Pulling back the curtain to discover hidden (or not-so-hidden) influences on health care

A 20-year orthopedic surgeon who mastered the science and art of independent medical practice now hopes to spread the word about the hidden economic forces reshaping American medicine.

Erica Rowe Urquhart, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, is the author of "The Invisible Hand Wielding the Scalpel: The Hidden Cause of America's Healthcare Crisis." She is also the creator of the podcast "UpMed: The Journal of Healthcare's Race To The Bottom," available where you get your podcasts.

Urquhart sat down with Melissa Lucarelli, M.D., FAAFP, a family physician, owner of Randolph Community Clinic in Wisconsin and longtime editorial adviser for Medical Economics, for a wide-ranging discussion for Off the Chart — A Business of Medicine Podcast, presented by Medical Economics and Physicians Practice.

In the interview, Urquhart explains why she borrowed the "invisible hand" metaphor from economist Adam Smith to describe the market forces she believes are working against both physicians and patients.

“Dr. Urquhart has the rare ability to explain complicated financial topics clearly,” Lucarelli said. “While ‘pulling back the curtain’ on the American health care system and how it is paid for, she explains to both physician and patient audiences how the ‘invisible hand’ of for-profit insurance companies influences the delivery of medical care.”

Urquhart experienced the invisible hand first-hand when practicing medicine with her husband. She also spoke about her own journey as doctor, student and patient.

There is more to come.

“As a subscriber to her podcast and after reading of her book, I was excited to have the opportunity to interview Dr. Urquhart and ask follow-up questions listeners don't usually get to ask, including, ‘When is the next season of the podcast being released?’” Lucarelli said.

To find out, tune in to Off the Chart: A Business of Medicine Podcast.

In case you missed it, earlier this year Lucarelli spoke with Ronald Epstein, M.D., FAAHPM, professor of family medicine and palliative care at the University of Rochester in New York. A writer, researcher and teacher, Epstein is the author of "Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness and Humanity."