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In this Unfiltered episode of Fixing Healthcare, co-hosts Dr. Robert Pearl and Jeremy Corr are joined by cardiologist and burnout expert Dr. Jonathan Fisher for an up-close look at two pressing challenges in healthcare: the persistent issue of medical errors and the growing erosion of public trust in the U.S. healthcare system.
Dr. Pearl kicks off the discussion by highlighting a staggering statistic—400,000 people die annually from diagnostic errors in the U.S., with another 400,000 suffering permanent disability. Despite these figures, the conversation around AI in healthcare tends to focus on its limitations rather than its potential to reduce human error. Drs. Fisher and Pearl explore why physicians struggle to acknowledge medical mistakes and how shifting the culture to one of psychological safety and continuous learning could help.
The conversation later pivots to the recent assassination of a prominent healthcare CEO and the surprising public response on social media. Fisher and Pearl dissect the public’s growing disillusionment with the healthcare system, emphasizing the deep emotional pain that many Americans experience when they feel powerless to access or afford the care they need.
Key topics discussed in this episode include:
- Medical errors and AI’s potential role in reducing misdiagnoses
- The hidden fears and pressures physicians face in acknowledging mistakes
- Rebuilding trust in healthcare leadership amid rising public frustration
- The emotional toll of poor healthcare access and affordability
- Balancing new technology with traditional patient care
- Setting meaningful goals for healthcare organizations in the new year
For more raw, insightful 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.