In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle a wide array of medical issues, from the potential healthcare impact of a second Trump presidency to the latest trends in obesity treatments and respiratory infections.

With a historical election in the rearview mirror, the hosts dive into what a second Trump term could mean for Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and rural health. Among the key predictions: stricter work requirements for Medicaid, potential elimination of ACA subsidies and a likely push toward healthcare block grants for states.

The conversation also spotlights GLP-1 drugs, hailed as breakthroughs in weight-loss treatment. Dr. Pearl explains the pros and cons of these medications compared to bariatric surgery and the shifting dynamics they’ve introduced into obesity care.

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

• The implications of Trump’s second term
• GLP-1 drugs vs. bariatric surgery
• Rising prevalence of walking pneumonia
• Ethics of Alzheimer’s drug trials
• Why sitting too long can harm you—and why standing might not be the solution
• An unexpected outcome with advancements in IVF
• Artificial intelligence in diagnosis

Join Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr as they unpack these complex healthcare issues and shed light on the path ahead for American medicine.

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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 #89: Trump’s second term, weight-loss drugs & the rise of ‘walking pneumonia’ appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this Unfiltered episode of Fixing Healthcare, cardiologist and well-being advocate Dr. Jonathan Fisher joins healthcare leader Dr. Robert Pearl and host Jeremy Corr to explore how healthcare professionals handle stress and what can be learned from other high-stakes fields like athletics.

The trio delves into various aspects of pressure in medical practice, comparing it to the intensity athletes experience in major sporting events. Drawing on their own medical experiences, they discuss how clinicians can find the right balance to achieve peak performance while maintaining their mental and physical health.

The show’s primary topics include:

• Understanding pressure in healthcare. Dr. Fisher explains the concept of “good” vs. “bad” pressure, citing research that shows the impact of too much stress on cognitive function and patient care. He draws parallels to the “Yerkes-Dodson” curve, which suggests an optimal level of stress for peak performance.
• Impact of external pressures. Drs. Pearl and Fisher talk about the variety of pressures doctors face today, from financial and administrative burdens to life-and-death decisions that impact patient care. They consider how these pressures affect different medical specialties and the importance of balancing professional demands with personal well-being.
• Lessons from athletics. Dr. Fisher reflects on how athletes manage social and performance pressures, comparing it to the scrutiny doctors face in healthcare settings. He emphasizes that, like athletes, healthcare professionals need to understand and manage both internal and external expectations to prevent burnout and sustain their careers.
• Leadership and support in high-stakes environments. Dr. Pearl shares insights from his experience leading Kaiser Permanente, highlighting the role of supportive leadership in helping clinicians manage pressure effectively. The discussion also addresses the importance of team dynamics and creating a culture where medical professionals feel empowered and defended in their roles.

To hear more about how to manage pressure in the workplace, listen to the full episode and check out these helpful links:

• ‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s newest book)
• ‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s newest book)
• Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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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 #154: Handling pressure in medicine with tips for doctors, leaders appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In the latest episode of Fixing Healthcare, hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome back Vinod Khosla, legendary investor and co-founder of Sun Microsystems, to discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on healthcare. As the head of Khosla Ventures and an early investor in OpenAI, Khosla brings a unique perspective to the potential and challenges AI presents in medicine.

This interview is part of the show’s tenth season, which focuses on the future of technology in healthcare—the central focus of Dr. Pearl’s newest book ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine, with all profits going to Doctors Without Borders.

Khosla, known for his bold, often disruptive views on tech, shares a vision for AI-driven solutions that have the potential to reshape medical practice. Here are three key insights from the episode:

1. AI as an amplifier of physician capabilities

Khosla envisions a future where every physician could work with multiple “AI interns” to handle routine tasks, analyze data and assist in diagnostics. He argues that AI has the potential to vastly expand physician capacity, allowing doctors to provide more preventive and personalized care.

2. Continuous, AI-driven patient monitoring

With AI-enabled systems, Khosla sees healthcare shifting from reactive, episodic care to proactive, continuous monitoring. He believes wearable devices and AI models will enable real-time patient data analysis, catching health issues early and reducing the need for costly interventions.

3. The power of startups in driving healthcare innovation

Khosla emphasizes that true innovation often comes from entrepreneurial startups rather than established companies. He advocates for partnerships between startups and large healthcare organizations to scale transformative technologies, noting that small, agile teams can push boundaries more effectively.

Tune in to hear Khosla’s bold predictions for the future of medicine, along with his advice for physicians, healthcare leader, and entrepreneurs seeking to navigate the chaos of American healthcare.

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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 #153: Vinod Khosla on AI, disruption & the future of medicine appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In the latest episode of Diving Deep, hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr explore three timely healthcare topics that are shaping the future of medicine. This episode focuses on denial in public health, the rise of patient consumerism and a potential fix for U.S. healthcare’s cost crisis.

The episode begins with an in-depth discussion about how denial functions as an unconscious defense mechanism that prevents patients, clinicians and health officials from acknowledging and reacting to health threats. Dr. Pearl highlights how denial not only hampered the response to COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, but also to emerging health crises like mpox, along with chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes.

Next, the conversation shifts to the growing trend of patient empowerment through consumerism. The hosts examine how advances in generative AI and at-home diagnostics are transforming the doctor-patient dynamic. Pearl notes that patients increasingly prefer convenience over traditional in-person visits, and with AI becoming more accurate and empathetic, the doctor’s role is evolving.

Finally, the hosts tackle the financial challenges plaguing the U.S. healthcare system. Pearl explains how capitation—a payment model that rewards doctors for keeping patients healthy—would flip the traditional fee-for-service model on its head. He draws on game theory principles to illustrate how trust and cooperation between payers and providers could lead to better patient outcomes and lower costs. A win-win for both sides.

Join the conversation as Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr dive deep into the most critical issues in American healthcare today.

HELPFUL LINKS

• Denial: The Hidden Link Connecting Mpox, COVID-19, HIV/AIDS
• The Consumer Revolution In Medicine Is (Finally) Here. What Comes Next?
• A Strange Way To Fix American Medicine: Game Theory

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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.

Diving Deep 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 #152: Tackling healthcare denial, consumerism & the cost crisis appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In the latest episode of Medicine: The Truth, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr return with timely insights on some of the most pressing issues in healthcare today.

From the chilling implications of abortion restrictions on women’s health to the opaque and controversial role of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in driving up drug prices, the episode covers a lot of ground.

The conversation kicks off with an update on COVID-19 and the flu season, emphasizing that while hospitalizations remain stable, low vaccination rates may raise concerns in the months ahead. Dr. Pearl also delves into the new abortion laws sweeping the nation, shedding light on tragic cases where legal fears prevent doctors from acting swiftly, endangering women’s lives.

The hosts then dive into the murky world of PBMs, where just three companies control nearly 80% of drug sales in the United States. Pearl explains how PBMs manipulate prices to favor expensive drugs while profiting off hidden rebates, all at the expense of patients and insurers. As legal battles between PBMs and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) unfold, the episode highlights the growing outrage over pharmaceutical price gouging.

Here’s a snapshot of just some topics covered in this episode of Medicine: The Truth:

• COVID-19 and flu season updates
• The dangers posed to women’s health by restrictive abortion laws
• A deep dive into the role of PBMs in the U.S. healthcare system
• Why healthcare costs are projected to rise by 8% next year
• The troubling future of drug pricing in America
• Why more parents aren’t vaccinating their kids
• A surge in at-home diagnostic testing
• The Nobel Prize in chemistry goes to …
• Why 98.6 isn’t the average body temperature
• Superbugs are coming

Join Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr as they unravel these complex healthcare challenges and offer insight into the future of medical care in America.

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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 #88: Abortion restrictions, PBMs and the rising cost of care appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

Six years ago, Fixing Healthcare launched as a “podcast with a plan to fix American healthcare.” After more than 150 episodes—spanning three election cycles—the show has explored countless ideas for reform. Still, American healthcare remains plagued by high costs, uneven quality and limited access.

One of our earliest guests left us with some of the most provocative solutions to these problems: Dr. Don Berwick, a name synonymous with medicine’s “Triple Aim.” With the November elections less than a month away, we thought listeners would find value in revisting Berwick’s groundbreaking vision for healthcare reform.

As Berwick explained, “We need a system of three goals: better care for people when they’re in the care system, better health for populations, and lower per capita cost through improvement, not through rationing or withholding.”

Supporting the Triple Aim, Berwick called for healthcare to be recognized as a human right and advocated for a shift toward global, population-based budgets—moving away from the inflationary fee-for-service model that dominates today.

Cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr were intrigued by the clarity and cohesiveness of Berwick’s plan.

“We have a highly fragmented system in which people are trying to solve problems separately,” Berwick said. “That is just not going to work … we’re going to have to fix healthcare together.”

Berwick is clinical professor of pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School and professor of health policy and management at the Harvard School of Public Health. He is the former head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the co-founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and leader of the organization’s 100,000 Lives Campaign.

Helpful links:

Season 1 explainer: ‘Welcome to the toughest interview in healthcare’

Episode 5 recap: ‘Don Berwick brings a global perspective to fixing US healthcare’

The full transcript of this episode with Don Berwick

Don Berwick: Profiles in leadership

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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 #151: Six years later, Don Berwick’s vision for healthcare remains unfulfilled appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this Unfiltered episode of Fixing Healthcare, cardiologist and physician well-being advocate Dr. Jonathan Fisher joins healthcare leader Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr, CEO of Executive Podcast Solutions, for a candid discussion about the evolving role of physicians in modern medicine.

The trio explores how systemic challenges—such as burnout, the loss of physician autonomy and the growing influence of private equity—are reshaping the trajectory of medical careers.

Today’s topics include:

• The burnout epidemic. Dr. Fisher reflects on how increasing administrative burdens, declining autonomy and career dissatisfaction have led many physicians to leave the field or seek non-clinical roles. He emphasizes the need for healthcare organizations to support doctors across different career stages, from early-career residents to seasoned clinicians.
• Restoring meaning and fulfillment. Drs. Pearl and Fisher discuss the importance of restoring meaning to physicians’ work by offering leadership opportunities and emphasizing the creative, humanistic aspects of medicine. They argue that physicians need more than just financial incentives. They also need a sense of purpose and the ability to make meaningful changes in patient care.
• The role of leadership in medicine. Drawing from his experience as CEO at Kaiser Permanente for 18 years, Dr. Pearl highlights how leadership training can empower doctors to take control of their practice environments, improve health outcomes and reduce medical errors.
• Balancing career and personal life. Both Fisher and Pearl emphasize the difficulty of balancing the demands of a medical career with personal fulfillment. They call for a broader cultural shift in healthcare, one that allows doctors to find meaning not just in their work, but in their lives outside the clinic as well.

To hear more about how these experts believe we can bring meaning back to medicine, listen to the full episode 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)

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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 #150: Restoring meaning in medicine—burnout and the physician career arc appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In the second episode of Fixing Healthcare’s 10th season, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome back Dr. David Feinberg, chairman of Oracle Health, for a discussion centered on the future of technology in medicine.

Given the season’s focus on transformative technologies in medicine, Dr. Feinberg brings a wealth of experience as the former CEO of Cerner, VP of Google Health, and CEO of Geisinger Health.

As Dr. Pearl has highlighted throughout the season, technology—including artificial intelligence—is becoming a pivotal force in healthcare. His own book on the subject, ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine, explores this theme in great detail, and it debuted on the list of Amazon’s Top New Releases. All profits from Pearl’s book benefit Doctors Without Borders.

During the interview, Dr. Feinberg shares his thoughts on the three most important technological developments in healthcare over the next five to 10 years:

1. Technology stepping aside: Dr. Feinberg says one of the most critical advances in healthcare will involve technology getting “out of the way” of the doctor-patient relationship. He notes that while innovations have advanced healthcare, they often interfere with the time and connection between clinicians and their patients. Feinberg envisions a future where technology is present but not disruptive, allowing physicians to focus on their patients rather than on navigating electronic systems.

2. AI’s role in anticipatory medicine: Like many healthcare leaders, Feinberg identifies artificial intelligence as a major player in the future of healthcare. However, he offers a unique perspective by discussing AI’s potential beyond current applications like diagnostics and documentation. He predicts that AI will develop anticipatory abilities, allowing clinicians to foresee medical issues and prevent serious health problems. This could allow doctors to say to patients, “If we don’t get this [health issues] in order, the computer is telling us you won’t make it to your grandchild’s college graduation,” helping patients take critical action before it’s too late.

3. The power of the cloud: Here, Feinberg highlights the immense potential of cloud technology. He explains how the cloud can significantly enhance healthcare, particularly in terms of cybersecurity and data management. By leveraging cloud systems, hospitals can not only protect sensitive patient data but also streamline operations, enabling more effective analysis and use of healthcare information across platforms.

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

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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 #149: Tech needs to get out of the way of healthcare, says Feinberg appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this month’s Diving Deep episode, part of the Fixing Healthcare podcast series, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr dive into two vital topics in healthcare: lessons learned from experts on end-of-life care and innovative solutions to address chronic disease in underserved communities.

The episode begins with an exploration of end-of-life care, revisiting Season 9 of the podcast series, which focused exclusively on this emotionally charged topic. Dr. Pearl reflects on his conversations with guests like Dr. Atul Gawande, author of Being Mortal, and the powerful lesson that “people have goals besides living longer.” The hosts discuss how clinicians need to respect patient autonomy, particularly when the choices revolve around what makes life worth living versus prolonging survival at all costs.

Next, the conversation shifts to the topic of chronic disease management in underserved communities. Dr. Pearl references his recent Forbes article, which outlines how social determinants of health (SDOH) contribute to health inequities in the U.S. He introduces a practical solution: GenAI-driven health hubs, designed to combat chronic disease in low-income areas.

The hosts discuss the implementation of these hubs, explaining how they could provide affordable, targeted and technologically advanced support to individuals in areas where healthcare resources are limited. By leveraging generative AI tools, the hubs would help manage chronic diseases, reduce the burden on overworked doctors and prevent life-threatening complications. With a small investment, Dr. Pearl argues, these hubs could yield significant cost savings by preventing just one major health event, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Click play to hear these insights and more, and explore how healthcare leaders can improve care for patients at all stages of life.

HELPFUL LINKS

• 9 Powerful Lessons On Life You Can Learn From Experts On Death (Forbes)
• GenAI-Driven Health Hubs Can Combat Chronic Disease In Underserved Areas (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 #148: End-of-life lessons and combatting health disparities appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In today’s episode of Medicine: The Truth, hosts Jeremy Corr and Dr. Robert Pearl dive into timely and significant medical topics, focusing on the resurgence of COVID-19, rising healthcare costs and a growing shift toward patient empowerment through at-home testing solutions.

The episode kicks off with an update on the recent summertime surge of COVID-19, particularly in the Western and Southern parts of the country. Despite rising case numbers, researchers have noted that hospitalizations and deaths remain stable. The hosts discuss the release of new COVID-19 boosters, which are tailored to emerging variants. This comes at a time when skepticism about vaccinations persists, still fueled by misinformation and politics.

Shifting gears, the conversation moves to healthcare costs, particularly the burden on small businesses. Rising inflation and the increased use of costly GLP-1 (weight loss) medications are driving up medical costs, with premiums projected to rise sharply in the coming year.

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

• COVID-19 resurgence
• Rising healthcare costs
• Long COVID updates
• Climate change and public health
• Mpox (formerly monkeypox)
• Medicare drug price negotiations
• At-home testing revolution
• Uterine transplants and advances in reproductive medicine

Throughout the episode, the hosts touch on the transformative potential of generative AI and other technological advances, arguing that patient empowerment and consumerism will continue to shape the future of healthcare.

Join the conversation as Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle the latest medical news and discuss the implications of these trends for the future of healthcare.

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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 #87: COVID-19 resurgence, soaring healthcare costs and the push for patient empowerment appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

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

In this episode, the trio takes a deep dive into the intriguing applications of Game Theory in healthcare. Dr. Pearl introduces Game Theory—a concept that analyzes how individuals or groups make decisions in competitive situations—drawing from its use in business to better understand interactions between physicians, insurers and healthcare organizations.

Today’s topics include:

• Game theory and healthcare economics: Dr. Pearl explains how Game Theory can help reframe the often adversarial relationships between doctors and insurers, exploring ways to move from lose-lose situations to more collaborative, win-win outcomes.
• The role of autonomy: Dr. Fisher explores the inherent conflict between physician autonomy and collective decision-making, noting how the fragmented nature of healthcare impacts both patient outcomes and physician satisfaction.
• Collaboration vs. competition: The group discusses the need for healthcare professionals to shift from tribalism and competition within and between specialties to a more cooperative approach that benefits patients.
• The prisoner’s dilemma: Dr. Pearl introduces this classic Game Theory scenario to illustrate the difficult choices doctors face when limited healthcare resources force tough decisions about patient care.

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)

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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 #147: Game theory and healthcare—the complex relationship between doctors, payers and patients appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.