In this episode of Inside View by NPHI, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider discusses why conversations around declining health and end of life so often happen too late, and how honesty, storytelling, and asking patients what matters most can fundamentally change the care experience.
Laurie McWright also joins the podcast for a candid conversation on healthcare innovation, the realities of building and testing new care models, and where future models could better support patients earlier in the course of serious illness.
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What You'll Hear
Guest 1 - Shoshana Ungerleider, MD
🎙 01:23 — Bringing Conversations Out of the Shadows: Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider on End Well, storytelling, and honesty in serious illness care
Shoshana Ungerleider, MD, practicing internal medicine physician, producer and host of Before We Go and TED Health podcasts, and founder of End Well, joins Tom and Carole to talk about where serious illness care often falls short for patients and families.
She reflects on the origins of End Well, the disconnect between what medicine delivers and what people experience, and how storytelling has helped shift the conversation. She also shares a simple but important takeaway for clinicians on helping patients feel more prepared and supported.
A focused conversation on clarity, communication, and what it means to “end well.”
Guest 2 - Laurie McWright
18:11 — Lessons from VBID and What Comes Next
Laurie McWright, former Deputy Director at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, joins Tom and Carole to discuss what it takes to design and implement new care models.
She reflects on her work at CMMI, including the VBID model, why certain aspects proved challenging, and what can be learned from that experience. She also shares her perspective on where future models could better support patients earlier in their care journey.
A clear look at innovation, challenges, and what comes next.
