In this episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss the GLP-1 class of drugs from the weight-loss perspective.

Ozempic has gained popularity recently and has been marketed and promoted heavily for weight-loss use. Its initial purpose is as a weekly injection to manage blood glucose levels and HbA1c in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

The side effects of GLP-1 are discussed, which can include gastrointestinal issues. In addition, the cost of Ozempic, as opposed to what it can be made for is examined.

More on that story here.

In this episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss how policy changes could leave patients holding the bag.

Elisabeth Rosenthal of KFF Health News has written widely on healthcare issues, including a recent opinion piece that recently appeared in the Washington Post.

Rosenthal is also the author of the book, An American Sickness. She discussed her findings in this NPR interview.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss the subject of aging, and how the experience in the United States perhaps differs from other nations.

Topics include loneliness, a lack of socialization, and how elderly residents are viewed in other nations. These and other subjects have been the focus of recent studies by the Yale School of Public Health--these findings can be found here.

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss a recent article about Electronic Health Records. With recordkeeping increasingly moving online or "in the Cloud," more time is required to update keep patient records current. The doctors talk about the ins and outs of EHRs.

A recent article about EHRs can be found here. 

In this episode of Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack highlight the month of February, which is American Heart Health Month. You can find out more from the American Heart Assocation here.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and the doctors break down the topic with an in-depth discussion. More information is available from the Centers for Disease Control here. 

In the Season 3 premiere of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss hospital ratings systems. How are hospitals graded, and under what criteria?

The discussion follows a recent issue in Pennsylvania when a state Department of Health inspection turned up problems at Lancaster General Hospital, which is operated by Penn Medicine. More about that story can be found here.

US News and World Report provides one of the most comprehensive "Best of" lists. Here is the national report for 2023-24.

On this episode of the Medical Matters Podcast, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss who benefits and profits the most from the business of healthcare. They take an in-depth look at insurers, drug distributors, and Pharmacy Benefit Managers, also known as PBMs.

The relationship between patients and the healthcare system is examined, with a look at the "middle men." This report notes how the US spends far more on healthcare than other industrialized nations. The Doctors also look into potential solutions and alternatives.

In this episode, Dr. Peter Brier and Nurse Practitioner Kelly McCormack discuss working one's way through the US healthcare system.  They discuss the different health systems and plans, Open Enrollment, Medicare, and Advantage, along with copays and finding what plan is right for you, and what you can safely afford.