S7E4: Will AI replace your doctor?

In a conversation with Dr Ron Adler from UMASS Med School, and Dr Kate Atkinson, a Massachusetts Family Practice doctor, we discuss the importance of Primary Care and a new Bill in the Massachusetts legislature to improve Primary Care Massachusetts.

Massachusetts State Senator Jo Comerford has helped to sponsor a Bill in Massachusetts to allow patients with terminal illness choose death with the assistance of medical professions. We interview the Senator about the bill discussing what is allows and what it does not and with Dr Jeff Zesiger, a hospice medical director, we discuss the ethical issues, the benefits to patients and the issues for physicians.

We discuss how far we have come and yet how far we need to go to improve patient safety. Dr Priti Lakhani, former CMIO for the VA and a patient safety expert, joins us to discuss patient safety, the role of EMRs and the patient safety risks that exist ahead.

We interview Dr Stella Safo, a primary care physician and public health advocate who is the co-founder of the Greenbook for Health, an empowerment and resource tool to help black patients navigate the health system. Dr Safo's enthusiasm and energy is infectious and she shares the goals and purposes of the Greenbook for Health.

We summarize 6 ways in which our healthcare system is broken. As part of these, we take a deep dive into the problem of the Corporatization of healthcare particularly the rise of the PBM, so called pharmacy benefit managers.

How can two american physicians help to improve health in rural Uganda? We interview Drs Ann Markes and Matthew Kane who have been working internationally throughout their careers and recently founded "Well on their Way" an organization dedicated to improving maternal child health. They inspire us with their approach and the path they have taken as physicians.

We interview Dr Neil Kudler, a marijuana specialist, as well brothers Brian and Michael Lupario, co founders of Western Mass Hemp, about how hemp can be used in healthcare today. The brothers are proposing a unique model to bring the benefits of hemp and CBD to traditional medicine.

Bill and Evan discuss the pros and cons of current AI platforms. They delve into how AI is being used in Physician practices and among the public. for healthcare. Through a fascinating discussion they share insight into its use and limitations.

We talk about one of the most universal - and most avoided - experiences in life: The Final Chapter. Our guest is Maureen Groden, a hospice nurse who has walked alongside countless patients and families at the end of life. Her practical and compassionate book, "When a Loved One is Dying", helps people understand what the dying process can look like and how to navigate the realities and resources of hospice and care.

In this episode Evan and Bill have two exciting conversations: 1. Will AI replace your doctor? We discuss the limitations and the benefits of AI use in healthcare. 2. Also we discuss why is healthcare so expensive? what are the driver for the US system? We breakdown the reasons.