Robert Pearl, Kevin Pho, M.D.

Robert Pearl

Kevin Pho, M.D.

Washington, DC, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • Kevin Pho, M.D.
  • Forbes
  • Hachette Book Group

Past articles by Robert:

3 shocking health care statistics for 2023

A trio of health care statistics cast an intense and unflattering light on a nation in crisis, showing that most of the U.S population will soon be on some form of government-sponsored health insurance, and that there are economic pressures mounting for states and the federal government due to rising Medicaid costs, Medicare trust fund insolvency, and employee deductibles. → Read More

Health care leadership: Making medicine a team sport

How health are leaders can evolve medicine from being an individual sport to being a team sport and how this can help in achieving better quality, greater access to care and cost savings simultaneously. → Read More

Amazon, CVS, and Walmart are playing health care's long game

For large retailers, the recent acquisitions and partnerships aren't ends in themselves. They're opening moves in a long game that will play out over a decade or longer. Though many bumps and barriers could derail their progress, it would be foolish to bet that none of these behemoths will succeed, especially given what they've accomplished in retail. → Read More

The middleman mentality is killing American medicine

Success will require leaders to use their hearts, brains and spines — the three (metaphorical) anatomic areas needed to drive transformative change. Though the anatomy of leadership isn't taught in medical or nursing schools, the future of medicine depends on it. → Read More

Amazon vs. Apple: Only one will rewrite the rules of health care

Big Tech has had a surprisingly small impact on U.S. health care, so far. → Read More

Get ready for a COVID culture shock

Culture dictates how people behave. It influences their thoughts and actions. It alters their values and beliefs. The unique characteristics of Omicron will lead people to ignore the harm it inflicts. They won't act with malicious intent. They'll just be oblivious to the consequences of their actions. That's how culture works. → Read More

Gender inequality is making burnout worse

We know from the data that occupational burnout harms personal relationships. If not addressed, it will continue to add stress to doctors' home lives. But physicians must also recognize that gender inequality at home strongly contributes to burnout in the workplace. It, too, must be addressed. → Read More

Restoring the value of primary care

Over time, with better pay and greater recognition, primary care's status will increase — and so will the life expectancy of all Americans. → Read More

Break the rules of health care with technology

To improve health care in the areas of cost, access, and quality, we must measure technologies by their impact on the health of patients, not their impact on the status of medical professionals. → Read More

Endemic COVID-19 will be a cause for celebration

It is easy to understand the difficulty Americans have with endemic COVID-19. Regardless of the opponent, we find it difficult to accept a draw when a win once seemed possible or imminent. But make no mistake, endemicity will be a victory for our nation. Whether it takes a year or more, don’t mourn the occasion when it comes. Celebrate the accomplishment. → Read More

Puerto Rico Is Taming Covid-19 By Applying Force, Reducing Friction

As mainland Americans sit on a massive surplus of vaccine doses—and with the death count now exceeding 760,000—there are important lessons to learn from Puerto Rico’s two-pronged approach to taming Covid-19. For starters, U.S. leaders should acquire a second prong. → Read More

The troubling similarities between primary care physicians and MLB relief pitchers

Americans can and will continue to debate the best use of a pitching staff for decades to come. But in medicine, we already know the recipe for better care and more satisfying careers: give primary care doctors more respect, resources and relief. There’s no need to debate it. What we need now is action. → Read More

Comparing Covid-19 To 9/11 Reveals Why So Many Americans Die Unnecessarily

Two decades. Two American tragedies. Two very different responses. → Read More

5 technologies that will transform medicine post-COVID

In the era before COVID-19, technology was used as a tool to attract patients, generate income, and maximize billing opportunities. In the post-coronavirus world, the United States will be reeling from the economic consequences of the pandemic. Health care technology can and will provide cost-effective solutions that improve our nation's overall quality of care. → Read More

If businesses can mandate vaccines, they should mandate affordable health care, too

When the opportunity to protect the health of tens of millions of Americans through mandatory vaccinated arose, businesses and private institutions led the way. Now they have the opportunity to do the same when it comes to the urgent issues of medical costs, convenience, and quality. → Read More

Doctors Can Learn More From Simone Biles Than Mental-Health Lessons

Though she never intended it, Simone Biles created a three-step blueprint for a better healthcare system and a healthier workplace culture for medicine. → Read More

Doctors and the 5 stages of grief

After decades of battling and blaming the health care system, doctors will find it hard to accept that they must play an integral role in solving medicine’s cost and quality problems. In physician culture, this will feel like surrender. → Read More

Doctors can't cope with the anguish of COVID-19 casualties

The lessons of this pandemic leave me with two conflicting thoughts about the culture of medicine. First, it would be a mistake to reject and discard the mission-driven values, beliefs, and norms that have supported doctors for centuries. At the same time, it would be a mistake not to evolve the culture of medicine to address the needs of doctors and patients today. → Read More

Covid-19 Flight From Hell: My Run-In With An Infected Passenger

What’s more important: being safe or feeling safe? If you think the answer is obvious, then I have a story for you. It’s about an airplane, a sick passenger, and the feel-good lies we tell ourselves about safety. → Read More

COVID-19 and The Queen's Gambit: What will be the pandemic's endgame?

On her way to becoming world champion, Beth Harmon had to overcome a series of personal demons, including drugs, alcohol, and loneliness. Going forward, our nation will have to overcome its own demons if we want to quickly defeat the next virus that threatens to become a pandemic. → Read More