White Coat, Black Art

Ian Stedman, a lawyer and advocate for AI in healthcare, shares his gripping journey from self-diagnosing Muckle-Wells syndrome after 32 years of ineffective visits to navigating treatment challenges. He discusses how AI can revolutionize the detection of rare diseases, emphasizing the powerful role of technology and community support. Ian also highlights the necessity of regulatory measures to ensure AI's ethical deployment in healthcare, while advocating for better insurance coverage for those affected by rare conditions.

<p>For decades, Ian Stedman lived with severe rashes, constant joint pain, red eyes and debilitating migraines. He saw dozens of doctors, but no one knew what was wrong with him. So he gave up. But when his infant daughter started showing the same symptoms, he turned to the internet. After a lot of research, he successfully diagnosed himself with a disease so rare, only one in a million people have it.</p>

<p>Pete Pearson, 74, is not ready to die. He was diagnosed six years ago with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which has an average survival rate of 2-3 years after diagnosis. He knows he's on borrowed time, and has been dealing with anxiety and depression. That’s why he's seeking approval from Health Canada to use psilocybin as part of a treatment called psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. His son Blake, who is also a family doctor, believes it can help his dad live the rest of his life to the fullest.</p>

Guests John Brennan and his mother Jenny Brennan share their harrowing experiences with a Toronto company that offered prenatal paternity tests, falsely claiming 99.9% accuracy. John's life was turned upside down by these incorrect results, leading to family chaos and identity crises. The podcast delves into the devastating personal narratives that emerged from a decade of misidentifications. Investigative journalists explore the emotional fallout and the urgent need for accountability in the realm of paternity testing, revealing the profound impact on families.

<p>Many women report sexual health difficulties and don’t always know where to go for help. A small cadre of Canadian doctors specializing in women’s sexual health is trying to change that. They’re helping patients boost pleasure, while empowering them to get to know their sexual anatomy.</p>

<p>When the last full-time doctor left the small town of Carberry, Manitoba in 2023, the responsibility of providing healthcare was left on the shoulders of nurses. In our second show from Carberry, Dr. Brian Goldman learns from a retired nurse just how robust rural healthcare once was. And when Brian witnesses a health emergency first hand, he sees the toll a town without doctors is taking on one nurse practitioner.</p>

<p>Like many Canadian small towns, Carberry, MB had become a healthcare desert. In 2023, the small ER&nbsp;closed and the last doctor left. Carberry embarked on the fight of its life to get healthcare back. And now, just days before the first of two new MDs starts work, Dr. Brian Goldman visits Carberry to learn about the Herculean efforts it takes for one town to reinstate healthcare, and make sure they don't lose it again.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When Mary Jarratt's brother, Billy, had a debilitating stroke at the age of 58, she was thrown into the role of power of attorney. That meant making significant decisions on Billy's behalf, including his personal care, the care of his high school-aged son, and whether to sell the family home. It has taken a physical and emotional toll on her and she wants people to know what they’re getting into when they sign up to be a POA.</p>

<p>When he's not working in the ER, Dr. Nicholas Sparrow spends his spare time in a surprising way. He responds to critical threat-to-life calls as a volunteer through the Kootenay Emergency Response Physicians Association (KERPA), a charity he created. Dr. Brian Goldman rides along on one of Dr. Sparrow's shifts to learn how - and why - he does it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Companies are spending big bucks advertising weight-loss drugs like Rybelsus and Ozempic. But in Canada, "reminder ads" can give only the medication's name, not what it's for, telling people to ask their doctor for more. Special guest Terry O'Reilly, host of CBC's <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Under the Influence</a>, says it can result in bad ads that turn people off, while pharmaceutical policy expert Barbara Mintzes says reminder ads can do more harm than good.</p>