The Future of the Physician: AI, Empathy, and the Evolving Patient Experience
In Part 2 of the Patient No Longer podcast conversation with Dr. Kevin Pho—internal medicine physician and founder of the influential KevinMD platform—host Ryan Donohue explores how physicians and patients can forge stronger relationships despite growing systemic and technological pressures.
Conversation
The Future of the Physician: AI, Empathy, and the Evolving Patient Experience
Podcast Guest
Kevin Pho, MD, is a practicing, board-certified internal medicine physician, a national media commentator, co-author of the book, Establishing, Managing, and Protecting Your Online Reputation: A Social Media Guide for Physicians and Medical Practices, and an acclaimed keynote speaker.
Highlights
Dr. Kevin Pho shares insights on AI, dueling goals in care, and how human connection will define the next generation of the physician-patient relationship.
What does it mean to be a doctor in 2025? According to Dr. Kevin Pho, it means being a guide—not a gatekeeper.
Dr. Pho shares why empathy, time, and being a guide through the healthcare maze are essential ingredients for a great patient experience—and why the current system doesn’t always support them.
Key topics include:
- How AI scribes can reduce burnout and restore eye contact
- How value-based care could be the antidote to dueling patient-clinician goals
- The untapped opportunity in reimagining front-desk and registration experiences
- The rise of ChatGPT and large language models in consumer health research
- The future role of physicians as partners, rather than paternal figures
“AI won’t replace doctors,” Dr. Pho says. “But doctors who use AI will replace those who don’t.”
As patients crave more guidance, clarity, and emotional connection, healthcare leaders must rethink outdated workflows and misaligned incentives. Dr. Pho emphasizes the importance of wellness, leadership, and self-advocacy for the next generation of physicians—starting from day one.
Whether you’re a healthcare executive, clinician, or patient, this episode offers hope and clarity about where the physician-patient relationship is headed—and what it will take to humanize healthcare for good.
Listen to the full episode or catch it on YouTube.