Oncologist and health care executive Yousuf Zafar discusses his article, "When cancer costs too much: Why financial toxicity deserves a place in clinical conversations." Yousuf explains the concept of "financial toxicity," a severe burden caused by both direct medical bills and indirect costs (like time off work or child care) associated with cancer treatment. He reveals the sobering statistic that over forty percent of patients deplete their savings within two years, but emphasizes that this distress is more than just a financial problem: it directly compromises treatment adherence, forcing some to skip appointments or forgo prescriptions. Yousuf highlights the critical lack of cost transparency in oncology and makes the case for why clinicians must proactively screen for financial strain just as they would for physical side effects. Discover why these difficult conversations about the cost of cancer are essential for improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

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 attorney Anu Murthy discusses her article, "A lawyer's guide to physician side gigs." Anu details why the pandemic caused an explosion in physician side gigs (from telehealth to passion projects) and why many doctors are seeking new income streams, driven by everything from burnout to the FIRE movement. She reveals the number one risk to a doctor's medical license: their primary employment contract. Anu explains the complex legal hurdles doctors must navigate, including contract prohibitions, conflicts of interest (like pharma consulting or expert witness work), the need for separate malpractice insurance, and intellectual property considerations. Discover the essential legal steps to protect your license before starting a side gig, and learn the shocking ways employers can claw back your extra income.

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

Pediatric emergency medicine physician Bronwen Carroll discusses her article, "The childhood risk we never talk about." Bronwen explains the staggering data showing child sexual abuse is far more common than many other hazards (like choking or drowning) that parents routinely prioritize for prevention. She explores why this epidemic of sexual abuse lives in the shadows: the topic feels taboo and the solutions often seem vague compared to installing a car seat. Bronwen breaks down a practical, three-pronged approach to child safety, focusing on access, compliance, and (most critically) secrecy. She provides a simple, non-threatening, and powerful conversation starter for all parents: teaching children that no adult should ever ask them to keep a secret, and clarifying the crucial difference between a harmful "secret" and a happy "surprise." Learn the essential strategies every parent needs to know to start this difficult conversation and empower their kids. Connect with her at www.bronwencarrollmd.com or follow her on Instagram @bronwencarrollmd.

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

Nationally recognized psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article, "The rise of digital therapeutics in medicine." Muhamad explains what prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) are, emphasizing they are not wellness apps but Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared, evidence-based software prescribed by clinicians to treat specific diagnoses. He explores the groundbreaking examples already authorized by the FDA, including software for substance use disorder, a video game for pediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a new adjunct treatment for major depressive disorder. Muhamad breaks down how these digital therapeutics are designed to work alongside (not replace) human clinicians, offering continuous, skill-building support for mental health conditions. Learn how this new category of medicine is moving care from the exam room into the patient's daily life and what it means for the future of treatment.

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

Urologist William Lynes discusses his article, "The decline of the doctor-patient relationship." William explains why he believes this relationship, the critical center of medical care, is broken after 40 years of insidious deterioration. He argues that physicians (including himself) gradually relinquished control of clinical decisions, allowing non-clinicians, committees, and government agencies to take over. William discusses how this loss of physician autonomy and the rise of medical bureaucracy have led to delayed, inefficient, and frustrating patient care. This is a call for physicians to "claw back" control of the health care system. Learn why restoring this relationship is the only hope for the future of American medicine.

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

Gerontologist Michael Pessman discusses his article, "Why what you do in midlife matters most." Michael explains why the ages of 45-55 are a critical window and final opportunity to build healthy habits that profoundly impact future aging. He highlights new research on "super-agers" and the power of strength training (reducing early death risk by up to 20 percent), the importance of community, and the proven benefits of a Mediterranean diet. Michael also explores the crucial role of a positive mindset toward aging and the concept of "gerodiversity," reminding us that aging well is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Learn how intentional changes in midlife can lead to a longer, healthier, and more connected life.

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

Pediatric anesthesiologist Irim Salik discusses her article, "The hidden danger in pediatric dental offices." Irim reveals a terrifying oversight in ambulatory pediatric dental care: children are suffering neurologic injuries or dying during routine sedation, and there is no national database to track these adverse events. She explains how the convenience of office-based procedures (versus hospitals) introduces massive risks, including the "single provider model" where the dentist also directs anesthesia. Irim breaks down how inadequate monitoring (like lacking EtCO2 monitors), oversedation, and the inability to manage a respiratory emergency can lead to catastrophe. Learn what every parent needs to know about pediatric dental anesthesia and the fight for stricter national safety standards.

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

Dentist Lincoln Harris discusses his article, "How cloud-based simulation training is revolutionizing dentistry." Drawing on his background as a pilot, Lincoln exposes the critical training gap in modern dentistry, arguing that dentists (unlike pilots) are not prepared for real-world, high-stress scenarios. He explains why traditional dental school and "weekend courses" fail to build the necessary muscle memory for advanced procedures, leading to mixed results and poor patient outcomes, especially in rural areas. Lincoln details how cloud-based simulation technology is changing the game, allowing dentists to practice procedures repeatedly and build confidence without risking patient safety. Learn how this aviation-inspired approach to dental training is creating more competent dentists and improving patient care everywhere.

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