Pharmacists have a vital yet often underutilized role in healthcare, and Dr. Jaron Stout, PharmD, FASCP, joins us to discuss the challenges and opportunities that exist in bridging this gap. In this episode, Dr. Stout highlights systemic obstacles, including lack of education and awareness about collaboration opportunities, insufficient training on billing processes, and restrictive regulations that hinder pharmacists from fully contributing to patient care.Dr. Stout shares actionable insights on how physicians and healthcare institutions can integrate pharmacists into their teams to enhance chronic disease management, optimize medication dosing, and improve overall care delivery. He sheds light on the inefficiencies of direct supervision models, especially in nursing home settings, and advocates for general supervision to streamline operations.Additionally, Dr. Stout reveals surprising findings from his recent study on anticoagulation therapy, underscoring the critical role pharmacists play in preventing medication errors. He also discusses how institutions like CMS and the AMA support pharmacist integration, even though these pathways remain largely unknown or underutilized.This conversation goes beyond technicalities, delving into the importance of thinking critically and challenging the status quo in healthcare. Tune in to discover practical steps for leveraging pharmacists' expertise, and find out how you can access resources, such as AMA’s guide to hiring and integrating pharmacists (linked below), to take the first step toward transformative collaboration.https://edhub.ama-assn.org/steps-forward/module/2702554

DocNation welcomes Dr. Michael Gomez, a neonatal specialist with decades of experience across various practice settings, including private practice, hospitals, academic centers, and even healthcare administration. Dr. Gomez brings a unique perspective shaped by his diverse roles in the medical field, offering valuable insights into the growing disconnect between administrative goals and the core values of physicians.Dr. Gomez explores the pressure on physicians to "produce more" without clear direction, the lack of transparency in administrative decision-making, and how withholding information consolidates power at the top. Drawing from his background, he highlights the importance of aligning personal values with organizational culture and understanding the motivations driving healthcare decisions.He also shares his journey of returning to school to better understand healthcare systems and why collaboration among physicians is crucial for overcoming the challenges of modern medicine.Join Dr. Gomez and hosts Neil Dougherty, Reid Lancaster, and Justin Nabity as they discuss empowering physicians to create a more patient-centered healthcare system and the collective action needed to reshape the future of medicine.

DocNation recorded this urgent episode featuring Dr. Brian Rich, a leading physician advocate and regular Congressional witness, to highlight the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 (H.R. 10073). This bipartisan bill is a rare opportunity for physicians to come together, unite behind a common cause, and enact real change for the future of healthcare.About H.R. 10073:Extends Medicare Payment Support: The bill amends the Social Security Act to continue transitional support for Medicare payment adjustments through 2025.Boosts Payment Rates: It increases Medicare payment rates by 4.73% for services provided in 2025, addressing ongoing reimbursement challenges.Secures Patient Access and Practice Stability: This measure ensures patients can maintain access to high-quality care while providing much-needed stability to private practices. Dr. Rich makes it clear: This is the one thing all doctors can agree on. Now is the time for action. DocNation brought him to this urgent episode to spread the word and mobilize the medical community before it’s too late. Take Action Today:Find Your Representative: Visit www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and enter your ZIP code.Contact Them Now: Call or email. Explain how H.R. 10073 protects patients and strengthens practices.Demand Action: Ask your representative to co-sponsor the bill and champion its passage.Listen now to learn why this bill is critical and how you can take immediate action to make a difference. Together, we can protect and strengthen the future of healthcare.

John August joins the Doc Nation podcast to discuss the untapped power of physician collective action. Together with Dr. Anthony Giuffrida and the Doc Nation team, they explore the potential impact of unionization and strikes in healthcare, acknowledging that while strikes are rare among doctors, the power to strike—or even the threat of it—could be a game-changer. August argues that physicians are in a unique position to drive significant healthcare reform, but they’re often held back by an individualistic mindset ingrained in medical training.The discussion delves into obstacles like productivity-focused compensation structures and administrative control over quality measures, which Dr. Giuffrida notes often disrupt genuine patient care. Both August and Giuffrida stress the need for doctors to reclaim control over defining quality standards, ensuring their compensation aligns with their expertise rather than arbitrary administrative metrics.Doc Nation issues a call, encouraging physicians to unite.  While this may not necessairly mean an official physician union, they emphasize that doctors don’t have to fight alone; with support from advocates like Doc Nation, physicians can amplify their voices, challenge the status quo, and reclaim their influence in healthcare.

Dr. Sheldon Taub joins the DocNation team to reflect on the challenges facing today’s healthcare professionals and the stark generational and cultural shifts within the medical community. Dr. Taub and the hosts discuss how financial burdens, like student debt, and a shift toward financial motivations have impacted physician attitudes toward patient care. Dr. Taub shares his personal motivation to help people and his experiences practicing alongside physicians who view medicine as a calling rather than a mere job.The episode highlights DocNation's mission to empower physicians nationwide by providing unwavering support and a dedicated platform for advocacy. No matter where physicians are located, DocNation is committed to crafting customized plans to amplify their voices with impact. Through comprehensive guidance and resources, DocNation enables each physician to address pressing healthcare issues, building a unified movement to confront the challenges facing the medical profession.  If you're a physician with a story to share or need support in advocating for change, reach out—DocNation is here to help amplify your voice. 

Dr. Matt Mazurek, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Yale School of Medicine, joins DocNation to unpack the struggles and shifting dynamics within the medical profession as physicians grapple with the diminishing autonomy in healthcare. Together with Dr. Anthony Giuffrida, Reid Lancaster, andJustin Nabity, they explore the tug-of-war between the ideals of medicine and the realities of corporatized healthcare. Dr. Mazurek shares his journey back to academia, where he finds purpose in mentoring young doctors, a group increasingly aware that traditional paths in medicine may no longer hold a sustainable future. They discuss the rise in physician burnout, the taboo of unionization in medicine, and why new generations of doctors feel compelled to challenge the status quo. With stories of personal sacrifice, financial inequity, and a growing demand for real representation, the episode highlights a rallying call for doctors to reclaim their voice, professionalism, and right to meaningful work. 

Dr. Brian Rich sits down with Reid Lancaster, Justin Nabity and Dr. Anthony Giuffrida to discuss the growing influence of insurance companies in healthcare. Dr. Rich exposes how pre-authorizations and denials are delaying or preventing necessary care, while Dr. Giuffrida shares his frustrations with peer-to-peer reviews that do little to help physicians or patients. The message is clear: the corporatization of healthcare is failing physicians and patients alike.But there's hope. Dr. Rich passionately urges for action, emphasizing that real change comes not from a few loud fist pounds but from a steady, constant drumbeat on the doors of the Capitol. It’s a call for sustained advocacy and collective physician action to bring about the reforms our healthcare system desperately needs.Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the state of healthcare and the steps needed to reclaim control for physicians and better serve patients.

Dr. Kelly Cawcutt, an internal medicine doctor, dual-specialty fellowship trained infectious disease and critical care specialist, joins hosts Justin Nabity, Reid Lancaster, and Dr. Anthony Giuffrida to discuss the pervasive challenges women and underrepresented groups face in medicine. The conversation dives into the harsh realities of tokenism, inequity in leadership roles, and how bias impacts everything from board membership to patient care. Dr. Cawcutt shares candid reflections on the systemic issues that fuel physician burnout, particularly for women in healthcare, and highlights the silent but damaging "imposter phenomenon" experienced by many. The episode explores broader issues, including the mental and physical toll of overwork, the harmful effects of gender bias in patient perceptions, and the pressures on physicians as insurance companies post record profits while reducing reimbursement rates.Dr. Cawcutt's personal journey, combined with the hosts' perspectives, sheds light on the urgent need for systemic changes in healthcare. This episode emphasizes the importance of true equity in healthcare leadership and the detrimental impact of failing to address burnout. With reflections on work-life balance, representation, and the need to reimagine how medicine is structured, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of healthcare and the well-being of the professionals who power it.Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that underscores the critical role women play in improving healthcare—and how supporting them benefits not only professionals but also patients.

Adam Miller of Algos Pathways joins the DocNation podcast as we explore the growing frustrations patients face when trying to access timely and effective healthcare. Adam shares real-life examples, from patients coping with pain by modifying their daily lives to a healthcare system that often leaves patients waiting months for specialist appointments. Alongside co-hosts Dr. Anthony Giuffrida, Justin Nabity, and Reid Lancaster, the discussion highlights the critical gaps in the current system, from the lack of patient-provider interaction to the surge of boutique healthcare services offering faster, more personalized care—albeit at a cost. The conversation emphasizes how insurance restrictions, access delays, and impersonal treatment are driving patients to seek alternative care models that prioritize timeliness and attention. If your patients have ever been frustrated by long wait times or felt like just another number in the healthcare system, this episode will resonate deeply.

Dr. Kaku Barkoh shatters the illusions about career success as he delves into the 'misguided advice' handed down by immigrant and middle-class parents. In this no-holds-barred episode, Dr. Barkoh exposes the myths around pursuing careers in medicine, law, and engineering, emphasizing the harsh realities that most people overlook. We dive deep into the concept of 'wealth relativity,' the glaring gaps in business education for doctors, and the pitfalls of sacrificing autonomy for financial gain. Discover why staying independent is the key to quality healthcare and why you might need to redefine your idea of success. Don’t miss this conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about 'making it.'Dr. Barkoh's book, Become a Doctor, a Lawyer, or Engineer: Misguided Advice of Immigrant and Middle-Class Parents, releases exclusively on Amazon on October 1.

Dr. Jon Nichol delivers a raw, unfiltered reality check on the state of modern medicine. With Reid Lancaster, Justin Nabity, and Dr. Anthony Giuffrida facilitating, Dr. Nichol dives deep into the power struggle between physicians and administrators, exposing how doctors—the true frontline players—have been systematically stripped of their authority by business-minded executives who have never set foot in a hospital ward at 3 a.m. He doesn’t mince words when he argues that doctors should take back control, asserting that the lack of medical professionals in leadership roles is not just absurd but detrimental to patient care. Dr. Nichol's passionate call for a paradigm shift leaves no room for ambiguity: it's time for physicians to reclaim their rightful place at the helm of healthcare, for the sake of their profession and, most importantly, their patients. 

DocNation dives into the complexities of non-compete agreements for physicians, featuring legal insights from attorney Steve Stratman. As non-competes face increasing scrutiny at both state and federal levels, Stratman breaks down the current legal landscape, offering strategies for physicians looking to navigate restrictive contracts. From the evolving state laws banning non-competes to practical advice on negotiating contract terms, this episode equips physicians with the knowledge they need to protect their professional and personal interests. Whether you're an employer or an employee, you'll gain valuable perspectives on how to approach non-compete clauses in today’s fluid legal environment. 

In this foundational episode of the Doc Nation Podcast, the founders share how this movement came to be and why it's so critical for physicians.  We discuss the harsh realities facing physicians today, which ultimately led us to create this movement. We dive into how doctors are only taking home 7-8% of the revenue they generate, residents work long hours for minimal pay, and how they're expected to endure it all while carrying massive student debt.  The toxic culture of martyrdom in medicine has gone too far, and the emotional toll— including the heartbreaking number of physician suicides—can no longer be overlooked. Doc Nation was birthed from our frustration after spending over a decade witnessing these struggles. We realized that helping individual doctors was not enough—we needed a collective voice to truly make an impact. Whether through unionization or striking, like the one happening in Buffalo, we are committed to advocating for physicians and putting the power back in our hands. This episode is a call to action, but also a critical introduction to what we’re all about. If you're new to Doc Nation, this is the episode to listen to. It’s time to stand together, reclaim our autonomy, and bring real change to healthcare.