Patients at Risk (Rebekah Bernard MD and Niran Al-Agba MD)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Patients at Risk
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Mar 2022 | Former PA and author of 'Hospital Confidential' discusses midlevel malpractice risk | 00:35:05 | |
As nonphysician practitioners increasingly provide more patient care, experts note a commensurate increase in medical malpractice claims. Today we welcome medicolegal adviser Bob Pegritz, the co-author of ‘Hospital Confidential,’ an expose of medical malpractice cases. As Bob wrote me, "I have worked in the medical/legal community for 32 years. Before that, I was a surgical PA. As a medical/legal consultant, I have seen a trend over the past 5 years of more PAs crossing my desk for merit review in potential medical malpractice cases. And I think that the number of mid-level healthcare practitioners will do nothing but increase if things don't change." Get Bob's book! https://www.amazon.com/Hospital-Confidential-Bob-Pegritz/dp/B09LGTSXFV/ PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 28 Mar 2022 | Equal pay for 'equal' work: Inside the NP fight to be paid the same as physicians | 00:32:43 | |
One of the strategic goals of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners listed on their website (now behind a paywall) is for nurse practitioners to achieve pay parity: to be paid the same as physicians. Oregon became the first state to require that insurance companies pay nurse practitioners the same as physicians and now proposed legislation would do the same in Washington state. To discuss the implications of pay parity in Washington and elsewhere, we are also joined by the past president of the Washington state radiological society, Dr. Pooja Voria. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 04 Apr 2022 | Is it time for an NP/PA Flexner Report? Part 1 | 00:23:02 | |
Many of our podcasts have focused on concerns about the deterioration of nurse practitioner training, with an increase in for-profit schools that compete fiercely for student tuition dollars. These programs often boast 100% acceptance rates -in other words, anyone who applies is accepted. Students who attend programs like these complain about sub-par education including open-book tests that leave graduates inadequately prepared to care for patients. The rise of these diploma mills has led many to call for reforms to the NP educational process. What many people do not realize is that the medical profession also faced serious reforms in its educational process following the release of the Flexner report which outlined problems in the training of physicians back in 1910. Today I am joined by Dr. John Lafferty to discuss the Flexner report and the importance of standardizing education for medical professionals. Dr. Lafferty is an obstetrician-gynecologist with a special interest in the history of medical education. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 11 Apr 2022 | Is it time for an NP/PA 'Flexner Report?' Part 2 | 00:20:25 | |
Part 2 of our discussion with John Lafferty MD regarding the need for Flexner-style reform for NP and PA programs. Dr. Lafferty describes his experiences training PA students. Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/ Thanks to our sponsor: Their cardiac anesthesiologists cover a robust open-heart program and are also intimately involved in the operation of the largest minimally invasive structural heart program in Southern Arizona. TMC has a level III NICU and OPA’s Labor and Delivery team provides 24/7 in-house coverage for over 5000 deliveries per year. Outside the operating room, they provide anesthesia services for adults and children in the GI suite, MRI/CT, and interventional radiology. OPA’s leadership and recruiting team would love to discuss professional employment opportunities for anesthesiologists with the desire to live and work in a part of the country with incredible weather, year-round outdoor activities and a very affordable cost of living. They currently have openings for both partnership track positions as well as several employee/non call positions. OPA is seeking pediatric fellowship-trained anesthesiologists, cardiac fellowship-trained anesthesiologists and has positions available for non-fellowship trained anesthesiologists as well. There are positions available with no hearts or OB if you do not want to work in those areas. For more information, please contact Mark McClain, M.D., @ Mark.McClain@opatucson.com or Jim Rodriguez, CEO @ jrodriguez@opatucson.com or visit their website at www.opatucson.com PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 25 Apr 2022 | No shortcuts in medicine: why women physicians are fired up about scope of practice (Part 1) | 00:33:05 | |
One topic that gets women physicians fired up like no other is a discussion of gender issues in medicine. While medical school classes are currently made up of about 50% women, women physicians are still a significant minority in medical practice today, and women doctors face serious inequities due to their gender. One of the biggest challenges that women must face is the decision of if or when to have children, because of the intense and lengthy educational training process that doctors must complete. A recent post from a nurse practitioner student who reported feeling guilty about being away from her children while on clinical rotations caused controversy among women physicians. Many women physicians noted that the number of clinical hours that the nurse practitioner student was complaining about was just a fraction of what they have had to go through while other women physicians argued that no woman clinician should have to feel guilt about balancing child-raising with education. Dr. Sonal Patel and Dr JouJou Hanna join us to discuss the nuances of this issue. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 09 May 2022 | Women physicians on scope of practice (part 2) | 00:19:37 | |
Sonal Patel MD and Jou Jou Hanna MD discuss the difficult choices that women make to become physicians, and why that training matters. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 23 May 2022 | The secret to hiring and retaining good doctors (and why hospital administrators don't want to hear it) | 00:35:43 | |
Douglas Farrago MD discusses why '9 out of 10 administrators' absolutely hate his new book, The Hospital Guide to Physician Retention: Why Creating A Physician-Friendly Environment Is Critical For Your Organization’s Success. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 06 Jun 2022 | The headlines don't always match the data: an example of egregious methodology in NP literature | 00:33:46 | |
In several previous podcasts, you have heard us refer to research studies that claim to show that nurse practitioner care is just as good or better than that provided by physicians. We’ve shown that in many of these cases, the study authors are using flawed methodology or failing to disclose important information, like nurse practitioners working under physician supervision. Today we invite you to attend Patients at Risk’s first “Journal Club” session as we dissect a study that claims to show that having more nurse practitioners working in hospitals improves patient care, and the methodology used by the authors is just about one of the most egregious examples we have ever seen. To help explain this study, we are joined by two physician experts, Dr. Dylan Golomb and Dr. Marsha Haley. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 20 Jun 2022 | Point of view: Let NPs and PAs practice independently - but hold them to the same standard as a physician | 00:34:02 | |
Attorney and emergency medicine physician William P. Sullivan believes that nonphysician practitioners should practice independently, but be held to the same medical standard as physicians since NP/PA leaders argue that there is "no difference in the practices and outcomes between physicians and advanced practice providers." PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 05 Jul 2022 | Nursing research leaders: NPs should not work alone in the ER | 00:28:53 | |
In Jan 2022, the Journal of Nursing Regulation published an article entitled: Analysis of Nurse Practitioners’ Educational Preparation, Credentialing, and Scope of Practice in U.S. Emergency Departments The summary: “Due to the variability in educational preparation, NPs should not perform independent unsupervised care in the ED regardless of state law or hospital regulations.” This unequivocal statement contradicts the rhetoric of NP leadership which insists that NPs should be allowed to practice virtually anywhere and everywhere without supervision. Today I’m joined by family physician Christopher Garofalo, and radiologist and PPP board member Phil Shaffer to discuss this important paper. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 18 Jul 2022 | Physician, Own Thyself: Taking Back Professional Control | 00:32:32 | |
Tired of being owned by corporations, but don't want to open your own practice? Stephanie Freeman, MD, a critical care physician and entrepreneur, teaches physicians how to become self-employed through contract work and locums. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 22 Aug 2022 | Will an NP or PA perform your next colonoscopy? | 00:28:12 | |
Increasingly, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are being asked to step into the role of physicians. While surgeons and procedural doctors have been fairly insulated from this phenomenon, the tide is beginning to turn. Today we are going to explore the phenomenon of NPs and PAs performing colonoscopies, screening tests for colon cancer. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 06 Sep 2022 | Will an NP/PA perform your next colonoscopy? Part 2 | 00:23:42 | |
Increasingly, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are being asked to step into the role of physicians. While surgeons and procedural doctors have been fairly insulated from this phenomenon, the tide is beginning to turn. Today we are going to explore the phenomenon of NPs and PAs performing colonoscopies, screening tests for colon cancer. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 24 Oct 2022 | Training matters: small town ER doc makes limb-saving diagnosis missed by urgent care NP | 00:28:38 | |
Physicians train for at least 15,000 hours before we are permitted to practice independently, and one of the reasons is that it takes a long time and a lot of patient volume to be exposed to the many different presentations of disease processes to learn how to recognize true emergencies that need immediate interventions. Today’s guest brings us a perfect example of the importance of this training. Karen Wilson Saintsing DVM is a veterinarian who nearly lost her arm after a nurse practitioner in an urgent care failed to recognize the onset of compartment syndrome. Fortunately, an astute emergency physician immediately recognized the condition and transferred her to a surgical center for treatment. To help us understand compartment syndrome, we are also joined by trauma surgeon Stephanie Markle DO MPH. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 28 Nov 2022 | Lack of informed consent: Patient nearly dies after CRNA mishap | 00:26:24 | |
Imagine this scenario: You are rolled into an operating room in a surgical center for an outpatient elective procedure. But when you wake up; you’re in an emergency department, and you learn that you nearly died from anesthesia complications. Even worse, you find out that your anesthesia was provided not by an anesthesiologist, but by a nurse anesthetist. Paul Ambruster discusses his near-death experience after receiving anesthesia from a CRNA without anesthesiologist supervision. This is a cautionary tale for patients and physicians involved in the care of surgical patients. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 19 Dec 2022 | Vicarious liability: Family physicians discuss getting sued due to association with NPs | 00:24:14 | |
Nurse practitioner and physician assistant advocates often assure physicians that they face little liability or risk when performing supervision, insisting that NPs and PAs are liable for their own errors. But case law examples demonstrate this to be false. If state law requires physician supervision or collaboration, the physician may be held vicariously liable in the event of negligence, even if they were not consulted by the nonphysician about the patient’s care. Today we are talking with Nancy Berley MD and Shenary Cotter MD, family physicians who experienced negative repercussions when errors were made by associated nonphysicians. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 16 Jan 2023 | Psychiatrist explains dangers of NP-staffed mental telehealth platforms | 00:27:38 | |
The COVID19 pandemic created both challenges and opportunities in the healthcare sector. One major winner: telehealth startup companies offering ‘virtual’ medical care, including psychiatric care. But instead of hiring physicians, these companies hire nurse practitioners to care for some of the most complex and vulnerable patients in our nation. These companies got an even bigger boost when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency relaxed requirements for the prescribing of controlled substances due to the COVID19 pandemic. Online mental health companies quickly shifted gears to prescribing medications typically available only through a face-to-face visit, especially stimulant medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Today we are joined by psychiatrist Ziba Rezaee, MD to help us understand the rise of for-profit online mental health companies and the risks to patients. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 11 Feb 2023 | Utah physician on hiring unmatched medical graduates (associate physicians) | 00:28:48 | |
Nurse practitioner and physician assistant use are often justified because of a shortage of physicians, especially in underserved areas. One major cause of the physician shortage is a lack of residency positions, the required minimum training that must be completed after medical school to be licensed as a physician. Every year, thousands of aspiring physicians cannot complete that training because of a lack of funding for more residency positions. While physician advocacy groups are lobbying Congress for more residency funding, some doctors are taking direct action to help medical school graduates to continue their journey toward becoming licensed physicians. Today we are joined by Mary Tipton MD, an internal medicine and pediatric physician, who has created opportunities for unmatched medical school graduates to gain additional training and experience at her medical clinic. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 17 Apr 2023 | Innocent EKG findings lead to unnecessary ER visit: Why physician training matters | 00:17:42 | |
Emergency physician Andrew Wilson, MD, discusses a case in which a routine work physical at an Urgent Care resulted in an unnecessary ER visit for a patient. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 20 Mar 2023 | Healing the healers: The Physician Support Line | 00:27:54 | |
Last week was Match week, and while thousands will celebrate matching into residency, 2,500 medical school grads will face an uncertain future due to a shortage of residency positions. If you know someone who might need help through this difficult time, the Physician Support Line is a free, confidential, and anonymous resource. Dr. Mona Masood, psychiatrist and founder of the Physician Support Line, discusses the importance of help for doctors. Physician Support Line - 1 (888) 409-0141https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ Psychiatrists helping our US physician and medical student colleagues navigate the many intersections of our personal and professional lives. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 07 May 2023 | Opening your own practice | 00:32:35 | |
Can't find a job that doesn't require you to supervise non-physician practitioners? It's time to consider a return to self-ownership! Psychiatrist Dr. Rashida Gray discusses her journey and encourages physicians to take back control of medicine by opening their own practices. Learn more about Dr. Gray at her website: GrayMDPsychiatry.com PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 01 Jun 2023 | New Book - IMPOSTER DOCTORS - Now On Sale! | 00:21:29 | |
Hear details about the new book, Imposter Doctors: Patients at Risk, available NOW at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 14 Jun 2023 | Original study shows impact of NPPs on Emergency physician residents | 00:33:08 | |
Lead author Andrew W. Phillips, MD, MEd, joins me to discuss the brand new study 'Effects of Non-physician Practitioners on Emergency Medicine Physician Resident Education,' the first study to evaluate the impact of NPPs on EM resident physicians. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 17 Jul 2023 | Ensuring a fair physician employment contract | 00:33:32 | |
Employment attorney Dennis Hursh, Esq advises physicians on best practices for a fair employment contract. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 03 Aug 2023 | When 'wellness' turns deadly: Patient dies during NPP medspa visit | 00:31:38 | |
Plastic surgeon Alina Sholar, MD discusses the risks and dangers associated with non-physician supervised medspa medical procedures. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 21 Aug 2023 | Physician discusses why she will no longer train or supervise NPPs | 00:35:00 | |
Sara O'Heron, MD discusses changes in the education and training of NPs and PAs over her 35-year career. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 04 Sep 2023 | Noncompete contract restricts rural patient access to physician care | 00:32:29 | |
Jacqui O'Kane, DO was fulfilling the promise of Family Medicine, providing expert physician care to rural residents of Georgia. Burned out from overwork and support staff challenges, she decided to leave hospital employment. But instead of allowing her to open her own direct primary care practice, the hospital enforced a 50-mile radius noncompete contract, limiting patient access to care. Listen in on our discussion of noncompete contracts and why some physicians are leaving employed practice in favor of self-ownership. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 18 Sep 2023 | Patient asks for OB physician during pregnancy and delivery, told 'no' | 00:22:32 | |
At 39 years old, Hasina Hafiz wanted a physician to oversee her pregnancy and delivery. However, the only clinic in the area that accepted her insurance refused, allowing only CNM/ WHNP care. Retired OB/GYN John Lafferty, MD discusses complications that can occur during pregnancy and delivery, and why team-based care should always be led by a physician. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 16 Oct 2023 | Louisiana physicians hire lobbyist and defeat NP independence bill | 00:27:20 | |
Louisiana physicians discuss their successful effort to block scope of practice expansion in the state. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 30 Oct 2023 | Louisiana doctors succeed at passing graduate physician bill | 00:23:10 | |
There is no doubt that America is facing a physician shortage, due in large part to a lack of residency positions, the mandatory 1-3 years that medical school graduates must complete to receive a license to practice medicine. To alleviate this shortage, some states have a new professional designation for unmatched medical school graduates called 'assistant physician' or 'graduate physician.' PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 02 Oct 2023 | Bioethicist weighs in on use of the term 'doctor' by nonphysicians | 00:30:56 | |
In 2023, three nurse practitioners sued the state of California for the right to call themselves 'doctors' in a clinical setting. Bioethicist Arthur L. Caplan, PhD, discusses the ethics of titles in healthcare. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 13 Nov 2023 | Esteemed physician organization American College of Cardiology selects nurse as new president | 00:32:48 | |
Interventional cardiologist Dan Sraow, MD, FACC discusses the election of a nurse rather than a physician to lead the American College of Cardiology (ACC), as well as the risks of non-physicians performing cardiac interventions. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 27 Nov 2023 | The Medical Ethics of IV hydration ‘bars’ | 00:28:39 | |
There has been a dramatic rise in the number of clinics offering intravenous infusions of fluids and vitamins to treat an array of conditions and for a supposed wellness benefit. But do these treatments actually work? To discuss the risks and benefits of IV infusions outside of a traditional medical setting I am joined by nephrologist Dr. Christin Giordano. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 22 Jan 2024 | Physician legislator and creator of 'assistant physician' role in Missouri discusses steps to improve physician shortages | 00:25:54 | |
There is no doubt that America is facing a physician shortage, due in large part to a lack of residency positions, the mandatory 1-3 years that medical school graduates must complete to receive a license to practice medicine. Today we are talking about a proposed solution to this problem—a new professional designation for unmatched medical school graduates called the “Assistant Physician” (AP). I am joined by Dr. Keith Frederick, the originator of the first legislation to create the AP role, and Dr. Liz Troilo, who worked as an AP before becoming a board-certified family physician. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 05 Feb 2024 | The Assistant Physician (AP) - A pathway to independent practice? | 00:18:27 | |
In part 2 of my discussion of the Assistant Physician (AP) role, Dr. Keith Frederick meets Dr. Liz Troilo, who benefited from his legislation. After working as an AP, Dr. Troilo matched into residency and now provides critical access care as a Family physician in Missouri. Dr. Frederick proposes a possible alternate pathway to independent practice for physicians other than formal residency training. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 11 Dec 2023 | Wisconsin NP legislator makes unprofessional comments during testimony on vetoed bill | 00:21:14 | |
Nurse practitioner and Wisconsin Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara jokes about 'missing' lobbyist Mark Grapentine's IV... and using the largest bore needle to try again. Bill co-sponsor Rep. Barbara Dittrich responds by pulling her name off the legislation. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 01 Jan 2024 | NP malpractice settlements on the rise, especially for NP-owned practices | 00:36:32 | |
Malpractice insurance company CNA, along with Nurses Service Organization (NSO) has been providing malpractice coverage for nurse practitioners across the country in a variety of practice settings for the last 30 years. The organization released its first report on NP malpractice claims in 2005, and recently released its 5th report analyzing data between 2017 and 2022. Dr. Kevin Zhang joins me to discuss the findings of this report including:
https://www.nso.com/Learning/Artifacts/Claim-Reports/Nurse-Practitioner-Claim-Report-5th-Edition Get the new book! https://www.amazon.com/Imposter-Doctors-Patients-at-Risk/dp/1627344438 PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 14 Jan 2024 | Physicians fight to prevent more patient deaths from 'wellness' treatments at medspas | 00:30:05 | |
In July 2023, 47 year old Jenifer Cleveland, a mother of four, died after receiving treatments at a Texas medispa. We reported on this tragic story in a podcast with plastic surgeon Alina Sholar (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1475923/13329411-when-wellness-turns-deadly-patient-dies-during-npp-medspa-visit.mp3?download=true). PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 24 Jan 2024 | BONUS EPISODE: AZ State Rep and ER physician Dr. Amish Shah discusses his run for U.S. Congress | 00:19:45 | |
Emergency physician Dr. Amish Shah has served the Arizona State House for the last five years and is now running for U.S. Congress. In this special bonus episode, Dr. Shah explains why he entered into politics, the work he has done to support the practice of medicine, and why physicians should donate to his campaign. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 19 Feb 2024 | "I didn't know how bad it was:" Nurse practitioner publishes report on the dismal state of NP education and need for change (Part 1) | 00:30:12 | |
John Canion is an experienced nurse practitioner working within nursing for years to improve NP education. Frustrated with the lack of positive change from NP leadership, he penned the "2023 Report on Nurse Practitioner Education and the Need for Change," which outlines the current state of NP education and proposes solutions that harken back to the original days of NP training. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 04 Mar 2024 | "I didn't know how bad it was:" Nurse practitioner publishes report on the dismal state of NP education and need for change (Part 2) | 00:29:52 | |
John Canion is an experienced nurse practitioner working within nursing for years to improve NP education. Frustrated with the lack of positive change from NP leadership, he penned the "2023 Report on Nurse Practitioner Education and the Need for Change," which outlines the current state of NP education and proposes solutions that harken back to the original days of NP training. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 18 Mar 2024 | "I didn't know how bad it was:" NP pens report on NP education (Part 3) | 00:20:28 | |
John Canion is an experienced nurse practitioner working within nursing for years to improve NP education. Frustrated with the lack of positive change from NP leadership, he penned the "2023 Report on Nurse Practitioner Education and the Need for Change," which outlines the current state of NP education and proposes solutions that harken back to the original days of NP training. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 15 Apr 2024 | JOURNAL CLUB: Article claims that NPs, PCPs have same rate of inappropriate prescribing to seniors | 00:24:45 | |
In today's episode, Teresa Camp-Rogers, MD, MS analyzes a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the journal of the American College of Physicians, entitled Inappropriate Prescribing to Older Patients by Nurse Practitioners and Primary Care Physicians
PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 29 Apr 2024 | Small Democratic Groups (SDG): The solution to reclaim medicine from corporate interests? | 00:29:57 | |
Arthur Smolensky, MD describes his experience creating a Small Democratic Group (SDG) to take over emergency department staffing from corporate contract management groups. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 01 Apr 2024 | Doctors' Day revisited: What has changed in the last three years? | 00:26:26 | |
Three years ago, we aired a podcast criticizing Doctors' Day posts from hospitals and healthcare organizations that included non-physicians and referred to physicians as 'providers.' Fast-forward to today, and some organizations (but not all!) seem to have gotten the message. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 13 May 2024 | Physician Leadership Through Self-Ownership | 00:22:22 | |
Over the last decade, as physicians have increasingly turned to employed practice to cope with declining reimbursement and increased administrative requirements, our role in advocacy has diminished. Doctors are afraid to speak out because we fear being fired and losing our livelihoods. But without physician advocacy, corporate interests, academic centers, and government agencies are increasingly making decisions contrary to the best interests of patients, including replacing physicians with nonphysician practitioners. It is time for physicians to step up and take back control of healthcare decisions, and one of the best ways to do this is through self-ownership. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 27 May 2024 | Why Psychiatry Needs Psychiatrists (and not just psych NPs) | 00:42:51 | |
Psychiatrists are increasingly being replaced by non-physician practitioners - psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) and physician assistants (PAs). This webinar explains the difference between a psychiatrist and a PMHNP and reviews the evidence regarding unsupervised care of patients with mental illness by non-physicians. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 18 Jul 2024 | Dangers of nonphysician ketamine infusions | 00:40:57 | |
There are an estimated 500-750 clinics across the U.S. providing infusions of Ketamine for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions. This is big business, estimated to bring in $3.1 billion per year and projected to rise to 6.9 billion by 2030. But is Ketamine safe and effective? PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 30 Jul 2024 | Bloomberg Report Questions NP Education | 00:24:33 | |
In the first of a series 'The Nurse Will See You Now,' Bloomberg reporters investigate concerns about nurse practitioner education. The Miseducation of America’s Nurse PractitionersThey don’t merely support doctors—NPs increasingly treat patients independently, including in specialty practices and emergency rooms. When they aren’t well trained, the results can be tragic. By Caleb Melby, Polly Mosendz, and Noah Buhayar https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-07-24/is-the-nurse-practitioner-job-boom-putting-us-health-care-at-risk PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 20 Aug 2024 | "My newborn baby required a rapid response: The NP that showed up had just rotated with me on the adult heme/onc service." | 00:31:38 | |
Primary care physician Anu Shukla shares a personal story about the dangers that patients face when physicians are replaced with nonphysician practitioners. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 16 Sep 2024 | Physician training saved my newborn grandbaby's life: I fear future patients won't have this privilege | 00:28:43 | |
On the last podcast, I interviewed Dr. Anu Shokla who shared her story of her newborn baby being treated for an emergency rapid response by a nurse practitioner who had just rotated with her on the inpatient adult hematology oncology service. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 24 Oct 2024 | The blind leading the blind? New NP gets bad advice from other NPs on Facebook | 00:36:33 | |
Christopher Garofolo, MD, unpacks the many errors shared by a more seasoned NP to a brand new NP seeking advice on a Facebook post. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 17 Nov 2024 | Scope of Practice testimony at the Texas Legislature: Part 1 (Economic Impact) | 00:26:26 | |
On September 17, 2024, the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee held an interim hearing on scope of practice expansion for nurse practitioners and other clinicians. The Texas Medical Association (TMA) invited Rebekah Bernard, MD to testify regarding the economic impact of NP independence. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 08 Dec 2024 | Texas Scope of Practice Hearing Part 2: NP testimony | 00:36:43 | |
In the last episode, you heard some of my testimony at the Texas Interim Legislature hearing on Scope of Practice. Today you're going to hear from a nurse practitioner, Holly Jeffries, who is practicing in rural Texas. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 16 Jan 2025 | What we can learn from legislator questions on scope of practice | 00:26:03 | |
On September 17, 2024, the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee held an interim hearing on scope of practice expansion for nurse practitioners and other clinicians. In this third episode related to that hearing, Texas Medical Association (TMA) president Ray Callas MD discusses the importance of physician oversight for nonphysician practitioners and answers questions from legislators. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 06 Feb 2025 | Regaining Patient Trust: The Importance of Physician Advocacy | 00:30:30 | |
Susan J. Baumgaertel, MD FACP, an internal medicine physician, author, patient advocate, and ally to colleagues discusses how physicians can fight for patients. Trust in physicians has plummeted in the last few years (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2821693), making it more and more difficult for doctors to do their jobs, and potentially leading to a negative impact on patient care. While many point to handling of the COVID pandemic as the cause of growing distrust, a larger part of the problem may be that ordinary physicians virtually no control over the healthcare system or even the day-to-day practice of medicine. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 10 Nov 2020 | There's Something About Mary | 00:26:19 | |
Drs. Rebekah Bernard, Niran Al-Agba, and Phil Schaffer discuss researcher Mary Mundinger's recent Wall Street Journal letter, which argues that the nurse practitioners studied in her 2000 JAMA publication were practicing without physician supervision. The fine print reveals fascinating details left out of the headlines. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 16 Nov 2020 | Nurse practitioner speaks out against independent practice | 00:25:15 | |
Drs. Rebekah Bernard and Niran Al-Agba are joined by Shannon Keaney, a nurse with 11 years of intensive care experience who recently graduated as a nurse practitioner. Shannon explains the differences between "brick and mortar" nurse practitioner training as compared to newer "diploma mills," and discusses why she thinks patients are best served when nurse practitioners practice with physician supervision. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 17 Nov 2020 | Cochrane's 18 Tall Tales | 00:27:36 | |
Drs. Rebekah Bernard, Niran Al-Agba, and Phil Shaffer break down the 2018 Cochrane Review "Nurses as Substitutes for Physicians in Primary Care," pointing out that of 9,000 studies reviewed over the last 50 years, just 18 were of adequate quality to include in a review of the subject. Of these 18 studies, just THREE were published in the United States, most contained high degrees of bias, had small sample sizes, were of short duration, and ALWAYS included physician supervision or nurses following physician-created protocols. Bottom line: there is no evidence that unsupervised nurse practitioners can provide the same quality of care for patients. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 29 Nov 2020 | Boards of nursing fail to protect patients from dangerous nurse practitioners | 00:30:41 | |
Dr. Amy Townsend discusses the incredible lengths she went through to get the Texas Board of Nursing to act to stop a dangerous nurse practitioner after he caused 2 patient deaths. July 26, 2017https://kfdm.com/news/local/two-setx-families-hire-attorney-for-possible-legal-action-against-clinic-in-nederland Oct 5 2017https://kfdm.com/news/local/nursing-board-accuses-optimum-health-owner-of-altering-document PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 06 Dec 2020 | Physician fired for writing op-ed explaining the differences between MDs and NPs | 00:31:47 | |
Physicians who speak out in support of physician-led care face repercussions. Steven Maron, MD, a pediatrician with 31 years of experience, was fired from United Community Health Center in southern Arizona after writing a newspaper article explaining the difference in training between a physician and a nurse practitioner. As Maron pointed out in his op-ed, while there are excellent and experienced nurse practitioners and physician assistants, their education and training are not the same as that of a physician. He suggested that to make an informed decision about medical care, the public should know who is treating them and the critical differences in the training of clinicians. Although Maron had worked for the community health center serving socioeconomically depressed children for 10 years without any disciplinary actions, he was terminated just days after the op-ed appeared in the Green Valley News. “I was told that my article stood in opposition to the principles of the organization, specifically the principle of mutual respect." PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 13 Dec 2020 | NP-turned-physician discusses differences in training | 00:19:06 | |
Dr. Robin Rose, a family physician who trained as a nurse and then nurse practitioner discusses the differences in education and training between the medical disciplines. Dr. Rose, who lives on an isolated island in Hawaii, describes challenges in obtaining physician-led care, especially for vulnerable populations living in medically underserved areas. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 27 Dec 2020 | The Differences between Psychiatrists and Psych NPs: The Case of Jay Baltz - Part 2 | 00:32:08 | |
Gerald "Jay" Baltz, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who is being investigated by the California Board of Nursing for an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient who later took her own life, received his training at an online program that required a minimum of 500 clinical hours of experience for graduation. Baltz continues to provide psychiatry care to patients in California and Washington state, and since receiving a doctorate degree in nursing, he now advertises as "Doctor" Jay Baltz, DNP. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 20 Dec 2020 | Psych NP patient affair ends tragically: The Case of Jay Baltz - Part 1 | 00:30:28 | |
Gerald "Jay" Baltz, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, was investigated by the California Board of Nursing after allegations that he had entered into a sexual relationship with a patient who subsequently took her own life. The Board received this information in April of 2018, began its investigation, and filed a claim against Baltz on June 15, 2020. Today, six months later, Baltz continues to practice psychiatry as a nurse practitioner in California and in Washington state, where he has autonomous practice and does not require physician supervision. We are joined by psychiatrist Dr. Natasha Cervantes to discuss details of this tragic case. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 03 Jan 2021 | College student outgrows pediatrician, assigned to FNP who misses his life-threatening diagnosis | 00:20:15 | |
Corinthia Davidson-French shares the story of her son's missed diagnosis of aplastic anemia after multiple visits to an FNP at the local clinic. We also discuss racial disparities in the healthcare system, and what patients can do to advocate for their own medical care. Morrison F, Shubina M, Goldberg SI, Turchin A. Performance of primary care physicians and other providers on key process measures in the treatment of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2013;36(5):1147‐1152. doi:10.2337/dc12-1382 Kurtzman ET, Barnow BS. A Comparison of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Primary Care Physicians' Patterns of Practice and Quality of Care in Health Centers. Med Care. 2017;55(6):615‐622. doi:10.1097/MLR.0000000000000689 PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 10 Jan 2021 | The Dangers of Replacing Psychiatrists with Psychologists - Part 1 | 00:19:25 | |
Dr. Torie Shatzmiller Sepah, a practicing psychiatrist, discusses the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists, and the increasing trend of allowing psychologists to prescribe medications. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 17 Jan 2021 | The dangers of replacing psychiatrists by psychologists - Part 2: The corrections system | 00:31:06 | |
Psychiatrist Torie Shatzmiller Sepah MD discusses her experiences as a chief psychiatrist at the California Department of Corrections, and her role in the "Golding Report," a whistleblower report by Michael Golding MD that alleges improper psychiatric care of inmates. Complete report here: https://www.scribd.com/document/392536943/Dr-Michael-Golding-California-prison-report-on-mental-healthcare PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 31 Jan 2021 | RN and former NP student exposes deficiencies in nurse practitioner education | 00:33:02 | |
There are over 400 nurse practitioner schools in the United States, with nearly HALF of these programs promoting online training—ranging from 50-100% of required academic training sessions. Some of these programs offer accelerated training, allowing students to become an NP in as little as 2 years, others offer flexible schedules with part-time programs allowing students to work full-time while they attend school. In contrast, there are just 179 medical schools producing physicians in the United States. None of them are online, and there are no part-time medical schools. Why has there been such a proliferation of nursing schools, and with such a huge number and variability of program types, who are ensuring that these programs are producing qualified medical clinicians? To help us explore these issues, we are joined by Rayne Thoman, a registered nurse who left nurse practitioner school when she discovered serious problems in the educational standards. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 07 Feb 2021 | RN exposes deficiencies in NP education – and the growth of the NP ‘cash’ practice | 00:35:12 | |
In our last episode we discussed the rapid growth of nurse practitioner training programs and some of the challenges this has caused in ensuring that nurse practitioner graduates receive adequate clinical training to care for patients. Today we continue to explore concerns about nurse practitioner quality of education, as well as a new trend for nurse practitioners to seek work in cash-pay type practices, including opening medi-spas, infusion centers, medical marijuana clinics, and so on. To help us explore these issues, we are joined again by Rayne Thoman, a registered nurse and former NP student who works to expose unethical nurse practitioner training and practice. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 25 Jan 2021 | Standardized exams: what it takes to become a physician - and the failure of the DNP USMLE experiment | 00:30:55 | |
The pathway to becoming a licensed physician in the United States requires nine to eleven years of formal education, and all physicians are required to pass a series of three high stakes standardized examinations called the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) before they can be licensed as to practice medicine. Most physicians also go on to become board-certified in their specialty field, which requires an additional examination following their residency or fellowship training. Compared to physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants have a far shorter course of training, and both are required to pass one standardized examination to be licensed to practice. Roy Stoller DO, an otolaryngologist and board examiner, joins Rebekah Bernard MD and Niran Al-Agba MD in a discussion of the differences between the exams that medical doctors and nurse practitioners and physicians assistants take. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 14 Feb 2021 | Patient dies during routine colonoscopy after cost-cutting 'private equity' anesthesia takeover | 00:31:57 | |
In April 2020, Beaumont Health, Michigan’s largest healthcare system, made the decision to terminate its established anesthesia group in favor of Texas-based NorthStar Anesthesia, a private equity firm that promised the health system lower staffing costs. According to reports, more than a dozen physicians and surgeons resigned from the hospital system due to concerns over NorthStar’s reputation. NorthStar’s contract began on January 1 of this year, and on January 25, Eric Starkman, a reporter at Deadline Detroit, reported the death of a patient due to an anesthesia-related complication during one of the most routine medical procedures: a colonoscopy. Did the replacement of Beaumont's anesthesia team by a private equity firm contribute to the death of this patient? Not only is Beaumont not talking, but according to reports, staff members are being threatened and intimidated into silence. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 21 Feb 2021 | Independent nurse practice in California - what patients and physicians should know | 00:33:03 | |
On September 29, 2020, the state of California passed AB 890, a bill allowing nurse practitioners the right to practice without physician supervision. The bill received widespread support from groups that benefit from the use of non-physician practitioners, including hospitals and community health centers. Despite opposition from physicians and other patient advocates, the bill was passed with large margins and was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsome. Today emergency medicine physician Dr. Natalie Newman joins us to discuss the implications of nurse independent practice in California, one of the largest and most populous states in the Union. Dr. Newman is not only a practicing physician in California but also an outspoken patient advocate and prolific writer who blogs at Authentic Medicine.com. Follow Natalie Newman MD: https://twitter.com/Suburbanbella PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 28 Feb 2021 | Addressing the shortage of bedside nurses | 00:33:43 | |
Health policy experts note that there is a shortage of registered nurses across the nation and that 11 million nurses are needed to avoid a future shortage.[i] A lack of nurses puts patients at risk, with a 2002 report by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations noting that “inadequate nurse staffing has been a factor in 24 percent of the 1,609 cases involving patient death, injury or permanent loss of function reported since 1997.”[ii] One of the reasons for the bedside nursing shortage is the growth of the nurse practitioner model. It is estimated that the transition of nurses to nurse practitioners has reduced the number of practicing registered nurses by 80,000 nationwide, without a clear plan to replace those positions.[iii] While organizations such as the Institute of Medicine have called for nurses to expand their education to become advanced practice nurses, little emphasis has been placed on how these bedside nurses who go on to become nurse practitioners will be replaced. The COVID19 pandemic has created a particular urgency for more nurses. In fact, so much so that Adventist Healthcare recently posted a call for physicians to be trained to act as nurses. We are joined again today by Dr. Natalie Newman, a California emergency medicine physician, patient advocate, and blogger to discuss the bedside nurse shortage, and the unimaginable call for physicians to work as nurses. [i]Haddad LM, Annamaraju P, Toney-Butler TJ. Nursing Shortage. [Updated 2020 Mar 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/ PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 07 Mar 2021 | Why "access" to poor healthcare can be more dangerous than no healthcare at all | 00:31:41 | |
Many advocates of nonphysician practice argue that we need to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to practice independently because of a “provider” shortage. The mantra “access” seems to supersede all other arguments – including concerns over patient safety. But is ‘access’ really all it’s cracked up to be? The answer is no, and here is why. A 2018 Lancet study analyzing 137 countries found that more people die worldwide due to POOR QUALITY care than die due to a lack of access to care (reference below). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31668-4/fulltext?fbclid=IwAR1uwXVAsi-pOXSTEzJRTyX9nbdLtf8V-cGYMK6BuK_p77lTpNegyaCuUaI PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 14 Mar 2021 | Nurse practitioner describes gaps in education: "I wasn't fully equipped like I thought I was" | 00:35:07 | |
Patrice Little DNP discusses limitations in nurse practitioner education and explains why she created a platform to better prepare NP students. Doctor of Nurse Practice Little shares that while she wrote her scholarly project on "full practice authority" for NPs, she realized that many NPs who prioritize patient safety - herself included - don't want independent practice. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 21 Mar 2021 | Success story: How Mississippi physicians stopped NP scope expansion | 00:35:20 | |
Jennifer Bryan, MD, a family physician and the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi State Medical Association, discusses how her state created a coalition to block nurse practitioner scope expansion. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 28 Mar 2021 | A nurse's journey to becoming a physician: From RN, BSN, MSN, CNS, CCNP to MD-MBA | 00:30:00 | |
Dr. Toni Manougian has done it all. Starting as an RN diploma graduate, Dr. Manougian obtained her bachelor's in nursing, followed by a master's degree as a clinical nurse specialist and then a degree as a critical care nurse practitioner, become deciding to become a physician. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 04 Apr 2021 | Should you let an optometrist operate on your eyes? The difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists | 00:33:02 | |
After the brain, the human eye is the most complicated organ in the body. It is for this reason that a graduating doctor must spend at least another four more years after medical school to become an ophthalmologist. Unfortunately, some states are passing laws that allow optometrists to provide eye treatments that they aren’t qualified to do, and this can put patients at risk. Today, we are joined by Laurie Barber MD, an ophthalmologist and the chair of Safe Surgery Arkansas, to explain the differences between types of eye doctors and to help patients know how to protect their vision and their health. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 11 Apr 2021 | Chiropractor-owned "neuropathy" clinic scams patient for $8000 | 00:24:25 | |
In our previous podcasts, we have focused on the differences in scope of practice between physicians and nurse practitioners. But other medical practitioners are also wading into the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that have previously been the domain of physicians. Today we are going to discuss care provided by chiropractors, specifically when chiropractors step outside of their traditional role in providing spinal adjustments and into medical treatment for neurological conditions. To help us understand this topic, we are joined today by two special guests, patient Nancy Murphy and her neurologist Dr. Dhrupad Joshi. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 18 Apr 2021 | Fighting the replacement of physicians in Texas | 00:29:43 | |
Nearly half the states in the Union have legislated the unsupervised practice of medicine by nurse practitioners and currently, one state allows physician assistants to practice without physician supervision. This legislative season we are seeing bills to allow independent practice for nurse practitioners and physician assistants in multiple states that do not currently allow the practice. Today we are joined by two Texas physicians who are working to educate patients and legislators about the importance of physician-led care. Cathy McLaughlin MD is a urologist practicing in Texas and Saba Rizvi MD is a Texas emergency physician who authored a paper on the Private equity takeover of EM groups and their push for more NP staffing models. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 25 Apr 2021 | If you need emergency medical care, will you be treated by a physician? | 00:28:39 | |
In our book, we discuss the case of Alexus Ochoa, a healthy 19 yr old woman who died when a nurse practitioner failed to properly diagnose her. What is particularly worrisome about this case is that when Alexus was taken to the emergency room by ambulance, the only medical practitioner working there was a nurse practitioner. Unfortunately, this situation is occurring in hospitals across the country. Physicians are being replaced by non-physician practitioners, and patients often have no idea. Today we are joined by two emergency physicians who have become aware of this trend and are publicly speaking out about their concerns, Dr. Thomas Cook and Dr. Jason Adler. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 02 May 2021 | Friend of YouTube sensation Stevie Ryan speaks out about her care by psych NP | 00:27:23 | |
In December, Patients at Risk aired two podcasts in which we discussed the case of Gerald “Jay” Baltz, a psychiatric nurse practitioner who was under investigation by the California board of nursing for engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship and providing questionable treatment to a patient who subsequently took her own life. We are joined today by Yuni Kim, Stevie Ryan’s close friend and confidant, to discuss mental health issues and care provided by different types of mental health clinicians. Yuni previously shared this information with the LA Times as discussed in this article: https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-04-01/stevie-ryan-death-nurse-practitioner PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 09 May 2021 | If you are hospitalized, will your care be overseen by a physician? | 00:32:16 | |
Hospital organizations are increasingly replacing physicians with nurse practitioners and physician assistants who act as "hospitalists." John Chamberlain, the board chairman of Citizen Health and a former hospital CEO, discusses his wife's hospital stay, during which her care was supervised by a nurse practitioner. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 16 May 2021 | Hormone pellet therapy: Is it worth the risk? | 00:33:24 | |
In recent years, there has been a massive increase in medical practitioners offering hormone therapy to patients. Since insurance doesn’t cover these treatments other than for very specific medical conditions, most patients end up paying cash, leading to big profits. These treatments are usually promoted as “wellness” products, intended to make patients feel younger, stronger, thinner, and just all-around better. But the truth is that there is no clear evidence hormones cause these benefits, and when used improperly, hormone therapy can cause serious risks to patient health, and even cause death. Today we are joined by Dr. Joyce Varughese, a gynecologist oncologist. As a doctor treating women with gynecologic cancers, she has seen serious harm caused by patients from using unapproved therapies and is here to share important safety information for patients. Dr. Varughese, welcome to the show! PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 23 May 2021 | Patients at risk from private equity takeover in the emergency department | 00:30:46 | |
When you are taken by ambulance to the nearest emergency department, you are completely vulnerable. This is not the time when you can research or negotiate prices. With the corporate takeover of hospitals, bills for emergency services have skyrocketed. Patients often receive enormous bills that can sometimes even bankrupt them. These corporate systems are also taking advantage of physicians, and in many cases, replacing them with non-physician practitioners. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 30 May 2021 | Patients at risk from private equity takeover of emergency departments - part 2 | 00:34:02 | |
In part 2 of this discussion with emergency physicians Dr. Robert McNamara and Dr. Mitch Li, we learn about the dangers that patients face due to the takeover of private equity in healthcare. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 06 Jun 2021 | Physician training: the "differential diagnosis" and why it matters to your health | 00:31:47 | |
In our book, we dedicate several chapters to discussing the differences in training between physicians and non-physician practitioners. One of the most important elements of physician training is learning how to create a differential diagnosis, which is a list of all the possible causes of a patient’s symptoms. Today we are joined by Dr. Mercy Hylton, a pediatric emergency medicine physician and who is also an author and a patient advocate, to discuss why physician training - including learning how to properly create a differential diagnosis - is so important. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 13 Jun 2021 | Board of Nursing vs Board of Medicine: A case study of nurse practitioner 'Rock Doc' Jeffrey Young | 00:30:21 | |
One of the differences between physicians and nurse practitioners is that physicians are regulated by a state Board of Medicine, while in most states, nurse practitioners are regulated by a state Board of Nursing. This distinction is important, because while nurse practitioners are functioning in the same capacity as physicians—ordering and interpreting tests, making medical diagnoses, and writing prescriptions for medications—they are overseen by a regulatory body that includes nurses without experience in this type of practice, which can result in a lack of appropriate action when a nurse practitioner is practicing improperly. Today we are going to discuss the case of nurse practitioner Jeffrey Young, the so-called, “Rock Doc,” who was indicted in 2019 for prescribing controlled substances to his patients “to obtain money, notoriety, and sexual favors.” Despite multiple reports to the Tennessee board of nursing, outside agencies took five years and action before Young finally lost his prescribing privileges. Emergency medicine physician Dr. Teresa Camp-Rogers joins us to discuss the details of this case. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 20 Jun 2021 | Health system hijacking of 'Doctors' Day' another step towards false equivalence among clinicians | 00:31:40 | |
One of the ways that corporations have been successful in replacing physicians with lesser-trained medical practitioners is by creating a sense of equivalence so that patients think that the care they will receive is “the same.” For example, both physicians and nurse practitioners and physician assistants wear white coats, have similar-appearing badges, and may be referred to as “doctor” even if that doctorate is not a medical degree. Not only do these corporations elevate the role of nonphysicians, they also work to bring down the level of physicians. On many health system websites, physicians are listed as mere “providers.” The once-named “doctor’s lounge” is now the provider’s lounge. And now, some institutions have even taken aim at “Doctor’s Day,” hijacking the one day devoted to showing appreciation for physicians and turning the focus instead on the healthcare ‘team’. Today, Dr. Marsha Haley, a radiation oncologist, joins us to discuss an article that she wrote for the Buck’s County Courier Times about the appropriation of ‘Doctor’s Day’. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 04 Jul 2021 | Psychiatry tips for physician wellness: preventing and treating burnout and addiction | 00:31:04 | |
About 42% of physicians report feeling burned out, and about half of all doctors are making active plans to leave the practice of medicine. Unfortunately, some doctors turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with the stressors of medicine, which may result in the loss of their professional licenses. Today, we are talking with Dr. Daniel Hochman, a psychiatrist, and an online professional recovery program creator to discuss physician well-being. "Psychiatrists helping our US physician colleagues and medical students navigate the many intersections of our personal and professional lives" - free and confidential PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 27 Jun 2021 | JAMA Neurology's solution to neurologist shortage: Just substitute NPs/ PAs | 00:34:58 | |
On May 24, 2021, JAMA, or the Journal of the American Medical Association, published a viewpoint entitled: “Advanced Practice Clinicians—Neurology’s Underused Resource.” The article was authored by nurse practitioner Calli Cook and Dr Heidi Schwarz, a neurologist with the University of Rochester and argued that due to a shortage of neurologists across the country, non-physician practitioners should be used more widely to provide neurology care to patients. Neurologist/ psychiatrist Dr. Alyson Maloy and neurologist Dr. Carol Nelson join me to discuss the replacement of neurologists by nonphysician practitioners. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 12 Jul 2021 | Investigative journalist Eric Starkman discusses the dangers of 'MD Lites' | 00:31:23 | |
We are joined by Eric Starkman, an investigative journalist who works to shed light on dangerous corporate practices in healthcare. Mr. Starkman is relentless in exposing the work of bad actors in the medical-industrial complex and discusses how the replacement of physicians by nonphysician practitioners is contributing to the decline of the U.S. healthcare system. The corruption is that hospitals and other healthcare facilities are increasingly foisting NPs and PAs on patients without patients knowing it. The trend in healthcare today is to refer to everyone who interacts with patients as “healthcare providers” and they all wear white coats. At some hospitals, even the orderlies and housekeeping staff wear white coats, so it’s impossible to distinguish the real doctors among the white coat brigades. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants aren’t real doctors. They can’t, don’t, and never will provide comparable medical care. They’re MD Lites – Less training. Less knowledge. Less skills." PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 18 Jul 2021 | The impact of corporate medicine on physician moral injury | 00:37:38 | |
One of the biggest issues in medicine today is physician burnout, with almost 50% of all physicians reporting making active plans to leave the practice of medicine. We are joined by an expert on the subject of physician wellness, psychiatrist Wendy Dean. Dr. Dean and her co-author have singlehandedly changed the dialogue away from ‘burnout’ and towards the concept of ‘moral injury.’ We asked Dr. Dean for her perspective on the impact of corporatization and the replacement of physicians by nonphysician practitioners on physician morale and burnout. Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/ PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 25 Jul 2021 | Physician assistant and former-PA-turned-physician discuss the state of the profession | 00:37:52 | |
When it comes to discussing the differences between physician assistants (PAs) and physicians, there is no one better to address the issues than someone who has trained and worked in both professions. Christin Giordano MD was a PA before deciding to return to medical school to become a physician. She has since completed residency training and a fellowship to become a nephrologist. We are also joined by Elizabeth Ennis, PA-C, a former classmate of Dr. Giordano, who is currently practicing in California. Together, we discuss the state of the PA profession, including the proposed name change from 'physician assistant' to 'physician associate' and independent practice for PAs. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 01 Aug 2021 | Physician Advocacy Part 1: Making a difference for patients and the profession | 00:35:33 | |
Physicians are usually so busy taking care of patients that we sometimes ignore the political aspects of healthcare, leaving the decisions to legislators and policymakers, many of whom do not truly understand what it is like to deliver medical trenches in the trenches. Unfortunately, the old adage, “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the table,” is nowhere truer than in the healthcare legislative process. Today, I am joined by two experts to help us understand how physicians can be effectively involved in advocacy for our patients and for our profession. Dr. Purvi Parikh is an allergist and immunologist practicing in New York who has been involved in political advocacy since she was a medical student. She is also a fellow board member of Physicians for Patient Protection. Linda Lambert served as the executive director for the New York chapter of the American College of Physicians for over 20 years and has spent the last several years of her pseudo-retirement helping Physicians for Patient Protection build our organization. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 08 Aug 2021 | Physician Advocacy Part 2: Lessons from the nursing profession | 00:34:26 | |
On our last podcast, advocacy experts Dr. Purvi Parikh and Linda Lambert discussed steps that physicians can take to advocate for their patients and for the profession of medicine. In part 2, we learn from the legislative successes of the nursing profession. We discuss how to write a resolution for your medical society to help influence policy, and how advocacy can be a solution to burnout. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 15 Aug 2021 | The High Cost of Health Care with Marion Mass: Part 1 | 00:34:05 | |
We all know that the health care system in the United States is expensive, with the U.S. spending more than any other developed nation. Although it’s convenient to scapegoat doctors as the reason for high medical costs, the truth is that physician compensation makes up just 20% of total health spending. So, who is really responsible for the astronomical cost of health care today? To get some answers, we are joined by Dr. Marion Mass, a pediatrician and the co-founder of Practicing Physicians of America. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 22 Aug 2021 | The High Cost of Healthcare with Marion Mass: Part 2 | 00:35:19 | |
In part 2 of this discussion with Dr. Marion Mass, a pediatrician and the co-founder of Practicing Physicians of America, we learn about the impact of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) on the high cost of healthcare. In 1987, the federal legislature granted GPOs safe harbor from anti-kickback statutes, allowing them to reap millions of dollars. Dr Mass also explains how these GPOs have created artificial shortages in essential medical supplies, leading to patient and clinician harm. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 29 Aug 2021 | Physicians in politics: MD-JD discusses why doctors must get involved - Part 1 | 00:34:11 | |
More than ever, healthcare and politics are intertwined. Decisions made by politicians and have a major impact on not only healthcare policy, but on the day-to-day practice of medicine by physicians. Today we are excited to be talking about healthcare politics with Dr. Kermit Jones, a California internal medicine physician, attorney, and military veteran who is working to bring his medical expertise into the political arena. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||
| 05 Sep 2021 | Physicians in Politics Part 2: MD-JD explains why doctors must get involved - and announces his run for Congress | 00:26:18 | |
In part 2 of our discussion about healthcare politics, Dr. Kermit Jones, a California internal medicine physician, attorney, and military veteran discusses his run for California's 4th Congressional District. PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org | |||