Navigating Pediatric Practice: Insights from Dr. Robert Wiskind

In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge podcast, hosts welcome Dr. Robert Wiskind, a seasoned pediatrician with decades of experience in Georgia. Dr. Wiskind shares his journey from medical school at Emory to establishing Peachtree Park Pediatrics and navigating the complexities of independent pediatric practice. The discussion covers the evolution of his practice, from its unique exam room system to growing into a larger facility. Dr. Wiskind emphasizes the value of involving in organized medicine through roles like the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and his contributions to creating the Children’s Care Network, a clinically integrated network. Additionally, the episode touches on the challenges and future of independent pediatric practices, the benefits of clinical integration, and the importance of adapting to ongoing changes in medicine. The conversation also delves into balancing patient care with administrative duties, and the collaborative efforts required to sustain and improve pediatric healthcare standards.

00:00 Introduction to The Pediatric Lounge
00:36 Meet Dr. Robert Wiskiind
01:23 Dr. Wiskiind's Journey in Pediatrics
03:07 Peachtree Park Pediatrics: A Legacy
04:25 The Evolution of the Practice
05:12 Partnership Dynamics and Growth
08:39 The Children's Care Network
13:04 Challenges and Successes in Pediatric Care
22:43 The Importance of Organized Medicine
29:08 Balancing Parental Expectations and Medical Judgment
31:52 Challenges of Setting Up a Collaborative Network
32:48 Financial Strategies and Physician Involvement
34:49 Future of Independent Practice
38:32 Role and Structure of Pediatric Committees
43:13 Complexities in Healthcare Policies and Payments
48:41 High Costs of Advanced Medical Treatments
54:13 Socioeconomic Disparities in Healthcare
58:01 Personal Reflections on Career Choices
01:00:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

The Pediatric Lounge: Insights into Pediatric Urgent Care with Dr. Amanda Montalbano

In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge podcast, Dr. Amanda Montalbano, a general pediatrician with extensive experience in pediatric urgent care, joins the conversation. The discussion covers a range of topics including the importance of implementation sciences in medicine, the challenges of training new doctors in urgent care, and the intricacies of managing pediatric urgent care units. Dr. Montalbano also shares her personal journey with her son's Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, highlighting the importance of early screening and intervention. Additional topics include the structure and functioning of pediatric urgent care centers in Kansas City, and the collaboration between general practitioners and urgent care practitioners.

00:00 Introduction to The Pediatric Lounge
00:35 Meet Dr. Amanda Montalbano
01:44 Choosing Pediatrics: Dr. Montalbano's Journey
03:11 Pediatric Urgent Care: Training and Challenges
06:27 Pediatrics in Kansas City
10:26 Urgent Care Operations and Models
25:34 Research and Data in Pediatric Urgent Care
39:33 Discovering Implementation Science
40:42 The Importance of Measuring Change
42:15 Understanding Resistance to New Technologies
43:24 The Five Whys Technique
46:19 Challenges with AI Scribes
57:34 Advocating for Early Type 1 Diabetes Screening
01:09:06 A Personal Story of Type 1 Diabetes
01:17:56 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

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SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================
📝 - Substack
🎧 - PODCAST
👥 - FACEBOOK
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The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Care with Dr. Nelson Branco

In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, hosts George and Herb are joined by Dr. Nelson Branco, a general pediatrician with a strong commitment to behavioral health and community care, to discuss the future of healthcare and the integration of behavioral health into pediatric medical homes. Dr. Branco shares his journey in pediatrics, his experience working with underserved populations, and the steps his practice took to integrate behavioral health services. The conversation covers the challenges and benefits of behavioral health integration, the importance of collaboration with therapists and psychiatrists, and strategies for managing financial sustainability. The episode also delves into the impact of mental health on pediatricians' burnout and the evolving role of pediatric care in addressing behavioral health concerns.

00:00 Introduction to The Pediatric Lounge
00:36 Meet Dr. Nelson Branco
01:16 Dr. Bronco's Journey to Pediatrics
03:00 Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatrics
03:54 Building a Behavioral Health Team
05:32 Challenges and Realities of Behavioral Health
07:26 Innovative Solutions and Collaborations
10:17 The Evolution of Pediatric Care
25:24 Pharmacology and Changing Practices
28:56 Training and Preparedness for Physicians
29:39 Virginia Mental Access Program and Project Echo
30:34 Challenges in Child Psychiatry
31:21 Primary Care Mental Health Experience
36:49 Operations and Management in Pediatric Practices
42:16 Behavioral Health Integration and Financial Sustainability
45:11 Burnout and Mental Health in Pediatricians
52:51 Historical Perspective on Pediatric Practice
55:18 Preventative Behavioral Health and Conclusion

Dr. Branco has kindly shared his folder on Mental Health in Pediatrics, which is an incredible resource: https://bit.ly/BHIshared.

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SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================
📝 - Substack
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👥 - FACEBOOK
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The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

Enhancing Pediatric Practice Efficiency with Call Centers and Virtual Assistants featuring Dr. Igor Trogan

In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, hosts George and Herb welcome frequent guest Dr. Igor Trogan to discuss the implementation and benefits of call centers and virtual medical assistants in pediatric practice. Dr. Trogan shares insights on the necessity of call centers due to front desk inefficiencies, the logistics of setting up a call center, and the advantages of using virtual assistants from abroad. They delve into the impact on scheduling, patient care, and overall practice management. The conversation also highlights the technology used, the renaming of call centers to 'patient care centers' to avoid blame, and the importance of preserving the human element in pediatric care. Dr. Trogan emphasizes the need for a step-by-step approach to integrate these changes smoothly into any practice.

00:00 Introduction to The Pediatric Lounge
00:38 Meet Dr. Igor Trogan
01:11 The Need for a Patient Care Center
02:31 Setting Up the Patient Care Center
04:53 Virtual Medical Assistants
06:30 Call Center Operations
08:56 Handling Appointments and Records
15:48 Technology and Tools
27:43 Managing Remote Workers
34:58 Challenges with Traditional Medical Assistants
36:46 Advantages of Virtual Medical Assistants
38:08 Managing a Virtual Medical Assistant Team
39:56 The Role of Technology in Modern Practices
44:32 Maintaining Team Culture Remotely
50:16 Cost Savings with Virtual Medical Assistants
51:09 Future of AI in Medical Practices
54:36 The Importance of Human Touch in Pediatrics
01:02:25 Steps to Implementing Virtual Medical Assistants
01:05:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Support the show

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SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================
📝 - Substack
🎧 - PODCAST
👥 - FACEBOOK
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The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

The Art of Constructive Conversations in Pediatric Care with Sim Coutier

In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, the hosts are joined by Sim Coutier from Kindred Skills to discuss the power and importance of constructive conversations in pediatric practice. Highlighting the nuances and challenges of effective communication, particularly in situations involving vaccine hesitancy and other crucial health decisions, Sim shares strategies for fostering trust and understanding through curiosity, active listening, and asking thoughtful questions. The conversation also covers the impact of the current socio-political climate on patient interactions and offers practical insights for developing more effective communication skills in clinical settings.

00:00 Introduction to The Pediatric Lounge
00:29 Editorial: The Importance of Constructive Conversations
00:37 Guest Introduction: Sim Coutier from Kindred
01:37 The Art of Constructive Conversations
02:02 Casual Catch-Up with Sim
03:49 Sim's Experience in Detroit and Medical Conferences
05:07 Sim's Daughter's Medical Journey
07:56 Defining Constructive Conversations
09:55 Challenges in Constructive Conversations
15:28 Handling Vaccine Hesitancy
32:35 Building Trust Through Curiosity
38:10 Transactional vs. Constructive Conversations
39:28 Flu Vaccine Conversations
39:39 Transactional Communication Issues
39:54 Leadership and Communication Failures
40:57 Escalating Conflicts in Pediatric Care
41:57 Fear and Assumptions in Medical Conversations
43:27 Constructive Conversations and Building Relationships
45:33 Challenges in Pediatric Consultations
48:53 Understanding and Addressing Parental Concerns
50:24 The Importance of Curiosity in Conversations
59:39 Practical Examples and Solutions
01:10:29 Final Thoughts and Summary

Support the show

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SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================
📝 - Substack
🎧 - PODCAST
👥 - FACEBOOK
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The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

Transforming Hiring Practices in Healthcare with Dr. Mike Neal

In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, hosts George and Herb interview Dr. Mike Neal, co-founder of Lakeside Vision and creator of Build My Team, a system to improve employee hiring processes in healthcare. Dr. Neal shares his experiences and challenges with staff turnover and explains how he transitioned to hiring individuals based on traits, mindsets, learning speed, and strengths rather than experience alone. The discussion covers the importance of aligning hires with the practice's values and culture, the inefficacy of traditional resumes, and the utility of a systematic and detailed approach to identifying the right candidates. The podcast emphasizes the need for practices to understand their own values and culture to hire effectively.

00:00 Introduction to The Pediatric Lounge
00:26 Guest Introduction: Dr. Mike Neal
01:06 Hiring Philosophy: Identifying Diamonds in the Rough
03:04 Challenges in Medical Hiring
03:27 Systematic Hiring Process
03:45 Importance of Vision, Mission, and Values
04:06 Psychological Inventory in Hiring
05:22 Critique of Traditional Hiring Practices
07:37 Customizing Hiring to Fit Practice Needs
14:22 Automated Hiring Process
15:27 Balancing Work-Life Preferences
17:03 Real-World Examples and Practices
23:17 The Value of Access in Pediatric Practices
27:35 Understanding Practice Values and Culture
28:04 Detailed Candidate Assessment
29:19 Challenges of Being Detail-Oriented
34:13 Crisis Management in Medical Practices
41:45 Importance of Removing Poor Performers
50:11 Final Thoughts on Hiring Beyond the Resume

Support the show

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Read more on the TPL Website

SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================
📝 - Substack
🎧 - PODCAST
👥 - FACEBOOK
🐦 - TWITTER
📸 - Instagram
➡️ - Linkedin

The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

Leadership and Legacy: Insights from Dr. Thom Mayer and his latest book.

In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, the hosts celebrate the launch of their fourth season with Dr. Thom Mayer as their guest. Dr. Mayer, known for his extensive career as a sports medicine pediatric surgeon and emergency medicine physician, shares invaluable insights on leadership, recounts his journey from theology to medicine, and underscores the importance of relationships in the medical field. The discussion delves into the essence of true leadership, emphasizing actionable leadership over mere titles, and explores the impact of positive interactions and mentorship. Dr. Mayer also discusses his experiences during critical events like the anthrax attacks and provides deep reflections on the concepts of flow and intrinsic joy in one's career. The episode concludes with a powerful message about the importance of asking beautiful questions and maintaining a mindset of continuous innovation and empathy in healthcare.

00:00 Welcome to The Pediatric Lounge: Season 4 Premiere
00:57 Introducing Dr. Thom Mayer: A Leader in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
03:16 The Journey from Pediatric Surgery to Emergency Medicine
05:04 Remembering Dr. Michael Alteri: A Visionary in Pediatric Emergency Medicine
06:39 The Evolution of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
10:47 Building Relationships: The Key to Success
12:02 Leadership Lessons: From Theology to Medicine
24:30 Think, Act, Innovate: The Core of Effective Leadership
39:00 Decision-Making and Team Dynamics
39:39 Leadership and Overcoming Resistance
41:53 Team Building and Performance
43:55 Intrinsic Motivation and Behavioral Change
47:00 Medical Degrees and Team Roles
50:01 Sucking Down Philosophy and Anthrax Case
52:47 Science, Art, and Business in Healthcare
56:15 AI in Medicine and the Importance of Wisdom
01:00:30 The Concept of Flow and Joy in Work
01:08:09 Closing Thoughts and Future Invitations

Support the show

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Read more on the TPL Website

SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================
📝 - Substack
🎧 - PODCAST
👥 - FACEBOOK
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The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.

Journey through Pediatric Medicine with Dr. Stewart Cohen

In this episode of The Pediatric Lounge, hosts George and Dr. Herb welcome distinguished pediatrician Dr. Stewart Cohen from San Diego, California. Dr. Cohen shares his story, from his illness-driven inspiration to become a pediatrician to his move from Canada to San Diego. They discuss the evolving landscape of pediatric healthcare, including the challenges of Medicaid, healthcare consolidation, and changing parent expectations. The podcast highlights the importance of advocacy in pediatrics, the role of pharmaceutical companies in medical advancements, and how organized medical associations can impact pediatric practice. The episode concludes with personal anecdotes about balancing professional responsibilities with family life and the importance of community and mentorship in the medical profession.

00:00 Introduction to The Pediatric Lounge
00:58 Meet Dr. Stewart Cohen
01:48 Dr. Cohen's Journey to Pediatrics
03:26 From Canada to San Diego
05:59 Building a Pediatric Group
09:57 Challenges in Pediatric Practice
22:00 Advocacy and Legislative Achievements
30:11 Involvement in Medical Committees
30:46 Balancing Family and Hobbies
31:32 Horse Racing Adventures
32:48 Wife's Professional Achievements
34:12 Friendships in Organized Medicine
34:51 Challenges in Vaccine Advocacy
42:51 Changes in Pediatrics and Parenting
47:06 Community and Medical Practice
54:16 Final Thoughts and Mentorship
55:25 Conclusion and Farewell

Support the show

🔴 Subscribe for more Doctor stories like this: 🎧Apple and give us a 5-star review.
Read more on the TPL Website

SOCIAL Media Pages ===============================
📝 - Substack
🎧 - PODCAST
👥 - FACEBOOK
🐦 - TWITTER
📸 - Instagram
➡️ - Linkedin

The Pediatric Lounge - A Podcast taking you behind the door of the Physician's Lounge to get a deeper insight into what docs are talking about today, from the clinically profound to the wonderfully routine...and everything in between.

The conversations are not intended as medical advice, and the opinions expressed are solely those of the host and guest.