In this festive season finale, emergency physicians Grace, Christian, Tomás, and Rosny review the highs and lows of 2025 and share their “hot cakes” for the coming year.

The doctors reflect on personal milestones alongside how the wider challenges of American healthcare impact their work. The episode also features their producer Ilia for a new segment, Asking for a Friend, answering listener questions about their close friendships and unique experiences of working in the emergency department during the holidays. Lastly, they predict trends for 2026, including the positive use of AI in medicine and the critical role that immigrants play in providing healthcare.

This episode was recorded remotely in December 2025. Presented by Grace, Christian, Tomás and Rosny. Music by Nylonia. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

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Why is the proliferation of quick fixes such as detoxes, fad diets and weight loss injections so prevalent online? Is it really a shortcut to getting fitter and healthier? Why is the focus shifting onto these products and services when what people actually need are structural changes like access to affordable housing, child care, clean air and healthy food?

In this episode of the Doctor Friends podcast emergency physicians Christian and Rosny are joined by Italo, who works in social emergency medicine, to discuss the social determinants of health in America. Italo explains his role in community health initiatives and the importance of addressing structural drivers of health.

The conversation explores how structural changes are crucial for lasting improvements and strategies are suggested for clinicians to better serve their communities, including attending city council meetings, creating resource lists and effectively communicating with policymakers. The episode underscores the need for systemic change and active involvement from healthcare providers to bridge gaps in healthcare access and equity.

This episode was recorded remotely in October 2025. Presented by Christian, Rosny and Italo. Music by Nylonia. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

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“There is nothing more profitable in our society today than a sick child, because all of these entities are making money on him: the insurance companies, the hospitals, the medical cartel, the pharmaceutical companies have lifetime annuities. They don’t want to kill them, they want them sick for the rest of their lives.” – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

In this episode Christian, Grace and Tomás take on the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and the misinformation peddled by wellness influencers.

The jumping off point for the conversation is Alexander Stockton and Derek Beres’s New York Times Opinion video ‘You Might Have Already Fallen for MAHA’s Conspiracy Theories’ (published September 2025) about ordinary people who got pulled into the MAHA orbit.

The group reflects on social media’s contributions to public distrust in the American healthcare system and how this scepticism is compounded by the heightened emotional context of seeking care in an emergency room. They also touch on the split between public health and medical practice, spearheaded by the Flexner Report, and the perceived importance of individual control in personal health decisions.

The discussion also addresses public health initiatives like MMR vaccinations. Their success has led to widespread immunity but also a lack of awareness about their importance, leading some to question their necessity. The doctors share personal anecdotes and insights on bridging the trust gap with patients and emphasize the importance of empathy.

This episode was recorded remotely in September 2025. Presented by Christian, Tomás and Grace. Music by Nylonia. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

Liked the episode? Tell your friends! Follow us on Instagram or write to us at doctorfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.