Second Opinion

Second Opinion

An examination of medical ethics and the practitioners who define them. Sign up to receive the Second Opinion topics in newsletter form at kcrw.com/newsletters .

rss_feed RSS Feed

Most Recent Episode

Second Opinion
Protecting Dairy Farms

Dairy farmers play a vital role in ensuring the safety of our milk.  But, they all need to make public health their top priority.

00:03:59
Sep 15, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean

More Episodes

Second Opinion
Endless gun violence

We are not helpless, and the situation is not hopeless.  We can’t wipe out mental illness, but we can enact reasonable gun control to protect the public.

00:03:59
Sep 8, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
The one disease that has near-universal coverage

For those Americans with end-stage kidney disease, insurance coverage is never an issue. Why can’t we provide this universal coverage for others with expensive chronic conditions?

00:03:57
Sep 1, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Failing to protect volunteers in research studies

Research is required to be evaluated to protect research subjects.  But, in many cases, this is not happening.  

00:03:58
Aug 25, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Early Hospital Discharge

Hospitals strive for early discharge, but it may not be in the patient’s best interest.

 

00:04:01
Aug 18, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Is the new test for Alzheimer’s disease worth getting?

For those with worrisome symptoms the test might be useful, but it has problems when used to screen people for disease who have no symptoms

 

00:03:56
Aug 11, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
What elephant seals can tell us about our health.

We still have a lot to understand about bird flu (H5N1), but elephant seals have given us new reasons to worry.

00:04:02
Aug 4, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Waiting for test results to come back

The wait can be long, and our thoughts often turn to the worst-case scenario

00:03:59
Jul 28, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Unproven Claims for Dietary Supplements

We are regularly bombarded with advertisements promoting unproven and non-approved dietary supplements.  Congress has chosen to look the other way.

00:03:54
Jul 21, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Spirituality – A Missed Opportunity to Improve Health

Medical and Spiritual Professionals are like two ships passing in the night

00:04:00
Jul 14, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Remembering Childhood Trauma

Memory is complicated and many factors impact the retention of distant memories

00:03:27
Jul 6, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Contingency management to end addiction

While paying those addicted to drugs to stop using has its skeptics, studies suggest it has real potential

00:03:41
Jun 16, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Pharmaceutical gifts to healthcare providers

Gifts are unethical and drive up healthcare costs

00:03:57
Jun 9, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Delving into the depths of Dental Care

Much of what we know about routine dental care is not based on sound science

00:03:58
Jun 2, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Changes coming with artificial intelligence

Medicine has seen many changes over the past 30 years, but AI will be a disruptive game changer.

00:04:34
May 26, 2024 12:0 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Medical Tourism

There are many reasons to go abroad for healthcare, but attention is needed to carefully weigh the risks and benefits.

00:04:03
May 19, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
The impact of antimicrobial resistance on human health

The World Health Organization considers antimicrobial resistance one of the top 10 threats to global health alongside climate change and pandemics.

00:03:59
May 12, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Improving the environment to improve health

The EPA has just passed some air pollution rules that could improve our American’s health. 

00:03:25
May 5, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Confirmation Bias

Research findings are not etched in stone.

00:03:59
Apr 28, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Brain Drain

America's dependency on foreign medical graduates, helps us but disadvantages countries around the world. 

00:03:57
Apr 21, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Those who receive the poorest healthcare in America

The medical needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities are often ignored, and their care suffers.  

00:04:00
Apr 14, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
The importance of bird flu

We may still have some lingering pandemic fatigue but the new bird flu has the potential for significant harm if we are not careful.

00:04:13
Apr 7, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Giving and Receiving Bad News

Would you prefer to receive bad medical news in person or over the phone?

00:03:52
Mar 31, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
The recurrence of measles in a time of misinformation

Measles, a highly contagious disease, is making a comeback in the US and we are not as prepared as we have been in the recent past.

00:03:58
Mar 24, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean
Second Opinion
Mistreated and Ignored

Institutional Care for People with Neurodiversity

00:03:58
Mar 17, 2024 6:35 AM
Clean