Fixing Healthcare Podcast

Latest Episodes:

FHC #135: Diving Deep into AI-medical malpractice & FTC’s non-compete ban Jun 05, 2024

Show notes

This month’s “Diving Deep” episode, part of the Fixing Healthcare podcast series, delves into a pair of stories that will have a significant impact on the U.S. healthcare workforce. Cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr explore the intricate legalities surrounding medical malpractice in the age of AI, as well as the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent rule to ban non-compete clauses.

The episode begins with an in-depth look at a new set of liability issues in medicine: What happens when AI harms a patient? Dr. Pearl discusses how concerns among clinicians are shifting—from AI reliability to liability. Highlighting insights from Michelle Mello, a professor of law and health policy at Stanford University, the segment addresses the complexities of determining liability when AI tools are involved in patient care. Dr. Pearl outlines key considerations for healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of understanding AI’s limitations, negotiating terms of use with AI developers, and staying informed about the legal landscape.

Next, the conversation transitions to the FTC’s groundbreaking decision to ban non-compete agreements. This ruling, set to take effect in September, is anticipated to have a profound impact on the medical profession by boosting career mobility, increasing competition and potentially reducing healthcare costs. Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr discuss the winners and losers of this new regulation, focusing on how the ban will benefit newly trained clinicians and patients in competitive healthcare markets while posing challenges for large health systems and hospital administrators.

Click play to learn more or check out the various links below for additional information.

HELPFUL LINKS

If AI Harms A Patient, Who Gets Sued? (Forbes)
Healthcare Winners And Losers After FTC Bans Noncompete Agreements (Forbes)
Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #135: Diving Deep into AI-medical malpractice & FTC’s non-compete ban appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

MTT #84: The latest research on mammograms, hormone (HRT) medications May 29, 2024

Show notes

Today’s episode of Medicine: The Truth examines important updates in women’s health, focusing on mammograms and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), among other pressing news topics in medicine.

The U.S. Preventive Task Force has updated its mammogram guidelines, now recommending that screenings start at age 40 instead of 50 and occur every two years. This adjustment responds to data showing that breast cancer is occurring earlier, potentially due to changes in pregnancy timing and related hormonal impacts. By starting screenings a decade earlier, the Task Force projects a 19% reduction in breast cancer deaths in the U.S.

The hosts discussion then revisits the use of hormone replacement therapy. After concerns in the early 2000s about its link to increased cancer risks, new studies indicate HRT is safe for younger post-menopausal women under 60. These studies correct earlier misconceptions, showing no increase in heart risk or mortality and a lower risk of breast cancer with estrogen-only treatments. Dr. Pearl highlights the necessity of data-driven medical practices to prevent the overreactions of the past.

The episode advocates for informed healthcare decisions, particularly in how women are treated during menopause. Join us to explore these critical issues and more. Here’s a snapshot of all the topics covered on this episode of Medicine: The Truth.

Medical debt now affects more than 100 million Americans
Seniors have seen the biggest rise in mental health diagnoses
Why drug ODs are down for the time since the onset of Covid-19
New recommendations for mammogram screenings
New data on hormone medications for menopause
Hospitals now demanding patients pay in advance
The mystery of Beethoven’s deafness finally solved
320,000 children lost a parent to a drug overdose from 2011-2021
A new program to attract more people to mental health counseling
The newest research on Alzheimer’s Disease treatments
Why half of rural hospitals are losing money
Status of the pig-kidney transplant recipient?
AI vs. clinician’s diagnostic accuracy in the emergency room
Does H5N1 have what it takes to become a viral pandemic?
Longevity vs. “healthy life expectancy”
The death of Walmart Health and what it means for other retailers

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine“ about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post MTT #84: The latest research on mammograms, hormone (HRT) medications appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

FHC #134: An unfiltered look at the challenges of lifestyle medicine May 22, 2024

Show notes

This “Unfiltered” episode of Fixing Healthcare features Dr. Jonathan Fisher, a respected cardiologist and advocate for physician well-being; Dr. Robert Pearl, healthcare leader and author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD”; and Jeremy Corr, CEO of Executive Podcast Solution, who adds the patient’s perspective.

Today, the trio dives deep into why lifestyle medicine improvements—such as diet, weight loss, mental health, and relaxation—are so challenging for people. Dr. Fisher discusses the psychological and motivational factors that create barriers to change, while Dr. Pearl explores how generative AI could assist in overcoming these hurdles. Jeremy Corr brings the patient’s viewpoint, emphasizing the real-world difficulties and potential solutions from a non-clinician’s perspective.

Join the panel as they explore the complexities of human behavior, the role of healthcare professionals in coaching patients, and the innovative technologies that could revolutionize how we approach health and well-being. This episode provides insightful strategies and compassionate advice for anyone looking to make lasting, positive change in their life.

To discover more, press play and check out these helpful links:

New book: ‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher)

New book: ‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl)

Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (RobertPearlMD.com)

* * *

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #134: An unfiltered look at the challenges of lifestyle medicine appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

FHC #133: The many misconceptions of palliative care May 14, 2024

Show notes

This episode of Fixing Healthcare dives into the essential yet often misunderstood world of palliative and hospice care—part of this ninth season’s continued focus on end-of-life issues.

Our guest today, Dr. Monique Danielle Schaulis, MD, MPH, is a board-certified physician in both Emergency Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is currently practicing at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco. With extensive experience and a compassionate approach, Dr. Schaulis sheds light on the critical role of palliative care in modern healthcare.

Alongside cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr, Schaulis tackles common myths and misunderstandings surrounding palliative care. She explains why palliative care is not just for end-of-life situations, and how it can be integrated with curative treatments at any stage of a serious illness. She emphasizes that palliative care is a holistic medical specialty focused on improving the quality of life for patients of all ages by addressing physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and existential distress.

This episode also explores why American culture struggles with the acceptance of death and palliative care. Dr. Schaulis reflects on how historical developments in medical technology and a lack of training for physicians on end-of-life conversations contribute to this issue. Tune in to learn more about the transformative potential of palliative care and how it can enhance quality of life for patients—and their families.

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

The post FHC #133: The many misconceptions of palliative care appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

FHC #132: Diving deep into ChatGPT’s ‘memory’ and Nvidia’s AI bot May 07, 2024

Show notes

This month’s “Diving Deep” episode, part of the Fixing Healthcare podcast series, takes a close look at two transformative AI developments in healthcare. Cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr explore the profound medical potential of ChatGPT’s new “memory” and Nvidia’s new AI bots, which the company claims can outperform nurses in some tasks.

The episode begins with a spotlight on ChatGPT’s enhanced memory capabilities. This breakthrough could revolutionize healthcare by making interactions more contextual and patient-specific, potentially leading to more accurate diagnoses and personalized care. Dr. Pearl discusses how this new AI feature could integrate vast amounts of medical data, dramatically improving clinical outcomes by overcoming the current limitations of electronic health records and knowledge accessibility.

Next, the conversation shifts to Nvidia’s latest innovation: AI bots that have shown promising results in performing certain nursing tasks more accurately than humans. This segment examines the implications of such technology in healthcare, discussing both the efficiency gains and the ethical considerations of integrating AI at this level of care.

Throughout the episode, Corr quizzes Pearl on these advancements, unpacking their medical relevance and vast potential. The discussion is not only a deep dive into the current capabilities of AI in medicine but also a thoughtful exploration of its future trajectory and the ethical landscape that accompanies it.

Click play to learn more or check out the various links below for additional information.

HELPFUL LINKS

3 Ways ChatGPT’s ‘Memory’ Can Spark Breakthroughs In Healthcare (Forbes)
Nvidia’s AI Bot Outperforms Nurses, Study Finds. Here’s What It Means. (Forbes)
Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

* * *

Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

The post FHC #132: Diving deep into ChatGPT’s ‘memory’ and Nvidia’s AI bot appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

MTT #83: How will the FTC’s non-compete ban affect healthcare workers? May 01, 2024

Show notes

Medicine: The Truth covers the latest news and most pressing issues in medicine today. The headline story for this episode focuses on the FTC’s vote to ban non-compete agreements.

Co-host Dr. Robert Pearl explains how these clauses were originally designed to protect trade secrets, but have been used in healthcare to prevent doctors from taking new positions—and taking their patients with them.

Non-compete policies not only disrupt the doctor-patient relationship but also contribute to higher healthcare costs. As Pearl has written about in Forbes and other outlets, hospital consolidation has long been a strategic move to control market share, leading to increased medical bills and facility fees. Non-compete clauses have been central to maintaining this monopoly. It’s no surprise the ban is being fiercely opposed by the American Hospital Association and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Alongside cohost Jeremy Corr, Pearl unpacks this issue and the following topics in this episode of Medicine: The Truth.

Care organizations led by primary care physicians are most effective, efficient
263,000 docs have become employees since 2012
The FTC ban on non-compete clauses
Research finds weight-loss drugs also treat sleep apnea
Patient receives a pig’s kidney in experimental transplant
S. doctors accepted $12.1 billion from drug companies over the past 10 years
Paxlovid ineffective for vaccinated individuals with Covid-19
Why financial breaks didn’t spur insulin usage among diabetics
The impact of Covid-19 on child development
HHS mandates attending doctors get permission for pelvic, prostate exams
ChatGPT becoming more reliable and accurate in diagnosing disease
Unnecessary inpatient care cost $6 billion last year
Republicans reported 25% more severe reactions to Covid-19 vaccine

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The post MTT #83: How will the FTC’s non-compete ban affect healthcare workers? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

FHC #131: ChatGPT interviews Dr. Pearl about their new book, ‘ChatGPT, MD’ Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Today’s episode of Fixing Healthcare is a true sign of the times in medicine. Not only is generative AI the topic of today’s podcast, it’s also an active participant. Co-host Jeremy Corr used ChatGPT to come up with questions for fellow co-host Dr. Robert Pearl about “ChatGPT, MD,” a new book that Pearl co-authored with ChatGPT.

Still following? This unique setup underscores the dynamic relationship between artificial intelligence, medicine and healthcare leadership.

ChatGPT, with questions voiced by Jeremy Corr, delves into Dr. Pearl’s decision to write “ChatGPT, MD,” a book that aims to demystify the potential and practicalities of AI in healthcare. The discussion moves through a series of insightful questions, thoughtfully generated by AI, to probe the nuances of integrating large language models like ChatGPT into the medical field. These questions explore the opportunities AI presents for improving diagnostic accuracy, personalizing patient care, and streamlining administrative processes in healthcare settings.

As the conversation unfolds, it becomes clear that AI’s integration into healthcare promises significant advancements, but it also raises important ethical, legal and operational considerations.

Note to listeners: all profits from Dr. Pearl’s book go to Doctors Without Borders.

HELPFUL LINKS

Buy “ChatGPT, MD” with all profits going to Doctors Without Borders (Amazon)
Empowering patients: Navigating medical information with AI (KevinMD)
My journey with AI and medicine: ‘ChatGPT, MD’ is here (RobertPearlMD.com)
Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

* * *

Dr. Robert Pearl is the coauthor of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

The post FHC #131: ChatGPT interviews Dr. Pearl about their new book, ‘ChatGPT, MD’ appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

FHC #130: An unfiltered look at AI’s current, future uses in medicine Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

In this “Unfiltered” episode of Fixing Healthcare, the conversation dives deep into the role of AI in medicine with Dr. Jonathan Fisher, a respected cardiologist and advocate for physician well-being; Dr. Robert Pearl, author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD”; and Jeremy Corr, CEO of Executive Podcast Solution, who adds the patient’s perspective.

The panel examines the current applications of AI in the medical field, highlighting early successes and the challenges of integrating a technology that isn’t quite ready for widespread adoption.

Recent studies indicate that 40% of doctors feel comfortable using AI for specific clinical and administrative tasks. However, many patients express concerns about physicians becoming overly dependent on AI for diagnoses and treatments. Fisher, Pearl and Corr cut through the noise to focus on the facts, helping listeners understand what AI can currently achieve, its potential in the near future, and the issues to watch as technology firms and healthcare leaders smooth out the rough edges.

As always, Corr voices a critical patient-oriented question – this one about the potential risks of AI in healthcare and how to mitigate patient concerns.

To discover more, press play and check out these helpful links:

Buy now: ‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s new book)

Buy now: ‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s new book)

3 Ways ChatGPT’s ‘Memory’ Can Spark Breakthroughs In Healthcare (Forbes)

Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (RobertPearlMD.com)

* * *

The post FHC #130: An unfiltered look at AI’s current, future uses in medicine appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

FHC #129: A reading from Dr. Pearl’s newest book, ‘ChatGPT, MD’ Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

In a special episode of the Fixing Healthcare podcast, co-host Dr. Robert Pearl, former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group and a respected voice in healthcare, shares two chapters from his latest work, “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine,” which he co-authored with the generative AI model ChatGPT.

Listener note: All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders

Celebrating the book’s release, which has already clinched the #1 new release spot on Amazon, Dr. Pearl chose to read excerpts from two pivotal chapters, providing listeners a unique glimpse into the collaborative process between a human author and generative AI.

Dr. Pearl reads from chapter five, a section primarily penned by him, followed by chapter six, where ChatGPT took the lead, crafting 90% of the content. The exercise offered an intriguing comparison, allowing listeners to discern the nuances between human and AI contributions.

Throughout, Dr. Pearl emphasized the collaborative nature of the book, underscoring the potential of generative AI to revolutionize healthcare by enhancing the partnership between patients and doctors.

HELPFUL LINKS

Empowering patients: Navigating medical information with AI (KevinMD)
My journey with AI and medicine: ‘ChatGPT, MD’ is here (RobertPearlMD.com)
Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

* * *

Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the upcoming book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

The post FHC #129: A reading from Dr. Pearl’s newest book, ‘ChatGPT, MD’ appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

MTT #82: How do childhood traumas shape our health as adults? Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Today’s episode of Medicine: The Truth delves into the lasting impact of adverse childhood events (ACEs) on mental and physical health in adulthood. A groundbreaking study involving over 25,000 Swedish twins has shed new light on the significant role the environment plays in shaping mental health outcomes, revealing that individuals who experienced major childhood traumas were substantially more likely to develop psychiatric illnesses compared to their non-traumatized twin counterparts.

Podcast cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr unpack these findings, exploring the intricate relationship between childhood adversity and later life health challenges, including depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and even physical ailments like heart disease and cancer. The discussion extends to the influence of genetics versus environment on mental health and the transformative potential of nurturing healthier environments for children to mitigate these long-term impacts.

Are we underestimating the power of our childhood experiences on our adult well-being? Join us to explore this critical question and more in today’s thought-provoking episode. Here’s a snapshot of all the topics covered on this episode of Medicine: The Truth.

The latest on birth control availability
The link between COVID vaccination and political affiliation
The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision on IVF embryos
New twin study about mental health and childhood trauma
How to close the “empathy gap” in medicine
New data on fentanyl deaths
Voters’ top healthcare concerns in 2024
ER visits up for kids taking parents’ sleep medications
Price of new drugs defy White House actions
Healthcare held hostage by ransomware attack
Generative AI’s latest medical advance
Consumers growing more comfortable with AI in medicine
How the Dobbs ruling affected abortion rates

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The post MTT #82: How do childhood traumas shape our health as adults? appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

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