The Podcast by KevinMD

Professional development practitioner and veteran emergency nurse Kristen Cline discusses her article, "America's ER crisis: Why the system is collapsing from within." Using the TV drama "The Pitt" as a reference point, she argues that the reality of the emergency department is exponentially more chaotic and dangerous than portrayed. Kristen shares her frontline perspective on the intersecting crises crippling the system: an epidemic of workplace violence where assault is treated as "part of the job," a wisdom gap created by an exodus of experienced nurses, and a perpetual backlog caused by hospital overcrowding and a lack of downstream facilities. The conversation reveals how profit-driven management and impending Medicaid cuts are accelerating the closure of rural hospitals and vital services, creating health care deserts. Her core message is a stark warning: the safety net is tearing, and it has been held together only by the sacrifice of health care workers who are running out of hope. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Family physician Jonathan Bushman discusses his article, "The hidden moral injury behind value-based health care." He shares the story of a young physician who was told to remove her most complex patients from her panel to protect the health system's performance metrics. Jonathan uses this powerful example to explain moral injury: a deep, ethical wound that is fundamentally different from burnout. The conversation exposes how value-based payment models, even in not-for-profit systems, can incentivize data manipulation and force doctors to choose between their patients' well-being and their employer's bottom line. He argues that this crisis of integrity is a primary reason many physicians are leaving employed positions for independent models like direct primary care (DPC), where they can answer directly to their patients instead of a spreadsheet. His core message is an urgent call to confront the reality that when "value" becomes code for "profitable," the entire system's moral compass is at risk. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Anesthesiologist and clinical mental health counselor Maire Daugharty discusses her article, "Why peer support can save lives in high-pressure medical careers." Drawing from her personal experience of losing three colleagues to suicide and overdose, Maire makes a powerful case for peer support as a direct antidote to the isolation that plagues the medical profession. She explains how the culture of medicine, with its relentless pursuit of perfection, leaves physicians vulnerable to despair when they inevitably face human fallibility. The conversation explores how structured peer support creates a space for authentic connection, validating shared struggles and mitigating the self-recrimination that can follow adverse outcomes. Maire also clarifies that while peer support is a lifeline, it is also a crucial tool for identifying colleagues who need deeper professional help, and for normalizing that next step. Her core message is an urgent call for medical environments to integrate protected peer support programs as an essential, proactive strategy to save lives. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Physician and public health advocate Judith Eguzoikpe discusses her article, "Hope is the lifeline: a deeper look into transplant care." She pulls back the curtain on the kidney transplant process, revealing that the true journey for patients with end-stage kidney disease is not just a single surgery but months or years of emotional and logistical challenges. Judith shares powerful patient stories that illustrate the fear, frustration, and uncertainty that define the waiting period. The conversation highlights the essential role of health care professionals as advocates who must provide not just information but presence and compassion. She also confronts the stark inequities in the system, where marginalized communities face greater barriers to care. The core message is a call for clinicians to look beyond lab values and recognize that building hope through advocacy and human connection is a critical part of the treatment itself. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Critical care physician Jess Bunin, co-founder of All Levels Leadership, discusses the article, "Civil discourse as a leadership competency: the case for curiosity in medicine." They challenge a core tenet of medical culture: the pressure to project certainty and always have the right answer. Jess argues that this fixation on "knowing" makes clinicians fragile and sabotages the ability to navigate difficult conversations on topics like racial equity and systems of power. The solution she proposes is civil discourse, which requires shifting one's identity from being "correct" to being "curious." She emphasizes that providing psychological safety is a leader's primary responsibility in making this shift possible. The conversation provides actionable skills like active listening and perspective-taking, reframing them not as "soft skills" but as essential survival skills for a health care system strained by polarization and burnout. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Pediatrician and certified life and weight coach Karla Lester discusses her article, "An effective treatment using an effective care delivery model: Using telehealth to treat adolescents with obesity with GLP-1 medications." She shares her frustration with traditional in-person obesity programs that see high attrition and offer few effective treatments beyond surgery. Karla explains how she founded her own practice, Metabolic Telehealth, to implement the latest AAP guidelines by combining a new care delivery model with new medical treatments. The conversation explores her initial data, which shows how telehealth can reduce barriers like weight stigma and travel time, leading to better patient retention. It also highlights the effectiveness of GLP-1 medications, with 95 percent of her long-term patients seeing a BMI reduction. However, she also reveals a critical obstacle: over half of all insurance prior authorizations for these vital medications are denied, forcing many families to pay out of pocket. The core message is that while this telehealth model is effective, systemic change is needed to ensure all adolescents have access to this life-changing care. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Cardiologist Monzur Morshed discusses the article, "Why South Asians in the U.S. face a silent heart disease crisis." Drawing from his direct experience treating the Bangladeshi-American community in New York City, Monzur explains why people from South Asia are disproportionately at risk for developing heart disease 5 to 10 years earlier than other populations, often despite having normal cholesterol levels. The conversation delves into specific, often overlooked risk factors like the "thin-fat" phenotype, genetic predispositions such as elevated lipoprotein(a), and cultural barriers including diet and the stigma around mental health. They provide actionable clinical tips for health care providers and patients, emphasizing that standard risk assessments are failing this vulnerable community. The key takeaway is a call for a paradigm shift: clinicians must treat South Asian patients as high-risk by default and utilize culturally sensitive, aggressive screening to close the equity gap in cardiovascular care. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation co-founder Corey Feist and physician advocate Kim Downey discuss their article, "Health workers deserve care too: How to protect their mental health." They highlight the ongoing mental health crisis facing the health care workforce, where CDC data shows mental health is worse than in any other segment, yet only 38 percent of those in distress seek care. Kim shares personal anecdotes that reveal the immense pressure and stigma physicians face, while Corey outlines the systemic barriers that prevent healers from getting help. The conversation centers on the six crucial actions from their "Health Workers Have The Right, Too" initiative, providing a concrete roadmap for employers and policymakers. Corey and Kim argue for practical solutions like confidential peer support, the removal of invasive mental health questions on licensing applications, and accessible, affordable care that works for a 24/7 workforce. Their core message is clear: To ensure patient safety, we must first build a system that protects the well-being of our health care workers. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Addiction medicine physician Safina Adatia discusses her article, "Why gambling addiction is America's next health crisis." She warns that following the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling to overturn sports gambling bans, the U.S. is facing a potential epidemic with tens of millions at risk. Safina explains that unlike substance use disorders, problem gambling lacks sufficient research, effective treatments, and public health infrastructure. The conversation explores how the ease of access through smartphones and ubiquitous, predatory marketing campaigns are fueling what she calls a "runaway train," with data suggesting a widespread issue, particularly among young people. Safina argues for a multi-layered clinical approach combining therapy and medication, similar to models for opioid use disorder, and calls for urgent legislative action. She advocates for Congress to fund research, for lawmakers to curb advertising like they did for tobacco, and for a surgeon general's warning on gambling platforms to protect the public from this avoidable crisis. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Clinical research physician Khutaija Noor discusses her article, "Why clinical research is a powerful path for unmatched IMGs." She addresses the intense pressure and profound disappointment International Medical Graduates (IMGs) face when they go unmatched for a residency spot in the U.S. Drawing from her own experience, Khutaija reframes this perceived setback as an opportunity, detailing her pivot into the world of clinical research. She challenges the outdated view of research as a non-clinical detour, describing her hands-on role as a clinical trial lead where she serves as an advocate and primary medical contact for vulnerable patients. Khutaija highlights the immense purpose found in contributing to pivotal studies for new treatments, arguing that clinical research is not a consolation prize but a powerful and rewarding field. She offers an empowering message for all IMGs facing uncertainty: Your skills are desperately needed in medical innovation, and your journey is far from over. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nation's largest health care hiring network, we're your partner in shaping health care's future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress – visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR → https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended