Freakonomics Radio Policymaking Is Not a Science (Yet) (Ep. 405 Rebroadcast)
Mar 25, 2021
John List, an economist at the University of Chicago, discusses the failure of many impactful solutions to scale in education and healthcare. Dana Susskind shares insights from her research on cochlear implants, emphasizing the emotional and practical challenges of medical advancements. Patty Chamberlain highlights the complexities of implementing evidence-based practices in child welfare. Together, they explore the emerging field of implementation science and the need for robust frameworks to transform research into effective policies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Cochlear Implants: A Surgeon's Perspective
- Dana Susskind, a pediatric surgeon, specializes in cochlear implants, a technology that can restore hearing in deaf children.
- She describes the joy of witnessing children hear for the first time after implant activation.
Underutilization of Technological Advances
- Despite technological advances like cochlear implants, many fail to fully benefit.
- Issues like adherence, where patients don't consistently use the device, limit their impact.
John List's Shift to Field Experiments
- John List, an economist, transitioned from lab experiments to field experiments to increase research credibility.
- His work involved real-world settings to generate data for testing economic theories and evaluating program effects.