Wismed Oncall

While there’s a wealth of research regarding physician burnout, addressing the problem is no small task. During this interview, WisMed OnCall host Peter Welch and Society member Alan Schwartzstein, MD, discuss some of the highlights of Dr. Schwartzstein’s career, including ways he has found to avoid burnout.

The June 27, 2018 decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Mayo vs. the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund reinstates the cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases. In this episode of WisMed OnCall, Society General Counsel John Rather, JD, and Senior Vice President of Government Relations Mark Grapentine, JD, talk about why this outcome is so important and its implications for Wisconsin physicians and patients.

Society staff Mark Grapentine, JD, and Lisa Davidson discuss the upcoming Democratic Party primary for governor, which features 10 candidates, as well as two other “races to watch”—the U.S. Senate race between Democratic Party incumbent Tammy Baldwin and one of five Republican Party candidates, and the U.S. House of Representative seat vacated by Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville. They also take a look at some key state contests, including the race for Wisconsin attorney general.

Physician working to help sex trafficking victims, increase awareness Since the early 1990s, the Wisconsin Medical Society’s 2018 Physician Citizen of the Year Gloria Halverson, MD, has worked to increase awareness and treat victims of sex trafficking—both in the United States and internationally. During this interview with host Peter Welch, she talks about the magnitude of the problem, resources available and the role physicians can play to help these patients. Additional resources from this podcast can be found here: Polaris Project National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888.373.7888 HEAL Trafficking: Health, Education, Advocacy, Linkage  

How can we increase access to mental health care? In this episode, which was recorded May 8 during National Mental Health Awareness month, host Peter Welch interviews Wisconsin Medical Society President Molli Rolli, MD. As a psychiatrist and chair of the Society’s Mental and Behavioral Health Task Force, Dr. Rolli offers a unique perspective on Wisconsin’s psychiatrist shortage, the role of stigma and ideas to increase access to mental health care.

Episode 7: Some Light in the Darkness (05/03/2018) In this episode, Mark Grapentine, JD, interviews pain management physician Michael McNett, MD, about new data that shows progress being made to reduce opioid prescribing, some history on the opioid crisis and what lies ahead. Their conversation was recorded on April 24, 2018.

Episode 6: Interview with author David Sheff (04/19/2018) WisMed OnCall host Peter Welch interviews journalist and best-selling author David Sheff, who shares his story as the father of a son battling addiction and his thoughts on the role physicians can play in addressing the opioid crisis. This interview was recorded on April 13, 2018, during Sheff's visit to Madison.

Episode 5: Roundtable Wrap-up (03/28/2018) This episode, recorded March 26, 2018, features a roundtable conversation about the end of the 2017-2018 legislative biennium, what’s happening in Washington, DC, and a preview of the upcoming elections, as well as some insider perspectives on next steps for addressing the opioid crisis in Wisconsin. Join Mark Grapentine, JD, Lisa Davidson and Peter Welch for their lively discussion of topics important to physicians in Wisconsin.

Episode 4: Increasing Compassion Resilience (03/22/2018) Nearly 1.5 million people in Wisconsin are living with a mental or behavioral health condition, and according to Mental Health America, Wisconsin has the 4th highest prevalence of mental illness in the nation. At the same time, there is a shortage of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals to provide treatment, an issue that is further compounded by the stigma that often accompanies mental and behavioral health issues. In this episode the Society’s Peter Welch interviews Sue McKenzie about stigma as it relates to mental health treatment and what physicians and other professionals in “helping” professions can do to increase their own “compassion resilience.”

Episode 3: The Mayo Case and its Potential Impact (03/08/2018) This episode features Society General Counsel John Rather, JD, giving a comprehensive overview of Mayo v. The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund—a court case that challenged the constitutionality of Wisconsin's cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases, resulting in the cap being struck down. Join John Rather and Peter Welch for their interview/discussion of this pivotal case, where things currently stand and how the Society will be addressing the outcome of the case going forward.

Episode 2: Race to the Finish (02/22/2018) This episode, recorded Feb. 21, 2018, features a round table update on what’s happening in the tate legislature and in Washington, DC, as well as a look at the State’s Supreme Court race, and a little insider perspective as the current biennium nears its end. Join Mark Grapentine, JD, Lisa Davidson and Peter Welch for their lively discussion of topics important to physicians in Wisconsin.

Episode 1: Doctor Day 2018 Recap (02/08/2018) Wisconsin Medical Society's Government Relations team discusses highlights from Doctor Day 2018. This episode includes discussion about Governor Walker's 2018 health care stability plan, the four key issues physicians brought to legislators, the Society's agenda for an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. and the Wisconsin State Supreme Court race. Join Mark Grapentine, JD, Lisa Davidson and Peter Welch for their lively discussion of topics important to physicians in Wisconsin.