68. The E.R. Doctor’s Dilemma

In the newest show from the Freakonomics Radio Network, host Zachary Crockett explores the hidden side of the things around us. This week: One creature’s trash is another’s cash. (Or, how one man found profit in pee.) 

A sneak peek at Bapu's new book, Random Acts of Medicine, available now from Doubleday, and an announcement about the show. 

Couples get divorced for all kinds of reasons. Is having kids one of them? Bapu talks about research that investigates what happens to parents who unexpectedly have twins. Plus, an announcement about the future of the show. 

Patients care apps - which give patients unprecedented access to their health records - are being rolled out by NHS trusts across the country. You might imagine, says Will Self, that 'this previously unimaginable access to such a wealth of medical data should empower me, make me ... Show More

Dr. Dean Mitchell discusses how artificial intelligence in medicine can benefit everyone in this episode with Dr. Michael Segal, pediatric neurologist and founder of SimulConsult. They explore how AI aids doctors in making faster, more accurate diagnoses, leading to better patien ... Show More

A troubling disconnect between medical expertise and insurance mandates is putting patients' health at risk. Policies like step therapy and prior authorization are forcing individuals into treatments not recommended by their doctors—often with devastating consequences. In this ep ... Show More

How do you predict which intermediate-risk patients will suddenly deteriorate? What role do risk scores, biomarkers, imaging, and hemodynamics play in decision-making? Should these patients receive anticoagulation alone, or is thrombolysis warranted? When should you consider cath ... Show More

When I track down the doctor who treated my mother in the 1970s, I'm left with the uneasy sense that a minor medical procedure done four decades earlier has life-altering ramifications. 

Do you have a difficult patient in your practice? It can be frustrating and time-consuming to manage them. However, understanding why a difficult encounter may occur can help you better manage the situation. This video explores two historical risk factors that can lead to a diffi ... Show More

We often assume that we can’t fix the big problems we see in the world around us. And that trying is for suckers - who’ll just end up sad, exhausted and defeated.  Dr Laurie Santos and Dr Jamil Zaki meet people who have tried to make a difference in their communities - often agai ... Show More

Becoming the first licensed woman physician in America was tough, convincing male surgeons to wash their hands between patients was even tougher. In this classic episode Josh and Chuck pay tribute to a genuine pioneer in medicine and society.See omnystudio.com/listener for privac ... Show More

Thrombocytopenia is a puzzling, yet common problem in the ambulatory setting, on the wards and certainly in critically ill patients! Having an understanding of why it matters, why it can happen and what we should do about it, is of paramount importance to you if you are committed ... Show More