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.

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

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)

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

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

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)

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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.

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

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)

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

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)

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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.

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

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

Late last year, Fixing Healthcare cohost Dr. Robert Pearl read a remarkable essay in the New York Times titled, “I Promised My Sister I Would Write About How She Chose to Die.” In that essay, Steven Petrow offers a deeply personal account of his sister Julie’s choice to use Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) in New Jersey.

Her journey, marked by advanced ovarian cancer and the exhaustion of treatment options, illustrates the importance of MAID as a means of taking control at life’s end. The piece advocates for wider awareness and accessibility of such options, emphasizing the dignity in making a profound and personal choice.

Petrow, a contributing columnist at The Washington Post and the author, most recently, of “Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old,” joins the podcast today to discuss a panoply of end of life issues, which is the focus of this ninth season of Fixing Healthcare.

Tune in for the full interview and join the conversation on social media.

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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.

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 FHC #128: ‘I Promised My Sister I Would Write About How She Chose to Die’ appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Fixing Healthcare co-host Dr. Robert Pearl recently returned from a surgical mission in the Philippines. The trip not only reignited his passion for global surgery, but it also provided three key lessons about American healthcare.

That’s the first topic of this week’s “Diving Deep” program. The second takes a different look at the state of American healthcare, this time through the lens of human evolution.

Pearl notes, “In a world where change is the only constant, the swift currents of modern life contrast starkly with the sluggish pace of genetic evolution—and of American healthcare, too.”

He and co-host Jeremy Corr discuss whether our nation’s healthcare system can evolve as fast as our DNA. Two relatively recent biological events offer profound insights into American medicine—along with a warning about what happens when healthcare systems fail to change.

Learn more about these two topics in today’s episode of Fixing Healthcare. Click play to learn more or check out the various links below for additional information.

HELPFUL LINKS

• 3 Surprising Lessons U.S. Medicine Can Learn From Around The World (Forbes)
• How Genetic Insights Can Reshape American Medicine (Forbes)
• Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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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.

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 FHC #127: Diving deep into the state of American healthcare appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

As Dr. Robert Pearl puts the finisihing touches on his upcoming book “ChatGPT, MD,” the cohost thought it would be a fitting time to read a chapter from his previous book “Uncaring: How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors & Patients.” All profits from sales of Pearl’s books go to Doctors Without Borders.

What you’re about to hear is the story of Judy, a colleague of Dr. Pearl’s at Kaiser Permanente, and Judy’s spouse. It’s a story about acceptance and kindness, about love without labels, about honoring commitments in good times and bad, and about the enduring power of hope in life’s most challenging moments.

Tune in and join the conversation on social media. You can also learn more about this topic and the book of Uncaring via the links below.

HELPFUL LINKS

• The story of Judy at Kaiser Permanente (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Learn more about the book ‘Uncaring’ (RobertPearlMD.com)
• Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of a book about medicine’s invisible yet highly influential physician culture. Check out “Uncaring: How Physician Culture Is Killing Doctors & Patients.” 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 FHC #126: On finding peace with who you are appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Today’s episode of Medicine: The Truth takes a look at the mental and physical health of America’s youth.

More than ever before, kids 17 and under are getting their medical care at drug stores and retail clinics, signaling a further decline in traditional doctor-patient relationships. Meanwhile, new data show that young people, especially adolescent girls, experienced a massive increase in antidepressant medication usage during the pandemic—trends that continue today at an alarming rate.

Podcast cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr discuss what’s happening with America’s young people. Are the kids going to be alright? Find out on today’s show.

Here’s a snapshot of all the topics covered on this episode of Medicine: The Truth.

• The effectiveness of the latest COVID-19 vaccines
• In-person vs. virtual visits following medical abortion
• The impact of COVID-19 on babies and their mothers
• The rise of cervical cancer among low-income women
• Why younger patients are getting their care at retail clinics
• Antidepressant prescriptions boomed among adolescent girls
• Unpaid medical bills are also on the rise
• Ransomware attacks are preventing Rx refills
• Insurers are cracking down on popular weight-loss drugs
• Alabama’s courts rule against IVF treatments
• How Jimmy Carter has survived a year in hospice
• An unprecedented donation to a medical school is sparking hope
• The importance of healthcare in this year’s election
• The impact of running on prostate cancer
• The residual impact of Long COVID

Click here for more info: https://www.fixinghealthcarepodcast.com/

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of a book about medicine’s invisible yet highly influential physician culture. Check out “Uncaring: How Physician Culture Is Killing Doctors & Patients.” 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 #81: Are the kids alright, medically?  appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.