Is Sepsis Even A Disease?: My Conversation With "The Thoughtful Intensivist" episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 21, 2026 · 32 MIN

Is Sepsis Even A Disease?: My Conversation With "The Thoughtful Intensivist"

from Healthcare Musings · host Hesham A. Hassaballa, MD, FCCP

Sepsis is the number one diagnosis treated in most intensive care units across the world, and it can be very deadly in short order. Yet, is sepsis even a disease?  "No," according to Dr. Rafael Olive Leite, aka, the "Thoughtful Intensivist" on Substack.  According to him, the whole "sepsis epistemology" is flawed, and this is why he continuously rails against the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.  I have been following his work for quite some time, and so I thought it was high time to have him on the show and explain himself.  Our conversation was eye-opening.  The Thoughtful Intensivist Substack: https://thethoughtfulintensivist.substack.com/

Sepsis is the number one diagnosis treated in most intensive care units across the world, and it can be very deadly in short order. Yet, is sepsis even a disease?  "No," according to Dr. Rafael Olive Leite, aka, the "Thoughtful Intensivist" on Substack.  According to him, the whole "sepsis epistemology" is flawed, and this is why he continuously rails against the Surviving Sepsis Campaign.  I have been following his work for quite some time, and so I thought it was high time to have him on the show and explain himself.  Our conversation was eye-opening.  The Thoughtful Intensivist Substack: https://thethoughtfulintensivist.substack.com/

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Is Sepsis Even A Disease?: My Conversation With "The Thoughtful Intensivist"

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The Health Odyssey: Navigating Tomorrow's Medicine Podcast Welcome to 'The Health Odyssey: Navigating Tomorrow's Medicine,' where we embark on an adventurous journey through the ever-evolving world of healthcare. Each episode is like a treasure map, guiding you through the rich tapestry of ancient healing arts mixed with futuristic tech wizardry. We’ll chat about the wild west of health data privacy, the corporate giants reshaping our care, and the mind-bending potential of psychedelics for mental wellness. Think of us as your trusty sidekicks, unraveling the mysteries of modern medicine while keeping it real and relatable. Let’s dive into the stories, the science, and the soul of healthcare, paving the way for a healthier tomorrow. Metagenics Institute Podcast Metagenics Welcome to the Metagenics Institute Podcast where Healthcare Practitioners can hear innovative, cutting-edge information from leading experts from around the world. Join your host, Nathan Rose, to explore the latest evidence in Natural Health, challenge and debunk industry myths and offer practical, tangible, clinical tools which will transform your practice. Psychos with Ryan Williams Ryan Williams This is a podcast on healthcare, trauma, and the future of mental health.On Psychos, Ryan welcomes storytellers, researchers, comedians, actors, teachers, writers, musicians to discuss their relationship with their health. Ryan's conversational interview style gives guests a place to discuss how they are connected to their health, which will be completely new to listeners. We also have a few breathwork classes, and some older episodes from Ryan's old Influencer Economy podcast. You can follow the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. HealthCare Focus Corina Paraschiv We follow Health Care news and industry research so you don’t have to.

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This episode was published on April 21, 2026.

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Sepsis is the number one diagnosis treated in most intensive care units across the world, and it can be very deadly in short order. Yet, is sepsis even a disease?  "No," according to Dr. Rafael Olive Leite, aka, the "Thoughtful Intensivist" on...

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