In this episode of the PermanenteDocs Chat, host Alex McDonald, MD, discusses the latest innovations in care experience with Wadie Marcos, MD, access and experience lead with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Dr. Marcos shares his insights on the changing health care landscape, focusing on improving access and the care experience.

They candidly discuss the unique challenges and opportunities health care organizations face in meeting patient expectations. Dr. Marcos highlights some groundbreaking practices at Kaiser Permanente, like enhancing booking systems and smoothing the onboarding process for new members to increase satisfaction. They also talk about the crucial role of soft skills in care experience, the importance of trust-building by physicians, and how a team-based approach enables high-quality care.

Dr. Marcos also covers the role ethical, evidence-based medicine plays in practicing medicine today and how disease prevention is central to Kaiser Permanente’s mission.

Don’t miss out on this compelling conversation — watch the chat on YouTube or listen to it on your podcast platform of choice. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future Permanente Medicine programming.

#careexperience #patientexperience

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In this episode of PermanenteDocs Chat, Alex McDonald, MD, speaks with Tatjana Kolevska, MD, about Kaiser Permanente’s Virtual Cancer Expert Review program—an innovative approach that ensures patients across the country have access to expert oncology care, no matter where they live.

They discuss how Kaiser Permanente’s integrated model supports prevention, early detection, and coordinated treatment, and how AI and virtual consults are changing the game in complex cancer care.

Topics covered include:

• How virtual reviews improve cancer outcomes
• Reducing unnecessary treatments through expert input
• Equity and access in oncology
• The power of team-based, value-based care

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As devastating wildfires cut across Southern California, burning 16,000 structures and displacing more than 180,000 people last month, physicians and medical staff across Los Angeles faced unique challenges helping those in need while also ensuring their own safety.

In the latest Permanente DocsChat episode, Christopher Subject, MD, assistant regional medical director, and Jeremy Maggin, MD, emergency medicine physician, joined host Alex McDonald, MD, to discuss disaster response and preparedness. All three are Southern California Permanente Medical Group physicians who were personally involved in wildfire response.

Download and listen today to learn how Kaiser Permanente’s integrated structure and innovations supported rapid response, the challenges of delivering care during evacuations, and ways physicians can take a more active role in disaster planning and preparedness.

#Californiafires #LosAngelesFires #Wildfires #LosAngelesWildfires #CaliforniaWildfires #DisasterPreparedness #WildfireResponse #EmergencyPreparedness #EmergencyPlanning #ClimateChange

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Listen to a special chat on social media’s influence on the health and well-being of young people. Melissa Garretson, MD, member of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees, joined host Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, to explore the challenges adolescents face and how physicians can support their overall health. From screen time to sleep deprivation, Dr. Garretson shares strategies to help manage unhealthy social media use.

Guest:
Melissa Garretson, MD, Board of Trustees, American Medical Association

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Get prepared for respiratory virus season with an informative discussion on what every physician should know about this year’s flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines. In this episode of PermanenteDocs Chat, guest Connie Park, MD, clinical flu lead for The Permanente Medical Group and chief of Infectious Diseases, Greater Southern Alameda Area, joins host Dr. Alex McDonald of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group to discuss vaccine strains and practical strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

Guest: Connie Park, MD, Clinical Flu Lead, The Permanente Medical Group; Chief, Infectious Diseases, Greater Southern Alameda Area

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Listen to this episode for an up-to-date overview on opioid crisis from guest Bobby Mukkamala, MD, chair of the American Medical Association's Substance Use and Pain Care Taskforce. Dr. Mukkamala talks to host Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, about the latest data, systemwide steps to create change, and clinical strategies that can help doctors balance pain management with addiction prevention.

Guest
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, Chair, American Medical Association Substance Use and Pain Care Taskforce

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Learn how new medical products and services that physicians use meet quality, safety, and value standards in the latest PermanenteDocs Chat featuring Sande Irwin, MD, chair of the Kaiser Permanente National Product Council.

Dr. Irwin talks to host Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, about how the Council evaluates medical products — everything from otoscopes and exam chairs to surgical tools and MRI scanners — through a uniquely integrated team made of more than 700 members who are physicians and also medical professionals from nursing, environmental services staff and more.

Guest: Sande Irwin, MD, Chair, Kaiser Permanente National Product Council

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Listen to this important conversation about the unique challenges physicians and clinicians face when seeking mental health support and real-life ways to foster a culture of wellness.

Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, immediate past chair of the AMA board of trustees and advocate for physician wellness, joins Alex McDonald, MD, of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, to discuss the traditional barriers to overcoming the stigma of mental health in the medical community, how things are changing for the better, and resources for medical professionals in need.

Guest: Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, American Medical Association.

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