Guest: Valluvan Jeevanandam

Heart transplants are among the most complex procedures in medicine. Without performing transplants on a consistent basis, it is argued that transplant teams may not be able to maintain the utmost level of precision requisite for care. In cities like Chicago, which has five transplant centers, are there factors preventing one or more of these hospitals from achieving the highest standard of care? Is there an efficient way to remedy the prospective dilemma for Chicago and other urban centers in a similar situation? Host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill considers the potential value of redundancy among these programs, and whether there is an ideal number of transplant centers for a major metropolitan area, with Dr. Valluvan Jeevanandam, professor of surgery and chief of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

Guest: James Webster

Often, healthcare workers are unaware of the particular needs, expectations, and belief systems of minority groups. Dr. James Webster, professor of medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and president of the Chicago Board of Health, and host Dr. Maurice Pickard discuss the ways that gaps in understanding can adversely affect medical outcomes.

Guests: Diana Mason, Charlene Richardson

Every day, nurses are relating on a personal level with their patients. Undoubtedly, it can be a rewarding interaction, but when patients and their visitors are unhappy, nurses bear the brunt of the anger. Sometimes, this anger even turns to violence. What administrative resources can help you protect nurses and other healthcare workers, and are these resources accessible both at big hospitals and at small clinic institutions? Are there substantive and ongoing legislative efforts, on each level of government, to protect our safety? Dr. Diana Mason, a registered nurse and editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Nursing, and Charlene Richardson, a registered nurse and an advocate for workplace safety, answer these questions and many more in their conversation with host Dr. Jennifer Shu.

Guest: William Jiranek

Many countries around the world maintain a national joint registry, which collects evidence of successful trends in joint implantation, and provides opportunities to find areas for improvement in the procedures, devices and techniques we use. In the absence of a national system, as is the case in the United States, state-level programs may help us gather data. What are the keys to building a statewide joint registry? Dr. William Jiranek, associate professor of orthopaedics and chief of the adult reconstruction section of orthopaedic surgery at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, currently leads a campaign across the state of Virginia to create a statewide joint registry. He joins host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill to share his perspective on his efforts in Virginia and the larger national issues at play.

Guest: Aaron Carroll

As a physician, will you be better off under a John McCain or a Barack Obama health plan? How about as a patient? Join host Dr. Bill Rutenberg and his guest Dr. Aaron Carroll, associate professor of pediatrics and director of the Center for Health Policy and Professionalism Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine as they examine what's in store for us and our patients. Dr. Carroll shares with us his ideas for a better and more affordable healthcare system. 

Guest: Devon Herrick

The drug bill for consumers continues to grow, but there are things they can do about it and doctors have ways of helping their patients in this regard. Dr. Devon Herrick, senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, tells host Bruce Japsen about the latest developments doctors and their patients should be aware of when it comes to paying for their prescriptions, including how to be a smart shopper. 

Guest: John Jernigan

Life-threatening Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections occur most frequently in healthcare settings among patients with weakened immune systems. What do clinicians need to know about preventing MRSA in hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers and other healthcare facilities? Dr. John Jernigan, chief of the interventions and evaluation section in the division of healthcare quality promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), delves into the debate over universal screening for MRSA, as well as contact precautions and decolonization regimens, with host Dr. Jennifer Shu.

Guests: Matthew Golden, James G. Hodge, Jr.

The CDC has suggested that expedited partner therapy for those with certain conditions such as sexually transmitted diseases is recommended. However, the act of providing medications or prescriptions without an exam or established relationship causes legal and professional concerns among physicians. What is the current legal situation for physicians providing expedited partner therapy? Join Dr. Cathleen Margolin as she talks with attorney James Hodge of the Center for Law and the Public’s Health / Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Dr. Matthew Golden, associate professor of medicine at University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Golden is also director of the STD Control Program for Public Health in Seattle and King Counties in Washington.

Guest: W. David Hardy

Dr. David Hardy, director of infectious disease at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, emphasizes that we already have methods for prevention of the HIV epidemic, especially among gay men and African-Americans. He tells host Dr. Maurice Pickard that, if implemented, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's new recommendation for testing, that does away with exceptionism, would go a long way towards diagnosing the 25 percent of cases in the United States that are not identified.

Guest: Jay Berkelhamer

Vaccines are one of our greatest public health successes, yet the nation's vaccine financing and delivery system is failing. The number of new vaccines advised for our young patients has nearly doubled in the last 5 years, just as the cost to fully immunize a child has increased substantially. Is our system broken beyond repair, or is relief in sight? Dr. Jay Berkelhamer, senior vice president and chief academic officer at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and past president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, joins host Dr. Jennifer Shu to talk about the pressing need for improvements in the mechanisms through which we pay and provide funding for vaccines.

Guest: Richard Scheffler

Can we quantify the physician shortage?  What is the projection for primary care needs in the future as the population ages?  Dr. Richard Scheffler, professor of health economics and public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, and chair in healthcare markets and consumer welfare, endowed by the office of the attorney general for the state of California, goes against the conventional wisdom that we are suffering from a shortage of doctors. He discusses his views of the healthcare crisis with host Dr. Leslie Lundt.

Guest: Thomas Saving

Give patients and providers incentives to manage costs. Teach patients to shop for healthcare and think twice before choosing unnecessary healthcare services.  Incentivize patients to better manage their disease.  These are some of the keys to funding our health care system according to our guest, Dr. Thomas Saving, director of the Private Enterprise Research Center at Texas A&M University, trustee of the social security and Medicare trust fund and author of the book, The Diagnosis and Treatment of Medicare.  Join us to learn how economic policy can help fund healthcare.  Hear also Dr. Saving's health care policy suggestions for the next administration.

Guest: Mark Herrmann

Guest Mark Herrmann tells us what it means when a prescription drug or medical device is described as "off-label".  Mr. Herrmann also explains that a physician can legally prescribe any drug for any purpose and that his exposure for malpractice liability is based upon whether he met the legal "standard of care", not whether he complied with the drug or device's approved use as authorized by the FDA.

Guest: Anthony S. Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health discusses the sentiments and mood after the XVII International Conference on AIDS at Mexico City.  He emphasizes the need for societies and individuals to implement effective and multifaceted treatment and preventive programs, advance human rights, and invest in AIDS and health care systems. Can therapies that are already at our disposal help stop this pandemic? Hosted by Dr. Maurice Pickard.

Guest: Valluvan Jeevanandam

The Chicago metropolitan area is home to five adult heart transplant centers, equal to Philadelphia for the most in one city in the United States. Some say this figure is a tribute to the determination of Chicago's hospitals to collectively become a national leader in heart transplantation. Others believe this is a serious strategic gaffe. What are the key policy questions at hand? Dr. Valluvan Jeevanandam, professor of surgery and chief of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, talks with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill about the process of developing a transplant facility at a medical institution.

Guest: Jordan Berlin

Cancer researchers used to work in silos and would not share information until it was accepted for publication. Multi-disciplinary, intra-institution and inter-institution research teams are challenging the status quo. Is this a good thing, and what are the challenges? Join host Dr. Bruce Bloom as he discusses these critical issues with Dr. Jordan Berlin, associate professor of medicine and clinical director of gastrointestinal oncology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Guest: Jeffrey Hageman

Once thought to be a problem mainly in healthcare settings, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are becoming increasingly common in the community. How can MRSA spread through the environment, and how can this spread be prevented? Jeffrey Hageman, an epidemiologist in the division of healthcare quality promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a subject matter expert on MRSA infections, details the special considerations for managing MRSA in public settings, such as schools and athletic facilities. Dr. Jennifer Shu hosts.

Guest: B. Rick Mayes

Pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a controversial diagnosis and everybody has an opinion on medications like Ritalin. Dr. Rick Mayes, associate professor of public policy at the University of Richmond's department of political science and a faculty research fellow at the Petris Center on Healthcare Markets and Consumer Welfare at University of California, Berkeley, reminds us that this ongoing dialogue doesn't really reflect the scientific validity of ADHD and its treatment, but rather gives us a window into what happens when science is translated into public policy, rules and even the law. Dr. Leslie Lundt hosts.

Guests: James G. Hodge, Jr., Matthew Golden

For many years the treatment of those infected with sexually transmitted diseases has included recommendations for including the notification and treatment of partners. Lately medical researchers and legal minds are studying how patient’s partners are accessed and treated by the medical system. They are proposing more effective methods for disease prevention and control. Join Dr. Cathleen Margolin as she talks with attorney James Hodge of the Center for Law and the Public’s Health / Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Dr. Matthew Golden, associate professor of medicine at University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Golden is also director of the STD Control Program for Public Health in Seattle and King Counties in Washington.

Guest: W. David Hardy

A new test to differentiate recent from older HIV infections may help experts more accurately track prevention programs. Host Dr. Maurice Pickard is joined by Dr. David Hardy, director of infectious disease at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Hardy talks about new statistics from the CDC indicating significant increase in the diagnosis of HIV and AIDS in young men and African-Americans.

Guest: Joel Ginsberg

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) strives to ensure that quality health care is provided without discrimination. GLMA Executive Director Joel Ginsberg talks about their advocacy and education efforts, while offering insight into medical concerns of particular import to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

Guest: James King

Family physicians are at the forefront of organized medicine's push to get their patients and U.S. consumers a medical home. But Dr. James King, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about financial and legislative roadblocks to achieving this goal of a medical home that could not only provide better patient care but save the health-care system money and increase access.

Guest: Scott Gottlieb

What percentage of the federal budget is allocated to Medicare? And what are possible reforms based on its current impact with healthcare providers? Join Dr. Michael Benson as he speaks with Dr. Scott Gottlieb - internist, resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington D.C. think tank, and contributing healthcare opinion writer for the Wall Street Journal - to discuss the current state of Medicare and possible reform.

Guest: Francois deBrantes

Many health plans have devised rating systems for physicians and some monetarily reward physicians based on performance. What are the criteria that make the physician rating systems as transparent and fair as possible? Which health plan providers are using the most accurate measures to evaluate physician quality? Where do these systems fail? Join host Dr. Bill Rutenberg to explore the issue of physician evaluation methodologies with our guest Francois deBrantes, CEO of Bridges To Excellence, a national not-for-profit designing programs to recognize physicians for quality care.

Guest: Geoffrey Joyce

In a fascinating conversation with Senior Medical Economist of the Rand Corporation, Geoffrey Joyce PhD, host Dr. Bill Rutenberg learns how economists value healthcare. How much is a year of life worth? What is the “Standard Gamble?” What are the differences in health care rationing between the United States and other countries? As the conversation continues they discuss the effectiveness of pharmacy benefit managers and Medicare Part D in managing healthcare costs.

Guest: David Johnson

David Johnson, Managing Director of Citi’s Industry Leading Health Care Group, discusses how America's pride in individualism, faith in the market and a winning tradition may cause us not to address social inequities. We thus practice healthcare management rather than manage health. Join us for an interesting interview hosted by Maurice Pickard.

Guest: Michelle McMurry

Will our outlook on health care change with the next President's administration? Dr. Michelle McMurry, director of the Health, Biomedical Science, and Society Policy Program at the Aspen Institute, shares questions and answers that the Institute gleaned from Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. Despite the candidates' differences on other issues, there are actually some key similarities. What are they? Find out more with host Bruce Japsen.

Guest: Sam Nussbaum

While physician ranking systems are in their infancy, a California Healthcare Foundation survey showed upwards trends in the number of patients that are gathering information and selecting physicians based on these systems.  How can a subjective, non-clinical ranking system have any legitimacy? The Chief Medical Officer of WellPoint, Dr. Sam Nussbaum, tells host Dr. Larry Kaskel how and where these systems add value both to the physician and to the patient and why they are here to stay. Hearing what a patient has to say about the physician experience may help you find ways to improve. 

Guests: Diana Mason, Charlene Richardson

Workplace violence against nurses occurs at an unacceptable rate in healthcare settings. Research and personal experience tells us that too many stories of violence go untold. How can individuals and healthcare facilities address and prevent workplace violence against nurses? Dr. Diana Mason, a registered nurse and editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Nursing, and Charlene Richardson, a registered nurse and an advocate for workplace safety, share valuable insight into personal prevention and safety measures that will help mitigate these concerns. Dr. Jennifer Shu hosts.

Guest: William Jiranek

Routine joint replacements are more common in the United States than in any other country. With each case, patient follow-up brings us evidence to measure the success of the surgery and to measure against other techniques and devices used for similar procedures. Are we collecting this data to the best of our ability? Host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill welcomes Dr. William Jiranek, associate professor of orthopaedics and chief of the adult reconstruction section of orthopaedic surgery at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, to speak about the value of a national joint registry, as seen in other nations, including Sweden, Britain, Norway and Australia, which have adopted this concept. How do the overseas databases impact our approach to these surgeries? In the absence of nationwide data collection in the United States, how can we improve our outcomes?

Guest: B. Rick Mayes

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) holds the distinction of being the most extensively studied pediatric psychiatric disorder and one of the most controversial. Does the response from the public and from healthcare institutions impact our diagnosis and treatment of patients with ADHD? Dr. Rick Mayes, associate professor of public policy in the department of political science at the University of Richmond in Virginia, and a faculty research fellow at the Petris Center on Healthcare Markets and Consumer Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley, joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss how one community has improved care for their children with ADHD.

Guest: John Jernigan

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for eight percent of all hospital-acquired infections in the United States, leading to upwards of 20,000 deaths per year. Several states have passed legislation mandating screening of hospital patients for MRSA. How effective are these screening programs? Dr. John Jernigan, chief of the interventions and evaluation section in the division of healthcare quality promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), talks with host Dr. Jennifer Shu about the CDC's role in controlling MRSA infections in healthcare settings.

Guest: Leah Binder

Consumers are inundated with information about healthcare, whether they peruse the Internet or learn about it on television in their homes. Are some educational materials more effective in providing patients the information they seek? Leah Binder, chief executive officer of the Leapfrog Group, tells host Bruce Japsen about the information sources toward which you should guide your patients.

Guest: Thomas Saving

In 75 years ½ of GDP of this country will be in healthcare if we continue to pay the way we are now says our guest  Dr. Thomas Saving, director of the Private Enterprise Research Center at Texas A&M University.  Dr. Saving speaks with host Dr. Bill Rutenberg about alternative sources of healthcare funding.  They discuss taxes, health savings accounts and individuals paying for their own healthcare.  The current payment system does not provide rewards for efficiency.

Guest: Toni Mills

A term doctors and patients will increasingly hear about as a way to improve patient care and perhaps rein in costs, the medical home is gaining momentum, whether it receives mention within your local healthcare system or out on the presidential campaign trail with Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. Toni Mills, executive director of the Office of Clinical Affairs for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, explains how the group's member health plans are making efforts to encourage the medical home and to better the doctor-patient relationship. Bruce Japsen hosts.

Guest: Mark Herrmann

Mark Herrmann, a partner at the internationally recognized law firm of Jones Day and a defense attorney for drug and device companies in product liability cases, discusses the legal concept of preemption. How does this doctrine protect drug and device manufacturers from tort litigation? Mr. Herrmann explains the preemption issue which is to be decided in a Supreme Court case later this year. He also outlines the public policy cited by supporters and detractors in this conversation with host Dr. Larry Kaskel.

Guest: Anthony S. Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health speaks about the daunting challenges 25 years after the discovery of HIV as the pandemic continues to rage worldwide. In particular he describes the factors that have not made it possible to develop a vaccine despite our success in the past with this intervention in other viral illnesses.  Hosted by Dr. Maurice Pickard.

Guest: Jordan Berlin

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the United States is in the midst of the longest sustained period of flat federal funding for cancer research. In what ways does this lapse in financial support hinder our ability to find cures and save the lives of patients suffering from any of a range of illnesses? How does it impact the livelihood of our researchers? Host Dr. Bruce Bloom discusses these critical issues with Dr. Jordan Berlin, associate professor of medicine and clinical director of gastrointestinal oncology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Guest: Jeffrey Hageman

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections have made news, closed schools and sometimes confused the public. How serious of a problem is MRSA in the community at large? How can we provide reliable and accurate information about MRSA to our patients? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National MRSA Education Initiative is a new resource that can arm physicians with answers. Jeffrey Hageman, an epidemiologist in the division of healthcare quality promotion at CDC and a subject matter expert on MRSA infections, joins host Dr. Jennifer Shu to share more about this countrywide program.

Guest: Aaron Carroll

Who controls our professional lives? The policymakers do, of course. Join host Dr. Bill Rutenberg and his guest Dr. Aaron Carroll, associate professor of pediatrics and director of the Center for Health Policy and Professionalism Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine as they explore how healthcare policy is made. Dr. Carroll will discuss his work on the physician-pharmaceutical industry relationships and how doctors really feel about national health care.

Guest: Devon Herrick

Telemedicine has been slow in moving toward acceptance, but a new study shows this concept is on the verge of taking off, as insurers and employers begin to take notice. Dr. Devon Herrick, senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas, tells host Bruce Japsen about the status of reimbursements for doctors wanting to do more telemedicine consultations and the general promise of this technology for doctors and their patients. 

Guest: Frank Burroughs

Should the terminally ill have access to drugs that haven't made it through the FDA approval process? If they are promising and there is no other hope, Frank Burroughs of the Abigail Alliance says they should. He set up the orginazation when it became apparent that his 21 year old daughter Abigail would die because she couldn't get access to some drugs that might have saved her life. Host Paul Raeburn interviews Burroughs, who is passionate and knowledgable about this critical issue.

Guest: Tangerine Brigham

Is healthcare for the working poor possible? Can a major American city afford it? Tangerine Brigham, deputy director of health with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and director of the Healthy San Francisco program, says that it is. Host Dr. Michael Greenberg discusses the program as a preventative care medical home with Ms. Brigham, addressing its accomplishments, critics, and potential as a model for other localities.

Guest: Samantha Collier

Having difficulty getting people on board for the quality improvement movement? Dr. Samantha Collier, the chief medical officer of HealthGrades, one of the nation’s largest independent healthcare ratings companies, tells host Bruce Japsen about how doctors and others need to get behind the rating movement before it's too late.

Guest: George Sheldon

The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 limited the number of graduate medical education and residency positions. Is this act responsible for the physician workforce shortage? Dr. George Sheldon, professor of surgery at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, uses the 'perfect storm' analogy to explain why healthcare workforce shortages continue to grow. Host Dr. Bill Rutenberg explores solutions to workforce shortages with Dr. Sheldon, including mini-medical schools, opening more residency positions, nursing doctorates and more.

Guest: Michelle McMurry

Beyond cost controls and care for the uninsured, we must address a number of other fundamental issues as part of any long-term fix for our healthcare system. The Aspen Institute Stewardship Project aims to do just that. Dr. Michelle McMurry, director of the Aspen Institute's Health, Biomedical Science, and Society Policy Program, tells host Bruce Japsen about the institute's bipartisan effort to focus the healthcare debate on these fundamental issues.

Guest: Kristine A. Rapp

While relationships are changing between physicians and pharmaceutical companies, doctors still need pharma to provide direction with comparative drug efficacy, among other things. Kristine Rapp, vice president of global ethics and compliance at Hospira, Inc., speaks about the need for continuing medical education and other learning tools to be presented with impartiality and fairness. Dr. Maurice Pickard hosts.

Guest: Julie Salamon

We know graft-versus-host disease is a common complication in transplant patients. How can this also be happening at an institutional level? Julie Salamon's recent book, Hospital-Man, Woman, Birth, Death, Infinity Plus Red Tape, Bad Behavior, Money, God and Diversity on Steroids, offers a glimpse of her year-long journey through Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Salamon joins host Dr. Leslie Lundt to discuss the complex cross-cultural implications of 21st century American medicine.

Guest: Bertha Madras

Designed to engage the medical profession to screen patients for alcohol and drug abuse, SBIRT is a public health approach to early intervention and treatment for individuals at risk for developing these disorders. Dr. Bertha Madras, Deputy Director of Demand Reduction in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy joins host Dr. Bill Rutenberg to explain SBIRT: Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment. Is the program effective?  How can a physician implement SBIRT into an already packed patient visit? Can a physician be reimbursed for the screening? Join us to find out.

Guests: Diana Mason, Charlene Richardson

Workplace violence in healthcare settings is a significant yet often underreported public health problem. Patients are most likely to commit these crimes. Nurses and mental health professionals are most commonly the victims. Within the workplace, where does violence occur most frequently? What are the key risk factors we can look for in working to put a stop to it? Host Dr. Jennifer Shu welcomes Dr. Diana Mason, a registered nurse and editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Nursing, and Charlene Richardson, a registered nurse and an advocate for workplace safety, for an important discussion about key aspects of the ongoing struggle to ensure the security and well-being of our nurses in healthcare venues.

Guest: M. Harvey Brenner

As countries around the world feel the effects of America's major economic swoon, we recognize that the state of healthcare delivery is not immune to widespread financial woes. Several pertinent questions come to mind: how are public health policies affected? Are physician prescribing behaviors influenced? Do we see radical changes in accident- or disease-related mortality rates? Dr. Harvey Brenner, professor of public health at the University of North Texas School of Public Health, shares insights with host Dr. Mary Leuchars about the impact of economic stress on public health.

Guest: William Jiranek

One of your patients undergoes routine hip replacement surgery. Months later, you learn that they are now suffering with significant pain that appears to be secondary to the procedure. What's next for this patient? Is there a bona fide mechanism through which we can report both positive and negative procedural outcomes? Dr. William Jiranek, associate professor of orthopaedics and chief of the adult reconstruction section of orthopaedic surgery at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, outlines our need for a comprehensive joint registry to track surgical outcomes. Dr. Mark Nolan Hill hosts.