PermanenteDocs Chat: Recent Episodes

Permanente Medicine

Permanente physicians and other health care leaders come together in an unscripted live chat, creating conversations among doctors about timely issues facing health care today. Hosted by Alex McDonald, MD, a family medicine physician with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group.

Listen to this episode for an up-to-date overview on opioid crisis from guest Bobby Mukkamala, MD, chair of the American Medical Association's Substance Use and Pain Care Taskforce. Dr. Mukkamala talks to host Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, about the latest data, systemwide steps to create change, and clinical strategies that can help doctors balance pain management with addiction prevention.

Guest
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, Chair, American Medical Association Substance Use and Pain Care Taskforce

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Learn how new medical products and services that physicians use meet quality, safety, and value standards in the latest PermanenteDocs Chat featuring Sande Irwin, MD, chair of the Kaiser Permanente National Product Council.

Dr. Irwin talks to host Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, about how the Council evaluates medical products — everything from otoscopes and exam chairs to surgical tools and MRI scanners — through a uniquely integrated team made of more than 700 members who are physicians and also medical professionals from nursing, environmental services staff and more.

Guest: Sande Irwin, MD, Chair, Kaiser Permanente National Product Council

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Listen to this important conversation about the unique challenges physicians and clinicians face when seeking mental health support and real-life ways to foster a culture of wellness.

Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, immediate past chair of the AMA board of trustees and advocate for physician wellness, joins Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, to discuss the traditional barriers to overcoming the stigma of mental health in the medical community, how things are changing for the better, and resources for medical professionals in need.

Guest: Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, American Medical Association.

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Emotional intelligence is a crucial skill for today’s health care professionals. It can help you communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, cope with stress, and foster empathy and compassion. In this PermanenteDocs Chat, hosted by Alex McDonald, MD, we explore the importance of emotional intelligence in health care.

Pamela Honsberger, MD, and certified emotional intelligence trainer, shares her insights and tips on how to cultivate and enhance your emotional intelligence. Discover practical strategies to improve your communication, empathy, and stress management skills in a health care setting.

Guest: Pamela Honsberger, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Director of Physician Development and Support in Orange County, and certified emotional intelligence trainer.

Resources:

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
Dare to Lead and The Gifts of Imperfection by Dr. Brené Brown
Atlas of the Heart by Dr. Brené Brown
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Dr. Kristen Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab

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Don't miss out on this inspirational conversation with Ved Gossain, MD, endocrinologist and former chair of the Senior Physicians Section Governing Council at the AMA. Dr. Gossain shares insights on mentoring the next generation of doctors, staying engaged in their careers, and the importance of equity, inclusion, and diversity in medicine. Moderated by Alex McDonald, MD, family medicine physician with Southern California Permanente Medical Group.

Guest:
Ved Gossain, MD, American Medical Association

Healthcare #Mentorship #MedicalEducation #EquityInMedicine #DiversityInMedicine #PhysicianLeadership #AMA #PermanenteMedicine #Healthcarepodcast

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Don't miss out on this inspirational conversation with Stella Dantas, MD, longtime physician leader at Northwest Permanente and current president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She sits down with Alex McDonald, MD, of Southern California Permanente Medical Group, to discuss the nuances of physician leadership, addressing the critical issue of physician burnout, and the importance of fostering a culture where physicians are nurtured and supported.

Listen now.

#PhysicianLeadership #StellaDantas #WomensHealthCare #PhysicianBurnout #CultureInMedicine #Quality #Safety #Diversity

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Discover how AI and other technologies are revolutionizing health care delivery, the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches, and the ongoing need for education and training to adapt to these changes in our latest episode of PermanenteDocs Chat.

Our guest, Graham Walker, MD, assistant physician in chief and clinical informatics lead at The Permanente Medical Group, joins host Alex McDonald, MD, from the Southern California Permanente Medical Group to explore the dynamic landscape of health care technology and its impact on patient care. Learn how artificial intelligence and other innovations are enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Guest

Graham Walker, MD, assistant physician in chief and clinical informatics lead with The Permanente Medical Group

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Listen now for valuable insights on the intersection of medical ethics and evidence-based medicine. Guest Audiey Kao, MD, PhD, vice president of ethics at the American Medical Association, discusses how ethical principles can help healthcare professionals navigate complex medical decisions, ensuring patient safety and well-being. He also explores the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in healthcare.

About the guest: Audiey Kao, MD, PhD, vice president of ethics with the American Medical Association

Host: Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group

Watch on YouTube.
Visit Permanente.org to learn more.

medicalethics #evidencebasedmedicine #healthcare #ethicaldecisions #patientcare

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Check out this episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat as host Alex McDonald, MD, and John Andrews, MD, vice president of GME Innovations with the American Medical Association, discuss the future of medical residency programs. You'll gain valuable insights on the medical training landscape, including the role mentorship and innovation play in developing tomorrow's physicians.

Watch or listen now to discover the latest trends and developments driving the future of residency programs.

About the guest: Dr. John Andrews is the vice president of GME Innovations with the American Medical Association. He brings a wealth of experience and insight to the state of medical education and residency programs.

Subscribe to our channel for more discussions on health care innovation and education.

ResidencyPrograms #MedicalEducation #Medicaltraining #Innovation #Healthcare

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Join host Alex McDonald, MD, and guest Leonid Pravoverov, MD, FASN, in this PermanenteDocs Chat as they discuss the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to slow kidney disease. Learn about the value of early detection, lifestyle modifications, and new medications in the treatment and management of chronic kidney disease. Gain valuable insights this National Kidney Month and discover the latest in all things related to kidney care.

About the guest: Dr. Pravoverov is the physician leader of Kaiser Permanente National Kidney Care Services and assistant chair of Nephrology and medical director of ESKD Services at The Permanente Medical Group.

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In this video, Margaret Lozovatsky, MD, FAMI, VP of Digital Health Innovations at the American Medical Association, explores the partnership between physicians and artificial intelligence in healthcare, focusing on AI's role in clinical decision support. Watch now to learn about current AI trends and why physicians should be involved in shaping AI policies where they practice. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion on AI and healthcare! #AI #artificialintelligence #physicians #clinicaldecisionsupport #healthcare #WatchNow

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With the growing popularity of social media as a source of information, how critical is it to have the physician voice in platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok? This PermanenteDocs Chat with host Alex McDonald, MD, and guest Kevin Pho, MD, founder and editor of KevinMD.com, explores this question and more. Listen the replay above to hear them talk about the use of blogs and podcasts to share health information, and what the benefits or challenges are for physicians using social media.

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Host Alex McDonald, MD, and guest Megan Srinivas, MD, MPH, infectious disease specialist, clinical instructor, AMA ambassador, and Iowa state representative, discuss the importance of storytelling in the medical field. They highlight how sharing personal and patient stories can build trust, improve patient care, influence policy changes, and combat medical misinformation.

Dr. Srinivas shares her personal experience using storytelling to advocate for patients and effect change. She also recommends many free resources for physicians interested in improving their storytelling skills.

This episode is co-presented with the American Medical Association.

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A 5-month pilot program conducted with Permanente pediatricians at Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center showed clinicians can have positive, productive gun safety conversations with patients at the point of care. For this PermanenteDocs Chat, we continued the conversation about the physician’s role in firearm safety and research to curb gun violence with host Alex McDonald, MD, and guest Sabrina Perrino, MD.

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People can’t see it, but artificial intelligence (AI) is running behind the scenes in chatbots for customer service on websites or making recommendations on things to buy. But how much of AI innovation is in use for care delivery? In this PermanenteDocs Chat, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with Sangeeta Marwaha, MD, of The Permanente Medical Group, to learn about the potential of AI to improve health care.

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Tune in to our latest podcast episode for a fun conversation on the importance of patient engagement with Charu Soni, MD, pediatrician and physician director of Leadership Development and Culture at Kaiser Permanente Carson Medical Offices and South Bay Medical Center.

In this episode, Dr. Soni shares her insights on the benefits of patient engagement, which include better health outcomes and improved physician job satisfaction. She also shares tips for making connections and building trust with patients, such as personal detail recall and using technology to help facilitate ongoing patient-physician communication.

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In recognition of World AIDS Day, join us for a compelling discussion about Kaiser Permanente's integrated approach to HIV care. Hosted by Alex McDonald, MD, this episode features guest Colin Fields, MD, from the Washington Permanente Medical Group. Discover how the National HIV/AIDS Strategy aims to end the epidemic.

Tune in for insights and solutions that will shape HIV awareness for a new generation.

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In this podcast episode, host Alex McDonald, MD, and guest Christine Sinsky, MD, vice president, Professional Satisfaction from the American Medical Association, discuss the terminology related to physician well-being, including burnout and moral injury. They also highlight the impact of external constraints on health care professionals and the need to address these challenges.

Tune in for insights into the health care environment's impact on physician well-being.

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Curious about how small changes in your lifestyle can lead to significant improvements in your health? Join host Alex McDonald, MD, and Regina Ragasa, MD, as they dive deep into the world of lifestyle medicine. In this conversation, they'll unveil the magic of the 90/10 rule and demonstrate how your daily choices can have a profound impact on your well-being.

Don't miss this engaging conversation on a topic that's near and dear to our hearts.

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In our recent PermanenteDocs Chat, in collaboration with the American Medical Association, host Alex McDonald, MD, and guest Sandra Fryhofer, MD, dove deep into the timely topic of COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines.

During this conversation, Dr. McDonald and Dr. Fryhofer explored the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy. They delved into the safety and efficacy of vaccines, sharing valuable insights to help physicians help patients make informed decisions. Plus, they revealed strategies physicians can apply to build trust with their patients – a critical aspect of health care in today's world.

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Tune in to this thought-provoking episode on heat waves and health as host Alex McDonald, MD, engages in a conversation with Frederick Chen, MD, chief health and science officer at the American Medical Association (AMA). Together, they explore the link between climate change and public health, shedding light on the impacts of extreme weather events, vector-borne illnesses, and the implications for patients of all ages. Dr. Chen shares his expertise on the physician's role in preparing for climate-related challenges, educating patients and communities, and advocating for health-focused climate solutions.

Discover the steps physicians can take to drive positive change and advocate for health-focused climate solutions.

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In this episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat, Asha Patton-Smith, MD, a psychiatrist from the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, explores the topic of social media’s effect on children. In conversation with host Alex McDonald, MD, Dr. Patton-Smith highlights the potential consequences of excessive screen time, the importance of monitoring, and recognizing when children might be missing out on real-world experiences, such as outdoor play and face-to-face interactions. 

Listen to get a deeper insight into this timely issue and its implications in today’s digital landscape.

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As the residency year begins for many, this PermanenteDocs Chat takes a look at the supply of GME programs and other innovative ways to advance training.

Host Alex McDonald, MD, chats with Sanjay Desai, MD, chief academic officer with the American Medical Association (AMA). Listen to their discussion about continuing education for physicians and gain insights on GME programs to ensure a steady pipeline of doctors to meet the country's health care needs.

This podcast is produced in collaboration with the AMA.

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This podcast episode goes beyond the buzz of artificial intelligence and delves into efforts to evaluate AI's potential in health care through a new research grant program. Host Alex McDonald, MD, chats with Vincent Liu, MD, an internal medicine physician with The Permanente Medical Group and senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research. "Doctors who embrace AI will replace those who do not," says Dr. Liu, who also serves as principal investigator of the Augmented Intelligence in Medicine and Healthcare Initiative (AIM-HI).

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During Pride Month, we talked with Emile Pinera, MD, internist with The Southeast Permanente Medical Group, about his experience as a gay physician. Dr. Pinera, physician lead for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity for the medical group, shares insights with host Alex McDonald, MD, on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in accessing quality health care and how clinicians can foster inclusivity within the medical field.

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Technology is a double-edged sword in health care, providing innovation and advanced techniques that allow physicians to provide quality care to patients. But some technology can also burden clinicians and contribute to burnout. In this PermanenteDocs Chat, Amanjot Sethi, MD, director of Wellness Operations at The Permanente Medical Group, talks with host Alex McDonald, MD, about the challenges of health IT and growth of virtual care, and what programs are available to support clinician well-being.

Program notes:

See related Permanente Medicine Podcast

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Hawaii had the lowest death rate among COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. In this episode, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with Tarquin Collis, MD, chief of Infectious Disease with the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group about innovative strategies employed by the medical group that contributed to the low death rate for the state.

Dr. Collis also helps physicians understand what to consider in ongoing treatment for long COVID, discussing potential benefits of vaccination and the medical group's targeted long COVID clinic in Honolulu.

Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of the strategies, preventive measures, and treatments that contribute to high-quality care for COVID patients in Hawaii.

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For Mental Health Month in May, we check in on the mental well-being of clinicians. In this episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, host Alex McDonald, MD, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Permanente psychiatrist Ashley Zucker, MD. Dr. Zucker brings her expertise and insights to the table, shedding light on effective strategies for clinicians to cope with ongoing pressures and to help maintain their mental well-being.

Whether you are a physician, clinician, or a health care worker, this episode offers valuable guidance on maintaining mental wellness and finding balance in the face of industry challenges and change.

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Clinicians can play a role to mitigate the effects of climate change, and also help address the growing health issues stemming from environmental factors. In this episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with Anne C. Toledo, MD, a family medicine physician at Northwest Permanente, who shares her insights on what health conditions physicians should be prepared to care for in patients living in a changing environment.

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Host Alex McDonald, MD, welcomes Ericka Gibson, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist from The Southeast Permanente Medical Group in Georgia, who shares details of the medical group's innovative Cocoon Pregnancy Care Program. The program is designed to specifically address health disparities in maternal care by providing comprehensive, patient-centered care for pregnant patients, particularly vulnerable populations such as Black pregnant women. Listen to how Permanente physicians and care teams address risk factors, such as hypertension, improve maternal health outcomes, and positively impact the lives of mothers and their babies.

Program notes: Referenced in discussion the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (https://www.cmqcc.org/)

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Join us for Episode 5 of PermanenteDocs Chat, featuring Kapil Dhingra, MD, emergency medicine physician with The Permanente Medical Group and physician-in-chief at Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center. In honor of National Doctors’ Day, Dr. Dhingra reflects on the challenges faced by health care workers in today's post-pandemic state, from financial and labor challenges to hostility from the public. Host Alex McDonald, MD, leads the conversation in this informative and engaging chat. Don't miss it!

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In this episode, we explore the intersection of smart technology and health innovation. PermanenteDocs Chat host Dr. Alex McDonald talks with Dr. Tad Funahashi, orthopedic surgeon with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group and chief innovation and transformation officer for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. They discuss how smart technology is changing the health care landscape and what innovation means in medicine. Learn also about what Dr. Funahashi was doing in Singapore recently, and, yes, he even offers up an opinion about Chat GPT.

Program notes:

Reference to Dr. Davidoff is Dr. Ramin Davidoff, executive medical director and chair of the board of Southern California Permanente Medical Group.

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In this PermanenteDocs Chat, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with Matthew Solomon, MD, a cardiologist with The Permanente Medical Group, about Dr. Solomon’s cardiology-related research and what he often tells patients about maintaining a healthy heart.

Dr. Solomon oversees a population management program for patients with thoracic aortic conditions across Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. He discusses how a multi-disciplinary team practicing Permanente Medicine provides comprehensive cardiac care for patients.

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Looking at how people can support the advancement of women physicians, chat hostDr. Alex McDonald talks with Dr. Ramona Snipes, emergency medicine physician and assistant executive medical director, Human Resources and People Strategy of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Dr. Snipes also highlights the benefits of a diverse workforce and discusses health equity issues and how physicians can create a more inclusive environment for all patients.

In this premiere episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat recorded during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with guest Fonda Mitchell, MD, about her journey as a Black female doctor. Dr. Mitchell is physician director of Government Relations and Medical Associations at The Southeast Permanente Medical Group in Georgia, and serves as president of the Medical Association of Atlanta.