Waiting for test results to come back
The wait can be long, and our thoughts often turn to the worst-case scenario
Jul 28, 2024•5 min
Second Opinion
An examination of medical ethics and the practitioners who define them. Sign up to receive the Second Opinion topics in newsletter form at kcrw.com/newsletters .
Episodes
Unproven Claims for Dietary Supplements
We are regularly bombarded with advertisements promoting unproven and non-approved dietary supplements. Congress has chosen to look the other way.
Jul 21, 2024•5 min
Spirituality – A Missed Opportunity to Improve Health
Medical and Spiritual Professionals are like two ships passing in the night
Jul 14, 2024•5 min
Remembering Childhood Trauma
Memory is complicated and many factors impact the retention of distant memories
Jul 06, 2024•4 min
Contingency management to end addiction
While paying those addicted to drugs to stop using has its skeptics, studies suggest it has real potential
Jun 16, 2024•5 min
Pharmaceutical gifts to healthcare providers
Gifts are unethical and drive up healthcare costs
Jun 09, 2024•5 min
Delving into the depths of Dental Care
Much of what we know about routine dental care is not based on sound science
Jun 02, 2024•5 min
Changes coming with artificial intelligence
Medicine has seen many changes over the past 30 years, but AI will be a disruptive game changer.
May 26, 2024•6 min
Medical Tourism
There are many reasons to go abroad for healthcare, but attention is needed to carefully weigh the risks and benefits.
May 19, 2024•5 min
The impact of antimicrobial resistance on human health
The World Health Organization considers antimicrobial resistance one of the top 10 threats to global health alongside climate change and pandemics.
May 12, 2024•5 min
Improving the environment to improve health
The EPA has just passed some air pollution rules that could improve our American’s health.
May 05, 2024•4 min
Confirmation Bias
Research findings are not etched in stone.
Apr 28, 2024•5 min
Brain Drain
America's dependency on foreign medical graduates, helps us but disadvantages countries around the world.
Apr 21, 2024•5 min
Those who receive the poorest healthcare in America
The medical needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often ignored, and their care suffers.
Apr 14, 2024•5 min
The importance of bird flu
We may still have some lingering pandemic fatigue but the new bird flu has the potential for significant harm if we are not careful.
Apr 07, 2024•5 min
Giving and Receiving Bad News
Would you prefer to receive bad medical news in person or over the phone?
Mar 31, 2024•5 min
The recurrence of measles in a time of misinformation
Measles, a highly contagious disease, is making a comeback in the US and we are not as prepared as we have been in the recent past.
Mar 24, 2024•5 min
Mistreated and Ignored
Institutional Care for People with Neurodiversity
Mar 17, 2024•5 min
Batwa indigenous people of Uganda
Surviving in the mountainous rainforests of Uganda.
Mar 10, 2024•5 min
Prevention in Uganda
On a national level, Uganda has made progress in health outcomes, but certain populations have been left behind.
Mar 03, 2024•5 min
Why can’t I prescribe a person a home?
Classic medical care is a start but not always enough to ensure good health.
Feb 25, 2024•5 min
Limited Access to Medical Records
Despite rules to promote the sharing of medical records, barriers still exist that reduce the quality and increase the cost of healthcare.
Feb 18, 2024•5 min
Do grades motivate learning?
As medical schools move to pass/fail grades what impact will this have on tomorrow’s doctors?
Feb 11, 2024•4 min
The health impact of microplastics
There is a critical need to rethink healthcare delivery to reduce microplastic waste
Feb 04, 2024•5 min
Superstitions and well-being
It is hard to avoid superstitions, but they are usually harmless and can provide a boost of confidence
Jan 28, 2024•5 min
Diagnosing ADHD
The condition is difficult to diagnose, and errors drive toward overdiagnosis.
Jan 21, 2024•5 min
The truth behind spinal cord stimulation
Industry tries to do what it can to keep the secret that these devices just don’t work very well.
Jan 14, 2024•5 min
In memory of a medical hero
Sidney Wolfe accomplished far more than most of us mere mortals
Jan 07, 2024•5 min
Home Testing for Cervical Cancer
If we can decrease the need for pelvic exams and improve the convenience of cervical cancer screening we can increase detection rates
Dec 31, 2023•5 min
Excessive Radiation from CT Scans
Too many CT scans are unnecessary, and the radiation can cause problems
Dec 24, 2023•5 min