Medical Matters

For lovers of books and literature everywhere, it's fairly common to encounter a favorite author who's also a doctor: Arthur Conan Doyle, William Carlos Williams, Walker Percy, Anton Chekov, Robin Cook, Abraham Verghese, Oliver Sacks, Michael Crichton, et al. What's far less common is finding an English professor who decides (north of the age of forty, no less) to become a doctor -- yet such is the case with Terrence Holt, a physician and medical school prof based in the Division of Geriatric Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. We speak with Dr. Holt about his well-regarded new collection of autobiographical tales, "Internal Medicine: A Doctor's Stories," and about his journey as a writer and doctor more generally. We also chat with Scott Hensley, who writes and edits stories for Shots, the Health Blog from NPR News. Scott (who's kindly subbing today for Gary Schwitzer) joins us to address recent topics in the realm of medical news, namely Americans' ideas and concerns about Ebola and the "surrogates" used in certain medical studies. And finally, our commentator Alice Dreger ponders why and how doctors will sometimes compose narratives about their patients. This program originally aired on Public Radio 89.5 KWGS.

Stigma from illness keeps sufferers in the dark, where they’re ashamed to give voice to their afflictions out of fear and embarrassment. Dr. Anne Hallward, a psychiatrist in Maine, is giving voice to those living in the shadows and talks to host John Henning Schumann about her work. Gary Schwitzer of HealthNewsReview.org reviews the week's health news, and medical humanist Alice Dreger shares a meditation on using data to guide her own health care. This program originally aired on Public Radio 89.5 KWGS.

On this edition of Medical Matters, Dr. John La Puma, also known as “Chef MD”, shares how it is that what we eat has such a huge impact on our physical and emotional well-being. Chef MD short videos are seen on PBS and "REFUEL," a nutrition guide aimed specifically at men, is Dr. La Puma's latest book. Gary Schwitzer of HealthNewsReview.org reviews the week's health news, and Janet Pearson shares with us a meditation on worry. This program originally aired on Public Radio 89.5 KWGS.

Host John Schumann speaks with Elisabeth Rosenthal of the New York Times, author of Paying Till It Hurts, a series on health care costs in the New York Times. Gary Schwitzer of HealthNewsReview.org reviews the week's health news, and Shara Yurkiewicz reads her viral essay Post Operative Check. This program originally aired on Public Radio 89.5 KWGS.

Host John Schumann speaks with Rishi Manchanda, author of the TED Book "The Upstream Doctors," regarding new ideas in medical education and so-called 'social determinants of health.' Gary Schwitzer of HealthNewsReview.org reviews the week's health news, and essayist Margaret McCartney from Glasgow teaches us to be wary of 'over-screening' in medical care. This program originally aired on Public Radio 89.5 KWGS.

Host John Schumann speaks with Leslie Kernisan, a geriatrician in San Francisco and author of the "GeriTech" blog. Gary Schwitzer of HealthNewsReview.org reviews the week's health news, and we hear an essay from Janet Pearson about the experience of enrolling her husband in Medicare. This program originally aired on Public Radio 89.5 KWGS.

Host John Schumann speaks with Daniel Siegel, a UCLA psychiatrist and author of the best-selling new book "Brainstorm." Gary Schwitzer of HealthNewsReview.org reviews the week's health news, and we present an essay by Harvard Medical Student Shara Yurkiewicz entitled "Being Sorry." This program originally aired on Public Radio 89.5 KWGS.

Host John Schumann speaks with Sherry Glied, a health economist who served as Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services from 2010-2012. Gary Schwitzer of HealthNewsReview.org reviews the week's health news, and we hear a reflection from Janet Pearson on the term "nanny state." This program originally aired on Public Radio 89.5 KWGS.