In this episode, we have a special guest, Laura Fernando, a patient advocate, who shares her heart-wrenching story of her daughter Lily's medical journey with COVID-19 and other health conditions. Joining her and Lily is Linda Bluestein, an integrative medicine physician. Lily was a healthy 12-year-old when she contracted COVID-19…
Effective communication is a cornerstone of quality patient care, but it's not always easy to get it right. One of the biggest mistakes physicians make is failing to put themselves in their patient's shoes. This can result in communication breakdowns and a lack of understanding. As George Bernard Shaw famously…
The fear of speaking to a patient about an unexpected outcome is understandable, but avoiding the conversation only increases the likelihood of a lawsuit. It's important to approach the situation with empathy and transparency, and to offer a medical explanation if possible. Let's work together to improve communication and promote…
In this episode, we sit down with attorney and author Michael J. Grace to discuss his book, The Mumbo Jumbo Fix: A Survival Guide for Effective Doctor-Patient-Nurse Communication. As a defense lawyer representing health care providers, Michael discovered that many of his clients didn't fully understand their legal obligations when…
Have you ever felt frustrated by how complex our healthcare system is? It shouldn't be this hard for us to navigate or understand. Healthcare is a basic human need, not a commodity. I believe we all have a role to play in making our system more straightforward, whether it's by…
If you're considering Medicare Advantage or traditional Medicare, it's important to weigh the pros and cons. Research indicates that while many people are content with Advantage plans when they're healthy, they may switch back to traditional Medicare when they become ill or experience more health problems. This suggests that Advantage…
We're joined by Aniyizhai Annamalai, an internal medicine-psychiatry physician. Dr. Annamalai's patients are mostly indigent, not employed due to disability, and have serious mental illnesses. Most of them qualify for Medicaid. In this episode, Dr. Annamalai shares her insights on Medicare Advantage plans and how they affect her patients. Despite…
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology is a matured system that accurately and reliably monitors glucose levels without the need for painful finger pricks four or more times a day. All type one diabetes patients are recommended to use CGM devices, and now it's recognized that even those with type two…
Continuous glucose monitoring is a revolutionary technology that provides real-time updates on blood glucose levels without the need to enter a blood vessel. A small cannula is placed under the skin to measure interstitial glucose levels, typically in the arm, abdomen, or leg. This sensor records blood glucose every minute…
Our guest today is James Malone, an endocrinologist and health care executive with over 30 years of experience in the field of diabetes. James has seen firsthand the challenges that many people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) face when it comes to daily insulin management. Despite advancements in diabetes care…
As healthcare professionals, it's important to maintain strong relationships with our colleagues, patients, and staff. One key aspect of this is providing feedback in a gentle and effective manner. When giving feedback, it's essential to share your perspective rather than dictating how things should be. This sets the stage for…
Building trust with our patients is key to providing effective care and achieving positive outcomes. This is especially true for adults who are relatively high functioning and prefer to be engaged in decision-making. For these individuals, being told what to do without any room for negotiation can lead to feelings…
In this episode, we're joined by Susan MacLellan-Tobert, a pediatric cardiologist, to discuss the issue of institutional betrayal in health care. The pandemic has put a strain on health care systems and workers, leading to a term called "institutional betrayal" to describe the feeling of betrayal from employers who fail…
Primary care clinicians play a crucial role in identifying and diagnosing various health conditions, including Alzheimer's disease. With the right tools and resources at our disposal, we have the power to make a basic diagnosis and get patients on the path to treatment and care. The first step in making…
It's our job to be vigilant and identify any potential health concerns in our patients. One of the most common issues we encounter is memory loss, and it's often the families of the individuals who first bring it to our attention. If a patient reports difficulty remembering appointments, paying bills,…
In this special sponsored episode, we explore the importance of identifying Alzheimer's disease early. Our guests will be neurologist Andrew E. Budson and Alzheimer's caregivers Jess Rappé and Ellie Freedman. They will share their expertise and personal experiences as we delve into the challenges of diagnosing Alzheimer's, its impact on…
I know that surgery is much more than just operating. It's about building a relationship with the patient, gaining their trust, and carefully considering if surgery is the best option for their individual needs. While it may be tempting to perform a procedure, it's equally important to be able to…
In a society like the United States, where work and identity are closely intertwined, our hands play a crucial role in shaping how we interact with the world and define ourselves. In a capitalist society, the first question we often ask when meeting someone is, "What do you do?" Our…
As the world continues to evolve and technology advances, it's natural to wonder about its potential impact on our careers. In the medical field, the rise of AI has sparked a lot of debate, particularly around the question of whether it may infringe on physician responsibilities. As a physician, I…
In this episode, we're joined by Peter T. Hetzler, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, to discuss the importance of the hand in human identity and expression. In the U.S. private sector, hand injuries were the second most common workplace injury in 2019. They often significantly impact a person's livelihood and…
I've seen firsthand the impact of opioid use and the factors contributing to chronic use. Our research has shown that the initial prescription significantly determines whether an individual will develop a chronic opioid use disorder. The number of pills prescribed, the duration of treatment and the choice of drug are…
As a physician, I've had the opportunity to delve into the world of medical management, including the much-dreaded process of prior authorizations. While it may be a thorn in the side of many of my colleagues, my experience has given me a unique perspective on the subject. When I first…
I've seen my fair share of medical cases and have come to rely on technology as an indispensable tool in my work. However, there's one technology that has piqued my interest for its ability to deceive even the most seasoned professionals - AI. ChatGPT, the language model I'm referring to,…
In this episode, we're discussing the opioid epidemic and its impact on our society. Our guest is Gary Call, a family physician, who shares the emotional and financial cost on individuals and families caused by opioid addiction and overdoses is immense and impacts everyone. We'll also be discussing the latest…