Freakonomics Radio 423. The Doctor Will Zoom You Now
Jun 25, 2020
Rebecca Kurth, an associate professor of clinical medicine, shares her firsthand experiences with telehealth amid the pandemic. Chad Elamoodle, a urologist and telehealth innovator, discusses its lasting impact on patient care. Economist David Cutler reveals the economic implications of this healthcare shift. They explore how telehealth transformed accessibility, the challenges faced by providers, and the potential for AI to enhance future medical visits, all while contemplating the sustainability of these new practices in the U.S. healthcare system.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
NYC COVID Peak Experience
- During the COVID peak in NYC, Dr. Kurth handled 8-10 patient calls daily, with 50 out of 1000 patients experiencing COVID-related illness.
- She used her office as a command center for efficient telehealth management and patient reassurance.
Telehealth Adoption
- After the initial COVID peak subsided, calls for other health concerns rose.
- Dr. Kurth chose telehealth due to concerns about physician offices as vectors of illness.
Telehealth Successes and Limitations
- Dr. Kurth successfully treated back pain, shoulder pain, rashes, and reviewed medications via video calls.
- Certain conditions like earaches, abdominal pain, fatigue, chest pain, and stroke symptoms required in-person visits.