Former Epic Doctor Says the System Is Designed to Fail Physicians

Apr 24, 2025

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating EHR Misunderstandings

01:40 • 13min

Navigating the Intersection of Medicine and Technology

14:31 • 3min

Complex Challenges in Modern Healthcare

17:17 • 9min

Streamlining Healthcare: The 'Gross' Approach

26:06 • 4min

The Future of Physician Documentation and Privacy

30:09 • 2min

Dr. Craig Joseph is a pediatrician, informaticist, and the Chief Medical Officer at Nordic Global. He’s also the author of Designing for Health and a former Epic employee, with decades of experience at the intersection of clinical care and health IT.

On this episode of How I Doctor, Dr. Graham Walker talks with Craig about what’s actually broken in American healthcare — and why blaming the EHR is often missing the point. They dive into the messy realities of health system design, the unintended consequences of bad tech workflows, and why true innovation in medicine will only come when doctors help lead it. Craig offers a behind-the-scenes look at how physicians can rethink technology, push for smarter design, and prepare for the coming wave of AI in healthcare.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why EHRs Aren’t the Real Problem – How poorly designed systems, not software alone, are burning doctors out.
The Myth of the “Standard Workflow” – Healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all and why software should reflect that.
The Moment Doctors Stopped Calling the Shots – How the shift to employment models and admin control reshaped the physician experience.
AI and the Future of Documentation – Craig’s prediction for 2030 and how recording clinical encounters could reshape care.
Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff – What it really takes for hospitals to stop wasting doctors’ time on useless clicks and forms.
Reclaim Your Career Without Leaving Medicine – Why it’s okay to want something different—and how clinical experience is still your superpower.

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