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SoundPractice

SoundPractice

By: American Association for Physician Leadership®
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SoundPractice, hosted by the American Association for Physician Leadership®, delivers practical information and fresh perspectives for physician leaders and those running healthcare systems. Physician advocate Michael Sacopulos, JD (healthcare attorney, author, speaker) brings you the best thought leaders, crisp humor, and pithy tips to help your healthcare organization thrive.Copyright ©2022 American Association for Physician Leadership Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management Management & Leadership Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • Physician Contract Negotiations: The Landscape and Predictions with Ron Howrigon
    Jul 23 2025
    In this episode of SoundPractice, Ron Howrigon, president and CEO of Fulcrum Strategies, brings his extensive experience in the healthcare industry to the forefront. Having worked as a senior executive with major managed care companies like Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, Howrigon shares his journey. From negotiating contracts to founding Fulcrum Strategies, his consulting firm helps doctors and hospitals navigate the complex world of managed care agreements so they can focus more on patient care. With a keen eye on the flaws of a profit-driven healthcare system, join us as we delve into the complexities of the healthcare system and discuss innovative solutions for a better future. Key Takeaways: - Navigating Capitalistic Healthcare: Uncover the inherent problems of a for-profit healthcare system where insurers often prioritize shareholder profits over patient care. Howrigon also discusses Medicare reimbursement cuts and provides a balanced view on private equity in healthcare, highlighting both potential benefits and risks. - Changing Patient Experience: Over the last 30-40 years, increasing bureaucracy and challenges in accessing necessary care have dramatically altered the patient experience, leading to poor health outcomes and a more critical patient perspective on the industry. - Solutions and Reforms: Howrigon suggests vital reforms to ensure medical directors for third-party payers adhere to medical practice standards when approving or denying claims, aiming to enhance patient care. - Impact of Physician Employment: Explore how the shift from self-employed physicians to those employed by non-physician-controlled organizations affects relationships at every level of healthcare. Howrigon predicts significant access issues and reimbursement changes because of the worsening physician shortage. - Learn more and Connect: -- Gain more insights in Howrigon’s books, CLEAR! Reforming Healthcare to Save the U.S. Economy and FLATLINING: How Healthcare Could Kill the U.S. Economy. -- Visit fsdoc.com to connect with Ron Howrigon. Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at https://www.physicianleaders.org/.
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    27 mins
  • Hospital Walls May Have Ears? Ambient Listening Tech with Laura Landro and the WSJ
    Jul 9 2025
    In this episode of SoundPractice, we dive into an engaging and informative discussion on the future of AI in healthcare and its implications for both doctors and patients. Host Mike Sacopulos is joined by Laura Landro to explore the emerging world of ambient listening technology. Laura Landro, an award-winning writer and journalist, former Wall Street Journal “Informed Patient” columnist, and author of Survivor: Taking Control of Your Fight Against Cancer, brings an innovative perspective on medical technology advancements. This technology captures clinician-patient conversations, aiming to alleviate documentation burdens, enhance patient care, and reduce clinician burnout. However, it also raises important concerns about privacy and data security. Tune in to learn how leading institutions are pioneering research while ethical considerations continue to shape its future, especially in sensitive areas of healthcare. Episode Highlights: • Research Insights: Discover the benefits that institutions like Mass General Brigham are experiencing in terms of cost and time savings, and improved quality of care. • Regulatory and Liability Concerns: Explore the potential need for FDA oversight if the technology influences clinical decisions, and the implications of errors in AI-generated documentation. • Initial Patient Reactions: Gain first-hand insights from patients, including those who find the technology beneficial and others who have privacy concerns. • Future Outlook: Project how ongoing development and ethical considerations will shape the integration of AI in healthcare. Resources • Laura Landro’s WSJ Article: Why AI May Be Listening In On Your Next Doctor's Appointment - https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/ai-ambient-listening-doctor-appointment-e7afd587 • Book by Laura Landro: Survivor: Taking Control of Your Fight Against Cancer - https://www.amazon.com/Survivor-Taking-Control-against-Cancer/dp/0684856786 Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at https://www.physicianleaders.org/
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    30 mins
  • Tackling Healthcare Fragmentation: A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Kern
    Jun 25 2025
    Join us for an enlightening episode of SoundPractice featuring Lisa Kern, MD, MPH, a national expert, distinguished professor of medicine, and associate chief for research at Weill Cornell Medicine. In this episode, we explore Kern’s unique career path — from her early fascination with communication as a psychology major at Harvard to her impactful research on healthcare delivery in the United States. Her journey reveals an enduring commitment to understanding and improving the healthcare system, driven by the impact of external factors like insurance and policy on patient care. This episode not only sheds light on the complexities of the American healthcare system but also underscores the importance of inter-professional collaboration and patient engagement in shaping the future of medicine. Key Takeaways: 1. Understanding Healthcare Fragmentation: Kern explains the concept of fragmentation, when patients see multiple providers without coordinated care, and the potential harm caused by a lack of coordination. 2. A Patient’s Role in Healthcare Delivery: Fragmentation can lead to communication gaps and poor outcomes, particularly for older adults and minority populations. Kern provides tips for incorporating real-time patient input to enhance care coordination and satisfaction. 3. Inter-Professional Collaboration: Explore proposed policy changes to improve care delivery that focus on value over volume. Kern highlights alternative models for healthcare payment and delivery to better serve patients and reduce provider burnout. 4. The Future of Healthcare Delivery: Identify future challenges and opportunities in healthcare, including the integration of AI. She identifies the importance of ongoing dialogue and proactive measures to shape healthcare to meet the needs and expectations of the American population. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and explores innovative solutions for a more integrated and effective healthcare system. Learn more about the American Association for Physician Leadership at https://www.physicianleaders.org/.
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    40 mins

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