43. The Comedian-Ophthalmologist Will See You Now

Freakonomics, M.D.

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Society & Culture, Science

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 24 June 2022

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Dr. Will Flanary, a.k.a Dr. Glaucomflecken, has always been a comedy fan. During the pandemic, he found an audience. But should doctors be funny with their patients? Bapu Jena asks when laughter is — and isn’t — the best medicine.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The last two plus years haven't really been funny for healthcare providers, but there
0:07.5	have been a few bright spots.
0:09.6	I have patients call my clinic asking to make an appointment with Dr. Glockham Flecken.
0:15.0	Maybe you've heard of Dr. Glockham Flecken.
0:17.3	If you're on Twitter or TikTok, you probably have.
0:20.3	He's got half a million followers on one and more than a million followers on the other.
0:25.6	In general, as an ophthalmologist, my patients are mostly in their 70s and 80s, which is
0:31.1	not exactly...
0:32.1	So they're mostly Snapchat users, then, you're saying?
0:34.6	Yeah, exactly.
0:35.6	Not exactly the TikTok generation.
0:37.4	I do surprise in people, sometimes I'll walk in and they'll be, oh my God, I recognize
0:41.2	you.
0:42.2	Are you on TikTok?
0:43.2	I'm like, well, yeah, I am.
0:44.5	You may have seen me there.
0:47.8	Dr. Glockham Flecken's real name is Will Flannery.
0:50.8	He's an ophthalmologist in Portland, Oregon, and on the side a comedian.
0:55.3	Although sometimes it feels like the other way around.
0:58.0	He posts amusing tweets and videos about some not-so-amusing parts of medicine.
1:03.2	Good afternoon, sir.
1:04.2	How may I assist you today?
	...

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