Benefits‑Based Medicine: Rethinking Guidelines, Evidence, and Patient Decision‑Making with Brian Gietzen

In this episode of the MGMA Podcast Network, host Daniel Williams interviews Dr. Brian Geetson, Medical Director at Legacy Medical Group, about his innovative approach to patient care called 'benefits-based medicine.' Unlike traditional guideline-based medicine, which often applies one-size-fits-all recommendations, benefits-based medicine centers on answering three key questions: What is the defined benefit of an intervention? Who were the study participants, and how do they compare to the patient? And how large was the actual benefit? Dr. Geetson emphasizes empowering patients by providing transparent, context-rich evidence so they can make informed decisions aligned with their values and goals. He uses real-world examples—such as cholesterol management, colon cancer screening, and vaccine recommendations—to illustrate how this model transforms patient conversations from directive to collaborative. The approach, he argues, is scalable and accessible to any practice willing to cultivate curiosity and review clinical trial data with a critical eye. The episode concludes with practical advice: start where your curiosity leads, as small efforts yield significant rewards in patient engagement and clinical clarity.