@ilanayurkiewicz.bsky.social - Ilana Yurkiewicz, MD

10 Feb 2026 19:09 +0000

In Episode 2 of Hard Medicine, I sit down with my colleague and friend Dr. Bryant Lin, a clinical professor who was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer just shy of his 50th birthday. What makes a good life with stage IV cancer? Full episode here: https://ilanayurkiewiczmd.substack.com/p/what-makes-a-good-life-with-stage

26 Jan 2026 16:55 +0000

Primary care is the only high-stakes service designed to operate at >100% capacity, leading to predictably devastating results. I wrote about the forces that got us here. This is a story about perverse incentives, queuing theory — and courage. https://open.substack.com/pub/ilanayurkiewiczmd/p/always-at-capacity?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=djhzd

21 Dec 2025 17:18 +0000

In our fragmented medical system, you are the only guaranteed source of continuity in your care. My field guide has 3 strategies anyone can use: on medical elevator pitches, finding primary care, and getting your team to talk. ilanayurkiewiczmd.substack.com/p/the-fragmented-field-guide https://ilanayurkiewiczmd.substack.com/p/the-fragmented-field-guide

25 Nov 2025 01:06 +0000

Full-time primary care doctors work ~62 hours per week, and even 90+ hours cover <70% of the job's demands. These numbers back what every primary care doctor knows: Going part-time is the only way to do the job. Read "The Fake Math of Primary Care" https://ilanayurkiewiczmd.substack.com/p/the-fake-math-of-primary-care

28 Oct 2025 00:13 +0000

Medical education teaches that conveying prognosis is hard because of communication. But the larger challenge is that curveballs are expected. How can doctors convey what isn't known? New Hard Medicine piece here: https://open.substack.com/pub/ilanayurkiewiczmd/p/how-long-do-i-have?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=djhzd

10 Oct 2025 15:48 +0000

Writing about medicine is one thing. Getting published is another. My latest Hard Medicine piece breaks down how to get your work out there — from pitch to publication. https://open.substack.com/pub/ilanayurkiewiczmd/p/how-to-pitch-and-publish-medical?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=djhzd

01 Oct 2025 18:07 +0000

Not everything needs more research. I wrote this speech weeks *before* the Tylenol-autism non-story. “We could study whether tides cause autism. We wouldn’t — because it doesn’t make sense to invest limited dollars & research into what isn't biologically plausible.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRO0lUbseas

25 Sep 2025 06:37 +0000

Medicine is deeply fragmented. The question I'm asked most now is: Will AI fix it? In my latest Hard Medicine piece, I examine whether generative AI can transform the current data mess into a meaningful narrative that helps both patients and doctors. https://ilanayurkiewiczmd.substack.com/p/can-ai-fix-a-fragmented-medical-system

16 Sep 2025 14:22 +0000

At the same time doctors are least available, bad information is most available. Unpacking the push and pull behind the nadir in medical trust for Big Ideas in Medicine opening talk (13 min): https://youtu.be/kWEQm_10pNs?si=hkBYXecNxs2INy2W

15 Sep 2025 16:38 +0000

I spoke to @cancertherapyadv.bsky.social about why cancer survivors can fall through the cracks - and how to prevent it. [contains quote post or other embedded content]

26 Aug 2025 14:38 +0000

Who Can We Trust? My new essay. "I spoke about managing symptoms with palliative care and hospice. He spoke of blue scorpion venom and mistletoe. I pointed to prescription medications. He pointed to expensive supplements. I cited PubMed. He cited TikTok." https://open.substack.com/pub/ilanayurkiewiczmd/p/who-can-we-trust?r=djhzd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

20 Jul 2025 18:17 +0000

Most cancer survivors don’t stay with their oncologist—they land in primary care. Meanwhile, most primary care doctors aren't trained for what comes next. New from my Substack, Hard Medicine: What every internist should know. https://ilanayurkiewiczmd.substack.com/p/cancer-is-over-now-what

25 Feb 2025 00:11 +0000

I was honored to be a part of Stanford Alumni Association's 50th Annual Books on Review with brilliant authors Kathryn Ma, Charmaine Wilkerson, and Allegra Goodman, in conversation with the inimitable Linda Landau. Watch here: https://youtu.be/tbUPEVVkguU?si=RDUWf9BX26VsO3V1

21 Feb 2025 01:09 +0000

Today, I joined Ann Nyberg to discuss my book Fragmented and how we can piece together U.S. health care. And yes - we still use fax machines in 2025. https://www.wtnh.com/on-air/nyberg/nyberg-a-stanford-doctors-quest-to-piece-together-american-health-care/

26 Jan 2025 18:22 +0000

Nominations for speakers are now open for the 2025 Stanford Big Ideas in Medicine conference. Nominate someone (or yourself!) today. Categories are Magic Medicine, Climate & Health, Neuroscience, and End of Life. I look forward to reading your submission. https://www.stanfordbigideas.org/2025-speaker-nomination

15 Jan 2025 06:34 +0000

Join me for the 50th Annual Books on Review! Jan 30 via Zoom. I will discuss FRAGMENTED - origin story, writing process, etc. Register here: groups.stanford.edu/events/106988. (If no Stanford connection, email swcebregistrar@gmail.com.) Thanks to Stanford Women's Club of the East Bay for hosting. https://groups.stanford.edu/events/106988