Explore the evidence that links the microbiome to crucial aspects of brain health, including mood and cognition. This 14-minute podcast describes the mechanisms that link the microbiome and the brain and the foods that fuel this connection. The discussion provides actionable insights for guiding patients toward health-promoting foods that nourish both microbial and mental wellbeing.

In today's episode, join Dr. Michaela Kerrissey, Assistant Professor of Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, as she explores the intricacies of 'Teaming' in Healthcare. Discover how healthcare teams address cross-organizational challenges, team dynamics, team development, and learn how clinicians can foster collaboration. Dr. Kerrissey will also discuss team hierarchy, psychological safety, and more in this insightful discussion.

Advances in genetics research and its application in medical practice have given medical professionals the resources they need to target specific treatments, tailored to patients' individual needs, environment, and genetic profile. With all the advances in patient care, however, research in human genetics can cause harm to underrepresented populations in health care, particularly when there is an attempt made to identify genetic causes responsible for traits core to an individual's identity.

In this episode, we'll discuss these ramifications, and how physicians can better connect with their patients.

Misconceptions about race, ethnicity, and genetics have a long and complicated history in medical practice. The mis-categorization of populations has had dire consequences to testing, treatment, and patient care approaches. But what steps can physicians take to ensure that inclusive and equitable practices replace "race-based" medicine, adopting a precision medicine approach in its place?

In this episode, we'll discuss this and more.

Illicit or nonprescribed opioid use in pregnancy has escalated dramatically in recent years, paralleling increases observed in the general population amid the opioid epidemic. As a result, maternal mortality studies in several states have identified substance use as a major risk factor for pregnancy-associated deaths. Physicians are being called to take an active role in recognizing and addressing opioid misuse and untreated opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy.

In this episode, we'll discuss the nuances of how we screen, assess, and care for pregnant people with OUD including the intricacies of mandatory reporting.

Traditionally, medical treatments have adopted a "one-size-fits-all" approach with what's been perceived as the "average person" in mind, using characteristics such as genetic makeup or the genetic profile of a disease. Today, we can consider individual differences in people's genes, environments, and lifestyles. But what happens when modern science, ethics, and genetic research are conflated with the history of physicians in the American eugenics movement?

In this episode, we'll explore the legacy and promise of applying medical treatments that take individual differences into account using a historical context.

Addressing the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of dying patients includes pain management. But how have increasing concerns and policies that target opioid misuse impacted pain management options?

In this episode, we’ll discuss how balanced opioid policies and maintaining medically legitimate access to controlled pain medications are possible. We’ll also discuss the ethical concerns and common misconceptions of pain management for dying patients with opioid use disorder.

Viewed through an evidence-based lens, opioid use disorder (OUD) is a treatable, chronic medical condition. But one-size-fits-all policies and detoxification as a primary treatment for OUD are often, at best, ineffective and at worst, cause harm.

In this episode, we discuss applying a prevention framework to guide action and policy through prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. The prevention framework uses data-driven processes that consider predisposing risk factors and social determinants of health in addition to evidence-based prevention strategies. It offers physicians a powerful tool to combat OUD and the opioid overdose epidemic.

Opioid use disorder, or OUD, is a treatable medical condition. However, disparities in access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) continue to be a challenge. We’ll examine disparities in access for people with disabilities, racial and ethnic variations to access, and geographic maldistribution of relevant providers and services. Addressing access to MOUD is a critical piece in combating the opioid overdose epidemic.