The U.S. healthcare system has a lot of problems.

Soaring insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs are pushing more Americans into medical debt.

Many patients wait months for important appointments. Physician burnout has also reached new highs in recent years.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with a local author to talk about his new book, "Treating a Broken System," which explores the link between physician burnout and doctor-patient communication.

Guest:

• Dr. Neil Farber, retired physician and medical researcher, UCSD; author of "Treating a Broken System: A Physician's Cure for the Healthcare Crisis"