Turn on the Lights Podcast

Advocacy and action are needed to address the gaps in elderly care and improve the quality of life for older adults. In this episode, Dr. David Reuben delves into the pressing issue of improving the US health care system, focusing on the aging population and the challenges faced in providing adequate care. Dr. Reuben emphasizes patient-centered care for older adults, stressing the importance of understanding their goals and dignity in decision-making. He also discusses various topics, such as technology in healthcare, caregiver support, and lifestyle modifications for successful aging, advocating for advancements in Alzheimer's prevention and improved housing options. Tune in and learn how you can contribute to improving care for older adults in your community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite legislative efforts, the American health care system continues to grapple with persistent challenges. In this episode, Leslie Dach discusses the intricate challenges and notable progress within America's health care landscape, highlighting persistent issues such as exorbitant costs and inadequate coverage. Drawing from his tenure at Walmart, he sheds light on the complexities faced by large employers in navigating the health care marketplace and reflects on the transformative impact of the Affordable Care Act, noting both persistent opposition and bipartisan support for reform initiatives. Tune in and gain valuable insights into the intricacies of health care reform and discover how you can contribute to building a healthier future for all Americans! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can health care organizations align their values to support both high-quality patient care and the well-being of their staff? In this episode, Dr. J. Corey Feist, Dr. Wendy Dean, and Dr. Eileen Barrett bring personal stories and professional insights on the rise of moral injury, systemic challenges, and legislative efforts to make meaningful changes. Together, they explore the importance of legislative action like the Lorna Breen Act, the need for destigmatizing mental health care, and the crucial role of leadership in shaping a healthier, more supportive environment for health care professionals. Join this episode to unpack these urgent issues and seek pathways toward healing and resilience for those who care for us all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can health care providers ensure that patient priorities like symptom management and emotional support are consistently addressed through a patient-centered approach in daily practice? In this episode, Susan Edgman-Levitan unravels the intricacies of what truly matters to patientsunravels the intricacies of what truly matters to patients: their individual needs, concerns, and experiences within the health care system. She shares personal struggles with rheumatoid arthritis and a transformative encounter with a doctor prioritizing her life goals, leading to today's focus: shifting clinical attention to "What matters to you?", illustrating how this shift enhances patient satisfaction, impacts clinical outcomes, and addresses clinician burnout rates. Tune in for an insightful exploration of how shining a light on patient-centered care might just be the beacon of change that healthcare needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The democratization of AI technologies has the potential to revolutionize health care on a global scale, leveling the playing field and ensuring more equitable access to advanced medical care. In this episode, Dr. John Halamka, president of Mayo Clinic Platform, highlights the challenges of managing vast patient data, the inefficiencies within health care systems, and emphasizes the pivotal role of AI in addressing biases, promoting transparency, and augmenting clinical decision-making without replacing human expertise. He underscores transparency in AI utilization, advocates for initiatives like mattress labeling to build trust, and champions global access to AI technologies in healthcare to enhance patient outcomes. Tune in and learn how Mayo Clinic is striving to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize health care globally! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A deep connection with patients is crucial, even in brief encounters, and it is possible by listening and empathizing. In this episode, Meg Gaines shares not only her harrowing journey through metastatic ovarian cancer but also her transformation into a forceful advocate for patient rights. She also touches on behind-the-scenes of her own battles, from medical errors and insensitive remarks to her courageous steps toward unconventional treatments. Dive into the profound intersections of hope, healing, and advocacy for a reformed healthcare system! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US is the only country in the world that doesn't negotiate drug prices. In this episode, Aaron Kesselheim delves into the complexities of America's pharmaceutical landscape, where prescription drug spending is causing challenges for millions who can't afford their medications. Shortages in critical drugs like ADHD medications and saline solutions, exacerbated by a supply chain heavily reliant on imports, leave the U.S. vulnerable during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, Aaron explains, emphasizing the role of for-profit companies in exacerbating shortages and advocating for the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Tune in and learn how you can advocate for better access to affordable medications and a more resilient healthcare system! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In sports and pandemics alike, having a clear "play" is crucial. In this episode, Dr. Ahmed Al Mohammed and Brendon Morris take a deep dive into the convergence of emergency preparedness and health care evolution through the lens of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In their discussion, they explore how the FIFA World Cup and the "Gold, Silver, and Bronze" approach of the National Healthcare Incident Command Centre exemplify effective emergency management and health care evolution, uncovering lessons in anticipatory strategy and sustainable changes for day-to-day health care operations. Tune in on this enlightening journey of discovery on a moment in history where the stakes were high, and the outcome was a testament to human ingenuity and the indomitable spirit of collaboration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supporting maternal health is vital for promoting social justice in the health care system. In this episode, Neel Shah discusses the neglect of women's and family health in the US health care system and highlights the high cost of childbirth in America and the financial distress it causes for many families. He emphasizes the importance of understanding health care costs for ensuring equitable access to quality care and touches on his venture, March for Moms, an advocacy organization that supports maternal health and promotes inclusivity in health care. Tune in and learn how you can support maternal health and advocate for a more inclusive health care system! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Private equity's acquisition of health care facilities prioritizes profits over patient care, raising concerns about health care standards. In this episode, Rosemary Batt, the Alice Hanson Cook Professor of Women and Work at Cornell University's ILR School, delves into the concerning influence of private equity in the health care sector, particularly its impact on patient care, worker conditions, and financial stability. She discusses how private equity firms, driven by profit motives, are acquiring health care facilities, leading to potential risks such as increased health care costs and poorer patient outcomes. Tune in and learn how we can work towards better protecting patient care, health care sustainability, and worker rights in the face of private equity's growing influence! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tailored patient engagement isn't merely about courtesy; it's a strategic necessity for fostering trust and enhancing health care results. In this episode, Rich Baron, President and CEO of the American Board of Internal Medicine, discusses the critical role of personalized care, patient-doctor interactions, and the challenges health care systems face in implementing practices conducive to building trust. He also shares his insights on the importance of recognizing each individual at a personal level, which can be as simple as correctly pronouncing a patient's name or keeping up with their significant life events. With engaging discussion on professional education, medical debt, and the intentional efforts to discredit medical expertise, this is an episode that you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nurses, representing 60% of the health care workforce, are the primary providers of 90% of essential health services, highlighting their vital role in health care. In this episode, Bonnie Barnes, co-founder of The DAISY Foundation, and Deb Zimmermann, CEO of The DAISY Foundation, shed light on the critical role nurses play in health care and how to properly recognize it. They discuss the challenges nurses face and explain why The DAISY Award honors nurses' extraordinary care through patient and family nominations, recognizing their compassionate care, validating their career paths, and serving as a morale booster, crucial for combating nursing shortages and fatigue. Tune in and learn how recognizing nurses' contributions can uplift the health care workforce and improve patient care! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Medical education is evolving towards a tech-driven, holistic approach, forging a skilled and patient-focused health care workforce. In this episode, Vineet Arora discusses the importance of providing medical trainees with a top-notch learning environment to enhance the quality and safety of patient care. She provides insights into the dynamic landscape of medical education, the U.S. doctor-training process, residency structures, and the impact of duty hours, emphasizing workforce challenges, particularly in primary care, and discussing opportunities for reform and adaptation to evolving healthcare needs. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the future health care workforce! Resources: Connect with and follow Vineet Arora on LinkedIn. Follow the Pritzker School of Medicine on LinkedIn. Explore the Pritzker School of Medicine Website! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Safety net hospitals like Parkland are pioneering innovative solutions to improve healthcare accessibility. In this episode, Fred Cerise talks about safety net hospitals, their role in serving under-resourced communities, the challenges they face, and innovative programs implemented to improve patient outcomes. He discusses integrated safety net systems, reimbursement challenges, and the impact of private equity in healthcare, addressing issues like Texas' high uninsured rate and the crisis of trust within healthcare institutions. Tune in to explore the role of safety net hospitals and innovative healthcare approaches with Fred Cerise! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acquisitions increase the demand for physician practices to optimize cash flow, impacting both medical expenses and service provision. In this episode, Zirui Song, Associate Professor of Health Care Policy and Medicine, Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, discusses private equity's role in health care and what it means for physicians, hospitals, and the patients they serve. He brings to the table insights on the impact of debt-financed acquisitions on health care practices, cost structures, and the troubling rise in hospital-acquired conditions. Tune in to the heart of these critical issues in our health care system and stay for an enlightening conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Preservation of the scientific community's integrity is vital for regaining public trust in medicine. In this episode, Professor Lewis Grossman delves into America's historical relationship with healthcare, highlighting how trust in the medical establishment has fluctuated over time. He emphasizes the importance of balancing individual choice with scientific rigor, particularly in the context of alternative medicines and clinical trials, while also addressing societal factors that influence trust, including political events and the concentration of wealth in healthcare. Tune in to gain insights into restoring trust in medicine and ensuring access to the best possible care for all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The existing healthcare system falls short for those with IDD. In this episode, Mai Pham talks about the challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the existing healthcare system. She emphasizes the flaws in the current healthcare system for the 16 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, discussing the Institute for Exceptional Care's collaborative efforts and advocating for urgent systemic changes and increased primary care investment to create a more inclusive healthcare model for IDD individuals. Tune in to learn more about IEC's groundbreaking initiatives to challenge the status quo and champion a brighter future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is an urgent need for breakthroughs in the American health care system to tackle its fragmentation. In this episode, Kathleen Noonan discusses her efforts to improve health care for individuals with complex medical and social needs, emphasizing the fragmentation of the health care system and the pivotal role of community health workers. She further explores the results of a randomized control trial conducted by the coalition, highlighting mixed outcomes and calling for stronger collaborations between community-based organizations and health systems to address systemic issues in American health care. Tune in to learn about Camden Coalition's commitment to disrupting the status quo and providing personalized care for complex medical and social needs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine a unique governance structure that safeguards its mission against the volatile tides of the market. In this episode, Dan Liljenquist, the board chair of Civica Rx, joins Kedar and Don to shed light on Civica's remarkable mission of making essential generic medications both accessible and affordable to patients across the nation. Dan shares how Civica Rx has already had a profound impact, with over 125 million units of essential medicines supplied to over 1500 U.S. hospitals, and is changing the game in terms of pricing, shortages, and market stability. He explains the ethics behind Civica Rx, the non-profit model ensuring the organization's governance and its steadfast commitment to transparency in pricing, aiming at a fair, sustainable market price for all. Dan also discusses the potential expansion of this model into other areas of healthcare, the challenges posed by monopolies in the drug supply, and how Civica Rx is using its leverage to address systemic issues and stabilize a market fraught with abuse and failure. Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into Civica’s revolutionary model aiming to ensure drug availability and pricing stability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s explore initiatives committed to enriching distressed communities and the collaborative spirit that brings multiple institutions together. In this episode, David Zuckerman, president and founder of Healthcare Anchor Network, talks about the transformative power that health care institutions have to uplift and stabilize communities by becoming anchors of social justice and economic growth. He discusses how health systems can extend their influence beyond the walls of medicine and into the foundation of community health and socioeconomic development. After sharing insights from his personal journey in social justice, David elucidates why he believes in health care's power to bring systemic change. He delves deep into the concept of anchor missions and how they tackle various challenges, from sustainability to workforce shortages, and touches on the pivotal role of executive-level champions, best practices for investment strategies, and the potential for expanding these principles to for-profit entities and beyond. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that offers practical solutions for leveraging health care's role in societal transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices