Gastro Broadcast Gastro Broadcast

Dr. Lisa Mathews interviews Dr. Min Dong and Dr. Meenakshi Rao of the Boston Children’s Hospital regarding new research published in Nature that shows two FDA-approved drugs can alter our body’s own immune response to treat Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) more effectively.

C. diff is the leading cause of gastrointestinal infections in the United States, and existing medications don’t always work because of antibiotic resistance, the presence of more lethal strains, and a drugs’ potential to harm good gut bacteria that prevent infection.

The study conducted by Dr. Dong and Dr. Rao found that two already approved medications reduced inflammation associated with C. diff infection in mice, allowing for their immune systems to mount a more productive response to the infection.

Listen to Dr. Mathew, Dr. Dong, and Dr. Rao as they explore what the next steps are for this research and what it might mean for the future of treating patients with C. diff.

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Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC

Original score by Hayden Margolis

Gastro Broadcast, Episode 49

This summer, four new biosimilar drugs became available to U.S. patients and several more are expected to hit the market soon.

Dr. Michael Weinstein interviews Laura D. Wingate, executive vice president, education, support, & advocacy for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation about the positive and negative implications of this development for patients.

While increased competition in the market is likely to expand the range of options available, potentially leading to reduced costs for medications, a recent survey conducted by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation found that almost 50% of IBD patients feel concerned about switching to biosimilars. Additionally, the insurance industry may limit consumer choices to these medications.

Join Dr. Weinstein and Laura as they discuss the importance of educating patients about the availability of biosimilars and how physicians can advocate for access to these safe and effective options.

Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC

Original score by Hayden Margolis

Gastro Broadcast, Episode 48

Dr. Lisa Mathew interviews Dr. Veena Shankaran, co-director of Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research, about a new study that found most patients with metastatic colorectal cancer face financial hardship after diagnosis.

While has been a lot of research on the economic burden of cancer treatment, this is the first study that looks at newly diagnosed patients. The study found that more than 70 percent of patients with metastic colorectal cancer faced financial hardship within a year of diagnosis, even with most having health insurance.

Join Dr. Mathew and Dr. Shankaran to hear how financial complications affect treatment and outcomes for many patients, and what can be to address the cost burden and provide resources for people who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC

Original score by Hayden Margolis

Gastro Broadcast, Episode 47

Dr. Fred Rosenberg interviews Harold Miller, president and CEO of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, national policy center that works to improve healthcare payment and delivery systems.

Mr. Miller discusses how our current health care model encourages consolidation and the challenges this creates for private practice physicians.

Join Dr. Rosenberg and Mr. Miller as they explore different types of healthcare payment models, including a Patient-Centered Payment System, which would allow for patients to receive the services that will best address their specific health problems, and for physicians to receive adequate resources to support the cost of delivering services in a high-quality, efficient manner.

Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC

Original score by Hayden Margolis

Gastro Broadcast, Episode 46

Dr. Lisa Mathew interviews Giselle Carlotta-McDonald, who is the executive director of Project Access-New Haven, which employs community health workers to address colorectal cancer (CRC) screening disparities among Connecticut residents, particularly in African American and Latino communities.

Project Access has been successful at reducing the CRC screening no-show rate through community health workers, who have trusted relationships and connections, understand the barriers and know how to navigate the various health care and insurance systems in the area.

Join Dr. Mathew and Ms Carlotta-McDonald to hear how Project Access is addressing barriers to screening, such as lack of access to a computer or the internet, transportation hardships, language barriers, and other social determinants that can have an impact on colorectal cancer screening.

Produced by Andrew Sousa and Hayden Margolis for Steadfast Collaborative, LLC

Original score by Hayden Margolis

Gastro Broadcast, Episode 45

For Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Fred Rosenberg interviews Dr. Abdul Saied Calvino, a surgical oncologist at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island and assistant professor of surgical oncology at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine.

Dr. Calvino helped develop a program to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and care tailored specifically to the Latino community in an effort to increase education and access to CRC screening. Spanish-speaking patient navigators were hired to help educate people about insurance concerns, guide them through the health care system and the process of getting a screening colonoscopy.

The national colonoscopy completion rate for Hispanic adults is between 40 and 50 percent, yet Dr. Calvino's program saw a colonoscopy completion rate of 85 percent among both men and women.

Join Dr. Rosenberg and Dr. Calvino as they explore how independent GI practices can implement similar programs to improve education and outreach in their own communities and increase CRC screening rates among Latino men and women.