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Jason Beckta

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out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineROCR Reloaded: The Clock’s Ticking on Radiation OncologyROCR is back. From accreditation traps to Congressional risks, this episode breaks down the data and delivers six bold fixes to save patient access. Tune in to hear why time’s running out for Radiation Oncology’s underdogs.OOTB is produced by Photon Media.Contact: jason@becktamd.com
2025-03-1748 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineSlow Motion Crash: How the AMA, Medical Professional Societies, and Flawed (Secret) Methodology Are Driving Radiation Oncology Off a CliffStrap in for a wild ride through the Medicare mess threatening radiation oncology in 2026. From a bizarre AMA survey that thinks we’re just radiology’s quirky cousin, to ASTRO’s head-scratching distractions, we break down the...break down?Recorded at midnight in the Vermont Mountain Basements™, this episode unpacks the Byzantine world of CPT codes, RVUs, and a 40% practice expense gut punch that could turn off the lights. OOTB is produced by Photon Media.Contact: jason@becktamd.com
2025-03-0547 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicinePediatric nasopharyngeal brachytherapy: a radioactive relic and the harmful myths surrounding it.In this episode, we step into a historical hornet’s nest, examining the controversial legacy of nasopharyngeal radium treatments once used for ear infections and adenoid issues in children. We unravel the convoluted data on radiation and cancer risks, hypothesizing about the academic intrigue behind a much-cited 2001 Hopkins study. Most importantly, we question how narratives - especially "radiation equals danger" narratives - shape research and publication. Join us for a thought-provoking dive into the world of radiation medicine, statistical hijinks, and the pressures of scientific storytelling. *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is...
2024-10-2757 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineThreshold of Deception: Stretching the Truth of Radiation SafetyLet's takes a deep dive into the flawed foundations of the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, a theory that has shaped radiation regulations for decades. We'll unravel the history of "radiophobia" and explore how fear of radiation, scientific ego, and regulatory inertia cemented the LNT model into public policy. The episode touches on the controversial decisions of Nobel laureate Hermann Muller, who may have let ambition and ideology steer his interpretation of radiation science. In visiting the...questionable...handling of contradicting evidence, we see parallels to modern scientific dogma and the need for transparency. An episode...
2024-10-201h 18out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineROCR's magical trickle-down equity economicsI've got a big HEART - can I have $500 too? *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@coldlight.org
2024-07-0316 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineRVU University (RVUU): The origin of modern Medicare reimbursement, Chevron deference, and ROCRAfter the journal evidently had to rediscover, patent, and rebuild the printing press, my ROCR "Letter to the Editor" was finally published: https://t.co/dGKHQJoMQD To accompany and expand upon this content, we'll start with framing the entire conversation with a simple "why do we care"? Since the Supreme Court was feeling feisty and surprisingly overturned Chevron deference, we also discuss how in the world that has anything to do with ROCR. Don't you just love summer?? *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by...
2024-07-0141 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineHigh Yield LDRT for OA - Everything Under the Sun (Xstrahl Miniseries Capstone)Ever found yourself thinking, "Man, I wish there was a single podcast episode that summarized all the most helpful and practical information on low-dose radiotherapy for osteoarthritis"? Well, good news! This episode is your ultimate guide to understanding the science, clinical efficacy, and practicalities of LDRT. We’re distilling the highlights of the entire “Xstrahl Miniseries” into one convenient digital treasure trove. Perfect for those looking to expand their modern practice with a treatment that's been in use for over a century, this capstone experience explores how LDRT can revolutionize not just OA management, but the en...
2024-05-2956 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineThe Nuclear Scare Scam - Galen Winsor (also known as "that physicist who ate uranium in the 1980s")Recently, a video of a physicist eating uranium while delivering a lecture appeared on my social media feed. While I ignored it once or twice, THE ALGORITHM knows me better than I know myself, and I eventually watched it. However, the short clip contained no information, and I couldn’t tell the context of why someone would do this, let alone if it was even real. Turns out…it’s very real. This is the full, unedited version of “The Nuclear Scare Scam”, a talk delivered by a man named Galen Winsor in 1985. The...
2024-05-181h 31out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineThose "negative" randomized control trials everyone likes to cite and say "LDRT doesn't work" are really, really bad (Radiotherapy for Arthritis: The Miniseries)Episode Four (part...one?) of the “Real World LDRT” miniseries (sponsored by Xstrahl) gets more into the evidence behind LDRT. Specifically, the two RCTs out of the Netherlands published a few years back showing that LDRT had no benefit in osteoarthritis. So...couple small problems with that. Namely, the trials had less than 30 patients in each arm, used too high of a dose, used only half the standard treatment, and...oh, yeah. In the LDRT arm in one of the trials, 2/3rds of the patients had >5/10 pain for >15/30 days per month despite analgesics/therapy for >5 years. That's VERY...
2024-04-1618 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineWho watches the watchers? The April 2024 town hall on Radiation Oncology's white whale: SUPERVISIONOn April 5th, 2024, ASTRO held an actual, honest-to-goodness "town hall" style virtual meeting with ~200 members of the Radiation Oncology community showing up to make their voices heard. Yowza. There's a reason this took me over a week to make and clocks in at almost two hours. Buckle up for a very special Cold Light episode as we "watch the watchers" and explore the topic of virtual supervision discussed in a virtual meeting. *** OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community...
2024-04-151h 48out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineLDRT Coding and Billing (Radiotherapy for Arthritis: The Miniseries)Episode Three of the “Real World LDRT” miniseries (sponsored by Xstrahl) is everyone's favorite topic: coding and billing! [insert the sounds of a gleeful studio audience here] The secret sauce is to remember you can bill it like normal (ideally, 2D or "complex isodose"). The radiotherapy CPT codes are disease agnostic (no, they're not just for cancer - heard that one before). But importantly - as doctors primarily treating cancer, we don't realize how massive the burden of osteoarthritis is for the American population. The even more secret sauce? LDRT is, by f...
2024-04-0832 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineHow to Get Your First Patient, Setup, and Treatment Planning (Radiotherapy for Arthritis: The Miniseries)Episode Two of the “Real World LDRT” miniseries (sponsored by Xstrahl) is all "meat and potatoes", as the kids used to say (back when FDR was president). I start with a high-level overview of the laboratory evidence for LDRT, followed by how to get your first patient and what you say to them when they ask "how does this work??" Hint: it's like NSAIDs and prednisone, just a different pathway. We then explore my favorite CTSIM setups and target volumes/PTVs. Remember: 3 Gy in 6-every-other-day fractions, assess at 12 weeks, and deliver a se...
2024-04-0542 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineRadiophobia and Secondary Malignancy (Radiotherapy for Arthritis: The Miniseries)Episode One, Part Two of the “Real World LDRT” miniseries (sponsored by Xstrahl) circles back to the 1940s and the extraordinary flaws of the "linear no threshold" (LNT) model of radiation risk. We explore backroom deals, handshake science, corporate greed, regulatory capture, hormesis, OSHA violations, putting radium in the throats of 2.5 million children...you know, the regular, everyday stuff. Why? Because a common hesitation to deploying LDRT for arthritis is the risk of the treatment itself causing cancer. Spoiler alert: there has never been a case of secondary malignancy from therapeutic radiation below a magical thre...
2024-03-2154 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineLDRT Predates the Airplane (Radiotherapy for Arthritis: The Miniseries)Kicking off the “Real World LDRT” miniseries sponsored by Xstrahl, Episode One/Part One takes us all the way back to 1895 and Wilhelm Roentgen aiming his newly discovered “X-rays” at his wife’s hand. Within 3 years, radiotherapy was treating arthritic conditions in Europe before coming to America in 1906. By 1930, the scientific literature contained more than 6,000 patients treated by LDRT for arthritis (and other degenerative inflammatory conditions) - with orthovoltage techniques accounting for most (if not all) reports. Today, a common concern preventing the use of radiotherapy for arthritis in every practice in America is the alleged “lack of evidence”...an odd complai...
2024-03-1923 minThe Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators Podcast“Its Worth Asking Why”: In Conversation With Todd ScarbroughSend us a textAt the end of last year, Dr. Jason Beckta published a docu-podcast about clinical supervision of radiotherapy services (parts one, two, and three). The series covers supervision terms, legal precedent, and dispels the misinformation shared by conflicted parties.  In this episode, The Accelerators (Drs. Matt Spraker and Simul Parikh) join up with Jason to interview the famous Dr. Todd Scarbrough, the radiation oncologist at the center of supervision lore.Todd shares his story and we discuss many aspects of supervision policy. Here are some links to things di...
2024-03-081h 37out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineCoalition of the Willing - ROCR, Bacon, Eggs, and Freud's nephew.On January 9th, 2024, a blog post announced some groups were interested in protecting Medicare reimbursement. Neat. OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@coldlight.org
2024-01-1528 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineFrame 122: evidence-based medicine and other fairy tales I used to believe in. Can I buy magic beans with Venmo?"If we are to have any hope of advancing rational beliefs against the riptide of myside bias, primitive intuitions, and mythological thinking, we must safeguard the credibility of these institutions. Experts such as public health officials should be prepared to show their work rather than deliver pronouncements ex cathedra. Fallibility should be acknowledged: we all start out ignorant about everything, and whenever changing evidence calls for changing advice, that should be touted as a readiness to learn rather than stifled as a concession of weakness." - Reason To Believe, January 2023 OOTB, produced by...
2024-01-011h 20out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineThe Trilogy of Radiation Supervision: Welcome to ModernityFinally. The time has come to discuss "the changes". On November 1st, 2019, CMS announced that hospital outpatient procedures would be moving to "General Supervision". Of course, this broke our dogma, which...well, we don't deal with that well. Then, the PHE brought us "virtual direct supervision" with real-time A/V communication. In Episode Three of the Supervision Series, we cover the switch from direct to general, the specious argument that "IGRT is diagnostic", the specious argument that "you can't bill for professional work done off-campus", and the final two supervision cases in Radiation Medicine: the...
2023-12-051h 23out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineSupervision Strikes Back: Target Tumors, Not Yourself (and other scare tactics).In Part One, we discussed definitions...for an hour. A literal hour. Yowza. Now, we're going to talk about the consequences. Specifically, the qui tam ("whistleblower") cases, and my (least) favorite journalist Walt B. over there at that newspaper in NYC. This is definitely going to take at least one more episode, so...enjoy Part Two of "I want to speak to your supervisor"! OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@coldlight.org
2023-11-281h 21out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineI want to speak to your direct supervisor! Not your general supervisor! Wait...there's a difference?Ah, the enigmatic topic of supervision in Radiation Medicine. Are we beholden to direct supervision? General supervision? Virtual direct supervision through the use of real-time audio/visual communication? Is there are problem with site of service? "Incident to" billing? Does anyone really know? Rather than create another 10-hour monolith, this episode is Part One of...well at least two episodes, exploring one of the most controversial topics in our field. OOTB, produced by Photon Media, is made possible by Cold Light Legacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that thrives on community support. jason@coldlight.org
2023-11-261h 05out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineSmall Market, Big Heart: Considering the Radiation Medicine Maldistribution Problem.Have you ever heard the phrase "there's not a supply problem, there's a distribution problem"? Did you grow up in an urban area, go to school in an urban area, perhaps train and practice in an urban area? Have you ever held your head up a little higher talking about how you're a "specialist at the main campus" when trying to get records from an "outside hospital"? In this special Thanksgiving episode inspired by listening to my Photon Friends interview David Chang, we "pierce the veil" on being in the "small market". OOTB is produced...
2023-11-2234 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineTowards a shared history: Simone's Maxims for (academic) medicine.It's easy to forget how quickly things are forgotten. The zeitgeist of the Medicine World feels shared when you're in med school and residency, and there's an assumption that it will always be the way you remember it. Of course, this is not true, and it can quickly lead to folks "talking past each other". If you're a resident, med student, or just an observer: do you hear the phrase "an institution cannot love you back" and are confused as to why it seems like you're supposed to know what that means? This episode is...
2023-11-0635 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineCognitive Dissonance in Radiation Oncology: ERAS-tional emergent properties of a complex system.The NRMP did their weird thing where they release "preliminary" Match application statistics which...I don't quite understand why they do that, but whatever. I originally planned on exclusively talking about emergent properties and mental frameworks around paradox without bringing up our RadOnc baggage, but alas, the universe doesn't care about plans. For the slides with all the various details and statistics and citations: http://u.pc.cd/TGs7 OOTB is produced by Photon Media, a project of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Cold Light Legacy. jason@coldlight.org
2023-10-3053 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineConflicts on Conflicts on Conflicts on Conflicts - The Final 15The previous episode on this story clocks in at 2 hours and...14 minutes and 55 seconds. It's insanely dense, and I left out many, many details. This is the final 15 minutes, which will hopefully convince you to stick through the full episode. The link to the slides is below! From the humid swamps of Florida to the halls of legislation, discover how this bizarre saga has implications for us all. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.24312775.v1 --- Out of the Basement is produced by Photon Media, a project from the 501(c)(3) nonp...
2023-10-1613 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineConflicts of Interest: 21C, Humana, DOJ, HHS, Abandoned Patents, GenesisCare, Accuray, Expert Testimony, Antitrust Immunity, ASTRO and...ROCR.This wasn't what I set out to make. This wasn't the story I expected to tell. In 2012, 21st Century Oncology and Humana created an alternative payment model that appears to be the inspiration for ROCR. As both the 21C/Humana and ASTRO/ROCR models share the same author(s), it's strange we haven't heard about it. From the humid swamps of Florida to the halls of legislation, discover how this bizarre saga has implications for us all. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.24312775.v1 --- Out of the Basement is produced by Photon Media...
2023-10-162h 14The Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators Podcast“Like Rational Human Beings”: #ASTRO23 Workforce Reaction With JasonSend us a textAccelerators co-host Dr. Matt Spraker is joined by Out Of The Basement co-host and Dr. Jason Beckta. We're talking #ASTRO23 and jobs, the theme of the conference for Matt. This episode is, in part, a reaction to Jason's most recent OOTB episode: Chicken Little Strikes Back. Jason weaves 2023's "hot" job market and the workforce data into a master narrative to describe the changing market across recent years.  As this episode is heavily referenced here, you may want to listen first!  (But its not required)Matt and Jason kick of...
2023-10-061h 08out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineChicken Little Strikes Back: only 16% of graduating Radiation Oncologists think the job market is bad?What if I told you that...I agree with the 2023 ARRO survey results presented at this year's San Diego conference? What if I told you that the survey supports my Red Journal "Letter to the Editor" about the Workforce Study? How in the world am I not changing my opinion on the oversupply issue despite personally experiencing the benefits of the current job market? Am I writing these descriptions like a Buzzfeed article now? --- Earn free CME for this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com www.photonmedia...
2023-10-0138 minThe Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators PodcastWhy You Should Care and How to Care Less: Billing with Shawna from RadformationSend us a textIt's a Photon Media crossover episode! Accelerators co-hosts Drs. Matt Spraker and Simul Parikh team up with Dr. Jason Beckta, host of the Out Of The Basement podcast, to talk about billing. We are joined by Shawna Stacey, ROCC, MBA, Coding and Billing Specialist at Radformation. The episode kicks off with a discussion about why you should care about billing and coding. Matt, Simul, and Jason discuss their (lack of training) training and experiences trying to learn on the job. Simply learning about billing and coding doesn't make you...
2023-09-261h 13out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineASTRO to Biden: "we're incentivizing shortening the overall duration of therapy...because it's easier to stay away from home for a week than it is for 8 weeks."- ASTRO President, discussing ROCR, during the Advisors to the President [Biden] on the National Cancer Program meeting, 9-7-2023 The inaugural "President's Cancer Panel" meeting took place recently and boy...that was something. Lots of concern over rural cancer care - from people not engaged in rural cancer care. Coincidentally, I am actually involved in rural cancer care. Join me for another riveting "reaction"-style episode on...federal policy regarding national Healthcare concerns! --- Earn free CME for this episode: https://earnc.me/E9...
2023-09-0836 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineBill of Health: is ROCR a Legislation Lifeline or Liability?On Friday at 4PM, the first "live" presentation of the alternative payment model "ROCR" took place. Though questions were not actively fielded from attendees, several concerns that have been brought up since the ROCR announcement were discussed. This special Basement episode breaks new ground with a "reaction"-style commentary on the ASTRO Town Hall. A discussion on the discussion...does this count as a meta-analysis? --- Earn free CME for this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com www.photonmedia.org Twitter: @drbeckta
2023-07-221h 01out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineThe Code Bundling Conundrum: A Medicare Misadventure (starring 77301, ASTRO, AMAC, public record emails, conspiracy theories, and copy/paste)In this episode, we unravel the intriguing story of a 2015 correspondence that pulls back the curtain of medical billing. Prepare to be riveted about everyone's favorite topic: CPT code bundling. How and why does the government consider "CT Simulation" (77280-77290) a part of "IMRT Treatment Planning" (77301)? Was it always like this? Does everyone agree and is everyone happy? Just kidding - we all know no one is happy. Crucial to this episode are the following two PDF files on the government's website: Email Letter to CMS: https://downloads.regulations.gov/CMS-2015-0075-0285...
2023-07-171h 00out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineRVU-U: Private Practice Physician Primer - what the heck is a W2 employee? Or a professional services agreement? Academic satellite?In this era of massive consolidation, it is incredibly confusing to discuss the different ways doctors can practice medicine in America. In discussing payment reforms, supply, professional vs technical fees, and so on - are we talking the same language? This episode aims, in extremely general, broad strokes, to define the "other" ways to practice medicine, beyond "academic faculty at a medical school's main campus". From being employed at a community hospital to being private practice at an academic hospital, join me on a whirlwind tour of jobs! --- Earn free CME for this episode...
2023-07-1417 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineRVU-U: What are these "wRVU targets" or "average RVU" things I keep hearing about?The theme of 2023, between workforce studies and payment models, is everyone's favorite: the RVU. Who's got 'em? Who needs 'em? Does it matter? Do we care? Join me in digital nerd town for a general overview of yearly metrics! --- Earn free CME for this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com www.photonmedia.org Twitter: @drbeckta
2023-07-0716 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineReflections on ROCR as a doctor: these are some ASTROnomical predictionsFor years, the "white whale" of Medicare reimbursement has created many "Captain Ahab" impressions among policymakers and professional societies. In a movie script written in the style of George A. Romero, the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Program (ROCR) was unexpectedly published on June 28th, generating significant buzz among the RadOnc (RadMed) community. The model projects $212 million dollars in savings for CMS over a 5-year period but...how? On this "hot take" episode of OOTB, we discuss how one private consulting firm uses the data from another private consulting firm to make some...interesting...economic forecasts.
2023-06-3021 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineAnswering the Answering Call: RVU-U and RadiopharmaceuticalsWho knew that using liquid radiation could be so complicated and confusing? --- Earn free CME for this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com www.photonmedia.org Twitter: @drbeckta
2023-06-2533 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineRVU-U: "On beam" overviewWhat does it mean to talk about "on beam" numbers in a Radiation Oncology clinic? --- Earn free CME for this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com www.photonmedia.org Twitter: @drbeckta
2023-06-2414 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineThe syllogism of supply/demand economics in Radiation Oncology, historical patterns of care studies, # of linacs in America, "big mood"What has prevented open and in-depth analysis of the RadOnc workforce over the last decade? To paraphrase Fight Club - you are not your job. Does the 2023 ASTRO/HMA study make sense in terms of the existing data? Do we even know how many linear accelerators there are in America? Spoiler alert: we do (sort of) know! Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2023-04-1242 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineHistory of RadOnc: what do people mean when they talk about the "2018 exams"?On a recent, LIVE episode of The Accelerators, the question of "what happened to RadOnc" was answered, in part, by referencing the unusually high failure rate of board certification exams. It has now been 5 years since those events, and medical students/junior residents are unlikely to know "the story". This is my version of a documentary/editorial on "the 2018 exams", which starts with a 2012 CNN report, exam restructuring, NRMP reports, ARRO letters, PRO papers - all of it. Though impossible for me to tell the story utterly objectively, I have tried to include all major milestones should folks feel...
2023-03-191h 28The Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators Podcast"RadOnc Workforce: Economic Modeling Strikes Back"Send us a textAccelerator Dr. Simul Parikh and Dr. Jason Beckta of the out.of.the.basement / radiation.medicine podcast team up to "simul-cast" their reaction to the radiation oncology workforce study commissioned by ASTRO and completed by Health Management Associates. Simul and Jason are joined by friend of the show and #RadOnc workforce guru Dr. Todd Scarborough. They discuss the "supply side" of the model, hiring consultants, and the folly of forecasting the past. Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham. Intro and Outro music generously donated by Emmy-award winning...
2023-03-1344 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicineSeason 2: RadOnc Workforce - "Economic Modeling Strikes Back"Crawling Out of the Basement for the first time in 2023 with The Accelerators, The Todd, and Birkenstock Beckta (now based on the set of Super Troopers, looking for Bernie's mittens). The ASTRO Workforce Taskforce paper, the final version, dropped last Wednesday. In terms of "ambitious projects", forecasting supply and demand is akin to eating not one but TWO elephants. We discuss almost exclusively the concept of supply, hiring consultants, and the folly of forecasting the past instead of just, you know, using data.
2023-03-1243 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#12: ASTRO '22 workforce interim analysis "hot take" - armchair healthcare economics.Join me as I meld prior ASTRO abstracts, Red Journal publications, CMS Medicare Part B data, and phone pics of slides live-Tweeted from San Antonio...to discuss the job market. No, I don't have "regular" hobbies, why do you ask?  Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-10-2521 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#11: Secrets of the physician job interview...ASTRO speed dating and the hidden curriculum.My Twitter feed is an explosion of posts about airports and hotels and registrations and...it's that time of year again. The ASTRO conference. Which means senior residents gearing up for the legendary "ASTRO Job Interview" marathon. Employers are gearing up for new grad prospecting and "the arbitrage of talent". This episode is 30 minutes of advice I wish I could give to my younger self on the first day of med school. 15 years of painful lessons. One podcast. Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me...
2022-10-1630 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#10: BEAM-IT...a new way to write outpatient notes. All aboard the learning train with CPT codes, E&M documentation, time-based billing, wRVUs - nonstop fun!You're a doctor, not a writer! Stop pretending your consult note needs to cite the PACIFIC trial and join me to talk about Evaluation and Management CPT codes, wRVUs, time-based billing, and how I write my notes: BEAM-IT. The most innovative acronym in medicine. Here are the slides/figures from the episode https://figshare.com/articles/figure/BEAM-IT/21334053?file=37860630 https://figshare.com/articles/figure/BEAM-IT/21334053?file=37860627 --- Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd...
2022-10-1431 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#9: The mystery of how doctors get paid, cracking the code of the "RVU", and the start of the MBA series (Medicine Business Acumen...or Anguish)General societal opinion says doctors + $$ = bad. This attitude means non-clinicians command American healthcare. Ignoring the business of medicine doesn't mean we’ve taken the ethical highroad. It means we have surrendered an essential component of caring for the sick. I want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of the Healthcare Machine. Do you? Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-10-0621 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#8: Why did low-dose radiation therapy for arthritis disappear in America? Scientific careers, Nobel prizes, Rockefeller, Eisenhower, and egos.In the first half of the 20th century, radiation therapy was used for a huge range of medical maladies. X-rays cut the mortality of gas gangrene from 50% to 5% and treated skin manifestations of lupus as early as 1905.  Then American culture shifted, and the fear of atomic power chased radiotherapy to the dark basement of hospitals, the pages of comic books, and political crises detailed on the evening news. How did we get here?  The story is more absurd than I ever imagined. Earn free CME by reflecting on th...
2022-09-1947 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#7: Exposing the Lotion Conspiracy - Myths of Radiation MedicineHave you or someone you know been exposed to the insidious claim that any lotion, cream, or topical agent left on the skin before radiation treatment can have a bolus effect? You may be entitled to compensation. Basement Brothers, Attorneys at Law, have filed a class action lawsuit...  Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-09-1518 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#6: How can you start doing low-dose radiotherapy for arthritis in your practice?Yes, it really is as simple as it sounds. Yes, it really is popular worldwide because of the results. Yes, you can start doing it...tomorrow. On the heels of Austin Dove's wonderful webinar, Matt Spraker (our favorite Basement Buddy) and I do a "curbside consult" on starting to use low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) for osteoarthritis in his practice...and maybe yours? Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-09-0954 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#5: IGRT and me; part three.The final installment of another long conversation about IGRT. Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-09-0133 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#4: You think you know IGRT, but you have no idea [IGRT choices/part two].Continuing on with our practical discussion regarding IGRT choice, immobilization, so on and so forth. Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-08-2733 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#3: I bet no one taught you IGRT in residency [IGRT choices/part one].Matt Spraker returns for a PowerPoint-fueled romp through IGRT choices. Slides are on Twitter and FigShare: https://figshare.com/articles/figure/IGRT_Slide_1/20493393 https://figshare.com/articles/figure/IGRT_S2/20506833 Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-08-1832 minThe Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators PodcastLooking Forward to Season 2Send us a textDr. Matt Spraker is joined by Dr. Jason Beckta for a petite episode packed with announcements and teasers for The Accelerators Podcast Season 2.  The Accelerators will return from Summer break with renewed focus on "news and views", shorter episodes, and a new theme song generously donated by award winning musician Lucas Cantor Santiago! Check out his piece (and our theme song) "Pop With Toys" at the end of this teaser ep. There's more. Today, Jason is launching his new podcast Out Of The Basement. It's an off-the-cuff educational podcast anchored in R...
2022-08-1513 minout of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#2: RadOnc job secrets; doctor contracts; (linear) accelerate your life [part two].Matt and I talk again. Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-08-101h 09out of the basement / radiation medicine
out of the basement / radiation medicine#1: What are the secrets of the elusive "RadOnc job"; contracts; work; and life [part one].Matt Spraker joins us to talk about details of what an actual attending job in Radiation Medicine looks like, RVUs, medical director roles, etc. Earn free CME by reflecting on the content of this episode: https://earnc.me/E9XHPi  www.becktamd.com Twitter: @drbeckta
2022-07-2957 minThe Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators PodcastThe Last Crusade: Beckta Examines MattSend us a textWelcome to The Last Crusade, part 3 of our 3 part series to honor to the newest class of ABR Diplomates! In this episode, friend of the show Dr. Jason Beckta examines another host of The Accelerators Podcast, Dr. Matt Spraker, with the same mock gynecologic oncology section faced by Dr. Simul Parikh. Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham.
2022-06-1244 minThe Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators PodcastOral Fixation: Beckta Interviews Matt in a Fireside ChatSend us a textIn part 2 of our 3-part series on the oral boards, we flip the script! Friend-of-the-show Dr. Jason Beckta interviews Accelerator Dr. Matt Spraker in a fireside chat about standardized tests, #RadOnc oral boards, and life as an early career attending. Don't miss part 3, in which Matt struggles through Jason's gynecologic oncology oral boards section.Here are some things we discussed in the show: Emergency Medicine physicians call to Quarantine the Oral BoardsMatt's tweets about the value of radiation oncology oral boardsDr. Ohri's paper on radiotherapy protocol deviations and su...
2022-06-051h 48The Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators Podcast"Call a doctor!": Beckta Examines SimulSend us a textIt's that time of year again, welcome to the newest class of ABR Diplomates! To honor them, The Accelerators are releasing a 3 part series related to the oral boards! In part 1, Dr. Jason Beckta, a busy generalist, examines Dr. Simul Parikh for the gynecologic oncology section. He hasn't treated a case in 6 years. Good luck Dr. Parikh! Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham.
2022-06-0334 minThe Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators Podcast#LittleRadOnc: Live from #ACRO2022Send us a textAccelerator Dr. Simul Parikh and friend of the show Dr. Jason Beckta join Dr. Todd Scarbrough as he signs on live from #ACRO2022! In this unfiltered, slightly edited chat, they debrief on the job market and discuss the RO-APM, adaptive radiotherapy, breast IMRT, and more! And remember folks, #PantsArentReal
2022-03-111h 04The Accelerators Podcast
The Accelerators PodcastThe One About JobsSend us a textThe Accelerators (Drs. Anna Laucis, Simul Parikh, and Matt Spraker) are joined by Drs. Jason Beckta, Emma Fields, Todd Scarborough, and Chirag Shah to discuss the #RadOnc job market.Join us on an epic journey through the past, present, and future of the job market. We  cover the highly variable written record of the #RadOnc workforce, how patient volumes are changing with hypofractionation, and the what the market will look like in the future.We close the show with a round robin on advice for young radiation oncologists heading i...
2022-03-051h 48