Experiencing the pain of losing a patient to a rare gastric cancer was tough, but dealing with the suspicion of suboptimal care due to insurance was even harder. As a resident doctor, I faced this challenge head-on, trying to provide the best care possible regardless of insurance coverage. Now, I…
It's startling to realize that in the next five minutes, someone in the United States will die from a drug overdose. And there's almost a 72% chance it will be fentanyl-related. As I stand here, it's a bit different from having my rock and roll band behind me, but the…
Join us for a conversation with Zachary Fellows, a rheumatologist who spent nearly four years in private practice navigating the complex intersection of obesity and rheumatic diseases. Zachary shares his journey from giving vague weight loss advice to becoming well-versed in obesity medicine, ultimately transforming his practice and patient outcomes.…
Strengthening muscles and retraining the brain can lead to remarkable improvements in pelvic floor health. Pelvic floor physical therapy boasts an 80 to 85% success rate, especially for minor symptoms like fecal incontinence. I conduct manometry tests before and after therapy, providing objective data to measure progress. For severe cases,…
We welcome Carmen Fong, a colorectal surgeon, to discuss the often overlooked yet critical topic of pelvic floor dysfunction. Drawing from her extensive experience, Carmen shares insights from the Pelvic Floor Symposiums, the challenges of treating pelvic floor patients, and the misconceptions surrounding these disorders. We'll explore the stigma attached…
Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. We owe at least $220 billion in total medical debt, a figure that surpasses the GDP of half the states in this country. This debt burden leads to healthcare discrimination and delayed care, and its impact goes beyond…
Is a plant-based diet only for the rich and privileged? During a recent dietary sustainability conference, I faced this critical question. Surprisingly, two major studies this year revealed that a whole food plant-based diet can actually save around 16% on average food costs. It's essential not to let the fear…
Join us as we speak with Laura Buchman, a patient advocate and author of NERVE: Surviving Medical Madness. Laura shares her harrowing personal experiences with the medical system, including the overwhelming shock of seeing her son hospitalized with severe acute hyponatremia. She delves into the emotional rollercoaster of advocating for…
Taking care of patients during residency was challenging, especially when trust was questioned. She passed away from a rare gastric cancer, and her mom was always suspicious of the care I provided because of insurance concerns. Now, I can confidently say that insurance status doesn't dictate the quality of care…
Join us as we delve into the experiences of patients with long-term complex conditions who are often met with disapproval or suspicion by medical professionals for being knowledgeable about their own health. Our guest, Denise Reich, a patient advocate, shares her insights on balancing self-advocacy with medical care, navigating the…
High and growing health care costs are hitting us hard, and it's largely because we're the only high-income country without universal health care coverage. In just five years, health care costs have surged by 25%. Instead of standing up for consumers, insurance companies pass these rising costs onto us through…
This bill could be the key to stopping the supply of fentanyl, but it's just the beginning. We need to address the demand side too, or we'll be stuck in the same place. Your first step is commendable, but the real work happens outside this room. Talk to your colleagues…
Join us as we welcome psychiatrist Lewis Cohen to discuss his book, Winter's End: Dementia and Dying Well. In this episode, we explore the ethical dilemmas, legal challenges, and emotional impacts surrounding life-shortening options for dementia patients. Drawing from the perspectives of over 100 experts, Lewis delves into the complexities…
Could our diet be the key to fighting severe illness during a pandemic? In this video, I explore intriguing findings from a recent study across six countries, revealing that individuals following a plant-based diet had a 73% lower chance of experiencing moderate to severe disease. A significant factor appears to…
Why are healthcare costs skyrocketing while our coverage remains inadequate? As the only high-income nation lacking universal health care, we face unique challenges. In just five years, healthcare costs have surged by 25%, yet insurance companies have shifted these costs onto us through deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance. Over the last…
When a patient shares something deeply painful, how do you respond? In this video, I recount a powerful moment with a long-standing patient who opened up about a significant chapter in her life. I've always been a listener and a safe person for her to confide in, and this time…
We are joined by Fady Chamoun, an internal medicine physician, to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care. We delve into the art of prompt engineering and its six essential elements: clear task definition, detailed context, exemplar guidance, persona understanding, structured format, and appropriate tone. Fady…
Transforming hospital financial aid policies can significantly reduce patient debt and improve health outcomes. Nonprofit hospitals, rooted in community service, are required to publicize their financial assistance policies. However, the current application process is bogged down by unnecessary paperwork. The IRS can help streamline this by allowing hospitals to verify…
Facing resistance from traditional healthcare providers? Absolutely. Theres always a bit of a battle, reminiscent of Star Wars' good versus evil. But here's the thingDirect Primary Care (DPC) is exploding in popularity across the country. Doctors are tired of feeling undervalued and are seeking better ways to treat their patients…
We dive into the evolving health care landscape with Jamie Babcock, a health care executive. We'll explore the growing demand for skilled providers and the critical clinician shortage projected by the Health Resources and Service Administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Jamie shares insights on innovative strategies that health…
Imagine if the news reported a plane crash every single day, killing 190 people each time. That's exactly how many lives are lost daily in the U.S. due to drug overdoses, yet it rarely makes headlines. Why do we ignore this crisis just because the victims are drug addicts? America…
The war on cancer has led us to a breakthrough understanding of its biology. We now know cancer isn't just a rogue cell; it's influenced by its surrounding environment, known as the tumor microenvironment. Factors like behavior, lifestyle, diet, sleep, and social support can significantly impact cancer development and treatment…
We sit down with Roxanne Becker, a lifestyle medicine physician, to discuss the urgent implications of the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza contracted from a dairy cow. We explore how zoonotic diseases like H5N1 and COVID-19 can rapidly mutate and lead to pandemics, the role of intensive farming…
Discovering that my own hospital was suing patients was a shock that turned into anger and shame. During a visit to the county courthouse in Rhode Island, I uncovered that single working mothers and disabled individuals were being targeted. Hospitals and debt collectors were reporting low-income patients debts to credit…