“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about and express it in numbers you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind.” – Lord Kelvin

In this episode, Christian, Rana, Carl and Michelle delve into quality measures and metrics within emergency medicine. They explore the origins and historical context of these measures, touching on key figures like John Snow and Florence Nightingale, and contemporary frameworks such as the Donabedian model.

The physicians talk about the evolution of metrics from voluntary reporting to mandatory quality measurement tied to payments, highlighting significant legislation like the Affordable Care Act and MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act). The conversation also addresses the nuances of implementing and updating quality measures as well as reaching a balance between process and outcome metrics.

Michelle shares insights from her research and experiences in developing and applying quality measures – emphasising the tension between the benefits and challenges of using metrics in emergency medicine – and explores potential improvements for quality measures for the future.

Doctor Friends should not be used in place of professional medical advice. The opinions of the participants are their own and do not represent the institutions that they work for.

Presented by Christian, Rana, Carl and Michelle. Music by Nylonia. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

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In this episode, emergency physicians Christian, Rosny and Grace discuss the pervasive issue of burnout in the medical profession. They address the history and roots of burnout, starting from its first mention in the 1970s to its institutional acknowledgment in the 2010s.

The conversation highlights the factors contributing to burnout, such as work-life imbalance, moral injury, structural inefficiencies and the unrealistic expectations placed on healthcare providers. They discuss the complexity of finding solutions, emphasising that individual resilience strategies alone are insufficient and that structural changes are necessary. Grace notes that reducing work hours significantly improved her well-being, while Rosny and Christian touch on the systemic changes necessary for improving patient care, such as better financial support and fair workload distribution.

Doctor Friends should not be used in place of professional medical advice. The opinions of the participants are their own and do not represent the institutions that they work for.

Presented by Christian, Rosny and Grace. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

Liked the episode? Follow us on Instagram or write to us at doctorfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Doctor Friends, a podcast in which a group of friends, who happen to be doctors, explore issues within the American healthcare system.

This week Tomás, Christian and Grace welcome the physician executive Kai, and geriatrics, palliative care and addiction medicine specialist Lauren to discuss their experiences and challenges in dealing with death and grief in medical practice. Kai and Lauren delve into the emotional impact of patient deaths, differing perspectives between emergency and hospice settings, and the importance of authentic communication with patients and their families.

They reflect on the challenges physicians face, specifically the emotional and ethical dilemmas concerning death, strategies for processing grief and the systemic issues affecting patient care. The conversation also delves into the cultural expectations surrounding 'a good death' and the importance of humanising medicine. Their personal anecdotes and professional insights offer a candid look at the complexities of providing compassionate care in high-stress environments.

Doctor Friends should not be used in place of professional medical advice. The opinions of the participants are their own and do not represent the institutions that they work for.

Presented by Tomás, Christian, Grace, Kai and Lauren. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

Liked the episode? Tell your friends!

Follow us on Instagram or write to us at doctorfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Doctor Friends podcast in which a group of friends, who happen to be doctors, discuss issues in American healthcare.

This first episode introduces Grace, Christian and Tomás who reflect on years of personal and professional experience and ask if medicine is a field worth going into. They share their backgrounds, why they’re drawn to medicine and outline their frustrations with a system that exploits their dedication while undervaluing their roles within it.

The conversation also covers burnout, moral injury, residency match declines, and systemic failures that push emergency medicine to act as a safety net for people without the necessary support. They reflect on work-life balance and the conflict between purpose and exhaustion, and explore whether collective action, like unionising, might be a path forward.

Doctor Friends should not be used in place of professional medical advice. The opinions of the participants are their own and do not represent the institutions that they work for.

Presented by Grace, Christian and Tomás. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

Liked the episode? Tell your friends!

Follow us on Instagram or write to us at doctorfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.