Fixing Healthcare

In this month’s Diving Deep episode of the Fixing Healthcare podcast, cohosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr tackle the fusion of generative AI and telemedicine, demonstrating how the combination could radically improve chronic disease care in the United States and save millions of lives.

The conversation begins at the Paris AI Summit, where U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance surprised global attendees by blasting the world’s “self-conscious, risk-averse” approach to AI. Vance warned that overregulation could “paralyze” this generation-defining technology. Pearl notes a fundamental shift is now underway, with leaders beginning to view generative AI as a force for progress rather than a threat to contain.

From there, the hosts explore the rise of DeepSeek, a new open-source AI system out of China that has opened the door to game-changing medical advances: powerful medical applications that will be affordable to produce and accessible to all. Pearl explains how DeepSeek’s use of “knowledge distillation” combined with expert specialization, data compression and real patient interactions will enable health innovators to build hyper-specialized, disease-specific tools.

The most exciting prospect, Pearl says, lies in the synergy between GenAI and telemedicine. Alone, each technology has serious limitations. Together, they create a breakthrough model for 24/7, real-time care. This innovative blend of technologies would allow doctors and patients to overcome geographic, financial and clinical bottlenecks.

Pearl outlines how these tools could provide better chronic disease control, enhance access to rare specialists and prevent medical crises before they happen. He also issues a warning: none of this will happen without fundamental payment reform. As long as physicians are paid to treat complications—not prevent them—America will remain stuck in a costly and outdated model.

Click play to hear the full conversation or check out these useful links below.

HELPFUL LINKS

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #169: How GenAI, telemedicine can fix America’s chronic disease crisis appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this Unfiltered episode of Fixing Healthcare, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome back cardiologist and burnout expert Dr. Jonathan Fisher for a candid discussion on how political decisions and healthcare policy changes are influencing doctors, patients and the broader medical system.

Drs. Pearl and Fisher examine the growing uncertainty in medicine, from potential Medicaid cuts and vaccine policy shifts to rising drug costs and global health challenges. They explore how these issues are increasing physician burnout, eroding trust in the doctor-patient relationship, and forcing clinicians to confront difficult ethical and financial dilemmas.

Key topics discussed in this episode include:

For more raw, unfiltered commentary, listen to the full episode and check out these helpful links:

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #168: How political unrest is changing American healthcare appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr dive into the latest developments in American healthcare, from a severe flu outbreak to deep Medicaid cuts that could change health coverage as we know it.

This year’s influenza season is the worst in 15 years, leading to more flu hospitalizations and deaths than COVID-19 for the first time since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, a measles outbreak in Texas is raising alarms, fueled by low vaccination rates and a surprising response from the new Health and Human Services Secretary, RFK Jr. On the policy front, federal funding cuts to Medicaid and the NIH are already affecting hospitals, academic research and public health agencies.

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the major topics covered in this episode:

Tune in as Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr break down these pressing healthcare topics and explore what they mean for the future of American medicine.

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine” about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn

The post MTT #92: The worst flu season in 15 years, a measles resurgence & Medicaid cuts appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In the latest episode of Fixing Healthcare, hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome Joe Petro, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Health & Life Sciences Solutions and Platforms.

A mechanical engineer by training, Petro offers a refreshing and sometimes surprising take on AI’s role in healthcare. Despite being at the forefront of innovation in one of the world’s largest tech companies, he describes himself as an “incredible technology skeptic.” He explains that skepticism is precisely what’s needed to ensure AI improves, rather than disrupts, the physician-patient relationship.

This conversation is part of Fixing Healthcare’s Season 10, which explores how technology—particularly AI—can reshape American medicine. Petro highlights three major shifts that will define the coming decade:

Petro sees a future where AI functions as a real-time assistant to physicians, handling administrative burdens, generating clinical insights and optimizing workflows. He envisions AI acting like an augmented intelligence tool, offering guidance at the point of care rather than replacing human decision-making.

By reducing time spent on documentation and bureaucracy, AI lets clinicians focus more on patient interactions, improving both efficiency and quality of care. A prime example? Petro recounts how an AI-powered solution helped a hospital’s chief medical officer get home in time for dinner for the first time in 25 years.

Petro likens this transformation to the “Bridge” from Star Trek—a place where AI, data, and human expertise come together seamlessly. Just as Captain Kirk relied on real-time insights from the ship’s computer, doctors will soon have an intelligent, AI-powered assistant guiding their decision-making and simplifying their workflow.

For years, physicians have bemoaned electronic health records (EHRs), blaming them for burnout and inefficiency. Petro doesn’t believe they’re going away. Instead, AI will radically improve them.

Instead of static systems that require excessive manual input, AI-driven EHRs will automate documentation, surface relevant clinical insights and anticipate physician needs without ever typing a note. In fact, Petro describes a future where doctors never have to stare at a screen during a patient visit again. Instead, AI will listen in the background, generate documentation in real-time and provide decision support without disrupting the human connection between doctor and patient. This transformation, he argues, will reduce burnout, improve efficiency and ultimately lead to better care.

A central theme of the discussion is how AI can help shift medicine’s focus from reactive treatment to proactive disease prevention. Petro describes a future where AI-powered virtual assistants track patient health data, predict complications and intervene early. All this will empower patients to manage chronic conditions more effectively.

He acknowledges regulatory and liability concerns but insists that the inevitability of AI-driven self-diagnosis will force the industry to adapt. He predicts AI-powered tools will soon deliver tailored medical insights, helping patients make informed decisions without waiting for in-person doctor visits.

Beyond these predictions, Petro doesn’t shy away from skepticism. He warns against blind faith in technology, stressing that successful implementation requires trust, rigorous testing and physician buy-in.

His passion for these topics are deeply personal. Petro shares a moving story about his mother, who struggled with health issues later in life. He emphasizes how empathetic, attentive care made all the difference for her—and how AI should be used to enable more of these meaningful interactions, not replace them.

Ultimately, Petro’s vision is both optimistic and cautionary. He sees AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human decision-making in medicine. With healthcare systems struggling under the weight of administrative burdens, staffing shortages and rising costs, he believes AI represents an opportunity to ease these pressures while improving patient outcomes.

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #167: How Microsoft’s AI solutions got a doctor home in time for dinner appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this month’s Diving Deep episode, part of the Fixing Healthcare podcast series, Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr examine three pressing topics shaping the future of American medicine: the Musk-led effort to slash government spending (including healthcare programs), the neuroscience behind irrational decision-making and the defining moment facing UnitedHealth Group in the wake of its CEO’s tragic death.

We begin the episode with Donald Trump’s second term and the launch of DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency), led by Elon Musk. The duo share a vision of cutting billions, perhaps trillions, of dollars in “fraud and waste” from the federal budget. But with Social Security, Medicare, and defense deemed untouchable, Pearl explains why the focus will inevitably turn to Medicaid and online health insurance exchanges—programs that provide healthcare access to low-income Americans. He then breaks down the consequences, which include millions of Americans losing health coverage and, therefore, access to vital medical services.

Shifting gears, the hosts explore a fascinating cognitive phenomenon called “brainshift,” a subconscious process in which perception becomes altered when people are faced with situations that involve significant fear or reward. Drawing on research he conducted with neurologist Dr. George York, Pearl explains how brainshift can make irrational choices feel rational. To illustrate this phenomenon in medicine, Pearl points to various examples of brainshift and, ultimately, touches on ways to overcome its negative effects.

Finally, the episode revisits the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the pivotal decisions now facing the company’s leadership. Pearl and Corr analyze UnitedHealth Group’s long-standing strategy of cost-cutting and claim denials, a model that has made it the largest insurer in the U.S. but also a target of public and congressional scrutiny. CEO Andrew Witty now has a chance to shift the company’s approach from restricting care to preventing illness. Pearl outlines three bold moves UnitedHealth could take.

Click play to hear the full conversation and explore what it will take to transform healthcare for the better.

HELPFUL LINKS

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine.” All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #166: Musk’s DOGE vs. healthcare + UnitedHealth’s defining moment appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this Unfiltered episode of Fixing Healthcare, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome back cardiologist and burnout expert Dr. Jonathan Fisher to explore a surprising and growing trend: the rise of physician side gigs.

The discussion opens with eye-opening statistics: 40% of doctors now have a side gig, bringing in an average of $34,000 annually. This shift marks a stark departure from the past, when physicians expected to practice medicine full-time for decades.

Drs. Pearl and Fisher debate the driving forces behind this change, from rising burnout and financial pressures to shifting generational attitudes about work and career fulfillment.

The conversation also tackles broader questions about the evolving role of doctors in modern medicine. As AI reshapes healthcare and physicians increasingly work for large institutions rather than private practices, has medicine become less stimulating? Are doctors seeking side gigs as an outlet for creativity, financial stability or a deeper sense of purpose? And how can healthcare organizations adapt to retain and empower their workforce?

Key topics discussed in this episode include:

For more raw, unfiltered commentary, listen to the full episode and check out these helpful links:

‘Just One Heart’ (Jonathan Fisher’s newest book)

‘ChatGPT, MD’ (Robert Pearl’s newest book)

Monthly Musings on American Healthcare (Robert Pearl’s newsletter)

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple Podcasts or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #165: Why doctors are doing side gigs appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In this episode of Medicine: The Truth, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr discuss some of the most pressing issues in medicine today, from the latest breakthroughs in generative AI to concerning trends in breast cancer and dementia.

A major shake-up in artificial intelligence is unfolding, with China’s DeepSeek releasing an open-source AI model that rivals industry leaders like ChatGPT and Gemini—at a fraction of the cost. Dr. Pearl explains how this could democratize AI in medicine, enabling more companies to develop specialized AI tools for chronic disease management, patient diagnosis and treatment recommendations. He predicts that within three to five years, AI-powered healthcare tools will be widely available, cutting costs while improving outcomes.

Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group’s latest earnings call sheds light on how the insurance giant plans to navigate growing public anger over healthcare costs. The company, which generated $400 billion in revenue and employs 90,000 doctors, is blaming high prices on hospitals and drugmakers. Dr. Pearl questions whether United will continue its current approach—restricting care through denials and prior authorizations—or if it will finally take the lead in reducing costs by investing in chronic disease prevention and patient health.

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the other topics covered in this episode of Medicine: The Truth:

Tune in as Dr. Pearl and Jeremy Corr untangle these complex issues and explore what’s next for medicine in America.

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Dr. Robert Pearl is the author of the new book “ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients & Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine” about the impact of AI on the future of medicine. All profits from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.

Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn

The post MTT #91: The future of AI in healthcare & the latest on vaccines, dementia, cancer appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.

In the latest episode of Fixing Healthcare, hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr welcome Munjal Shah, co-founder and CEO of Hippocratic AI, to explore how generative AI can help address one of the biggest challenges in healthcare today: the growing shortage of clinical workers.

Shah, a serial entrepreneur with a background in artificial intelligence, founded Hippocratic AI with an aim to build safe, scalable AI-powered healthcare agents that can assist with non-diagnostic patient care. In this interview, he shares his company’s progress in developing virtual solutions, lowering healthcare costs and expanding access to care.

This discussion is part of Fixing Healthcare’s Season 10, which examines how technology is reshaping medicine. Shah highlights three key insights on how AI can support healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes:

Shah describes how Hippocratic AI is developing virtual agents that call patients, provide education and support chronic disease management—all at a fraction of the cost of human outreach. Unlike AI models designed for diagnostics or clinical documentation, Hippocratic focuses exclusively on non-prescriptive, patient-facing tasks within the scope of registered agents.

With AI-driven follow-ups, healthcare providers can now check in on all at-risk patients, not just the sickest 5-10%. Shah gives a powerful example of how missed blood pressure monitoring contributed to his mother’s heart failure—an outcome that AI-assisted outreach could have prevented.

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare today is the inability to scale preventive care and chronic disease management due to limited staffing. Shah reveals that Hippocratic’s AI-powered agents operate at a cost of just $9 per hour, which he says is a game-changer for health systems struggling with resource shortages.

He envisions AI agents making millions of proactive calls, reminding patients to take their medications, checking for early signs of complications and preventing avoidable ER visits. The technology could also be used in disaster response—calling patients at risk during heat waves, hurricanes or blackouts to coordinate medical assistance.

Despite AI’s promise, Shah acknowledges that safety and accuracy remain top priorities. He explains how Hippocratic rigorously tests its models, using real nurses to evaluate and refine AI performance before deployment.

Unlike other AI tools that may hallucinate or provide misleading information, Hippocratic’s system is designed with 19 supervisory AI models to catch potential errors in real time. Shah argues that AI should complement, not replace, human clinicians—freeing them from administrative burdens so they can focus on hands-on patient care.

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Fixing Healthcare is a co-production of Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr. Subscribe to the show via Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you find podcasts. Join the conversation or suggest a guest by following the show on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The post FHC #164: AI vs. healthcare’s staffing crisis with Hippocratic’s CEO appeared first on Fixing Healthcare.