What does the way we treat our elders and caregivers say about us as a society?

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Peter Murphy Lewis, filmmaker and healthcare advocate, explores the urgent challenges facing long-term care in the U.S., including underfunded facilities, a shrinking workforce, low caregiver wages, and a rapidly aging population. Long-term care is a reflection of how society values its elders and caregivers, emphasizing the growing need for reform as millions more Americans turn 65 each year. The system, heavily reliant on undercompensated workers, primarily women of color, and unsupported family caregivers, struggles to provide high-quality, dignified care.

Peter Murphy Lewis shares how his documentary People Worth Caring About was born out of gratitude for caregivers who helped his grandparents. Originally intended to help with staffing shortages in Nebraska, the project has expanded to shift public perception of long-term care nationwide. Peter highlights how fear of aging, death, and dementia distorts views of nursing homes and deters both investment and interest in the sector. By focusing on caregivers and their impact, the documentary seeks to replace stigma with understanding and connection.

The conversation also touches on innovative solutions, from intergenerational care models to global tech integration, and the importance of redefining what "nursing home" means to residents and families. Peter notes that while negative perceptions often come from the media, positive views tend to stem from direct experiences with caregivers. He believes changing the narrative and language around long-term care is crucial, and that investing in relationships, community programs, and the dignity of residents must be non-negotiable in shaping the future of elder care.

Tune in for a powerful conversation with Peter Murphy Lewis as he explores the human stories, hidden challenges, and bold ideas shaping the future of long-term care in America!

Humanity, empathy, and respecting patient wishes are paramount when navigating the complexities of end-of-life care.

In this episode of Straight Outta Health IT, Gil Bashe, Chair of Global Health and Purpose for FINN Partners, delves into these sensitive topics. Drawing from his unique background as a combat medic, ordained clergy member, and health innovation advocate, Gil discusses the crucial, yet often misunderstood, differences between palliative care, hospice care, and end-of-life planning. He clarifies that palliative care focuses on improving comfort and quality of life at any point during a serious illness, potentially alongside curative treatments.

Hospice care, conversely, is typically reserved for the final stages, Gil explains, when the focus shifts entirely to comfort and dignity, often requiring additional medical support but tailored to the individual's needs and choices. Host Christopher Kunney shares poignant family experiences, grounding the conversation in real-life challenges. Together, they explore the emotional difficulties faced by patients, families, and even clinicians in initiating these necessary conversations and making decisions, highlighting the discomfort many doctors feel.

Gil also strongly emphasizes the enduring importance of human connection, intuition, and empathy over purely technological solutions, urging listeners to prepare emotionally and spiritually, perhaps even through letters, alongside legal documents like living wills.

Tune in and learn why understanding these distinctions and respecting a patient's final wishes are essential aspects of compassionate care!

What does it really take to lead in healthcare policy and data innovation as a woman, and how do we navigate the power, pitfalls, and politics that come with it?

In this episode of Straight Out of Health IT, Kat McDavitt, President of Insenna, and Lisa Bari, former CEO of Civitas Networks for Health, reflected on their personal experiences as young women in executive roles, highlighting gender-based challenges in the workplace. Kat described her transition from a female-dominated PR consultancy to a more male-centric corporate environment, where she had to adapt her communication style to be heard and recognized. She noted subtle biases, such as having her ideas repeated by men who then received credit, and observed how motherhood often placed an added burden on women’s careers. Lisa, who does not have children, shared how she witnessed the “maternity tax” affect her peers and emphasized the disproportionate negative feedback that women in leadership still receive compared to men, regardless of qualifications or performance.

Shifting focus, Lisa discussed her work at Civitas, a nonprofit that supports its members, primarily public health and healthcare data organizations, in navigating policy, advocacy, and data-sharing frameworks. She stressed the importance of clear messaging, coalition-building, and adaptability, especially during times of policy change. One example she gave was California’s complex and siloed efforts to connect social care and clinical data through Medicaid reforms, where her team works to guide stakeholders toward more integrated solutions that serve patients better.

Kat elaborated on data value and governance, pointing out that while many organizations recognize the financial potential of healthcare data, few understand the broader ecosystem of data use rights and legal limitations. She cautioned against unethical data acquisition practices and warned of the growing commoditization of health data. Both Lisa and Kat highlighted the importance of lawful and transparent data use, noting common misunderstandings about patient ownership of data in the U.S. and advocating for stronger governance and clearer contract negotiations to ensure responsible and equitable data practices.

Tune in for candid reflections on gender dynamics in leadership, the complexities of healthcare data governance, and the evolving role of policy in shaping equitable health systems!