Primary care physician Jerina Gani discusses her article "My journey to loving primary care again." Jerina shares her deeply personal story of nearly walking away from medicine after burnout, exhaustion, and endless administrative burdens drained the joy from her work. She explains how a shift in mindset — treating her role not just as physician but as CEO of her own practice — helped her reclaim time, energy, and fulfillment. By tracking patterns, optimizing visit flow, protecting time, and building authentic patient relationships, Jerina now works fewer days, earns more, and feels renewed passion for patient care. She offers listeners candid insights into setting boundaries, redefining value beyond CPT codes, and designing a sustainable, joyful version of primary care that honors both purpose and peace.

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

Chief nursing officer Rhonda Collins discusses her article "Nurse-initiated protocols for sepsis: a strategic imperative for patient care and hospital operations." Rhonda explains why sepsis, the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals and a $62 billion annual burden, demands the same urgency as stroke and STEMI. She highlights the power of nurse-initiated standing orders to speed recognition and treatment, reduce ED congestion, improve outcomes and cut costs. Drawing on real-world results from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, she shows how standardized sepsis protocols supported by FDA-cleared technology reduced mortality by 39 percent, shortened length of stay and saved thousands per patient. Rhonda emphasizes that national standardization, objective tools and empowering nurses to practice at the top of their license are essential to making sepsis the "third S" in emergency care.

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

Physician leader Janet A. Jokela discusses its article "Collective action as a path to patient-centered care." The piece reflects on the evolution of physician unions since the 1980s, beginning with housestaff associations focused on scut work and duty hours, through the Libby Zion case that transformed resident supervision, to today's growing movement of resident and employed physician unions across major institutions. The article explains how administrative burdens, loss of professional autonomy, and physician burnout have fueled interest in collective action not to abandon patients, but to protect their care. Key insights from ACP's policy paper Empowering Physicians through Collective Action include the need to ensure physicians have a voice in governance, safeguard them from retaliation, and prioritize patient access to safe, affordable, high-quality care. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of why collective empowerment may ultimately strengthen both physician well-being and the patient-physician relationship.

Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot.

Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Now you can streamline and customize documentation, surface information right at the point of care, and automate tasks with just a click.

Part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, Dragon Copilot offers an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform to help unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's built on a foundation of trust.

It's time to ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow.

VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast

RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Health care executive Ashish Mandavia discusses his article "Why U.S. health care pricing is so confusing—and how to fix it." Ashish explains how systemic misaligned incentives, opaque insurance practices, and weak enforcement drive up patient costs and mistrust in the health care system. He outlines the emotional and financial toll of surprise medical bills and argues for stronger accountability, technology-driven transparency, and shared responsibility across hospitals, insurers, providers, and patients. Ashish offers listeners practical takeaways, such as the role of digital tools in cost clarity, the need for enforcement that closes loopholes, and how patients can advocate for fairer, more predictable care.

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

Urologist Fara Bellows discusses her article "When recurrent UTIs might actually be bladder cancer." Fara shares the story of a 91-year-old patient whose recurrent urinary infections masked an underlying bladder cancer diagnosis, illustrating how easily symptoms can be misattributed. She explains risk factors such as smoking, prior radiation, and occupational exposures, and highlights the alarming statistics that nearly 20,000 women will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2025, with close to 5,000 deaths. Fara emphasizes the dangers of delayed diagnosis in women due to symptom overlap with common conditions, and she outlines the three key diagnostic tools—urine cytology, imaging, and cystoscopy—that can save lives when used early. Listeners will learn why vigilance in primary care, proactive referrals, and patient advocacy are crucial to ensuring timely and accurate diagnoses.

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

Pediatrician and certified coach Jessie Mahoney discusses her article "Why so many physicians struggle to feel proud—even when they should." Jessie explains how medical training conditions doctors to downplay success, deflect compliments, and equate pride with arrogance. She shares her own journey of learning to name and celebrate achievements, and how creating space for physicians to express pride can foster authenticity, confidence, and cultural change in medicine. Jessie highlights moving stories from reflective circles where physicians express pride in acts of courage, resilience, and alignment with values. Listeners will gain insights into how embracing pride can shift the culture of medicine from quiet suffering toward intentional, compassionate leadership.

Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot.

Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can.

Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust.

Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow.

VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast

RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article "Why kratom addiction is the next public health crisis." Muhamad explains how kratom, a botanical imported from Southeast Asia, has rapidly spread across the U.S., marketed as a natural remedy for pain and opioid withdrawal. He warns that its potent alkaloids act directly on opioid receptors, leading to dependence, withdrawal, psychosis, and even fatalities. Muhamad outlines the surge in use during the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks to youth, and the dangers of contamination and unregulated production. He also highlights the lack of tailored treatments for kratom dependence, the need for stronger regulation, and the importance of educating the public about its hidden dangers. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of why kratom's growth poses urgent challenges for both clinicians and policymakers.

Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot.

Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can.

Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust.

Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow.

VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast

RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended

Licensed counselor and certified coach Mary Remón discusses her article "How doctors can turn criticism into collaboration." Mary explains why physicians often react defensively to suggestions from colleagues, citing hierarchy, malpractice fears, time pressures, and challenges to expertise. She reframes criticism as a "gift," using analogies like apples and pears to show how doctors can acknowledge input without necessarily adopting it. Mary shares practical strategies such as proactively inviting opinions, practicing active listening, and creating structured spaces for feedback. Listeners will gain actionable tools to reduce defensiveness, strengthen interprofessional relationships, and improve patient safety and outcomes by fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.

Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot.

Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can.

Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, it's backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and it's part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust.

Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow.

VISIT SPONSOR → https://aka.ms/kevinmd

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST → https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast

RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD → https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended