Episode 2 – ¡Viva La Revolución!

I am honored and excited to present to you Episode 2 of The Phunky Diabetic Podcast, which I’ve entitled: “¡Viva La Revolución!”

In today’s episode, I spoke with Dr. Victor Montori, renowned diabetic specialist, one of the top researchers in clinical medicine and social science, co-creator of the concept of “minimally-disruptive medicine,” co-founder of the Patient Revolution, recipient of numerous professional awards and author of more than 650 peer-reviewed publications and the fantastic book, Why We Revolt.

Dr. Montori was incredibly gracious, not only in agreeing to speak with me and giving me an hour of his time to speak on Zoom, but in RE-recording his portion of the interview after I had a complete technology FAIL happen on my end!

I’m sorry you won’t be able to watch our Zoom conversation, but you can listen to our re-produced discussion covering a variety of topics, from the greed and uncaring current healthcare system and how it reminds me in many ways of the failing criminal justice system, to how Dr. Montori is trying to convince his fellow medical professionals to judge less and care more, to how Dr. Montori and his colleagues in the KER Unit at the Mayo Clinic work with patients to figure out the best, most “minimally-disruptive” treatment for each individual patient, to the International Potato Center in Peru!

Whether you’re in perfect health or a professional patient like me, I urge you to listen to the episode, read Why We Revolt, and join the Patient Revolution.

You shouldn’t receive different quality healthcare depending on how much money you make or what racial or ethnic group you’re in, just like you shouldn’t be subjected to different versions of the criminal justice system for those same reasons.

Even those of us with decent insurance are fed up with ten-minute doctor’s visits, with at least half the time spent sitting there while your doctor types away their electronic visit summary.

Not only are we, as patients, receiving insufficient medical care and either prescribed unnecessary meds and tests or denied much needed treatment and testing, but healthcare professionals are also burnt out, overworked, understaffed, underfunded, and experiencing empathy fatigue.

We’ve all watched as physically and emotionally exhausted doctors, nurses, EMTs, and hospital support staff put their lives at risk in order to test and treat those of us with COVID-19.

We owe it to ourselves and each other to demand more careful and kind healthcare for all and better working conditions for those working in the medical community.

Dr. Montori’s ideas for a revolutionized healthcare system that caps profits, provides free essential medicine to all patients, and puts the focus back on the patient are so refreshing, completely feasible, and well-defended against the inevitable criticisms.

Take a listen to today’s episode and then join la revolución!

Feel free to contact the podcast if you have any questions or comments regarding this episode, or have any thoughts on what you’d like to hear discussed in future episodes.

Very soon, I’ll make the podcast available on other listening platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.

‘Til the next episode, stay safe, stay healthy, stay well.

All my best,

Kate