

The Podcast by KevinMD
Kevin Pho, MD
Social media's leading physician voice, Kevin Pho, MD, shares the stories of the many who intersect with our health care system but are rarely heard from. 15 minutes a day. 7 days a week. Welcome to The Podcast by KevinMD.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 26, 2025 • 14min
Stepping down in medicine: Why letting go can be an act of leadership
Physician and coach Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "Stepping down in medicine is an evolution." In this episode, Jessie challenges the cultural belief that stepping down from medical roles is a sign of weakness, reframing it instead as "graduating." She explains how physicians often hold onto positions out of fear, habit, or identity attachment, even after the role no longer fuels them. Jessie shares how recognizing restlessness, depletion, or loss of joy can serve as invitations to evolve rather than warnings of failure. She introduces tools like Martha Beck's Body Compass to guide decision-making and advocates for normalizing transitions as a courageous act that benefits both physicians and their colleagues. Listeners will learn how letting go before burnout can open space for new growth, fulfillment, and trust in the medical community. 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

Oct 25, 2025 • 18min
Choosing the right doctor: How patients can take control of their care
Professor and patient advocate Edward G. Rogoff discusses his article "How to choose the right doctor for you." In this episode, Edward explains why selecting the right physician is one of the most important health decisions a patient can make. He shares practical guidelines such as finding a doctor who specializes in your condition, evaluating service orientation and training background, and applying a "chemistry test" to assess personal connection and trust. Edward emphasizes that patients should not settle for rushed encounters or profit-driven practices but instead seek physicians who act as teachers, motivators, and true partners in care. Listeners will learn actionable strategies to reclaim agency in navigating the health care system and to secure the care they deserve. 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

Oct 24, 2025 • 24min
How sleep, nutrition, and exercise restore physician well-being
Physical therapists Kim Downey, Ziya Altug, and Shirish Sachdeva discuss their article "How physicians can reclaim resilience through better sleep, nutrition, and exercise." In this episode, Kim, Ziya, and Shirish explain how the triad of sleep, balanced nutrition, and physical activity forms the foundation of physician resilience. They outline practical strategies such as circadian-friendly sleep routines, meal planning to stabilize energy and mood, and integrating aerobic activity with mindful practices like yoga. The conversation emphasizes small, sustainable changes, institutional supports, and peer accountability systems that make self-care realistic for busy clinicians. Listeners will come away with actionable lifestyle medicine strategies to reduce burnout, strengthen work-life balance, and improve both personal health and patient outcomes. 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

Oct 23, 2025 • 20min
A neurosurgeon's fight with the state medical board
Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Hatef, Jr. discusses his article "Guilty until proven innocent? My experience with a state medical board." In this episode, Jeffrey shares the shocking story of how his medical license was summarily suspended without a hearing and how incomplete records, flawed expert testimony, and questionable legal tactics created a process stacked against him. He recounts how independent reviews from spine surgeons and letters of support from nearly sixty physicians affirmed his standard of care, yet the board pursued the case with relentless determination. Jeffrey emphasizes the dangers of a system that prioritizes winning over fairness, the impact on patient autonomy, and the need for transparency and accountability in medical board proceedings. Listeners gain an inside look into the high stakes of licensure defense and the importance of due process for physicians. 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

Oct 22, 2025 • 23min
Protecting physicians when private equity buys in
Veteran attorney Dennis Hursh discusses his article "Private practice employment agreements: What happens if private equity swoops in?" In this episode, Dennis explains how private equity acquisitions of medical practices complicate the traditional path for employed physicians who expect eventual ownership. He highlights risks such as working years at below-median pay without ever reaching partnership and inheriting underpaying contracts after a sale. Dennis also offers strategies for physicians to negotiate protections, including provisions for equity-equivalent bonuses or safeguards in case of a private equity takeover. He emphasizes that while some private equity firms bring resources and technology, others impose profit-driven pressures that can erode job satisfaction. Listeners gain actionable insights into safeguarding their career paths and financial futures in the evolving private practice landscape. 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

Oct 21, 2025 • 19min
ChatGPT in medicine: risks, benefits, and safer documentation strategies
Family nurse practitioner Erica Dorn discusses her article "ChatGPT in health care: Risks, benefits, and safer options." In this episode, Erica explains how clinicians are experimenting with ChatGPT to help with HPI prompts, procedure documentation, and discharge instructions, while also cautioning against its risks such as inaccuracy, lack of HIPAA compliance, and limited integration with EHRs. She highlights the advantages of AI medical scribes, which provide secure, real-time, and health care-specific documentation solutions. Erica emphasizes practical takeaways for providers: use ChatGPT carefully for brainstorming, but adopt specialized AI tools for safer, more efficient, and compliant documentation. 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

Oct 20, 2025 • 19min
How early intervention and team-based care can change kidney disease outcomes
Kidney transplant recipient Charlie Cloninger and nephrologist Nauman Shahid discuss their article "How early care saved my life from silent kidney disease." Charlie shares his personal story of being diagnosed with kidney disease while feeling healthy, making lifestyle changes with the help of his care coordinator, and ultimately receiving a transplant before dialysis. Nauman explains how early detection, coordinated care, and proactive treatment models are transforming nephrology and giving patients better outcomes. Together they highlight the importance of patient education, lifestyle support, and health care systems that reward prevention over crisis management. Listeners will take away both a patient's perspective and a physician's insights into how kidney disease care can save lives. 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

Oct 19, 2025 • 18min
Why physician wellness must be treated as a core business strategy
Psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article "It's time to operationalize physician wellness." Muhamad explains why wellness cannot remain a slogan or a poster in the breakroom but must be embedded into the structure of health care systems. He outlines practical steps such as protecting confidentiality, revising credentialing practices, investing in real peer support, and creating opt-out touchpoints to normalize help-seeking. He also emphasizes the difference between burnout and mental illness, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Listeners will gain a blueprint for how leaders and organizations can reduce stigma, prevent suicide, and build a culture where physicians are supported as human beings and patients ultimately benefit. 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

Oct 18, 2025 • 13min
How retraining the physician mindset can boost resilience and joy in medicine
Licensed counselor and coach Mary Remón discusses her article "A mindset shift for physicians: Retrain your brain to see what's going well." Mary explains how physicians are trained to scan constantly for risks, but that habit can carry over into daily life and lead to stress and burnout. She shares how intentional practices like reflecting on what went well each day can rewire the brain, strengthen relationships, and enhance diagnostic accuracy. Mary also highlights research showing how positive emotions fuel creativity and problem-solving, and she offers practical ways physicians can reconnect with meaning in their work. Listeners will take away simple, actionable strategies to build resilience, boost happiness, and sustain a fulfilling medical career. 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

Oct 17, 2025 • 19min
How Gen Z is reshaping health care through DIY approaches and digital tools
Amanda Heidemann, a family physician and senior clinical content consultant at Wolters Kluwer Health, shares insights on how Gen Z is reshaping healthcare. She highlights their reliance on TikTok and friends for health advice, often bypassing traditional sources. Amanda discusses the rise of telehealth and urgent care as essential to this generation's health decisions. She emphasizes the importance of providers adapting to these changes, utilizing AI tools, and building trust through patient education. Listeners will learn about the need for healthcare professionals to meet Gen Z where they are.


