I had a great experience with my inguinal hernia surgery this summer, so I just had to invite my doctor, Nora Fullington and her partner, Dr. Michael Reinhorn from Boston Hernia onto the podcast! A few takeaways:

1. The vast majority of hernia repairs are performed by general surgeons in hospital operating rooms. But better outcomes, lower cost, and greater convenience are possible if you can find a specialized practice like I did and go to an ambulatory surgery center. (Only 3% of inguinal hernias in Massachusetts are repaired in ASCs, which is nuts.)
2. Despite the superiority of the Boston Hernia model, insurance companies and big health systems make it hard for patients to go this route.
3. You shouldn't be scared of mesh as long as your surgeon knows what they're doing
4. Patients are often mis-diagnosed with hernias as a result of medical imaging. A physical exam is the way to go
5. Drs. Reinhorn and Fullington believe their model can be applied more broadly within surgery and beyond

Enjoy the show.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Advance Care Directives are great in theory, but often fail in practice. The result: patients' wishes aren't respected and their families end up fighting.

Dr. Ferdinando Mirarchi has built a whole medical practice and business around Advance Directives. HIs company, MIDEO enables patients to create video-based plans either with or without a physician's help.

I went through the process myself in preparation for this interview and learned a lot about the nuances of what to put in the directive to reflect my goals. The topics of resuscitation after cardiac arrest and mechanical ventilation were really insightful.

We also talked about more mundane matters like insurance coverage and how to make sure the directive is accessed and respected when you need it.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.

Bradley Bostic, the visionary CEO and founder of hc1, shares his journey from the plains of South Dakota to the cutting-edge world of healthcare data innovation. We explore how a childhood fascination with technology and a stint on the football field at Indiana University laid the groundwork for his groundbreaking work in healthcare. Our conversation uncovers Bradley's early career experiences at Ernst & Young, where he first glimpsed the complex inner workings of the healthcare industry, ultimately fueling his passion for transformative change.

Discover the pivotal role that hc1 plays in optimizing diagnostic testing, a cornerstone of effective healthcare. We examine the inefficiencies in current lab testing practices and how personalized diagnostics can lead to more accurate and cost-effective outcomes. With the power of machine learning and AI, HC1 is leading the charge in predicting patient outcomes, tailoring care plans, and identifying risks for chronic conditions like kidney disease or cognitive decline before they manifest.

In our broader discussion on the U.S. healthcare system, Bradley and I delve into the perplexing inefficiencies that plague even the most prestigious institutions. We explore potential solutions like value-based care and the cautious integration of technology to enhance patient experiences without detracting from them. Tune in to gain insight into the intersection of healthcare, business, and policy, and to hear about the exciting ventures on the horizon as we continue to explore the transformative power of healthcare innovation.

Host David E. Williams is president of healthcare strategy consulting firm Health Business Group. Produced by Dafna Williams.