CareTalk with Quick and Quack
CareTalk with Quick and Quack is a podcast hosted by Drs Evan Benjamin and Bill Cutler that explores health and healthcare in the United States. The show discusses the history, challenges, and innovations within the US healthcare system, helping listeners understand its complexities. It aims to explain how the system can be improved and how individuals can navigate it effectively.
Episodes
S7E10: End of Life Options: A conversation with Senator Jo Comerford and hospice Dr Jeff Zesiger.
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
S7E9: Can we improve Patient Safety with Dr Priti Lakhani
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.
S7E8: The Greenbook for Health with Dr Stella Safo
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.
S7E7: 6 Ways Healthcare is Broken
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.
S7E6: Well on their Way: improving healthcare in Uganda with Drs Ann Markes and Matthew Kane
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.
S7E5: Hemp and Healthcare
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.
S7E4: Will AI replace your doctor?
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.
S7E3: Hospice: supporting families in the final chapter: a conversation with Maureen Groden author of "When a Loved One is Dying"
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 r
S7E2: AI benefits and risks in healthcare.. Plus why is healthcare expensive?
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.
S7E1: Music and Health with Annika Amstutz
Listening and playing music can affect your health in so many ways. We have a very entertaining conversation with fiddler Annika Amstutz, director of the Fiddle Orchestra of Western Massachusetts. We discuss how music has supported her and what the evidence is for music and health. Along the way we listen and even play a few songs together!
S6E10: The New Dietary Guidelines with DeeDee Tobias, ScD
The new US Dietary Guidelines have been released. While some things have remained the same, there are recommendations that were controversial. We interview Harvard Nutritional Epidemiologist Associate profressor DeeDee Tobias, ScD who sat on the guidelines advisory committee. DeeDee talks us through the process of how the guidelines are created and what are the recommendations in the new set.
S6E9: Grading RFK jr and the profit motive for vaccines
After one year of service we discuss the job RFK jr has done leading the department of Health and Human Services. His ambitious and controversial tenure has created mixed reviews. We give RFK jr a "grade" and talk about his success and challenges. We also take on a recent conspiracy theory that claims Doctors make lots of money to promote vaccines.
S6E8: The Medicare Advocacy Project
The Medicare system represent a universal health system for people over 65, yet sometimes there are barriers to getting the benefits one needs. We interview attorney Alice Bers, the director of the Massachusetts Medicare Advocacy Project whose organization supports medicare beneficiaries as well as polcy to allow for equitable universal health care. We discuss the role of advocacy and the latest i
S6E7: Improving Behavioral Health care among the most vulnerable: The Innovive approach
We interview Joe McDonough, MSN, MHCDS, CEO and founder of the home care agency, Innovive. Joe and his team have innovated to build a unique care model to care for complex behavioral health patients in their home. He has worked with state Medicaid programs to improve outcomes and save millions of dollars.
S6E6: Music and Medicine: a Healthcare Conversation with musician Tracy Grammer
Evan and Bill interview local musician Tracy Grammer whose personal experience with health and death make for very interesting listening. Along the way, we hear some of Tracy's music and discuss topics about death, dying, terminal lucidity and the brain's response to pain.
S6E5: A National Health Program for the US with Dr Adam Gaffney
We interview Dr Adam Gaffney, a physician, writer, public health researcher and former President of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). Dr Gaffney writes about the challenges of and improvements to the US Healthcare System. He has a real interest in building a Medicare-for All program for the US. His book, To Heal Humankind, makes the case for healthcare to be a human right.
S6E4: Practicing Internal Medicine OG
How has healthcare delivery changed? What are the tenets and values that a physician in practice should have? In this interview with Dr Charles Wohl, retired internal medicine physician from western Massachusetts, we discuss what life was like practicing in the 1970's and 80's. From starting a community clinic to teaching, Dr Wohl has great insight into how has healthcare changed.
S6E3: Preventing Dementia with Dr Mikaela Bloomberg
How can one reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline? In this show we review what we know about risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline with Dr Mikaela Bloomber, an epidemiologist researcher University College London. Dr Bloomberg has been using a large longitudinal database to tease out risks and associations between behaviors and cognitive decline. this fascinating discussion sh
S6E2: A Vaccine Coup d'etat
The secretary of HHS has finally achieved his vaccine goals of changing the vaccine schedule for children in the US. The new schedule was just released, and after a controversial process, the new schedule has reduced the number of diseases to prevent from 17 to 11. we discuss the process and the implications for health.
S6E1: Primary Care Improvement with Dr Bruce Finke
We talk with Dr Bruce Finke, former senior advisor to the Primary Care Program at the Medicare Innovation Center about how to improve primary care in the US. From changing the goals to the practice model to the payment model, Dr Finke shares ideas and possibilities to have more patients benefit from a primary care experience.
S5E10: Incentivizing Primary Care and Surgeon General Nominee thoughts
We discuss two things: 1. New Changes to the way Physicians will be paid that rewards primary care and 2. The nomination of Dr Casey Means for US Surgeon General. We are joined by Dr Mike Miller, health policy expert and we share our initial thoughts about Dr Casey Means as a candidate for surgeon general.
S5E9: Cardiology and music with Dr John Joelson
We have a great time taking about the latest updates in cardiology and we add some original music. Our guest is cardiologist Dr John Joelson from Massachusetts. Dr J is a seasoned cardiologist and a musician, singer songwriter who graced us with great cardiac conversation and music!
S5E8: The ACA and Shutdown, Medicare Advantage and Autism
In this episode we take on three meaty topics: 1. The ACA's role in the current government shutdown, 2. The Medicare Advantage changes now being seen and three the Causes of Autism. Each of these are confusing in their own right, and Evan and Bill do their best to break it down and make some sense out of it all.
S5E7 The Cancer Connection Model of Support
We meet the Cancer Connection of Western Massachusetts where Chelsea Kline and Laura Carboni explain the history and model of supportive care services for people with a cancer diagnosis. This unique approach to support patients is a national model that could be expanded or replicated.
S5E6 "The Masters of Medicine" Interview with author Dr Andrew Lam
We interview Dr Andrew Lam who is a retina surgeon, historian and author about his latest book, "The Masters of Medicine: Our Greatest Triumphs in the Race to Cure Humanity's Deadliest Diseases." The book is a fascinating look into the innovators, mavericks and researchers who- through parts genius, parts courageous , and parts dumb luck - gave us the medical breakthroughs that help so many people
S5E5: Lucian Leape: In Memoriam, Making Healthcare Safer
We lost a real leader in healthcare this year. Dr Lucian Leape - the father of patient safety - helped us be aware of the problem and made us appreciate a different path to improve patient safety. He was an inspiration to us, and we still have a long way to go. How safe is healthcare?
S5E4: Why is Health Insurance expensive plus Fate of the US Preventive Services Task Force
We discuss why health insurance is so expensive and what is the history of insurance in the US. We talk about why health insurance is being linked to employment as we think about medicaid as well as universal coverage. PLUS we discuss the fate of the US Preventive Services Task Force, the committee that has had the respect of so many to help guide our health coverage for preventive care. Will it s
S5E3: Is Single Payer possible? Plus: How do we pay physicians
In this episode we take on 3 topics plus we have our "misinformation nation" segment. We discuss 1. A proposed bill in Massachusetts to create a Medicare For All single payer system, 2. Who decides how much physicians get paid by specialty and a new proposed rule to change it and 3. What will the medicaid cuts impact be on rural hospitals. Plus we discuss PEPFAR as a new topic as part of
S5E2: The Slow Death of Public Health
Bill and Evan discuss the administrative changes and the trends in the country that have affect the functioning and reputation of public health.
S5E1: Naturopathy with Dr Amy Rothenberg
We have a very special show with guest Naturopathic physician, Dr Amy Rothenberg. We discuss naturopathy, its integration with western medicine and her book, "You Finished Treatment, Now What: A Field Guide for Cancer Survivors", an Amazon Best Seller and recipient of a Nautilus Book Award.
S4E10: Music and Medicine with Dr Peter Weitzman
Physician and Musician Dr Peter Weitzman joines to discuss the role music plays in medicine and vice versa. Peter shares some original songs inspired by his practice of medicine. A slightly different episode for CareTalk but very rich in thought and music
S4E9 A new approach to healthcare: Taba Health; an interview with Shahin Tabatabaei MD
Dr Shahin Tabatabaei is a distinguished urological surgeon and healthcare leader who was inspired to look at creating a new appraoch to healthcare that he calls TABA Health. His model surrounds a patient with layers of care, support and treatments not seen in our "sick" care system. Listen to this inspiring interview!
S4E8: Thinking about MAHA
We invited health policy expert and friend of CareTalk, Dr Mike Miller, back on the show to discuss the new MAHA report and the recent budget bill. We talk about the emerging issues coming from Washington DC that will affect health and healthcare
S4E7: A message of concern from the nation’s health professionals plus AI documentation
This week there was an open letter signed by thousands of health professionals sounding the alarm on the potential impact of the new administration's health and healthcare policies. We discuss the letter and share the content. In addition we discuss how AI generated documentation of physician notes can impact the doctor-patient relationship and care in general.
S4E6 Supporting the VA Health System
S4E6: Supporting the VA health system. We discuss the proposed cuts to the VA Health System with Guests and Veteran Advocates Steve Conner and John Paredis from Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The Veterans administration has played an important role for our nation’s veterans and the proposed cuts may hit it hard.
S4E5: Mending the body with the mind, plus vaccines and autism; discussion with pediatrician Dr David Gottsegen
We have a fascinating conversation with pediatrician Dr David Gottsegen regarding his new book, "Mending the Body with the mind: Harnessing Children's Superpowers to heal and stay healthy". We also discuss his views as a practicing pediatrician on autism and vaccines.
S4E4 Dead Wrong: Misinformation in Healthcare
We interview Dr Geeta Nayyar "Dr G" regarding misinformation in healthcare. Her book "Dead Wrong" is the focus of our conversation on the problem and a path forward to manage mis and dis-information.
S4E3 Nurse Practitioners role in Healthcare- Jon Liebman
We discuss the role of and training of Nurse Practitioners in Healthcare with Jon Liebman, MPH, NP, former medical director and primary care NP at a federally qualified health center in Massachusetts
S4E2 A Pre-Med Conversation
We interview three Williams College pre-med students on their ideas of a career in medicine. They recently took a class on healthcare and are we discuss the future of medicine with them.
S4E1: US, UK and Nigerian healthcare with Dr Greg Adaka
We had a great discussion with Dr Greg Adaka, an Emergency Physician who has practiced in Nigeria, the UK, and the US. He is currently medical director for Miami-Dade County Corrections where he spends time thinking about health systems. We compare the three health systems and have fun along the way. What can we learn to improve the US health system?
S3E10 Medical Marijuana with Dr Neil Kudler
We interview Dr Neil Kudler, a primary care physician who has practiced HIV care, Palliative Care and is medical marijuana certifier in Massachusetts. We talk about caring for patients with complex needs and the role of Cannabis in healthcare.
S3E9: Food Insecurity and Health
We talk about Food, Nutrition, Food insecurity and the impact on health with Lorraine Cordereio PhD Professor of Nutrition and Anna Maria Siega-Riz, PhD, MS, Dean School of Public Health both at UMass-Amherst. Access to healthy food is one of the most important Social Drivers of Health and we also discuss a unique project in Springfield MA working to end food insecurity through a health clinic par
S3E8 Trust in health insurance and a vaccine conversation
Drs Benjamin and Cutler discuss the promise and politics of vaccines as well as do a deep dive into health insurance after the murder of the United Healthcare CEO.
S3E7: Mental Health and Psychedelics with Dr Barry Sarvet
In this episode we talk with Dr Barry Sarvet, chair of Psychiatry at UMass Chan School of Medicine-Baystate, regarding the current state of mental health and the emerging new therapies with psychedelics.
S3E6: Murder, Money and Medicine
After the murder of CEO of United Healthcare Brian Thompson, we discuss the potential motivation of the shooter and the torrent of criticism against the health insurance industry that emerged. A Murder and for-profit motives in healthcare?
S3E5 Maternal Mortality with Angela Chien MD
We interview Dr Angela Chien, an obstetrician and perinatal expert from Washington state, to discuss the issue of high maternal mortality in the US and try to understand the reasons for it. We hear about an improvement strategy called "Team-birth" that has potential to improve obstetrical care.
S3E3 Mirror Mirror: Which health system is the fairest?
We discuss the new report from the Commonwealth Fund that compares the performance of the US Health system to other countries. Who is the fairest of them all?
S3E2: Hospice care and what to know about death; interview with Dr Jeff Zesiger
We interview Dr Jeff Zesiger of Massachusetts to discuss hospice care- what is it? who qualifies? how does it differ from palliative and medical aid in dying? what do people need to know about death?
S3E1: Dementia and Dying Well; Dr Lew Cohen
We interview Dr Lew Cohen about medical aid in dying and his new book, "Winter's End: Dementia and Dying Well."
S2E9: Physician Shortage. Maternal Mortality
In this episode we take on two separate but related topics: 1. The shortage of physicians -particularly primary care physicians and 2. The high rate of maternal mortality in the US.
S2E8 What we got wrong. AI in medicine with Dr Eric Alper
What medicine got wrong. AI in healthcare.
In this episode Evan and Bill discuss a few examples of what we got "wrong" in healthcare - recommendations on estrogen replacement and alcohol use for instance. Then we interview Dr Eric Alper from UMass Med School on the application in of AI in healthcare.
S2E7 Faces of Medicine with Dr Khama Ennis
"Faces of medicine" is a new documentary film series by Dr Khama Ennis who is exploring the paths of Black female physicians in the United States. We interview Dr Ennis about her experience in becoming a physician and about the need for more equity in our healthcare system.
S2E6 Serious Illness Care with Dr Erik Fromme
We interview Dr Erik Fromme from Harvard Medical School and Ariadne Labs' Serious Illness Care Program to talk about how the care of patients with serious illness could be more patient-centered and more meaningful. Dr Fromme tells us how we can train providers and create a better health care system for patients with serious illness.
S2E5: Vaccine Misinformation with Dr Mike Miller
We interview Dr Mike Miller who is writing a book about vaccine misinformation and its implications on politics and public health
S2E4 Tom Gallagher on Responding to Harm from healthcare
In this interview with Dr Tom Gallagher from the University of Washington, we discuss medical injury and harm in healthcare. When harm occurs as a result of healthcare, how doctors and health systems respond is so important to support patients and learn to prevent harm from recurring.
S2E3 A Primary Care conversation with Dr Bruce Finke
In this episode Bill and Evan have a fascinating conversation with our friend and colleague Dr Bruce Finke, advisor for primary care. We discuss the importance of primary care and what good primary care looks like
S2E2: David Nash on How Covid Crashed the System: the challenges of the US Healthcare System
In S2E2, we interview Dr David Nash, founding dean at the Jefferson College of Population Health in Philadelphia, on the challenges of the US Healthcare system. We discuss David's new book "How Covid Crashed the System", a fascinating read on the challenges and recommendations to improve the healthcare system.
S2E1 Perils of Medicare Advantage with Dr Don Berwick and Elaine Fronhofer
S2E1: A new season kicks off with a fascinating discussion about the Perils of Medicare Advantage with Dr Don Berwick and Elaine Fronhofer
S1, Ep 10: Private Equity, Holistic Care, Physician Burnout
In this episode Evan and Bill have 4 rapid fire conversations on the impact of private equity in healthcare; how concepts of alternative medicine be used in western medicine; drivers of physician burnout and we discuss a fascinating email on the business of medicine.
S1E9: The Failures of healthcare and the need for patient advocacy; interview with Dr Gerda Maissel
We discuss how the system fails patients everyday and the need for patient advocacy. We interview professional patient advocate Dr Gerda Maissel.
Ep 8: Home Hospital with Dr David Levine
We interview Harvard Assoc Professor Dr David Levine on his work implementing and researching a novel approach to hospital care: the hospital at home model.
Ep 7: Redefining Eldercare and Dementia Care with Rachel Broudy
In ep 7, we interview Dr Rachel Broady, a physician researcher who practices hospice and geriatric care about how we need to transform the way we care for care elders. We also discuss how physicians diagnose disease.
Ep 6: Recommendations for the US Healthcare System
In Ep 6 we share some recommendations to begin to fix the US Healthcare System. We also take our listener's email challenges navigating the health system and thoughts on improving it.
Ep 5: AI in Healthcare with guest Jeff Levin-Scherz
In this episode we interview Dr Jeff Levin Sherz from Harvard School of Public Health and Willis Towers Watson about Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. We also discuss some emails from our listeners and introduce our first Quick and Quack Puzzler!
Ep 4: The Affordable Care Act
In this episode, we go to "school" to hear one of Evan's lectures from his teaching at UMass School of Public Health on the Affordable Care act, and then Evan and Bill discuss the implications of it to improve health and healthcare
Ep 3: MD Shortage, Costa Rican Healthcare
In our third show we begin to take on the meaty topics concerning the shortage of physicians and how physicians are paid in the US. We also discuss what the US can learn from the small country of Costa Rica in terms of health and healthcare.
S1E2: History Healthcare part 2, 3
We continue discussion on the history of the US healthcare system and finish introducing ourselves
Ep1: Our first show! Welcome to CareTalk with Quick n Quack
Welcome to Care Talk with Quick and Quack! Our first episode introduces who we are, how we think about health and healthcare and a bit of the history of the US Healthcare system (part 1)...trying to help to understand how we got in the mess we have...Meet Drs Evan Benjamin and Bill Cutler
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