61 episodes

The Pursuit of Health is a weekly podcast dedicated to a thorough exploration of the American Healthcare System at a critical time in our nation’s history. The podcast’s creator and host, Dr. Eric Fethke, is a pediatric cardiologist and educator trained at Columbia University, with over 25 years of experience practicing medicine. Students, professionals, and everyday people alike are invited to learn from guest experts who are pursuing groundbreaking work to improve America's health. Join us on our journey towards a better healthcare!

The Pursuit of Health Podcast Dr. Eric Fethke

    • Health & Fitness
    • 4.8 • 16 Ratings

The Pursuit of Health is a weekly podcast dedicated to a thorough exploration of the American Healthcare System at a critical time in our nation’s history. The podcast’s creator and host, Dr. Eric Fethke, is a pediatric cardiologist and educator trained at Columbia University, with over 25 years of experience practicing medicine. Students, professionals, and everyday people alike are invited to learn from guest experts who are pursuing groundbreaking work to improve America's health. Join us on our journey towards a better healthcare!

    Ep 43: Overmedicated America, Advocacy and Patient-Centred Medicine, with Patrick Alonso

    Ep 43: Overmedicated America, Advocacy and Patient-Centred Medicine, with Patrick Alonso

    We have a problem with prescriptions. A major problem.
    We take a step back from our recent policy-focused guests, to welcome licensed pharmacist, host of Men's Health Unscripted podcast, and founder of Your Tampa Healthcare Advocate, Patrick Alonso.
    Patrick is on the front line with patients, and was empowered to change the tide of problematic prescriptions through first-hand family experience.
    The issue is polypharmacy. Multiple doctors prescribing different medications, siloed from each other, resulting in patients being put at risk. 
    This is where his role as advocate comes in, with Patrick supporting, informing and empowering patients to know their healthcare better than anyone, and treat themselves like gold.
    In the face of deceptive advertising, lax food and drug policy and a dysfunctional system, Patrick provides patient-centred medicine. The medicine is a tool, but should not be a crutch!


    Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

    • 56 min
    Ep42: Sepsis, Early Detection and Hope Through Diagnosis: with Dr. Robert Scoggins

    Ep42: Sepsis, Early Detection and Hope Through Diagnosis: with Dr. Robert Scoggins

    It’s time to get to grips with sepsis.
    The statistics are stark: sepsis is killing 250,000 people in our country every year - and yet we’re still only getting to grips with why it happens, how we can identify it, and how we ensure effective treatment.
    On a mission to better our understanding is Dr. Robert Scoggins, a leading figure in pulmonary and critical care medicine who serves as Chief Medical Officer of Cytovale, a private company building cutting-edge technology to identify sepsis.
    He takes us through its medical definition, the huge importance of catching it early, the SEP-1 protocol, and how Cytovale’s tech holds promise for the future.
    Screening systems are in place for heart attack and stroke - it’s time we have the same for sepsis.
    Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

    • 51 min
    Ep41: Healthcare From The White House with Dr Don Berwick

    Ep41: Healthcare From The White House with Dr Don Berwick

    “In the United States we don’t ration medicine, we ration people.”
    We are honored this week to welcome an esteemed author, pediatrician, educator and co-founder of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Dr. Don Berwick.
    Dr. Berwick has dedicated his career to reigniting our healthcare system, to ensure it can meet the needs of disadvantaged people, and limit the excess profits being hoarded as wealth by the powers that be.
    Formerly serving as the former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under Barack Obama, he knows the details of our system inside out - challenging misinformation and calling out partisan refusals to collaborate for the good of everyone, not just the stakeholders.
    In our discussion, he shares his story, his experiences in government, common misconceptions about his philosophies, his worry at the corporatization of our system, and some seeds of hope amidst a climate of greed.
    “Anybody that says we can't meet the needs of the American public isn't reading the information. What they mean is, we can't meet the needs of the American public and satisfy all the greed that we've unleashed in the current system.”



    Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

    • 47 min
    Ep40: Reversing Traditional Incentives, Access To Healthcare and Community: with Dr. Andrea J. Boudreaux

    Ep40: Reversing Traditional Incentives, Access To Healthcare and Community: with Dr. Andrea J. Boudreaux

    We need to transition our industry from being about sickness, to being about wellness.


    Imagine a system that rewarded providers for keeping patients well; that reimbursed practices for patients with better metrics.


    That’s the type of system dreamt of by this week’s guest, Dr. Andrea J. Boudreaux, Executive Director of Children’s School Services team in Washington, D.C.


    Having come face to face with the structural issues plaguing healthcare, she chooses action: making fundamental differences for children and families in low-income neighborhoods by bringing healthcare to schools, shelters and in virtual checkups.


    From throwing community health fairs, to holding policy makers and stakeholders to account in finance-focused meetings, Dr. Boudreaux is creating tangible change, upholding a focus on diversity and inclusion, and incentivizing equitable access for everyone!


    Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

    • 52 min
    Ep39: Rural Healthcare, Vulnerability, and Community with Dr David Schreiner

    Ep39: Rural Healthcare, Vulnerability, and Community with Dr David Schreiner

    It’s time to talk about rural healthcare.
    Enter this week’s guest, Dr. David Schreiner, PhD, who is fresh off the press with his new book Be The Best Part of Their Day.
    As President and CEO of Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Illinois, David knows the intricacies of delivering healthcare in rural communities with compassion and efficacy.
    And it shows, with his hospital boasting some of the best stats for quality in the country - priding themselves on a system that forefronts the doctor-patient relationship, values each member of staff that makes the hospital tick and emphasizes gratitude every step of the way.
    A passionate community advocate, David shares openly on the daily administrative challenges, the wider reform needed to our system and the vulnerability of the rural population in our country.
    Join us!

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4
    Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4



    Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

    • 50 min
    Ep38: Insurance, Depoliticizing Healthcare, and Doctors For America; with Keshia Bradford

    Ep38: Insurance, Depoliticizing Healthcare, and Doctors For America; with Keshia Bradford

    Use your voice.
    This is the key take-home message for physicians, medical students and residents, from Keshia Bradford.
    As Project Manager of Doctors for America, Keshia is on the frontline, witnessing the current state of our healthcare system in unflinching detail.
    In giving us a history of our healthcare and health insurance system in the U.S., Dr. Bradford reveals the urgent need to depoliticize healthcare policy, bring the patient's voice to the table, and ensure equitable access for all.
    A proactive, passionate, tireless educator, today’s conversation is a call for advocacy.
    Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4
    Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ericfethkemd and checkout my website at www.EricFethkeMD.com.

    My brand new book, The Privilege of Caring, is out now on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6H6QN4

    • 48 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

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