Podcast episodes

The Podcast by KevinMD

The voices behind health care

Hosted by Kevin Pho, MD, The Podcast by KevinMD shares the stories of the many who intersect with our health care system but are rarely heard from. New episodes every day, about 15 minutes each.

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Every episode ends with the same question: What take-home message do you want to leave with the KevinMD audience? The answers, quoted from every transcribed episode and attributed to the guest by name and date, are collected in Take-home messages: what physicians say when asked to leave one.

My postpartum blood pressure spike [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 30, 2022Sep 30, 2022

"I think about my preeclampsia-specific and general knowledge gaps. I could not recall learning about postpartum preeclampsia in my prenatal classes. I wasn’t given any written instructions on what symptoms to expect with my blood pressure returning to normal. My…

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“I think about my preeclampsia-specific and general knowledge gaps. I could not recall learning about postpartum preeclampsia in my prenatal classes. I wasn’t given any written instructions on what symptoms to expect with my blood pressure returning to normal. My husband and I also would have benefitted from a pumping tutorial …

Think about genetics in heart disease [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 29, 2022Sep 29, 2022

"Despite these high numbers, we cardiologists often look to genetic screening last in our diagnostic workup. But without genetic screening, we can’t always see the whole picture in our cardiomyopathy patients. Once we’ve excluded coronary disease as an etiology, available…

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“Despite these high numbers, we cardiologists often look to genetic screening last in our diagnostic workup. But without genetic screening, we can’t always see the whole picture in our cardiomyopathy patients. Once we’ve excluded coronary disease as an etiology, available diagnostic tools such as echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging provide great …

A physician’s reflections with certainty in medicine [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 28, 2022Sep 28, 2022

"Lacking a supreme being in which to place our faith, my wife and I decided to make the most difficult decision of our lives and discontinue life support. I still wonder if we made the right decision, question whether fear…

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“Lacking a supreme being in which to place our faith, my wife and I decided to make the most difficult decision of our lives and discontinue life support. I still wonder if we made the right decision, question whether fear made us give up too early, and these chronic doubts cut …

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We are all responsible for women physicians’ pay discrepancy [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 27, 2022Sep 27, 2022

"Take the time to invest in yourself; it is the best investment you can make. Work to improve your communication, negotiation skills, and financial literacy skills. Think twice before accepting the first offer at face value; you owe it to…

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“Take the time to invest in yourself; it is the best investment you can make. Work to improve your communication, negotiation skills, and financial literacy skills. Think twice before accepting the first offer at face value; you owe it to yourself.

Have a contract lawyer review your contract. A number of factors …

Practical solutions to prevent and prepare for hypoglycemia [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 26, 2022Sep 26, 2022

This article is sponsored by the Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning, an independently owned and operated full-service medical education company that has been developing certified health care education for nearly twenty years. Visit the tools and a CME quality improvement…

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Visit the tools and …

If you can’t connect the issues, think connective tissues [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 25, 2022Sep 25, 2022

"When Lauren came to my office as a 16-year-old, she had been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and a few other chronic illnesses. By the end of the appointment, she left with a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)."…

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“When Lauren came to my office as a 16-year-old, she had been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and a few other chronic illnesses. By the end of the appointment, she left with a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).”

Linda Bluestein is an integrative medicine …

A 15-minute relationship fix [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 24, 2022Sep 24, 2022

"Depression involves withdrawal, withdrawal from oneself and others. Feeling safe enough in a relationship to reveal our innermost feelings safely is connective and should be considered a valued part of the anti-depressant lifestyle. Continued relationship satisfaction is based on respectful…

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“Depression involves withdrawal, withdrawal from oneself and others. Feeling safe enough in a relationship to reveal our innermost feelings safely is connective and should be considered a valued part of the anti-depressant lifestyle. Continued relationship satisfaction is based on respectful openness and validation, the kind of communication that built love in …

Read more…

A 15-minute relationship fix [PODCAST]

KevinMD on PermanenteDocs Chat [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 23, 2022Sep 23, 2022

In this special episode, KevinMD is on the other side of the microphone as he's interviewed by Dr. Alex McDonald, originally aired as a PermanenteDocs Chat presented by The Permanente Federation at Kaiser Permanente. He shares his social media story,…

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In this special episode, KevinMD is on the other side of the microphone as he’s interviewed by Dr. Alex McDonald, originally aired as a PermanenteDocs Chat presented by The Permanente Federation at Kaiser Permanente.

He shares his social media story, reasons why physicians should be involved with social media, criteria for …

We need a mental health infrastructure bill [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 22, 2022Sep 22, 2022

"As we slowly emerge from the physical withdrawal required during the pandemic, the emotional toll of this past year will become increasingly apparent. Complicated problems demand organized, financially-supported solutions. We need a mental health infrastructure bill now, and we need…

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“As we slowly emerge from the physical withdrawal required during the pandemic, the emotional toll of this past year will become increasingly apparent. Complicated problems demand organized, financially-supported solutions. We need a mental health infrastructure bill now, and we need to start rebuilding.”

Jennifer Reid is …

Walk to reduce your loneliness and improve your well-being [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 21, 2022Sep 21, 2022

"Just before the pandemic, I walked 96 miles (154.5 km) in seven days on the West Highland Way in Scotland, though I was hardly alone in this endeavor. About 250 people start the walk each day, including the amazing group…

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“Just before the pandemic, I walked 96 miles (154.5 km) in seven days on the West Highland Way in Scotland, though I was hardly alone in this endeavor. About 250 people start the walk each day, including the amazing group of primary women that I walked with, indicative of both the …

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and long COVID [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 20, 2022Sep 20, 2022

"ME/CFS is a complex multi-system illness that destroys lives (essentially killing the person yet leaving them alive). It leaves patients with unimaginable fatigue, post-exertional malaise (meaning that minor exertion makes them feel worse), cognitive deficits, cardiovascular dysfunction, gastrointestinal malfunctions, unrefreshing…

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“ME/CFS is a complex multi-system illness that destroys lives (essentially killing the person yet leaving them alive). It leaves patients with unimaginable fatigue, post-exertional malaise (meaning that minor exertion makes them feel worse), cognitive deficits, cardiovascular dysfunction, gastrointestinal malfunctions, unrefreshing sleep, pain, and much more.

As a person who has lived with …

4 steps to de-escalate hostile people [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 19, 2022Sep 19, 2022

"The boundaries of unacceptable behavior have eroded in the past few years. Politicians, law enforcement, movie stars, health care providers, the health care system, and society, in general, are all acting badly occasionally. I’m amazed but no longer surprised every…

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“The boundaries of unacceptable behavior have eroded in the past few years. Politicians, law enforcement, movie stars, health care providers, the health care system, and society, in general, are all acting badly occasionally. I’m amazed but no longer surprised every time it happens. Patients and family members behaving badly have captured …

Lessons from Radonda Vaught: Nurses need to raise their voices [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 18, 2022Sep 18, 2022

"One thing is hard to ignore – nurses need better treatment. Nurses need a seat at the table and advocacy. Nurses need to raise their voices, listen to each other, and unify to achieve the progress that we need to…

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“One thing is hard to ignore – nurses need better treatment. Nurses need a seat at the table and advocacy. Nurses need to raise their voices, listen to each other, and unify to achieve the progress that we need to improve our workplace safety, manage and prevent burnout, and promote patient …

A neurosurgeon puts down the knife [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 17, 2022Sep 17, 2022

"MRI studies of these patients determined that it was not only the circuitry that was affected by the burnout but also the size of the brain structures. Compared with the controls, patients suffering from burnout showed volume loss in the…

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“MRI studies of these patients determined that it was not only the circuitry that was affected by the burnout but also the size of the brain structures. Compared with the controls, patients suffering from burnout showed volume loss in the prefrontal cortex. Burnout patients appeared to also have shrinking in their …

How to stay off my operating table [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 16, 2022Sep 16, 2022

"Health isn't about luck — it's about intentionality. But even if you're doing and saying all the right things, you might not be any closer to your goals. I know because I was there. As a heart surgeon, I was…

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“Health isn’t about luck — it’s about intentionality. But even if you’re doing and saying all the right things, you might not be any closer to your goals.

I know because I was there.

As a heart surgeon, I was very good at following the rules.

But I was still morbidly obese.

I followed the …

Why are women leaving medicine? Gaslighting. [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 15, 2022Sep 15, 2022

"We cannot change societal norms, gender biases, childhood needs, the education system, or stop a pandemic. But, we can stop gaslighting 50% of the population. We can start acknowledging that the simple fact of gender does greatly affect patient and…

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“We cannot change societal norms, gender biases, childhood needs, the education system, or stop a pandemic. But, we can stop gaslighting 50% of the population. We can start acknowledging that the simple fact of gender does greatly affect patient and support staff expectations, time, power, compensation, and career trajectory. Women physicians …

Why physicians require business skills [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 14, 2022Sep 14, 2022

"There are two valuable reasons why all physicians, especially medical students, should obtain or demand from their medical school academic business education. About 98 percent of physicians and medical students have never had an academic business education. About 30 to…

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“There are two valuable reasons why all physicians, especially medical students, should obtain or demand from their medical school academic business education.

About 98 percent of physicians and medical students have never had an academic business education. About 30 to 50 percent of graduating medical students prefer private medical practice—which requires business …

A nut allergy nightmare at 35,000 feet [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 13, 2022Sep 13, 2022

"People developing anaphylaxis will not always have five extra minutes to spare. I do appreciate that auto-injectors are expensive, but it is not at all expensive to have an ampule or vial of epinephrine on board, which can be drawn…

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“People developing anaphylaxis will not always have five extra minutes to spare. I do appreciate that auto-injectors are expensive, but it is not at all expensive to have an ampule or vial of epinephrine on board, which can be drawn up in five seconds. Those also come in a much friendlier …

Negotiating employment contracts from a place of strength [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 12, 2022Sep 12, 2022

"The most important lesson when negotiating contracts is picking your battles and coming at them with optimism and positivity. Yes, you can and should be excited about this new opportunity, but you need to receive what’s fair and reasonable in…

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“The most important lesson when negotiating contracts is picking your battles and coming at them with optimism and positivity. Yes, you can and should be excited about this new opportunity, but you need to receive what’s fair and reasonable in the market. Don’t be afraid to push back on things that …

What to do if you’re involved in a medical malpractice lawsuit [PODCAST]

The Podcast by KevinMD

September 11, 2022Sep 11, 2022

"The worry and anticipation of getting sued are heightened more than ever in the wake of the pandemic. It is in all physicians’ minds. I recently did a quick poll in some of my physician groups on social media, and…

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“The worry and anticipation of getting sued are heightened more than ever in the wake of the pandemic. It is in all physicians’ minds. I recently did a quick poll in some of my physician groups on social media, and roughly 500 physicians responded to this question: Do we need medical …

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