What if medicine's blind spot to caregiving isn't ignorance, but a mismatch in roles and expectations?

In this thought-provoking episode of Scalpel and Sword, host Dr. Lee Sharma welcomes Dr. Kenneth Lamb, to unpack his JAMA Network Open editorial responding to a study on healthcare-caregiver teamwork post-knee replacement. Drawing from his dual lens as physician and family caregiver, Dr. Lamb questions the "team" assumption: Do doctors truly see themselves as partners in the 24/7 world of unpaid caregiving?

He spotlights the Relational Coordination Index (RCI), a metric gauging communication, shared goals, and mutual respect, and its potential to quantify collaboration, while critiquing medicine's medicalization trap. "We promise independence through expertise, yet overlook caregivers' lived mastery" Referencing sociologist Sharon Kaufman's work on aging's paradoxes, Dr. Lamb calls for evidence-based science to bridge the gap, urging the field to earn its societal mantle.

This episode is essential for physicians, caregivers, and policymakers navigating elder carie's complexities.

Three Actionable Takeaways

• Question the "Team" in Caregiving: Not all professionals buy into shared goals with caregivers. Dr. Lamb notes colleagues often defer to "case managers," creating a disconnect. Map your patient's full care network (nurses, social workers, family) using RCI-inspired questions on availability and collaboration to reveal gaps and foster true partnership.
• Measure Teamwork with RCI for Outcomes: The Relational Coordination Index assesses communication, respect, and alignment. Early data links high scores to better post-op results, but it's untested in geriatrics. In your next consult, rate RCI elements (e.g., "Do I feel the caregiver can communicate freely?") and track if it correlates with patient/caregiver satisfaction.
• Challenge Medicine's Paradox of Independence: We "medicalize" aging by itemizing details as if expertise alone restores autonomy, ignoring caregivers' intuitive skills. Dr. Lamb invokes Sharon Kaufman: Shift from "doctor knows best" to co-creation. Learn one caregiver "mastery" tip (e.g., double-gloving for hygiene) and integrate it into rounds to humanize care.

About the Show:

Behind every procedure, every patient encounter, lies an untold story of conflict and negotiation. Scalpel and Sword, hosted by Dr. Lee Sharma—physician, mediator, and guide—invites listeners into the unseen battles and breakthroughs of modern medicine. With real conversations, human stories, and practical tools, this podcast empowers physicians to reclaim their voices, sharpen their skills, and wield their healing power with both precision and purpose.

About the Guest:

Dr. Kenneth Lamb, MD, MAS, is a geriatrician and Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Trained at Stanford, UCSF, Western Ontario, and Toronto, he researches caregiver-physician teamwork and the paradoxes of elder care. His recent JAMA editorial questions whether doctors truly belong on the caregiving “team,” using the Relational Coordination Index, while advocating evidence-based collaboration. As both physician and family caregiver, he champions practical skills and systemic support for unpaid caregivers.

About the Host:
Dr. Lee Sharma is a gynecologist based in Auburn, AL, with over 30 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master’s in Conflict Resolution and is passionate about helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges and thrive through open conversations and practical tools.

• Connect with Dr. Lee Sharma:
  📧 Email: scalpelandsword@gmail.com
  🌐 Website: East Alabama Health - Dr. Sharma

The Scalpel and Sword Podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.