PermanenteDocs Chat

In this podcast episode, host Alex McDonald, MD, and guest Christine Sinsky, MD, vice president, Professional Satisfaction from the American Medical Association, discuss the terminology related to physician well-being, including burnout and moral injury. They also highlight the impact of external constraints on health care professionals and the need to address these challenges.  Tune in for insigh...

Curious about how small changes in your lifestyle can lead to significant improvements in your health? Join host Alex McDonald, MD, and Regina Ragasa, MD, as they dive deep into the world of lifestyle medicine. In this conversation, they'll unveil the magic of the 90/10 rule and demonstrate how your daily choices can have a profound impact on your well-being. Don't miss this engaging con...

In our recent PermanenteDocs Chat, in collaboration with the American Medical Association, host Alex McDonald, MD, and guest Sandra Fryhofer, MD, dove deep into the timely topic of COVID, flu, and RSV vaccines.  During this conversation, Dr. McDonald and Dr. Fryhofer explored the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy. They delved into the safety and efficacy of vaccines, sharing valuable insights to he...

Tune in to this thought-provoking episode on heat waves and health as host Alex McDonald, MD, engages in a conversation with  Frederick Chen, MD, chief health and science officer at the American Medical Association (AMA). Together, they explore the  link between climate change and public health, shedding light on the impacts of extreme weather events, vector-borne illnesses, and the implications f...

In this episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat, Asha Patton-Smith, MD, a psychiatrist from the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group, explores the topic of social media’s effects on children. In a conversation with host Alex McDonald, MD, Dr. Patton-Smith highlights the potential consequences of excessive screen time, the importance of monitoring, and recognizing when children might be missing out on...

As the residency year begins for many, this PermanenteDocs Chat takes a look at the supply of GME programs and other innovative ways to advance training. Host Alex McDonald, MD, chats with Sanjay Desai, MD, chief academic officer with the American Medical Association (AMA). Listen to their discussion about continuing education for physicians and gain insights on GME programs to ensure a steady pip...

This podcast episode goes beyond the buzz of artificial intelligence and delves into efforts to evaluate AI's potential in health care through a new research grant program. Host Alex McDonald, MD, chats with Vincent Liu, MD, an internal medicine physician with The Permanente Medical Group and senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.  "Doctors who embrace A...

During Pride Month, we talked with Emile Pinera, MD, internist with The Southeast Permanente Medical Group, about his experience as a gay physician. Dr. Pinera, physician lead for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity for the medical group, shares insights with host Alex McDonald, MD, on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in accessing quality health care and how clinicians can foster inclusivi...

Technology is a double-edged sword in health care, providing innovation and advanced techniques that allow physicians to provide quality care to patients. But some technology can also burden clinicians and contribute to burnout. In this PermanenteDocs Chat, Amanjot Sethi, MD, director of Wellness Operations at The Permanente Medical Group, talks with host Alex McDonald, MD, about the challenges of...

Hawaii had the lowest death rate among COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. In this episode, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with Tarquin Collis, MD, chief of Infectious Disease with the Hawaii Permanente Medical Group about innovative strategies employed by the medical group that contributed to the low death rate for the state.  Dr. Collis also helps physicians understand what to consider in ongo...

For Mental Health Month in May, we check in on the mental well-being of clinicians. In this episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat podcast, host Alex McDonald, MD, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Permanente psychiatrist Ashley Zucker, MD. Dr. Zucker brings her expertise and insights to the table, shedding light on effective strategies for clinicians to cope with ongoing pressures and...

Clinicians can play a role to mitigate the effects of climate change, and also help address the growing health issues stemming from environmental factors. In this episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with Anne C. Toledo, MD, a family medicine physician at Northwest Permanente, who shares her insights on what health conditions physicians should be prepared to care for i...

Host Alex McDonald, MD, welcomes Ericka Gibson, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist from The Southeast Permanente Medical Group in Georgia, who shares details of the medical group's innovative Cocoon Pregnancy Care Program. The program is designed to specifically address health disparities in maternal care by providing comprehensive, patient-centered care for pregnant patients, particularly vulnera...

Join us for Episode 5 of PermanenteDocs Chat, featuring Kapil Dhingra, MD, emergency medicine physician with The Permanente Medical Group and physician-in-chief at Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center. In honor of National Doctors’ Day, Dr. Dhingra reflects on the challenges faced by health care workers in today's post-pandemic state, from financial and labor challenges to hostility f...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of smart technology and health innovation. PermanenteDocs Chat host Dr. Alex McDonald talks with Dr. Tad Funahashi, orthopedic surgeon with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group and chief innovation and transformation officer for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California. They discuss how smart technology is changing the health care landscape...

In this PermanenteDocs Chat, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with Matthew Solomon, MD, a cardiologist with The Permanente Medical Group, about Dr. Solomon’s cardiology-related research and what he often tells patients about maintaining a healthy heart. Dr. Solomon oversees a population management program for patients with thoracic aortic conditions across Kaiser Permanente in Northern California. He...

Looking at how people can support the advancement of women physicians, chat host   Dr. Alex McDonald talks with Dr. Ramona Snipes, emergency medicine physician and assistant executive medical director, Human Resources and People Strategy of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Dr. Snipes also highlights the benefits of a diverse workforce and discusses health equity issues and how phy...

In this premiere episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat recorded during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, host Alex McDonald, MD, talks with guest Fonda Mitchell, MD, about her journey as a Black female doctor. Dr. Mitchell is physician director of Government Relations and Medical Associations at The Southeast Permanente Medical Group in Georgia, and serves as president of the Medical Associ...