Leadership in Modern Medicine: Balancing Art and Science with Dr. Robert Pearl

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In Episode 412 of 'Relentless Health Value,' Stacey Richter interviews Dr. Robert Pearl, former CEO of Kaiser Permanente, to discuss the evolution and current state of leadership in medicine. The conversation explores the balance between the art and science of medicine, touching on how advancements in technology and data have transformed healthcare. Dr. Pearl emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices while maintaining the human element of patient care. He introduces his A to G model for effective healthcare leadership, which includes aspirations, behaviors, context, data, engagement, faculty, governance, and incentives. Throughout the episode, the focus remains on improving patient outcomes and clinician engagement in a rapidly changing medical landscape.

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04:50 What is the idea of the art of medicine?

09:29 EP407 with Vivek Garg, MD, MBA.

09:32 Why has the intrinsic motivation of doctors plummeted?

09:48 Patient perspective versus doctor subjective response.

12:36 Why is there a fundamental change in what doctors and medical professionals can take pride in?

14:38 What did change management look like in the past?

15:24 “What does a patient really want? They’d like not to have a stroke, a heart attack … in the first place.”

20:23 “How do leaders achieve evolution?”

23:57 “Incentives always work … the problem in medicine is, they rarely work the way you planned.”

24:20 What’s the way to make change happen, and why doesn’t it involve financial incentives?

28:10 What do leaders in organizations today consistently underestimate?

29:11 What are the three parts of leadership?

29:25 What is the hardest part about leadership?

31:31 Dr. Pearl’s two books, Mistreated and Uncaring.