Becker's Healthcare and The Truth About the American Healthcare System
Prospective Doctor (from MedSchoolCoach)
Release Date: 12/14/2023
Prospective Doctor (from MedSchoolCoach)
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“Why wait for change when you can create it yourself?” was the driving question that inspired Dr. Kim Tranquada to explore the innovative world where telehealth meets global health disparities. Dr. Kim Tranquada, passionately known as” Dr. T”, is an emergency physician with over 25 years of diverse experience, ranging from academic institutions to the VA healthcare system. Currently, she's pioneering the Healthcare Alliance for an Equitable World, an international telehealth initiative aimed at bridging the global healthcare workforce gap. She spoke with host, Dr. Erkeda DeRouen...
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“It's important to tune into yourself and really figure out what is it that you want. Being open to the possibilities and proactive about your career can lead you to unexpected and fulfilling paths.” Dr. Nishi Bhopal, a Board Certified Integrative Psychiatrist and Sleep Physician, delves into the diverse and often unexpected paths that a medical career can take with host, Dr. Erkeda DeRouen. Dr. Nishi Bhopal shares her personal journey, detailing her transition from internal medicine to psychiatry, and the internal and external obstacles she faced along the way. Dr. Bhopal's story is a...
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"It doesn't matter how busy you are in life. If you don't make your intimate partner a priority, then they might as well not even be in a relationship.” Dr. Kate Mangona speaks the truth about relationships with Dr. DeRouen in this episode of Prospective Doctor. Dr. Mangona is a pediatric radiologist passionate about marriage and intimacy coaching. She also hosts the podcast Love Lab MD and brings a unique perspective, having personally encountered the challenges of balancing relationships while pursuing her medical career and supporting her husband’s journey into medicine. ...
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"Medicine is just the beginning, not the destination," says Dr. Charnetta Williams in an eye-opening discussion that shatters the conventional path of clinical practice in medicine. Her journey from the front lines of an Ebola response to a trailblazer in public health proves that a medical degree can be the key to doors you never even noticed were there. In this episode, Dr. Erkeda DeRouen is joined by Dr. Charnetta Williams, a seasoned professional who transitioned from the rigorous world of clinical medicine to the dynamic field of public health. With experiences ranging from direct...
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Dr. Sujin Lee, an immigrant from Seoul, Korea, initially moved to the United States to pursue a music career. After obtaining her degree, life had a different plan for her: marriage, motherhood, and a surprising yet fulfilling pivot to the medical field. In this episode, Dr. Lee speaks with Dr. Erkeda DeRouen about this journey, the challenges, and the triumphs of changing careers, balancing life as a medical student with being a mother, and the advantages of entering medicine from a non-traditional background. Her insights are not just motivational but are also peppered with practical...
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Navigating the Medical School Admissions process is a different journey for everyone, and with the process constantly changing, the road to becoming a physician is not always easy. Luckily, , Director of Advising Services at the Health Professional Student Association and Editorial Board Member of the Student Doctor Network is an invaluable resource. In this episode of Prospective Doctor, Dr. Chuck sits down with host Dr. Erkeda DeRouen to discuss how he and his organization provide aspiring health professionals the insights they need to navigate the intricate pathways of healthcare...
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While everyone’s journey into medicine is unique, it may not be unconventional. But those are the ones that bring an incredibly fresh perspective on carving one’s own path. , an OBGYN Hospitalist, Laborist, and co-founder of FemInnovation is one of those unconventional paths. Having started as a psychology major with no science background, she ventured into medicine a bit later than her peers, navigated through a post-baccalaureate pre-med program, and engaged with Alzheimer's patients before pursuing medical school at Georgetown. Her multifaceted career, including stints in academia,...
info_outlineDr. Erkeda DeRouen talks to Scott Becker, the Founder of Becker’s Healthcare, a leading healthcare media company that offers news, analysis, and guidance relating to the healthcare industry. They discuss the trending topics in American healthcare, the benefits of having hobbies outside of medicine, and the significant problems with the U.S. healthcare system.
- [00:00] Introducing Scott Becker
- [02:44] The Journey to Launching Becker's Healthcare
- [04:50] What You Must Do to Succeed in Your Journey to Medicine
- [07:38] Don't Let Medicine Define Who You Are
- [09:48] The Hottest Topics in Healthcare Right Now
- [13:37] What Scott Would Change About Healthcare
- [16:37] The Big Gap in the American Healthcare System
- [19:52] Parting Thoughts
The Journey to Medicine
Medicine is one of the most challenging yet rewarding career paths in the world. And although the journey is not always a straight line, Scott reveals the three mindsets that will help you become the very best at what you do.
1. Be Clear About Where You're Going
Be clear about your destination. Your journey to medicine needs a GPS. Having a general sense of where you're headed in your medical career provides a guiding light, steering your decisions and actions.
2. Your First Job is Not Your Last Job
Always remember your first job won't be your last. Don't stress too much about having the perfect first job straight out of med school. The journey to use medicine is like a marathon, and your initial job is merely the starting line.
3. Have Hobbies Outside of Medicine
According to Scott, the only way to become the best at what you do is to become a physician and something else. Being a doctor is essential, but it's equally as important to explore other things that define you. The physicians who burn out build their lives sorely around seeing patients. The solution lies in realizing that your medical career is not just about medicine; it's about creating a fulfilling life within and beyond the realm of clinics and hospitals.
The 3 Big Problems Plaguing American Healthcare
There are numerous problems plaguing the American healthcare system. According to Scott, they are all born from three primary issues.
1. The Math Problem
There is a huge imbalance of numbers in the American healthcare system. The American population is rapidly growing, yet the number of medical professionals remains the same. According to Scott, we are a country of about 330 million people with approximately 1,070,000 doctors. The imbalance in supply and demand in healthcare is a substantial concern. The shortage of physicians is the number one reason our country struggles to provide adequate healthcare services to the ever-expanding population.
2. The Thinking Problem
Although physicians are generally considered intelligent, we still face a thinking problem. Healthcare, according to Becker, requires a multifaceted strategy that acknowledges the complexity of the issues at hand. Rather than seeking singular solutions, the industry must adopt a comprehensive mindset that integrates various facets – from technology advancements to the thoughtful inclusion of human caregivers.
3. The Power Problem
American healthcare has a power problem - the disproportionate influence wielded by major players, such as United, Aetna, Cigna, and the former Anthem Blue Cross (now Elevate). The dominance of these major players creates an inherent power imbalance, as healthcare systems and providers find themselves dwarfed in size and influence. This power dynamic introduces challenges in decision-making, resource allocation, and overall system functionality, posing a substantial hurdle to achieving a balanced and equitable healthcare landscape.
You can reach Scott Becker on LinkedIn and check his Website for more details about his work.
To learn more about how MedSchoolCoach can help you along your medical school journey, visit us at Prospective Doctor.
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