What It Takes to Fix a Broken Healthcare System with Erin Nance

Overview

This episode features orthopedic surgeon Erin Nance, who discusses the challenges and systemic flaws in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly around misdiagnosis and the treatment of women. She explores the role of AI in medicine, the importance of humility and curiosity in doctors, and how patients can advocate for themselves. Drawing from her book Little Miss Diagnosed, Erin shares personal stories and insights into improving healthcare for both patients and practitioners.

Notable Quotes

- The eyes only see what the mind knows. – Erin Nance, on the importance of specialized expertise in medicine.

- If the doctor you're seeing doesn't know what's wrong in 30 seconds, keep looking. – Guy Kawasaki, summarizing Erin's perspective on diagnostic humility.

- To replace these systems with no systems and with no funding is not the answer. – Erin Nance, on the dangers of dismantling flawed healthcare systems without viable alternatives.

🩺 The Challenges of Misdiagnosis and Women's Health

- Women are disproportionately misdiagnosed due to historical gaps in medical research, which excluded women before 1993.

- Conditions like endometriosis, autoimmune disorders, and the Unholy Trinity (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and MCAS) are often overlooked or dismissed.

- Erin highlights societal normalization of women's pain, leading to delayed or missed diagnoses.

- She emphasizes the need for systemic change to better address the unique health challenges women face.

🤖 The Role of AI in Medicine

- Erin reveals that AI tools like ChatGPT can accurately diagnose complex medical cases when provided with comprehensive data.

- However, AI's effectiveness depends on the quality of input and the existing biases in medical research.

- She encourages patients to use AI to generate potential diagnoses and advocate for themselves during medical consultations.

- Erin also discusses Open Evidence, an AI platform for clinicians, which aggregates the latest research to improve treatment decisions.

💡 What Makes a Good Doctor?

- Erin identifies three key traits: lifelong curiosity, technical expertise, and humility.

- She stresses the importance of doctors admitting when they don't know something and referring patients to specialists.

- Empathy and communication are critical, as patients often feel dismissed or unheard in the current system.

- Erin shares personal stories of mistakes and learning moments that shaped her approach to patient care.

📚 The Power of Patient Advocacy

- Erin advises patients to educate themselves, remain patient, and seek partnerships with their doctors.

- She encourages patients to challenge dismissive diagnoses and push for second opinions when necessary.

- Her platform, Feel Better, aims to provide credible medical education and empower patients to navigate the healthcare system effectively.

⚖️ Balancing Transparency and Trust in Healthcare

- Erin critiques the lack of transparency around medical risks, particularly during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

- She argues for a more nuanced approach to public health messaging, acknowledging both benefits and risks to build trust.

- The episode highlights the tension between national health guidelines and individual medical society recommendations, particularly on controversial topics like vaccines.