The Podcast by KevinMD

Nationally recognized psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article, "How insulin resistance may cause Alzheimer's disease." Muhamad introduces the paradigm-shifting concept of Alzheimer's as "Type 3 diabetes," arguing that insulin resistance in the brain is the root cause. He explains how this metabolic dysfunction starves neurons (especially in the memory-critical hippocampus), leading to the toxic beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles associated with cognitive decline. Muhamad highlights the crucial link between diabetes and Alzheimer's risk and discusses breakthrough diagnostic tools (like new blood tests) that can identify the disease before memory loss begins. Discover the practical lifestyle and medical interventions (from diet to new diabetes medications) that may prevent, manage, or even reverse cognitive decline by treating its metabolic underpinnings. 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

Health care executive Ronke Lawal discusses her article, "Digital mental health's $20 billion blind spot." Ronke explains how the booming digital mental health industry is systematically failing 40 percent of the U.S. population (racial and ethnic minorities), ignoring a $20 billion market opportunity. She argues that the "one-size-fits-all" model, based on Western-centric care, is a product failure that leads to algorithmic bias, misdiagnosis in diverse patients, and culturally incompetent artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots. This failure in digital mental health doesn't just alienate users; it creates real financial consequences for health systems, including higher emergency department use and readmission rates. Ronke makes the ironclad business case for embedding "cultural intelligence" into technology, arguing it's the only way to fix systemic bias and build effective digital mental health tools. 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

Fertility specialist Oluyemisi (Yemi) Famuyiwa discusses her article, "How timing affects chemical exposure risks." Yemi introduces her fascinating concept of "chrono-exposomics," explaining how the time of day you are exposed to environmental chemicals may be as important as the dose. She reveals how our body's circadian rhythms (like liver detoxification and skin permeability) change over 24 hours, meaning the same exposure at 8 p.m. is not the same as at 8 a.m. Using the example of a manicure, Yemi explores how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (like phthalates and TPO) in nail products might be absorbed more heavily in the evening, posing a unique risk to fertility and hormonal health. Learn the practical, evidence-informed adjustments you can make to align your self-care routines with your body's natural schedule. 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 and author Arthur Lazarus discusses his article, "Finding integrity at the end of a career." Arthur shares the poignant narrative of Dr. Raul Morales, a community internist facing retirement with a deep sense of despair, questioning if his forty-year medical career truly mattered. Through the powerful fable of the "cracked pot," Arthur explores how a physician's perceived failures, regrets, and "leaks" are often the unrecognized source of their greatest impact and legacy. This episode reframes the concept of professional integrity: moving it away from perfection and toward the simple, profound act of presence. Learn how to find meaning in a long medical career and see the flowers that grew from your own "cracked pot." 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

Health care strategist Dana Y. Lujan discusses her article, "Grief and leadership in health care." Dana shares her devastating personal story of losing both her son's father and, six years later, her only son, Joey, and how this profound grief exposed the failures of the health care system when faced with pain that cannot be captured by a diagnostic code. She describes her own experience (including a suggested 72-hour psychiatric hold) and how the system offered labels like complicated grief and PTSD but not true understanding. Dana contrasts this with her career in health care leadership, arguing that true compassion and resilience must be redefined by those who have experienced profound loss. She explains why leadership must move beyond metrics to address the hidden grief in our clinics and boardrooms and how persistence is about surrendering to growth, not just "pushing through." Discover how she learned to lead herself through unimaginable pain and turn that perspective into purpose. 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

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