Freakonomics, M.D.
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Each week, physician, economist, and author of "Random Acts of Medicine" Dr. Bapu Jena will dig into a fascinating study at the intersection of economics and healthcare. He takes on questions like: Why do kids with summer birthdays get the flu more often? Can surviving a hurricane help you live longer? What do heart surgery and grocery-store pricing have in common?
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 1, 2022 • 35min
44. Office Hours with Bapu
Can you diagnose cancer too early? Do in-flight medical emergencies vary by location? We asked you to send Bapu your questions, and this week he tries to answer them. We’d love to get to the bottom of even more topics. Send your voice memos to bapu@freakonomics.com
Jun 24, 2022 • 36min
43. The Comedian-Ophthalmologist Will See You Now
Dr. Will Flanary, a.k.a Dr. Glaucomflecken, has always been a comedy fan. During the pandemic, he found an audience. But should doctors be funny with their patients? Bapu Jena asks when laughter is — and isn’t — the best medicine.
Jun 17, 2022 • 29min
42. Your Doctor Has to Go Home. Now What?
When a doctor’s shift ends, or a physician retires, are patients left in the lurch? Bapu Jena looks at the challenge of managing medical transitions.
Jun 10, 2022 • 31min
41. Is Rainy Day Joint Pain All in Your Head?
You’ve heard that the weather can make your joints hurt. Maybe you’ve even felt it yourself. But, is it true? Bapu Jena looks at why we think we know certain things in medicine, even when the data don’t agree.
Jun 3, 2022 • 26min
40. How Will We Handle the Heat?
The world is warmer than ever, and getting hotter. Bapu Jena looks at how heat affects our bodies and our behavior — and how we might adapt to rising temperatures.
May 27, 2022 • 30min
A Shave, a Haircut, and a Blood Pressure Test (Ep. 6 Update)
For Black men, the barbershop is a neighborhood hub. It could also be a place for them to get medical care. Plus: What happens to patients when affirmative action ends?
23 snips
May 20, 2022 • 34min
38. Pfizer’s CEO on the Big Gamble That Brought Us the COVID Vaccine
Bapu Jena talks with Albert Bourla about his unusual path to the top, developing a life-saving vaccine in record time, and the second-hardest decision he made along the way.
5 snips
May 13, 2022 • 28min
37. Can Fear Be Good Medicine?
Fear is a popular tool in public health campaigns. But is it an effective one? Bapu Jena discusses new research on whether we can — and should — scare people into being healthier.
May 6, 2022 • 32min
36. Bad News — It’s Your Surgeon’s Birthday
Distractions are everywhere — including in the operating room. So, what happens if a surgeon loses focus? A tap dancer, a health researcher, and a surgeon help Bapu Jena find out.
4 snips
Apr 29, 2022 • 28min
35. Are More Expensive Hospitals Better?
Bapu Jena, an expert on healthcare pricing, joins researcher Steve Levitt to explore the complex link between price and quality in hospitals. They discuss how biases in price perception affect patient choices, drawing insights from an intriguing wine tasting experiment. The conversation reveals challenges with price transparency in healthcare, emphasizing why many prioritize quality over cost. Jena shares findings on market competition's impact on patient outcomes, painting a nuanced picture of what truly drives the effectiveness of healthcare services.
