The Podcast by KevinMD

Pediatrician and certified coach Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "How to get physician wellness programs funded: a proven path forward." Drawing on nearly two decades of experience navigating institutional hurdles and five years designing wellness programs, she provides a practical roadmap for securing funding. Jessie asserts that funding is possible, countering common skepticism by highlighting diverse funding sources like philanthropy grants, departmental funds, leadership development budgets, and CME dollars. Key strategies include: starting with the belief that funding is attainable, advocating effectively by personally experiencing and embodying the benefits of wellness, engaging leadership by having them participate directly in programs, thinking creatively about funding streams beyond wellness committees, prioritizing high-impact programs led by credible experts over ineffective ones, and considering cost-sharing models. Jessie emphasizes that institutions will fund experiential, connection-focused, and implementable programs that demonstrate tangible change and have leadership support. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise—and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Health care executive Jeffry A. Peters discusses his article "Ending physicians' addiction to unhappiness," focusing on the systemic factors fueling widespread dissatisfaction among doctors. Jeffry outlines how declining reimbursement, increased patient volume, and reduced support staff have turned physicians into disempowered production workers. He offers a blueprint for reversing this trend by creating a culture where physicians feel valued, supported, and heard. Key solutions include competitive compensation, flexible schedules, shared governance, and leadership opportunities. Jeffry emphasizes that health systems that prioritize physician well-being and empowerment will gain a sustainable competitive advantage in recruitment, retention, and quality care delivery. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise—and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Child psychiatrist Ellen K. Feldman discusses her article "How social media is shaping teen mental health and what we can do about it," highlighting the growing concerns about social media's impact on adolescents. She emphasizes the importance of monitoring social media usage, setting screen time limits, and teaching digital literacy to help young people protect themselves from harmful content. Ellen also stresses the value of in-person socialization to counteract social media's isolating effects, especially for teens struggling with anxiety or depression. She offers actionable strategies for parents and clinicians to support teens in developing healthy digital habits and foster emotional resilience. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click. Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise—and it's built on a foundation of trust. It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Medical student Christopher Nmai discusses his article, "Leaving medicine is not a failure: It might be the change you always needed." Christopher shares his deeply personal decision to forgo residency and explore non-clinical paths, highlighting the toll that chronic illness and burnout took during his training. He contextualizes his story within a broader trend—rising rates of physician dissatisfaction and exits from clinical practice—citing stress, administrative burdens, and mental health stigma as driving forces. Christopher advocates for systemic reform, increased flexibility, and destigmatizing alternative careers, arguing that true success in medicine includes honoring one's well-being and passions—even if that means stepping off the traditional path. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare–and it's built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Anesthesiologist Colleen Naglee discusses her article, "We should tip health care workers too." Colleen reflects on the rise of tipping culture in everyday services and questions why health care workers—who risk violence, burnout, and underpayment—are left out of these gestures of appreciation. She highlights the realities of declining Medicare reimbursements, the dangers of temporary staffing, and the toll of corporate ownership on patient outcomes. With sharp wit, Colleen suggests tipping as a symbolic gesture of gratitude, but ultimately argues for real, systemic change to recognize and support health care workers. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare–and it's built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Family nurse practitioner Bettina Reed discusses her article, "The hidden crisis in health care: How corporate greed is destroying patient care." Drawing from four decades of experience across hospitals, private practices, FQHCs, hospice, and corporate medicine, Bettina shares a powerful account of how the health care system has been dismantled by corporate interests. She details how profit-driven practices—ranging from insurance denials and billing pressures to rising drug costs and privatization—have harmed patients, pushed out providers, and contributed to burnout and workplace violence. Bettina offers insight into alternative models of care and urges the public to reclaim health care from those who exploit it for gain. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare–and it's built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Psychiatrist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article, "The future of psychiatry: How AI and genetics are reshaping mental health care." Muhamad explores how the integration of genetic research, biomarkers, electrophysiology, and artificial intelligence is transforming psychiatry into a more precise and preventative field. He explains how advances in pharmacogenomics and digital diagnostics are helping tailor treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes. From AI-assisted diagnostic tools to wearable technology and brain-computer interfaces, Muhamad emphasizes the need to move beyond reactive care and embrace a holistic, evidence-based approach to mental health in the 21st century. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare–and it's built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Physician executive Tim Wetherill discusses his article, "Why AI is the perfect neutral arbiter for health care claims." Tim explores how deeply embedded incentives, inefficiencies, and subjectivity in the current claims adjudication process create opportunities for manipulation and inefficiency. He explains how AI, when trained on clear, bias-free rules, can standardize decision-making and eliminate ambiguity, reducing the need for multiple vendors and decreasing billing errors. Tim argues that AI is uniquely positioned to serve as an unbiased third party—improving outcomes for health plans, providers, and ultimately, patients. His insights point to a future where fairness and efficiency drive health care claims resolution. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare–and it's built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

We have a special sponsored episode from Set for Life Insurance. Joining us today is Jamie Fleischner. She is the founder and president of Set for Life Insurance. With over 32 years of experience in the industry, Jamie has helped countless clients protect themselves from life's biggest risks. In this episode, we dive into why disability insurance is an essential safeguard for physicians—not just an optional add-on. Jamie guest breaks down the biggest mistakes doctors make when choosing coverage and how to avoid them. Learn why working with an independent broker gives you the best options and how to secure exclusive discounts through GSI – or Guaranteed Standard Issue – policies as a resident. VISIT SPONSOR → https://setforlifeinsurance.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast

Gastroenterologist Mark Pimentel discusses his article, "SIBO and IBS: the hidden link keeping millions in pain." Mark explains how small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked due to its symptom overlap with other GI conditions, particularly irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). He outlines the evolution of diagnostic tools like hydrogen, methane, and hydrogen sulfide breath tests, the clinical relevance of new ICD-10 codes, and the FDA-approved treatment rifaximin. Mark emphasizes that the most effective treatment remains the elemental diet—now made more palatable thanks to food science innovation. He urges increased awareness, clinician education, and research to bring this hidden condition to light and improve patient outcomes. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare–and it's built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended