Best Hesham A Hassaballa Podcasts (2025)

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More People Are Turning To AI Chatbots: How Doctors Can Properly Deal With This 18:05

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11h ago18:05

18:05

The NY Times had an article detailing how people are turning to chatbots because they are frustrated with the medical system. As a physician and patient myself, I completely sympathize with both groups. We need to fix this problem. In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa Summarizes the NY Time article (linked below) Explains why this phenomenon occurs Sugg…

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Is American Healthcare Doomed To Be A Zero Sum Game?: My Conversation With Jeff Alter 47:51

11h ago47:51

47:51

Insurance payers have the money. Providers - hospitals and doctors - want the money. This seems to be an irreconcilable conflict. Is there a middle way? I asked the perfect person this question: Jeff Alter of Sound Physicians. His insights were invaluable. Jeff Alter on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydalter/ Sound Physicians: www.soun…

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“Poof, It’s Sepsis”: Are Doctors Using AI To Inappropriately Bill Patients? 11:38

3h ago11:38

11:38

There is a growing battle between payers and providers, each using AI to get the most money. Are doctors and hospitals using these tools inappropriately? Articles: AI by Doctors: https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/20/ai-scribe-use-doctors-health-insurance-bills-may-rise/ AI by Insurers: https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/health-insurer-ai-fights-hos…

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Revolutionizing The Care Economy: My Conversation With Neal Shah of CareYaya 32:24

24d ago32:24

32:24

One of the most challenging aspects of our healthcare system is elder and sick care at home. Who can do it? How can you afford it? It can cause enormous stress. Neal Shah, CEO of CareYaya, knows this challenge firsthand, and he came up with a brilliant solution that will, in my mind, revolutionize the care economy. I sit down with Neal and hear all…

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Using AI To Become a "10x Doctor": My Conversation with Eiman Abdelmoneim 49:33

1M ago49:33

49:33

How will Artificial Intelligence affect physicians? Will it take their jobs? Will it kill all of humanity? There are so many questions with respect to AI and healthcare, and so I had the perfect guest on to get answers to all of these important questions. Eiman Abdelmoneim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eimanabdelmoneim/…

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Women in Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities 44:35

23d ago44:35

44:35

I sat down with three amazing women leaders in the Medical field - Dr. Chia-Shing Yang, Dr. Simran Matta, and April Burke PA - and had a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges facing women in medicine and leadership, and the opportunities they have as well. This is, by far, one of my most favorite episodes.…

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“Surgical Consultation Recommended” 10:26

1M ago10:26

10:26

I understand why so many Radiologists put this phrase in their reports. It can frequently make things worse, and this is one of the many bad things fear of a malpractice suit has wrought.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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What’s The Deal With Potassium In The ICU 10:46

2M ago10:46

10:46

No matter which ICU in which I work, I am asked to keep the potassium levels more than 4. Is there any evidence for this?By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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“They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To”: My Conversation With Dr. Richard Abrams 53:05

2M ago53:05

53:05

I have railed against some traits and trends of new students and residents these days. My conversation with one of my teachers, Dr. Richard Abrams, taught me a valuable lesson and made me change my attitude.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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The Travesty of “Verbal Denials” 6:54

2M ago6:54

6:54

If an insurance payer denies a claim, and we write an appeal. The very least the payer must do is write a letter in response.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Honoring Our EVS Colleagues 2:39

2M ago2:39

2:39

This is Environmental Services Week, where we honor a crucial member of the healthcare community: those who clean hospital rooms.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Your First Impression Is Your Only Impression 10:17

2M ago10:17

10:17

Patients frequently base their relationships with Doctors on their first impression. And research shows that our attire has a lot to do with that first impression. On this week's episode, Dr. Hassaballa reviews the latest evidence on Physician attire and the patient-physician relationship. Article: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/8/e100824…

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“A Day In The Life”: Telecritical Care With Dr. Eugene Yeh 25:27

3M ago25:27

25:27

What’s it like to be a Teleintensivist? I asked one of the best in the business, Dr. Eugene Yeh of Sound Physicians. He gives us an intimate view of being a remote critical care specialist. Dr. Yeh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-yeh-39ba1844/By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Mixed Feelings On Prior Authorization in Traditional Medicare 10:25

3M ago10:25

10:25

CMS unveiled the WISeR Model, a pilot of prior authorization for traditional Medicare beneficiaries. I have mixed feelings about it. NYT Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/health/medicare-prior-approval-health-care.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare CMS Press Release: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovati…

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Americans Are Drinking Less: That’s Amazing News! 5:34

3M ago5:34

5:34

Gallup’s recent poll showed that Americans are drinking alcohol at the lowest rate ever. This is something that should be celebrated. Poll Link: https://news.gallup.com/poll/693362/drinking-rate-new-low-alcohol-concerns-surge.aspxBy Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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What Doctors Can Do That AI Cannot 7:06

4M ago7:06

7:06

Artificial Intelligence can’t get get tired. Artificial Intelligence can’t get burned out. Artificial Intelligence can do a lot. There are things, however, that Doctors do that AI can’t.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Limiting Student Loans: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish 8:11

4M ago8:11

8:11

Limiting student loans for professional schools is so horribly shortsighted. Dr. Hassaballa explains why.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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AI Has Eliminated Your Job As A Radiologist, Right?: My Conversation With Dr. Safwan Halabi 40:38

5M ago40:38

40:38

Not too long ago, some predicted that Artificial Intelligence will render Radiologists obsolete. So, I sat down with Dr. Safwan Halabi, Associate Professor of Radiology at Northwestern University and Vice-Chair of Imaging Informatics at Lurie's Children's Hospital, and asked him about the effect of AI on his field now and in the future. This conver…

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The Freedom Fighters of Medicine 5:32

5M ago5:32

5:32

On July 1, new doctors start their residency. On July 4, our nation celebrates its independence. This is fitting because, truly, we in the medical field are fighting for the freedom of our patients.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Is a Mean Arterial Pressure of 65 Harmful in Septic Shock? 5:26

5M ago5:26

5:26

Typically, we titrate Vascopressors to a mean arterial pressure of 65. Does this harm patient with septic shock? Dr. Hassabolus goes over the literature.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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The Vindication Of Dr. Hassabolus 13:25

5M ago13:25

13:25

I am clearly in the aggressive fluid resuscitation camp for patients who present with septic shock or sepsis-induced hypotension. And I have been vindicated by the literature. CLASSIC: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2202707 CLOVERS: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2212663 CHEST Review: https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S…

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Do Doctors Gaslight Their Patients?: My Conversation with Dr. Chailee Moss 20:14

6M ago20:14

20:14

I was taken aback by the term, "Medical Gaslighting," used in this recent article. So, I sat down with the principal author and discussed the article and its larger implications beyond Gynecology. Article link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2833711By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Are All Plaintiff Attorneys Bad People?: My Conversation With Dr. Jeff Willis 41:25

6M ago41:25

41:25

A malpractice lawsuit can be very stressful for physicians - it sure was stressful for me. So, are all plaintiff attorneys bad people? What about those physicians who are expert witnesses for plaintiffs? I asked this and much more of Dr. Jeff Willis, an Emergency Medicine physician who left bedside practice to do medical legal consulting full time.…

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How To Do The SEP-1 Bundle Right 13:18

6M ago13:18

13:18

Like it or not, compliance with the SEP-1 Bundle is here to stay, despite its questionable effect on outcomes. We can either rail against it or learn to how do it well. In this episode, to culminate Critical Care Awareness Month, Dr. Hassaballa shares tips on how to achieve good results with the SEP-1 bundle.…

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The Man Behind PulmCCM: Great Minds in Medicine 36:13

6M ago36:13

36:13

PulmCCM is one of the best Substacks out there. So, I sat down with Dr. Matt Hoffman, Critical Care physician and creator of PulmCCM to discuss his journey and evidence-based medicine in general. Substack Link: www.pulmccm.org When Death Comes To The Intensivist: https://www.sensible-med.com/p/when-death-comes-to-the-intensivist…

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Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep 11:35

7M ago11:35

11:35

In the last episode of the “Sleep in the ICU” series, Dr. Hassaballa goes through several easy tips to help get a good night’s sleep. American Academy of Sleep Medicine Tips: https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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I Was A Nurse For A Day: It Wasn’t Pretty 7:53

7M ago7:53

7:53

Dr. Hassaballa tells the story of when he filled in as a Tele-ICU Nurse. It wasn’t a pretty picture, and it highlights how important nurses truly are to the healthcare field. A very Happy Nurses Week to every nurse in the world! There is no “care” in healthcare without nurses.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Sleep In The ICU: The Guidelines and What We Should Do 11:10

7M ago11:10

11:10

In Part 2 of the Sleep in the ICU series, Dr. Hassaballa discusses the SCCM guidelines with respect to sleep in critically ill adults and what we should do in the ICU. SCCM Guidelines: https://www.sccm.org/clinical-resources/guidelines/guidelines/guidelines-for-the-prevention-and-management-of-pa SCCM Update: https://sccm.org/clinical-resources/gui…

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"They Don't Make Them Like They Used To": My Conversation with Dr. Adam Cifu 45:27

7M ago45:27

45:27

Dr. Adam Cifu is an award-winning Medical Educator and general internist at the University of Chicago. He also writes for the fantastic Substack, Sensible Medicine. I had a wonderful conversation with him about Medical Education and how it has changed and not changed over the years. Dr. Cifu's books: https://www.adamcifu.com/books Sensible Medicine…

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Sleep in the ICU: The Classic Experiments 12:14

8M ago12:14

12:14

In the first of a two-part series about sleep in the intensive care unit, Dr. Hassaballa discusses the classic sleep deprivation studies and their implications on our own sleep.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Every Measles Death Is Too Many 6:44

8M ago6:44

6:44

Unless one has lost a child, then he or she can never know the horror of the parents who just lost a child to measles in Texas. For the latest on the Texas Measles Outbreak: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Faith in the ICU: Stories of Wonder 4:10

8M ago4:10

4:10

In the latest installment of the Faith in the ICU Series, Dr. Hassaballa recounts a story that has always stayed with him.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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ICU Lecture Series: The ICU Liberation Bundle 23:53

8M ago23:53

23:53

In this latest episode of the ICU Lecture Series, Dr. Hassaballa lectures to staff about the ICU Liberation Bundle. Link: https://sccm.org/clinical-resources/iculiberation-home/abcdef-bundlesBy Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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What Is A Blood Transfusion, Truly? 7:20

8M ago7:20

7:20

Despite multiple specialty society guidelines recommending not to transfuse blood if the hemoglobin levels are above 7-8 g/dL, many physicians disregard the recommendations. Why is that? Dr. Hassaballa discusses this issue. Article referenced in the show: https://www.pulmccm.org/p/guidelines-on-red-cell-transfusion…

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ICU Lecture Series: Metabolic Acidosis 16:43

9M ago16:43

16:43

In this latest ICU lecture series, Dr. Hassaballa discusses metabolic acidosis: how to diagnose it and what to do about it.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Great Minds in Medicine: Dr. Elaine Chen 43:25

9M ago43:25

43:25

What would someone who is BOTH a Critical Care and Palliative Care Doctor say about palliative care in the ICU? I asked one. Links from the show: The Coleman Palliative Medicine Training Program: https://colemanpalliative.org/ Research Articles referenced in the episode: Norton SA, Hogan LA, Holloway RG, Temkin-Greener H, Buckley MJ, Quill TE. Proa…

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From the Appeals Desk: Coding Clinics and Sepsis 7:14

9M ago7:14

7:14

Many payers state that a 2016 Coding Clinics article allows them to deny sepsis DRGs. This is not true, and Dr. Hassaballa goes into the article and what is specifically says about sepsis. And, he issues an unequivocal condemnation of the murder of Brian Thompson.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Great Minds in Medicine: Dr. Sergio Zanotti 40:32

9M ago40:32

40:32

In the latest installment of the "Great Minds in Medicine" series, I sit down with Dr. Sergio Zanotti, Critical Care Chief Medical Officer for Sound Physicians. We had a wide-ranging discussion about medicine, critical care, and healthcare in general. It was, perhaps, one of my favorite conversations. Discussed during the podcast: The Ventilator (H…

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Faith in the ICU: Does Being a Physician Weaken My Faith? 6:40

10M ago6:40

6:40

Given that physicians frequently make life and death decisions, especially in the ICU, does being a physician weaken one's faith? Dr. Hassaballa reflects on his own experience of faith and being a doctor.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Most Oncologists Do Not Refer to Palliative Care. What? 12:34

10M ago12:34

12:34

Despite a strong recommendation by the American Society of Clinical Oncology in its guidelines, recent surveys indicate very few, if any at all, Oncologists refer patients to Palliative Care. This is a huge disservice.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Great Minds in Medicine: Dr. Mohammad Alo 50:18

10M ago50:18

50:18

I sit down with Dr. Mohammad Alo, America's Cardiologist and great friend of mine, and we discuss all things cholesterol and social media best practices for Doctors. Dr. Mohammad Alo on X: https://x.com/MohammedAlo Website: dralo.net/linksBy Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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What If An Unresponsive Patient Is Actually "In There"? 13:07

10M ago13:07

13:07

Recent research shows that a substantial minority of patients have cognitive motor dissociation. This has many important implications for our practice of critical care medicine. NEJM Study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2400645 NY Times Column: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/11/opinion/covert-consciousness-unresponsive-brain.html…

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Journal Club: Is Rapid Correction of Hyponatremia Dangerous? 9:10

11M ago9:10

9:10

Dr. Hassaballa discusses this recent review article and meta-analysis of the correction rate of hyponatremia and clinical outcomes.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Journal Club: Small-bore vs Large-bore Chest Tube for Hemothorax 10:44

11M ago10:44

10:44

In this episode of Journal Club, Dr. Hassaballa discusses the recent study comparing small-bore to large-bore chest tubes for hemothorax drainage.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Happy Birthday, Booboo. 3:27

11M ago3:27

3:27

Daddy misses you so much.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Faith in the ICU: Doctors Should Not Shy Away 5:42

11M ago5:42

5:42

In a new series on Healthcare Musings, Dr. Hassaballa discusses faith in the ICU and how Doctors should not shy away from faith. It can be an added asset in the right circumstance.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Journal Club: Long Term Oxygen Therapy 10:48

12M ago10:48

10:48

A recent study showed that you don’t need oxygen all day, every day. That’s welcome news for patients needing chronic oxygen.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Social Media For Doctors: A Conversation with Austan Lundeen 31:04

12M ago31:04

31:04

Marketing is literally in Austan Lundeen’s blood. So, I sat down with him to get tips on how to best use social media as a clinician.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Why We Vaccinate Against Measles 11:10

12M ago11:10

11:10

This highly contagious virus can absolutely kill children.By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

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Journal Club: IV vs. IO in Cardiac Arrest 9:09

1y ago9:09

9:09

A study showed no difference between IV and IO access in cardiac arrest. Yet, I have some questions. Study link: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2407616By Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP