Imagine if grocery stores let customers rack up debt and then Congress decided to cancel it. We'd see more and more growth in that debt and a drop in quality and variety. Why? Because when the government steps in to pay, nobody cares about what the consumers want anymore. This…
We sit down with Claire Ellerbrock, a nurse practitioner with a background in psychiatric and behavioral health care. Claire shares her powerful and transformative experience with a patient named John, whose tragic passing highlighted the systemic failures in the treatment of individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). Claire discusses the…
Witnessing the harsh realities of running a COVID ward was a turning point for me. Seeing patients suffer and lose their lives, especially those with obesity and comorbidities, was heart-wrenching. Research has shown that conditions like diabetes and hypertension significantly increase the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. This experience made…
Join us for a conversation with Jillian Rigert, an oral medicine specialist and radiation oncology research fellow. Jillian shares her journey of overcoming mental illness during medical school, redefining self-worth, and challenging harmful societal values. She discusses the importance of living authentically, the role of meaningful relationships, and the power…
Imagine a world where families never have to choose between essential medical procedures and paying off previous bills. In this video, I share my hope for a future where medical debt doesn't dictate the healthcare decisions families make. I discuss how medical debt cancellation could have significantly impacted my own…
Join us as we explore the world of clinician wellness and mental health with three remarkable guests. Kim Downey, a physician advocate, shares her insights on supporting health care professionals. Betsy Gall, author of The Illusion of The Perfect Profession, opens up about her personal journey and the challenges faced…
Imagine battling obesity and arthritis simultaneously, only to find a solution that brings relief and newfound mobility. This was the case for a man in his forties who had been struggling with these issues for years. By getting him on the right biologic treatment and focusing on weight management, we…
I was once that clueless guy in the kitchen, playing chemist with drugs, just like many dealers today mixing everything with fentanyl and causing untold harm. Back then, I genuinely believed selling drugs was a victimless crime. My father always said, What doesn't get you in the wash will get…
Childbirth is a complex journey with many unexpected turns, including the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction. In this video, I sit down with experts to explore whether strengthening the pelvic floor before vaginal birth can actually make delivery more challenging. Contrary to some beliefs, we discuss findings that suggest increased…
Join us as we explore the world of microplastics with fertility specialist Oluyemisi (Yemi) Famuyiwa. Learn about microplastics, how they permeate our environment, and their potential effects on human health and fertility. Yemi will share insights from recent studies, including the presence of microplastics in reproductive organs and their implications…
Navigating the complexities of patient care can be emotionally challenging. During my residency, I cared for a patient with a rare gastric cancer whose mother suspected suboptimal care due to insurance issues. Now, I can confidently say that the type of insurance a patient has doesnt influence the quality of…
In this episode, we welcome Brooke Kempf, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, to debunk common myths about schizophrenia and promote a more accurate understanding of the condition. We'll explore misconceptions about the causes and effects of schizophrenia, the impact of socioeconomic status, and the role of genetic and environmental…
The value of obesity training for medical professionals can be truly eye-opening. I'm not suggesting we all start weight loss clinics, but finding a good use for those CME dollars is crucial. When I invested in obesity training, the additional knowledge I gained was remarkable, even though I don't operate…
Facing the emotional and logistical challenges of hospitalization for their baby, families often experience overwhelming stress. Balancing the need to be with their child and the necessity to return to work can be heartbreaking. When parents can't stay with their hospitalized baby, it can lead to increased postpartum depression, reduced…
Join Nisha Kuruvadi, an internal medicine physician, as we explore the intriguing connection between sleep and weight loss. Did you know those precious hours of sleep could be more than just rest? Sleep is a complex interplay of hormones, brain waves, and bodily functions that regulate appetite, metabolism, and energy…
Can changing your diet truly combat major health issues? Weve consistently observed in long-term studies that individuals who adhere to plant-based diets have a reduced risk of lifestyle diseases. More recently, clinical trials have demonstrated that such diets can treat and potentially remit some of these conditions. At the Physicians…
Why do independent physician practices struggle to survive in today's healthcare system? In this video, I discuss how Congress restricts physicians from establishing hospitals and compensates them less than hospitals. This dynamic has allowed larger systems to dominate the market, undermining independent practices. As these systems gain market power, they…
Join us as we sit down with Olivia Ong, a pain and rehabilitation medicine physician from Australia, who shares her remarkable journey of recovery after a spinal cord injury in 2008. Once self-sufficient to a fault, Olivia found herself in a dark place, feeling alone and defeated. Her story takes…
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…