-four and seventy-two, all of whom
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  reported having conditions that compromised their immune systems.
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  The study focused on two types of vaccines: the RSVPreF3-AS01E, also known as Arexvy, and the
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  RSVpreF, marketed as Abrysvo.
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  The researchers observed that the preF Immunoglobulin G antibody titers, which are
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  indicators of immune response, rose a median of 4.21-fold four weeks after vaccination.
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  However, only sixty-one percent of the participants met the criteria for
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  seroconversion, meaning their immune systems successfully responded to the vaccination.
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  In comparison, previous studies have shown that immunocompetent individuals, or those with
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  fully functioning immune systems, typically experience universal seroconversion and higher
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  increases in antibody titers.
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  This discrepancy suggests that the immune response in immunocompromised individuals is
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  quite heterogeneous, with approximately forty percent not achieving the desired immune
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  response post-vaccination.
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  Interestingly, the study found that participants who received the adjuvanted
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  RSVPreF3-AS01E vaccine generally had better neutralization responses compared to those who
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  received the unadjuvanted Abrysvo vaccine.
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  This suggests that the adjuvant, an ingredient added to vaccines to boost the immune response,
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  may play an important role in enhancing the effectiveness of vaccines for immunocompromised
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  individuals.
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  Despite these findings, the study acknowledges its limitations, such as the small sample size
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  and lack of data on cellular immune responses and overall vaccine effectiveness.
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  Nevertheless, these results underscore the potential need for additional vaccine doses or
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  the development of more potent vaccines to better protect older immunocompromised
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  individuals against respiratory syncytial virus infections.
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  Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a single dose
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  of an approved respiratory syncytial virus vaccine for individuals seventy-five years and
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  older, or as young as sixty if they are immunocompromised or at high risk for
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  respiratory syncytial virus infection.
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  This study suggests that these guidelines might need to be revisited to better cater to the
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  needs of immunocompromised populations.
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  As we continue to learn more about the complexities of vaccine responses in different
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  populations, it's crucial that further research is conducted to explore the benefits of
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  adjuvant-enhanced vaccines and the potential for additional doses to ensure optimal
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  protection for those most vulnerable.
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  As New Year's Eve celebrations approach, an emergency medicine specialist in Quebec is
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  urging residents to exercise caution.
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  With emergency rooms across the province experiencing significant overcrowding, the
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  message is clear: take steps to avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room.
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  Occupancy rates have soared, with Montreal's emergency rooms hitting a staggering 145
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  percent capacity as of midday Tuesday.
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  Dr.
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  Sophie Gosselin, who is the chief of the emergency department for the Integrated Health
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  and Social Services Centre of Montérégie-Centre, emphasizes the importance of
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  understanding the role of emergency services.
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  "The mission of the emergency is to care for people whose lives, limbs, or organs are in
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  danger and could not be treated elsewhere," she explains.
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  This highlights the need for individuals to seek alternative care options when possible.
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  For those at higher risk, such as individuals with heart conditions or diabetes, Dr.
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  Gosselin recommends wearing a mask around loved ones to reduce the risk of spreading or
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  contracting illnesses.
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  She also stresses the importance of regular handwashing, especially before eating or
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  sharing food with others, a simple yet effective habit that many people overlook.
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  Overindulgence in food and drink is another common cause of emergency room visits during
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  the holiday season.
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  Dr.
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  Gosselin advises Quebecers to exercise moderation and be cautious with the use of
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  recreational substances and alcohol.
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  "There are ways to have fun without being sick," she notes, reminding everyone that
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  prevention is key.
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  Understanding occupancy rates is also crucial.
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  Dr.
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  Gosselin clarifies that these rates reflect the number of patients on stretchers, either
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  undergoing investigation or waiting for a ward bed, and do not include everyone present in the
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  emergency room.
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  When occupancy exceeds 100 percent, patients often spill over into waiting rooms, which
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  disrupts the ability of healthcare professionals to efficiently attend to those
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  waiting for care.
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  Dr.
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  Gosselin underscores the importance of prevention and planning to alleviate pressure
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  on emergency services.
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  Many visits could be avoided if people sought alternative care or planned ahead, such as
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  renewing medications early or using online resources to evaluate the necessity of an
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  emergency room visit.
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  She encourages calling 811, searching for clinics online, and using the Health Ministry's
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  online questionnaires as practical steps to consider before heading to the emergency room.
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  Let's take a closer look at the unique challenges faced by Quebec's mobile health
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  team, often referred to as the "flying squad." This initiative was launched six months ago
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  with the aim of addressing staffing shortages and reducing reliance on private agencies in
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  the province's health care system.
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  Despite its promising goals, as of the end of November, only thirty-eight nurses have joined
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  its ranks.
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  This has raised questions about the program's recruitment process and its overall appeal to
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  health care professionals.
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  Pierre-Luc Grenier, a nurse with this mobile health team, offers some insight into the
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  situation.
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  After a demanding twenty-year career in Quebec City's hospitals and with the province's
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  aeromedical evacuation program, Grenier decided to join the flying squad.
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  For him, working in the quieter regions like Port-Cartier in the Côte-Nord is a welcome
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  change.
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  He describes it as a "honeymoon" period, where the slower pace allows him to focus more on
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  patient care and his own mental health.
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  However, Grenier also highlights the chaotic nature of the hiring process for the flying
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  squad.
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  He mentions that the human resources team responsible for recruitment had difficulty
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  providing clear answers, particularly regarding seniority recognition.
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  Initially told that his seniority would be recognized, Grenier later found out that was
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  not the case.
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  This led to the difficult decision of resigning from his previous position, resulting in the
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  loss of his twenty years of seniority and associated benefits.
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  The recruitment challenges are further complicated by ongoing tensions between the
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  unions and Quebec's Health Ministry.
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  These negotiations have created uncertainty about the future of the mobile health team,
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  causing reluctance among health care workers to join.
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  Additionally, there are tensions between the flying squad and local staff, as members of the
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  mobile team reportedly receive more favorable shifts compared to their local counterparts,
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  who often work less desirable evening and night shifts.
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  Karine Ouellet Moreau, president of the Syndicat des infirmières et infirmiers du
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  nord-est québécois, a nurses' union in the Côte-Nord, has expressed concerns about these
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  inequities.
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  She insists that the Quebec government needs to implement lasting solutions to support the
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  region's health care system and ensure equitable working conditions for all nurses.
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  This situation underscores the complexities involved in balancing innovative health care
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  models with the realities of workforce management and regional needs.
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  As we usher in the new year, many of us are likely setting New Year's resolutions with
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  hopes of making positive changes in our lives.
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  Whether it's adopting healthier habits or focusing on personal growth, the start of a new
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  year can be a great time to reflect and set intentions.
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  However, studies show that up to seventy percent of people abandon their resolutions
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  within a few months.
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  So, how can we ensure that our resolutions stick in 2025?
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  Let's explore some expert tips that might just help you stay on track.
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  Psychologist Lynn Bufka suggests starting small and being realistic with your resolutions.
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  Setting overly ambitious goals, like losing fifty pounds by cutting out all desserts, can
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  be overwhelming and discouraging.
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  Instead, consider more manageable targets, such as enjoying dessert only on weekends or special
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  occasions, or swapping out a snack for fruits and vegetables.
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  By breaking down your goals into smaller, achievable steps, you can build momentum and
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  feel a sense of accomplishment as you progress.
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  Another key to success is maintaining a positive mindset.
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  Thinking about what you're gaining from your new behavior, rather than what you're missing
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  out on, can help motivate you.
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  For example, if you're saving money by skipping chocolate, visualize how that savings could be
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  used for something rewarding.
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  Focusing on the benefits of your resolution can help shift your perspective and keep you
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  motivated.
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  Setting specific goals rather than trying to eliminate bad habits may also increase your
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  chances of success.
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  Research shows that people who concentrate on concrete objectives, like improving exercise
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  routines or dietary habits, tend to be more successful.
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  Notably, those who set goals related to self-improvement or personal finance often find
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  themselves more committed to seeing their resolutions through.
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  Enlisting the support of friends and family can be another powerful strategy.
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  Sharing your goals with others can provide accountability and encouragement.
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  Whether it's joining a running group or attending a gym class with friends, having a
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  support network can make the process more enjoyable and less daunting.
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  Lastly, it's important to be kind to yourself and recognize that change is challenging.
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  Perfection isn't the goal, and there will be times when you might falter.
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  Tamara Russell of the British Psychological Society advises practicing self-compassion and
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  allowing yourself to learn from setbacks.
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  If January 1st doesn't feel like the right time for you to start, remember that you can make
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  changes at any point in the year.
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  Spring, for example, can be a more natural time for growth and renewal.
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  As we wrap up today's episode, remember that setting New Year's resolutions is just the
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  beginning.
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  Staying committed requires patience, a positive mindset, and a willingness to adapt.
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  With these strategies in mind, I hope you find success in your resolutions and make 2025 a
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  year of growth and fulfillment.
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  Thank you for joining me on Morning Medical with Dr.
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  Chow.
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  Until next time, stay healthy and take care.