Healthcare Musings
This is the official podcast of Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, a NY Times-featured Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician, Author, and Healthcare Executive. Healthcare Musings discusses healthcare delivery and policy. Healthcare Musings Substack: http://healthcaremusings.substack.com
Recent Episodes
110
July 28, 2026
Voltaire in the ICU
"Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien." These words were written by Voltaire, and it is popularly rendered as "The perfect is the enemy of the good." In the ICU, I have to make decisions every day on critically ill patients, and frequently, I have to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Sometimes, doing something is worse than doing nothing at all. In this latest episode of the podcast, Dr. Hassaballa discusses how he heeds the advice of Voltaire when he works in the ICU.
109
July 21, 2026
Yes, This Sleep Doctor Wants Permanent Daylight Savings Time
The US House passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2026 on July 14. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine “condemned” the bill. For me, as a sleep physician, I also want DST to be permanent. I don’t buy the circadian misalignment arguments. Sleep Research Society position statement: https://sleepresearchsociety.org/sleep-research-society-position-statement-supports-adoption-permanent-standard-time/
108
July 14, 2026
Gratitude: The Physician Leader’s Superpower
I was blessed to be a guest on the Healthcare Leadership Show by Marion Spears Karr. We had a wonderful conversation about gratitude, and how it is the physician leader’s superpower. Marion Spears Karr on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionspearskarr
107
July 7, 2026
The Vindication of Dr. Hassabolus III
Once again, randomized control trial data show that aggressive fluid strategies in septic shock are not harmful. Dr. Hassabolus is vindicated, yet again. Many thanks to the PulmCCM Substack for its excellent analysis of the critical care literature: https://open.substack.com/pub/pulmccm/p/early-vasopressors-are-superior-to?r=2d9b5g&utm_medium=ios
106
July 1, 2026
The Words We Use Actually Do Matter
The things we say have an impact. The words we use actually do matter. In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa discusses the impact of changing one word in a phrase can have on the people with whom we interact. It’s part of how habit becomes ritual.
105
June 23, 2026
The True Meaning of The Word “Respect”
Traditionally, the word “respect” means “high regard.” When we delve into its Latin root, however, we get a much deeper understanding. For me, it has changed my behavior. This week’s episode is a reflection on last week’s amazing conversation with Marion Spears Karr. Episode Link: https://www.healthcaremusings.com/taking-gratitude-from-habit-to-ritual-my-conversation-with-marion-spears-karr/
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