Analyzing the Art, Science, and Business of Medicine

Welcome to the latest edition of the Physicians Practice Pearls Podcast. In this podcast, we'll bring you some of the most interesting and influential guests in healthcare. If you have any ideas for podcast guests or topics, email us at editor@physicianspractice.com.

Halee Fischer-Wright, MD has a unique perspective on the art, science, and business of medicine. As a former practicing pediatrician that ran her own practice, she was on the frontlines of healthcare as the art of medicine gave way to the science, as well as the business. "As we get into 2017, its science with a big S and art is in the background," says Dr. Fischer-Wright, in the latest edition of the Physicians Practice Pearls Podcast.

Later, she moved into her current position as the President of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), where she deals with and defends the business side of medicine. "We vilify business, [we say] medicine would be so much better if we set aside the business of it. No, actually business has driven tremendous outcomes," she says.

Fischer-Wright writes extensively about all three elements of medicine - art, science, and business - in her new book, "Back to Balance" and how they are all needed for the healthcare system to work. She writes about the humanity of medicine, the first element, has become devalued thanks to the other two elements. "Everyone is examining how they can deliver better value - meaning higher quality, lower cost - [and] that's where the business dominance has devalued the relationship that's at the heart of medicine," she says on the podcast.

The book is full of anecdotes of Wright's career in medicine, the patients she saw, her story of nearly going bankrupt when her physician husband was diagnosed with cancer, and how a scene from the show ER featuring George Clooney can explain the purpose of business in medicine.

She spoke with us about all of these topics and more in the two-part podcast. Click above to play part one of the podcast. Part two will be available in a few weeks.