Medicine has evolved from a calling into an industry, adept at dispensing procedures and pills (and gigantic bills), but less good at actual health. Most reformers call for big, bold action. What happens if, instead, you think small?
Jul 17
Are You Really Allergic to Penicillin? (Update)
Like tens of millions of people, Stephen Dubner thought he had a penicillin allergy. Like the vast majority, he didn’t. This misdiagnosis costs billions of dollars and causes serious health problems, so why hasn’t it been fixed? We find out in this update of a 2025 episode. SOURC ... Show More
1h 5m
Jul 14
How a Great Architect Thinks, with Bjarke Ingels | Better in Person
Is the oxymoron really “the secret sauce to everything”? That’s the case Ingels makes in this debut episode of our new video show Better in Person, filmed in Stephen Dubner’s living room. If you'd like to see the video version of Better in Person, watch it on YouTube or Apple Pod ... Show More
43m 27s
Sep 2023
The Investment Implications of a Rising Federal Deficit
<p>In an idealized world of medical practice, you would go to the doctor, describe a few symptoms, undergo a few tests and then listen carefully to the doctor’s diagnosis, prognosis and prescription. The diagnosis might well be due to something entirely out of your control and th ... Show More
10m 57s
Jul 2022
Why too much medical treatment is causing more harm than good
Much of medicine doesn’t do what it is supposed to do: improve health. That is the view of orthopaedic surgeon, Ian Harris. Ian believes too many drugs are being prescribed, too much surgery is being performed, and there are too many unhelpful tests, scans, and overdiagnosis. The ... Show More
54m 57s
Jan 2022
21. Should We Pay People to Be Healthier?
Each year, millions of people get sick or die from diseases caused by their own unhealthy behavior. Getting people to change their bad habits – to quit smoking, eat better, or exercise – can be extremely hard. But what if we paid them? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. Se ... Show More
29m 18s
Dec 2018
Is This How It Is Supposed to Be?
Dr. Centor discusses the unintended consequences of the U.S. health care delivery and payment system on quality of care, physician wellness, patient satisfaction, and health care costs with Dr. Maria Maldonado. Dr. Maldonado is the author of a recent Annals "On Being a Doctor" es ... Show More
21m 15s