Dr. Patient

Heather Johnston

A podcast that examines how today’s healthcare system affects the doctor-patient relationship and impacts how doctors and patients experience it. 

  1. Ep 30 Prevent Illness in the First Place

    APR 14

    Ep 30 Prevent Illness in the First Place

    Date: 4/15/26 Name of podcast: Dr. Patient Episode title and number: 30 Prevent Illness in the First Place Episode summary:  Preventive healthcare involves trying to keep illness from occurring, and trying to catch diseases early on in their process. It has a long history of success as an overall health approach, but less and less adults in the US are utilizing it and seeing a primary care provider. This episode reviews what preventive healthcare entails and addresses some of the more common reasons why people don't seek it out. References:  Current screening recommendations: Cancers:  - Colorectal cancer screening (variety of methods including colonoscopy) at 45-75 - Breast cancer screening (mammogram, ultrasound most common) at 40-74 - Cervical cancer screening (PAP smear) at 21-65 - Lung cancer screening (low dose CT scan) at 50-80 IF you have a 20 pack-year smoking history, or if you quit within the last 15 years Heart and metabolic conditions: - Hypertension/high blood pressure screening  - every 2 years if blood pressure is 25) - every 3 years if normal BMI - High cholesterol screening (blood test) - lots of caveats on this one - generally, a lipid panel at 40-75  - some sources say every 4-6 years starting at 20 - American Heart Associaion says waist circumference and BMI and lipid panel every 3 years for adults 40-75 with one risk factor Infectious Diseases - Hepatitis C (blood test) once between 18-79 - HIV (blood test) once 15-65 or for anyone pregnant, then regularly only if high risk  Bone health - Osteoporosis screening (bone scan) all women over 65, all post menopausal women even if less than 65 years old if increased risk Other - Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (ultrasound) for men 65-75 who have ever smoked - Depression screening (questionnaire) for everyone over 19 including pregnant/postpartum - Beyond these, your healthcare provider might also/should ask you questions about safety at home, seat belt use, your diet and exercise Links: USPSTF/US Preventive Services Task Force: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/ ACIP/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: https://www.cdc.gov/acip/index.html American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-health-screenings American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/newsroom/latest-ada-annual-standards-of-care-includes-changes-to-diabetes-screening-first-line-therapy-pregnancy-technology American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com Podcast email, become a guest: drpatientpodcast@gmail.com

    20 min

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4.9
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

A podcast that examines how today’s healthcare system affects the doctor-patient relationship and impacts how doctors and patients experience it. 

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