In this episode, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss issues with the healthcare system. They discuss ER and tertiary care, and those who could get lost in the system.

The potential for falling through the cracks along with professional decision-making is considered. In addition, first-hand experiences are examined, including the medical system and reimbursement process, plus quality-of-life issues.

Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss rising healthcare costs in this episode. Commercial healthcare costs are expected to increase by eight percent in 2025, driven by several market and related forces. This is foretold by the increase in healthcare spending in the US this year, according to a recent report from the American Medical Association.

The doctors discuss differences in Medicare, including varied plans and factors that weigh on patient care, time spent, and billing methods. They also consider possible solutions.

A further examination of the matter appeared in Forbes Magazine, which has been fact-checked.

In this episode, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss the important issue of burnout in the medical profession. The industry has one of the highest percentages of burnout, which is basically defined here.

While our hosts provide their own insights and experiences, the question of what can be done is being examined. The US Oncology Network is looking to get to the root of stress in the profession.

On this in-depth episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack take a look at the rise of hospital bankruptcies, and the effects of medical debt, especially on patient care.

Of concern is how a private equity firm profited from the recent bankruptcy of Steward Healthcare, which is referred to from this article.

The effects of this particular bankruptcy has also caught the attention of federal lawmakers.

In this episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss the GLP-1 class of drugs from the weight-loss perspective.

Ozempic has gained popularity recently and has been marketed and promoted heavily for weight-loss use. Its initial purpose is as a weekly injection to manage blood glucose levels and HbA1c in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

The side effects of GLP-1 are discussed, which can include gastrointestinal issues. In addition, the cost of Ozempic, as opposed to what it can be made for is examined.

More on that story here.

In this episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss how policy changes could leave patients holding the bag.

Elisabeth Rosenthal of KFF Health News has written widely on healthcare issues, including a recent opinion piece that recently appeared in the Washington Post.

Rosenthal is also the author of the book, An American Sickness. She discussed her findings in this NPR interview.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss the subject of aging, and how the experience in the United States perhaps differs from other nations.

Topics include loneliness, a lack of socialization, and how elderly residents are viewed in other nations. These and other subjects have been the focus of recent studies by the Yale School of Public Health--these findings can be found here.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss a recent article about Electronic Health Records. With recordkeeping increasingly moving online or "in the Cloud," more time is required to update keep patient records current. The doctors talk about the ins and outs of EHRs.

A recent article about EHRs can be found here.