Reasonably Prudent Episode 5: A Ripple of Change in Healthcare with special guest Todd Otten, MD

What happens when the healthcare system designed to care for others begins failing the very people delivering that care? In Episode 5 of Reasonably Prudent, we welcome Dr. Todd Otten, a board-certified family physician, author, filmmaker, and passionate advocate for healthcare reform. Dr. Otten shares the personal experiences that inspired two of his passion projects: his book, Ripple of Change, and the powerful documentary Suck It Up, Buttercup: Trust & Betrayal – Healthcare in America. Both challenge the status quo and expose the growing disconnect between the mission of healthcare and the realities faced by clinicians and patients. Together, we explore physician burnout, moral injury, corporate influences on healthcare, the financial pressures facing hospitals, and the importance of restoring trust between patients, providers, and healthcare leadership. We also discuss the Quadruple Aim, clinician wellness, patient safety, and why meaningful reform requires more than simply telling healthcare professionals to be resilient. From healthcare economics and policy to medical malpractice and the challenges of leading in today's healthcare environment, this conversation takes an unfiltered look at what's broken, what's working, and what needs to change. Can one person really make a difference in a system this complex? Dr. Otten believes that meaningful change starts with a single ripple—and that enough ripples can create a wave. Join us for an honest, thought-provoking, and hopeful conversation about reclaiming the heart of healthcare.