DDx

DDx

Figure 1

A podcast about how doctors think. Presented by Figure 1, the knowledge-sharing and collaboration app for physicians and healthcare professionals. Learn more at Figure1.com/ddx

The Workflow Conveyor Belt

The Workflow Conveyor Belt

“There's so many downstream effects of having people work in an inefficient environment.” Dr. Gerald Atanda, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, shares his experiences dealing with inefficiencies in a clinical environment and the stress that results. Every day in his practice, he sees how broken workflows ripple out—straining providers and the patients who rely on them. Dr. Atanda highlights how DAX Copilot, an AI-powered solution, aims to simplify doctors' workflows by recording patient visits and

Feb 19, • 11:44

Burnout, Interrupted

Burnout, Interrupted

“If I’m running on empty, I can’t be the doctor my patients deserve,” said Dr. Theresa Nguyen. Dr. Nguyen, who is the Chair of Pediatrics at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and leads the Medical Staff Wellness Committee, joins us to discuss the culture of wellness at the workplace for physicians. She opens up about her own personal journey dealing with the stress of perpetual burnout, delving into the impact on her life not only as a physician, but also as a mother and human being. For Dr. Nguy

Feb 12, • 9:33

The Human Connection

The Human Connection

We sit down with Dr. Patrick McGill, who shares his experiences and challenges as Chief Transformation Officer at Community Health Network and as a family doctor at South Indy Family Practice in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. McGill discusses the growing disconnect between doctors and patients due to administrative tasks and required documentation, which often take away valuable time and focus from patient care. Dr. McGill discusses his initial skepticism about integrating AI-powered solutions and h

Feb 5, • 10:08

Season 11 Trailer

Season 11 Trailer

Imagine a world where doctors spend more time with patients—and less on paperwork. This season on DDx, we explore DAX Copilot, an AI assistant that listens to doctor-patient conversations and drafts notes for medical records. We’re asking doctors what it’s really like to use this technology. Does it help? Does it get in the way? And what does it mean for the doctor-patient relationship when AI is in the room too? Real stories from the frontlines of healthcare. Season 11 of DDx is coming soon.

Jan 29, • 1:11

Giving New Life Through X-linked Hypophosphatemia Research

Giving New Life Through X-linked Hypophosphatemia Research

After a lifetime of treating her rare bone disease, X-linked hypophosphatemia, a patient is at the end of her rope. Due to a genetic variation of the X chromosome — specifically the PHEX gene — there’s an imbalance of phosphate levels in her body. Because of its domino effect on bone development and mineralization, the patient is in pain, she’s frustrated, and nothing seems to help. So when a clinical trial opportunity presents itself, Dr. Suzanne Jan de Beur, a professor of medicine and the Chi

May 29, 2024 • 10:44

The Bumpy Road to Hypoparathyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment

The Bumpy Road to Hypoparathyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment

It’s a summer day and a 45-year-old is out for a drive. As she accelerates her stick-shift car, she starts to experience familiar, and scary, symptoms: facial tingling, numbness around her mouth, and a sharp pain in her hands. Her hands cramp and lock onto the steering wheel. Fortunately, she makes it home safely, but it will take many wrong turns and the help of Dr. Google to determine a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism, a rare bone disorder. Dr. Michael Mannstadt, the Chief of the Endocrine Uni

May 22, 2024 • 11:01

Unexpected Therapies for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Offer New Hope

Unexpected Therapies for Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Offer New Hope

A local pool in the summer is teeming with kids. A 9-year-old does a cannonball into the shallow end. As she surfaces, a stab of pain shoots through her hip. As days pass, what seems like a straightforward bump takes a complicated turn. Dr. Edward Hsiao, an endocrinologist and Director of the UCSF Metabolic Bone Clinic at the University of California, describes how after discovering a new bone growth at the site of the pain and several rounds of major (and unsuccessful) interventions, the child

May 15, 2024 • 10:32

Overcoming the Odds of Prenatal Hypophosphatasia

Overcoming the Odds of Prenatal Hypophosphatasia

In an examination room, an ultrasound technician moves a wand over a patient’s belly. The patient is 20 weeks pregnant. Usually, these appointments bring good news, but the news this day is devastating: the baby’s bones are broken and bowed. Despite this, the baby is born and does well. After testing, all signs point to hypophosphatasia for Dr. Eric Rush, a clinical geneticist at Children’s Mercy Hospital and the University of Kansas Medical Center, and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at th

May 8, 2024 • 10:22

The Power and Potential of GACI Clinical Trials

The Power and Potential of GACI Clinical Trials

In a bustling maternity ward, an infant has a case of newborn hiccups. But this quickly transforms into labored breathing. A chest X-ray unravels an unexpected discovery – calcium deposits around her shoulder. Follow-up tests paint a complex picture, revealing narrowed blood vessels and widespread calcifications. Genetic testing confirms a grim diagnosis: generalized arterial calcification of infancy, or GACI, a rare genetic condition with a challenging prognosis. Nearly half of infants don't s

May 1, 2024 • 9:49

Biosimilars and the Quiet Revolution in Medicine

Biosimilars and the Quiet Revolution in Medicine

On a December morning, a 62-year-old goes for a walk. There’s snow on the ground and she loses her balance. She falls and fractures her wrist. This simple fracture reveals underlying osteoporosis, requiring lifelong (and expensive) medication. But as you’ll learn from Dr. Richard Eastell, an endocrinologist and professor of Bone Metabolism at the University of Sheffield, this is where biosimilars come in. Biosimilars are extremely similar — hence the name — to the original biological drug they'r

Apr 24, 2024 • 10:35

How One Child Overcame Hemophilia Complications Despite Incredible Barriers

How One Child Overcame Hemophilia Complications Despite Incredible Barriers

A 5-year-old child and his parents boarded a plane heading for a new life. They were Syrian refugees, who fled conflict in their country and then lived a difficult life in a refugee camp. Now they were heading to Canada. But soon after arriving, there’s a problem. The child has hemophilia and due to hemophilia complications, a minor injury while traveling became a major concern. Add to this a language barrier and trying to understand a new culture. Dr. Robert Klaassen, a pediatric hematologist a

Apr 17, 2024 • 10:40

Unraveling How a Hemophilia Diagnosis Went Undetected for 60 Years

Unraveling How a Hemophilia Diagnosis Went Undetected for 60 Years

It was supposed to be a simple, low-risk procedure, but for this 61-year-old patient with undiagnosed hemophilia, undergoing a lithotripsy for kidney stones proved to be anything but. The patient was born in the 1950s in Taiwan, when many people in the country had never heard of the disease. So, despite signs throughout his life, the patient’s hemophilia diagnosis evaded him for decades. Dr. Yeu-Chin Chen, a hematologist at the Tri Service General Hospital's Hemophilia Care and Research Center i

Apr 10, 2024 • 9:15

To Play or Not to Play, the Challenges of Managing Pediatric Hemophilia

To Play or Not to Play, the Challenges of Managing Pediatric Hemophilia

A young child living with severe hemophilia is adopted by a family in the United States. Prior to his adoption, due to a lack of resources and other challenges, his hemophilia was not properly managed. Dr. Meera Chitlur, a pediatric hematologist and the director of the Hemophilia Treatment Center at the Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, has treated this patient since he first came to the U.S. As he grew older, like many children, he wanted to play sports. But for people with hemophilia

Apr 3, 2024 • 11:09

The History of Hemophilia and Its Evolution Toward Preventive Care

The History of Hemophilia and Its Evolution Toward Preventive Care

About 40 years ago a mother brought her 6-month-old child into the hospital. He was covered in bruises. Dr. Victor Blanchette, a pediatric hematologist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, met the patient that day and, following a severe hemophilia diagnosis, has treated the patient ever since. Dr. Blanchette recounts how during the patient’s childhood in the 80s, the approach to treating hemophilia was reactive, not proactive. This meant that normal childhood activities could l

Mar 27, 2024 • 11:04

Undoing the Long-Held Misunderstandings of Hemophilia in Women

Undoing the Long-Held Misunderstandings of Hemophilia in Women

A 30-year-old was in labor with her first child. Everything was going to plan … until it wasn’t. Dr. Azusa Nagao, a hematologist at Ogikubo Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, shares a case that illustrates how historically it was thought that women and people assigned female at birth could only be carriers of the disease, not have the disease themselves. This misunderstanding of hemophilia in women has led to women going undiagnosed and untreated with severe repercussions. For the patient in this story,

Mar 20, 2024 • 10:55

The Ups and Downs of Hemophilia Treatment

The Ups and Downs of Hemophilia Treatment

A patient was experiencing severe knee pain. Unfortunately, this wasn't anything new. For decades, he’d been suffering from joint disease, caused by severe bleeding in his knees from a rare blood disorder — hemophilia A. The patient was born in the 1960s, a time when the life expectancy for patients with hemophilia was only 10 years. But as Dr. Annette Von Drygalski, a board certified hematologist and the director of the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment Centre at the University of California,

Mar 13, 2024 • 13:09

Go Inside the Minds of Doctors Who Specialize in Hemophilia

Go Inside the Minds of Doctors Who Specialize in Hemophilia

Go inside the minds of doctors who specialize in hemophilia — a rare, inherited bleeding disorder that once meant possibly not surviving past the age of 20. This season, we’ll explore the medical milestones that enable patients today to live longer, richer lives and examine the challenges yet to be tackled.

Mar 8, 2024 • 1:20

When the Doctor is the Bully

When the Doctor is the Bully

What can you do when your attending physician is a bully? Hear from two nurses, Melissa and Laura, about their experiences being bullied by a physician. For Melissa, it was notifying an on-call physician that a baby was ready to be delivered, only to be scolded for calling too soon. For Laura, it was being reprimanded by a physician who questioned her abilities as a nurse in front of a patient. So how do you respond to a bully, especially when the bully is in a position of power? Connie spoke wi

Nov 22, 2023 • 14:25

Critical Learning on the Job

Critical Learning on the Job

When is it okay to admit that you don’t know how to do something? Hear the story of Tamara Kuhn, a bedside telemetry nurse, who in a moment of crisis, used her problem-solving skills to keep her patient (and herself) safe. Tamara was caring for a patient who suddenly became violent. After calling for help, Tamara was given what she thought would be a standard restraint system. But what she received was not equipment she was used to. So how do you set yourself up for success in these situations?

Nov 15, 2023 • 15:04

Trusting Your Gut

Trusting Your Gut

What do you do when you know something is wrong with a patient, but don’t have the data to back it up?Hear the story of Diana Struthers Stanton, who, at the beginning of her 46 years in nursing, cared for a 10-year-old patient with Reye syndrome. The patient’s capillary refill had changed and was slowly getting worse and worse.Concerned, Diana spoke to her charge nurse and was told not to worry about it.She spoke with her colleagues who also told her not to worry.She paged the on-call resident i

Nov 8, 2023 • 15:42

When Generic Symptoms Turn Serious

When Generic Symptoms Turn Serious

How do you know when generic symptoms are masquerading as something serious? Hear the story of Molly Lalonde, a pediatric nurse practitioner, who met an 11-year-old patient with an unexpected concern.While surprised by the patient’s inquiry, Molly took the time to listen and ask questions. In response to the patient’s heightened level of concern, Molly investigated further. Following an assessment by a specialist, it turned out the patient’s concern was warranted. So how do you recognize the zeb

Nov 1, 2023 • 11:53

Raj recommends our new show: They Don't Teach That In Nursing School

Raj recommends our new show: They Don't Teach That In Nursing School

While nursing school equips you with valuable knowledge and skills, it doesn't prepare you for the real-life challenges you’ll face on the floor.They Don't Teach That In Nursing School is your go-to guide, offering unique solutions to the unexpected problems you'll encounter as a nurse.Each week Connie Levie (RN) presents the story of a nurse facing a specific challenge and its possible solutions.Our episodes are snack-sized, designed for your commute, break time, or just when you need to decomp

Oct 25, 2023 • 2:11

RAJ WANTS YOUR VOTE

RAJ WANTS YOUR VOTE

DDx has been nominated for three Signal Awards. Click the links below and vote for us now!Documentary: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2023/shows/general/documentaryHealth & Wellness: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2023/shows/general/health-wellnessBest Writing: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2023/shows/craft/best-writing

Sep 21, 2023 • 0:31

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM RAJ

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM RAJ

Hi DDx listeners! We’ve got something special in the works, and we want you in on it. We're developing a new podcast by and for nurses - and we're searching for a host! It’s a show about innovative solutions to the most intense challenges - whether clinical or personal - that nurses face. In each episode, you, our host, will connect with fellow nurses who are grappling with specific challenges and unravel solutions that not only elevate their practice but also enhance their overall job satisfact

Sep 6, 2023 • 0:49

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and a Trip Across State Lines

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and a Trip Across State Lines

Following a normal first trimester, a pregnant patient starts spotting. The patient’s care provider books an urgent ultrasound to see what is causing the bleeding. The main concerns are if the spotting is caused by a miscarriage or something else.Following the ultrasound, the technician calls in obstetrician Dr. Ashley Brant to review the results with the patient. There is a problem with the fetus’ heart — specifically, a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Essentially, the left si

Feb 1, 2023 • 10:13

Pregnancy Reduction in a Twin Pregnancy

Pregnancy Reduction in a Twin Pregnancy

A 35-year-old with several children discovers she is having a twin pregnancy. This is happy news, until a potential abnormality in twin B is found. Twin B is measuring much smaller than twin A — almost a full 10 to 14 days behind — and there is fluid around the fetus. While it is too early to diagnose, it appears there is a brain abnormality.The patient, with a lot of apprehension and many questions, sees high-risk obstetrician Dr. Maeve Hopkins. Genetic testing is needed for decision-making — t

Jan 25, 2023 • 12:20

The Complicated Decision-Making of a Molar Pregnancy and an Intrauterine Pregnancy

The Complicated Decision-Making of a Molar Pregnancy and an Intrauterine Pregnancy

A pregnant person is referred early in pregnancy to high-risk obstetrician Dr. Stacey Ehrenberg after an ultrasound detects an abnormally developing placenta. Dr. Ehrenberg diagnoses the patient with a molar pregnancy; a placenta that forms into a benign tumor with the potential to become cancerous. While the molar pregnancy will not survive, the patient also has a viable intrauterine pregnancy.Faced with this diagnosis, Dr. Ehrenberg counsels her patient about the risks of continuing or discont

Jan 18, 2023 • 10:41

Abortion as Healthcare (a Miniseries)

Abortion as Healthcare (a Miniseries)

Meet three obstetricians who perform an essential medical procedure: abortion. Learn about their patients and how abortion affects both physical and mental health. From a molar pregnancy to fetal chromosomal abnormalities, these stories illustrate the life-saving impact of abortion, and its necessity within healthcare.

Jan 11, 2023 • 1:33

Non-Specific Symptoms Lead to Complicated Diagnosis

Non-Specific Symptoms Lead to Complicated Diagnosis

It starts small. A slight pain in the foot, followed by an achy shoulder. There's some fatigue. The type of non-specific symptoms that often go ignored … until they can’t be anymore.A 37-year-old visits the family doctor, complaining of foot, shoulder and chest pain that progresses over weeks. And she's really tired. Otherwise, there’s nothing notable. She's just a busy parent. Being tired is normal, right? Sometimes that’s true, but in this case, this would prove to be a dangerous assumption. S

Dec 7, 2022 • 11:42

A Lump on the Skull and the Misdiagnosis of a Rare Bone Disease

A Lump on the Skull and the Misdiagnosis of a Rare Bone Disease

In 1964, Nancy, a 5-year-old, is having her evening bath when her parents discover she has a lump on the skull the size of a grapefruit. This would mark the onset of a mysterious and debilitating disease that researchers are still struggling to understand. Over the next 40 days, medical professionals struggled to discover what was causing the lump on the skull. Each test seemed to exacerbate the swelling in Nancy's neck. In hindsight, that was a big clue, but it took doctors a while to recognize

Nov 30, 2022 • 11:00

Metatarsal Bone Fractures and a Rare Bone Disease Hiding in Plain Site

Metatarsal Bone Fractures and a Rare Bone Disease Hiding in Plain Site

A patient in her mid-50s complains of foot and leg pain. She's post-menopausal with low bone density. A classic case of post-menopausal osteoporosis.Not exactly. And it won’t start to become clear until it gets to the point of her having repeated metatarsal bone fractures.Let’s go back a little. It’s 2005. Our patient visits her family doctor complaining of pain in her legs and feet. But the discomfort she's experiencing isn't your typical aches and pains associated with aging. “She develops a l

Nov 23, 2022 • 12:00

Hypophosphatemia and the Secret Locked in a Child’s DNA

Hypophosphatemia and the Secret Locked in a Child’s DNA

A toddler is taken to his pediatrician because his parents are concerned he might be small for his age. The pediatrician diagnoses him with knock knees, but there’s no cause for alarm.Although the child doesn't have any other known medical conditions, something is happening in secret, inside his DNA that won’t be discovered until a diagnosis of hypophosphatemia is discovered some time later. And if this disease is ignored, it can quickly become deadly. But back to that first appointment. “At tha

Nov 16, 2022 • 12:21

Overlooked Diagnostic Test for Blood Calcium Levels Leads to Rare Diagnosis

Overlooked Diagnostic Test for Blood Calcium Levels Leads to Rare Diagnosis

A 23-year-old presents to the emergency department with progressive symptoms. It starts with tingling in the fingertips that lead to leg cramps that turn into feeling like she’s turning into stone, frozen in one position with stabbing pain. And perhaps most troubling, she can't concentrate. In fact, the brain fog is so severe that she’s afraid to drive.  Over the course of three days, her life has been turned upside down. She takes a taxi to the emergency department and is seen after waiting six

Nov 9, 2022 • 10:29

Mysterious Arterial Calcifications and One of the World’s Most Unique Patients

Mysterious Arterial Calcifications and One of the World’s Most Unique Patients

An infant is born with no complications in a hospital in Los Angeles. Within days, that same baby will suddenly have mysterious arterial calcifications, making him one of the most unique patients in the world.After being released from the hospital following the birth, within five days, the infant’s parents discovered the child breathing quickly, sweating and unable to eat. The child is brought back to the hospital and quickly transferred to UCLA for specialized care. The situation quickly turns

Nov 2, 2022 • 12:37

Paediatric Seizures and The Race Against Time

Paediatric Seizures and The Race Against Time

A toddler’s parents noticed him having muscle twitches before falling asleep and when waking up. They’re told nothing is wrong. This episode of DDx reminds us that sometimes when you hear hoofbeats, it really is a zebra.

Jun 29, 2022 • 11:17

Diagnosing a Complex and Mysterious Form of Paediatric Epilepsy

Diagnosing a Complex and Mysterious Form of Paediatric Epilepsy

A child was referred to a specialist on the suspicion he has pediatric epilepsy, a complicated and fickle condition. In this episode of DDx, we explore a case with several peculiar symptoms and diagnostic test results that baffled doctors. The answer may lie in genetic testing.

Jun 22, 2022 • 12:18

Mapping a Complicated Genetic History of Epilepsy

Mapping a Complicated Genetic History of Epilepsy

A 5-month-old was brought to the emergency department with staring episodes. In this episode of DDx, we’re reminded that even when initial tests come back normal, keep thinking about the patient in front of you and probe parents for any new signs.

Jun 15, 2022 • 11:07

The Many Questions and Few Answers of a Rare Disease Diagnosis

The Many Questions and Few Answers of a Rare Disease Diagnosis

A toddler has episodes where his face changes, his arms shoot up, and he collapses. On this episode of the podcast, we address when rare disease diagnoses offer more questions than answers, and treatment options don’t lead to a cure.

Jun 8, 2022 • 12:33

Classic Symptoms of Rare Diseases and Avoiding Diagnostic Odysseys

Classic Symptoms of Rare Diseases and Avoiding Diagnostic Odysseys

Rare diseases are … rare … which makes even textbook cases difficult to diagnose. In this episode, we’ll talk about the patterns and characterizations of a rare disease and how we can avoid diagnostic odysseys.

Jun 1, 2022 • 11:23

DDx Returns for Season Five

DDx Returns for Season Five

Rare diseases are … rare … which makes even textbook cases difficult to diagnose. In this season, we’ll talk about the patterns and characterizations of a rare paediatric disorders.

May 25, 2022 • 1:05

The Importance of Genetic Screening

The Importance of Genetic Screening

Genetic screening is vital for early diagnosis and management of genetic diseases. In this episode, dig into how it works, how it can help treatments reach patients sooner, and how it informs traditional treatments like physical therapy.Genetic screening works to determine which people might have a greater likelihood of developing a specific trait or disease, while genetic testing is concerned with testing an individual for a specific condition.One method of screening takes the form of a DNA-siz

Mar 23, 2022 • 9:24

ALS, DMD and Adapting Treatment Mechanisms for Genetic Variations

ALS, DMD and Adapting Treatment Mechanisms for Genetic Variations

In this episode, we’ll dig into the different mechanisms by which gene therapy can potentially treat specific genetic diseases – such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and others.In 1993, a multinational group of scientists and doctors solved a medical mystery 150 years in the making.And they did it, in part, by examining the genealogy of a particular family in Vermont. In 1835, a farmer named Erastus Farr died of a mysterious illness characterized by a progressive weakening of his muscl

Mar 16, 2022 • 10:43

Gene Therapy in Action: Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors

Gene Therapy in Action: Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors

Adeno-associated viral vectors, or AAVs, are the tiny shells of viruses. And today they are the most common vessels for delivering gene-based therapies.  In this episode, we’ll launch into the past, present, and future of AAVs. Imagine a rocket ship blasting off from Earth with cargo bound for a distant space station, and you have a pretty good idea what adeno-associated viral vectors are all about. But instead of ferrying hardware and supplies, AAVs carry genes.It’s an achievement nearly six de

Mar 9, 2022 • 11:31

The Future of Gene Therapy and Genetic Diseases

The Future of Gene Therapy and Genetic Diseases

Peek into the future of gene therapy and its capacity to treat – maybe eliminate – genetic diseases like cancers and hemophilia. Plus, the potential to reverse the effects of aging. It’s a future scientists have been working toward for years: How to treat complex health  problems with gene therapy. And researchers have been making progress. Diagnoses once thought to be fatal are now being looked at in a new light.This is a welcome sight for physicians, caregivers, and – most of all – for the pat

Mar 2, 2022 • 10:17

How Does Gene Therapy Work? Correcting Disease-Causing Genetic Variations

How Does Gene Therapy Work? Correcting Disease-Causing Genetic Variations

Not all genetic variations are associated with threats or harms to human health. Some even  protect us, such as genetic variations that have been shown to make bones harder or the heart more impervious to disease. But while some genetic variations are positive, others can cause or contribute to disease. In this episode, we answer the question of how does gene therapy work, and learn how gene therapy replaces and repairs certain gene variants, and is changing the trajectory of genetic diseases.Fo

Feb 23, 2022 • 10:07

A Brief History of Gene Therapy and the Discovery of DNA

A Brief History of Gene Therapy and the Discovery of DNA

In this episode, we explore some of the major scientific findings – like discovering DNA – that set the stage for the development of gene therapy and its groundbreaking potential when it comes to the treatment of genetic diseases. The very idea of gene therapy wouldn’t be imaginable had two pairs of pioneering scientists not bonded decades earlier. In 1951, a young chemist named Rosalind Franklin and her colleague Maurice Wilkins at King’s College in London were using X-ray crystallography to tr

Feb 16, 2022 • 11:42

DDx is Back for Season Four

DDx is Back for Season Four

Take a deep dive into one of the most awe-inspiring medical innovations of our time: gene therapy. It's comparable to some of the greatest scientific explorations ever undertaken. Like landing astronauts on the moon or sending spacecraft toward the edges of our galaxy. Except, instead of probing the vastness of outer space, this season, we’ll explore the infinite universe inside the tiny molecules of our DNA, and look at medical technology with the potential to reshape our approach to treating m

Feb 9, 2022 • 1:14

Searching for zebras

Searching for zebras

Few patients. A scarcity of literature. Working in rare disease can feel like you’re standing at the edge of an abyss with just a flashlight in your hand. And someone’s life depends on you--Meet the doctors who spend their time searching for zebras, and find out what motivates them.Head to Figure1.com/ddx where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Sep 8, 2021 • 8:22

A fractured childhood

A fractured childhood

When a baby girl is born with two broken femurs, doctors don’t notice the bluish-grey discoloration of her sclera, her bowed and shortened legs, or her larger-than-normal head. And it will be months before they piece together the puzzleHead to Figure1.com/ddx where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Sep 1, 2021 • 12:01

Hunting for a diagnosis

Hunting for a diagnosis

After a patient in his early 30s develops muscle weakness so severe he requires a wheelchair, he’s diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and starts treatment for the disease. But when a bone scan reveals multiple fractures, his physicians start to question their original diagnosis.Head to Figure1.com/ddx where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Aug 25, 2021 • 10:52

When the fever breaks

When the fever breaks

A one-year old boy is brought to his doctor with a history of febrile seizures, odd movements, and developmental delay. His seizures continue, but the fevers stop. And doctors realize they’re in a race against time.Head to Figure1.com/ddx where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Aug 18, 2021 • 8:39

Code blue

Code blue

“Code blue, unit 305. Code blue, unit 305.” After an 8-year-old boy with recurrent episodes of rhabdomyolysis is hospitalized for treatment of a rare inherited disease, his condition quickly deteriorates.Head to Figure1.com/ddx where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Aug 11, 2021 • 9:10

The forgotten disease

The forgotten disease

A 35-year-old man thought he had outgrown the rare disorder which he was diagnosed with as a child. But as his movement becomes increasingly limited, he realizes that he never escaped it, and now there’s more than just his mobility at stake.Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Aug 3, 2021 • 11:34

DDx Returns for a Third Season

DDx Returns for a Third Season

Welcome back to DDx, a show about how doctors think. In Season 3, focused on rare disease, you’ll meet the doctors searching for the zebra among a herd of horses. Join host Dr. Raj Bhardwaj as he explores the challenges in distinguishing rare diseases from common ones, and how to recognize them when the stakes are life and death.Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Jul 28, 2021 • 1:49

When an Infection Isn't an Infection

When an Infection Isn't an Infection

A routine surgery leads to a puzzling reaction. Is more surgery required, or is it something else? Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Jul 8, 2020 • 13:08

Psoriasis and Mental Health (Sponsored)

Psoriasis and Mental Health (Sponsored)

A common skin condition affects much more than a patient’s skin, and misinformation only exacerbates the stigma. This episode is brought to you by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.  Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Jul 1, 2020 • 12:32

Pattern Recognition Can Save a Life

Pattern Recognition Can Save a Life

A dermatologist is paged to examine a rare condition. But something doesn’t add up. Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Jun 24, 2020 • 11:08

More Than Skin Deep (Sponsored)

More Than Skin Deep (Sponsored)

While skin findings can sometimes help with a diagnosis, they can also distract from other undiagnosed symptoms. This episode is brought to you by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Jun 17, 2020 • 9:49

Rash Decision

Rash Decision

What do you do when faced with a set of symptoms that has two contradictory courses of treatment? Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Jun 10, 2020 • 9:44

Why Skin Color Matters

Why Skin Color Matters

Unconscious bias can run so deep that patients and doctors alike can miss a potentially fatal diagnosis. Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

Jun 3, 2020 • 8:40

Scratching the Surface (Sponsored)

Scratching the Surface (Sponsored)

A patient presents with fever, swollen digits, and skin "the color of a red delicious apple." She’s been scratching so hard that she’s bleeding through her shirt. What’s going on? This episode is brought to you by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.  Head to Figure1.com/ddx, where you can find full show notes, photos, and speaker bios.

May 29, 2020 • 9:05

Sudoku seizures

Sudoku seizures

As DDx gets ready to launch season two, we're re-releasing our first season. A young man’s near-death experience results in a very puzzling diagnosis on the season finale of DDx. For related photos, medical cases and links to pertinent research, visit Figure1.com/ddx.

Dec 20, 2019 • 0:10

The Source of the Bleed

The Source of the Bleed

As DDx gets ready to launch season two, we're re-releasing our first season. A patient with an acute subdural hematoma presents with no sign of head trauma. The search for an answer almost overlooks an obvious question. For related photos, medical cases and links to pertinent research, visit Figure1.com/ddx.

Dec 18, 2019 • 0:12

The near-miss

The near-miss

As DDx gets ready to launch season two, we're re-releasing our first season. A patient says she feels fine. A quick-thinking doctor arrives at a dire and uncommon diagnosis. Then it happens again. And again. For related photos, medical cases and links to pertinent research, visit Figure1.com/ddx.

Dec 11, 2019 • 0:13

Extreme reactions to marijuana

Extreme reactions to marijuana

As DDx gets ready to launch season two, we're re-releasing our first season. Chronic vomiting, a flushed complexion, and acute agitation: can cannabis be the cause? A growing consensus among doctors suggests cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is real and on the rise. For related photos, medical cases and links to pertinent research, visit Figure1.com/ddx.

Dec 4, 2019 • 0:13

Young, fit and female? Higher chance of misdiagnosis

Young, fit and female? Higher chance of misdiagnosis

As DDx gets ready to launch season two, we're re-releasing our first season. A young woman is almost misdiagnosed — perhaps fatally — when she presents at an E.R. with nausea, vomiting, and myalgia. For related photos, medical cases and links to pertinent research, visit Figure1.com/ddx.

Nov 27, 2019 • 0:11

Anchoring bias and the frequent flyer

Anchoring bias and the frequent flyer

As DDx gets ready to launch season two, we're re-releasing our first season. A 19-year-old with sickle cell disease is well-known to ER doctors as a "frequent flyer". Every time they see her it's due to chronic pain related to her disease. Except for the one time it isn't.  For related photos, medical cases and links to research on cognitive bias, visit Figure1.com/DDx.

Nov 20, 2019 • 0:12

Sudoku seizures.

Sudoku seizures.

A young man's near-death experience results in a very puzzling diagnosis on the season finale of DDx.

Apr 21, 2018 • 9:11

Extreme reactions to marijuana.

Extreme reactions to marijuana.

Chronic vomiting, a flushed complexion, and acute agitation: can cannabis be the cause? A growing consensus among doctors suggests cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is real and on the rise.

Apr 21, 2018 • 11:58

Young, fit and female? Higher chance of misdiagnosis.

Young, fit and female? Higher chance of misdiagnosis.

Welcome to DDx, an original podcast by Figure 1 about how doctors think.  On episode 1, host and emergency doctor Raj Bhardwaj presents a real medical case as told by the doctor who diagnosed it. A young woman is almost misdiagnosed - perhaps fatally - when she presents at an E.R. with nausea, vomiting and myalgia.

Apr 21, 2018 • 10:07

The near-miss.

The near-miss.

A patient says she feels fine. A quick-thinking doctor arrives at a dire and uncommon diagnosis. Then it happens again. And again.

Apr 21, 2018 • 11:44

The source of the bleed.

The source of the bleed.

A patient with an acute subdural hematoma presents with no sign of head trauma. The search for an answer almost overlooks an obvious question.

Apr 21, 2018 • 10:34

Anchoring bias and the frequent flyer.

Anchoring bias and the frequent flyer.

A 19-year-old with sickle cell disease is well-known to ER doctors as a "frequent flyer". Every time they see her it's due to chronic pain related to her disease. Except for the one time it isn't.  For related photos, medical cases and links to research on cognitive bias, visit Figure1.com/DDx

Mar 13, 2018 • 10:48

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