LOS ANGELES - Dr. Mehmet Oz - better known as Dr. Oz - appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and launched his own syndicated show in 2009 as a way of spreading useful medical information to millions of people. He never realized that an economic collapse would make his show a primary diagnostic source for many of his viewers.
"We did a free clinic last year in Houston and 90 percent of the people in that clinic had jobs. They're working, but they have no benefits," Dr. Oz says during an interview at the Beverly Hilton. "So I've changed. I thought I was just talking to the walking well, but I now realize we are the primary source of health information for a large population who doesn't have insurance."
Dr. Oz doesn't take that responsibility lightly. Everything he says on the show is checked and rechecked by a group of medical students because he knows people may act on his advice.
Dr. Oz's show will broadcast new episodes starting Sept. 12. His show is one of the many syndicated shows bought by local stations to fill their schedules when there's no network programming.
The "Dr. Oz" show, which has won two consecutive Emmys for outstanding daytime talk show host, stands out from other syndicated shows because of the health issues. Dr. Oz makes house calls - through your TV sets.
"Too often we see our doctors as technicians and that's not a healthy relationship," Dr. Oz says. "Very overtly on the show we have tried to get into that space. I can't do the operation on you, but I can give the confidence to ask questions and prepare yourself mentally.
"Plus, I've got better visuals than your local doctor."
Dr. Oz wants to convey how important it is to pay attention to health.
After putting off getting a colonoscopy, when he finally did have the test, the doctors found a pre-cancerous polyp.
"I now spend a lot of time trying to figure out why I was so stupid and didn't do what I tell everyone else to do," Dr. Oz said. "What I realized is that people don't do something because of what they know but how they feel. I felt good so I kept putting the tests off."
He's been treated and, except for some weight loss, is doing fine. The lesson he learned from his own medical experience: No matter how much information he gives out, it means nothing unless the practices are put to use. That's why this season he will push even harder to make his medical points connect to the audience.
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(c)2011 The Fresno Bee (Fresno, Calif.) Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.