Communication is key in any workplace, but in healthcare, it can be a matter of life and death. Unfortunately, it seems that we're falling short when it comes to truly listening to and understanding each other. Instead of taking the time to pause and communicate effectively, we're simply telling each…
In this episode, our guest Susan MacLellan-Tobert, a pediatric cardiologist and physician coach, delves into the challenges faced by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite being in the post-disaster recovery phase, burnout rates are increasing, and organizational trust is deteriorating. Susan identifies incomplete grief as one of the primary…
Have you ever felt like your work as a physician is undervalued and overshadowed by administrative tasks? Unfortunately, this attitude seems to be pervasive across different types of hospitals, from community to academic to big city. It's as if physicians are seen as simply healing clients, while those in charge…
In this episode, Yael Dreznik, a pediatric surgeon and author of the book Twenty-Six, shares her personal story and insights into the life of a surgeon. From the early morning rituals to the fear of making mistakes, Yael provides an inside look into the world of medicine. She discusses the…
In this episode, we have Dennis Hursh, a physician contract lawyer, sharing his experiences in dealing with hospitals and their tendency to condescend towards physicians and their lawyers, also known as "hospitalsplaining." He discusses a recent example where negotiations for call coverage in a physician employment agreement were met with…
When starting an anesthesia residency, it can be easy to feel isolated in the operating room. But as a physician who's been there, I can tell you that anesthesia is a team sport. The sooner you realize that, the better you'll be able to progress as a resident, a trainee,…
Starting a new residency can be daunting, especially when it comes to knowing when to ask questions. That's why I always make it clear to my residents: I would never be upset with you for calling me for something. In fact, I would be upset if you didn't call me.…
In this episode, we speak with George Tewfik, an anesthesiologist, about the importance of recognizing and addressing knowledge gaps in anesthesia residents. George discusses how new residents may arrive with a sense of false confidence that can quickly become a liability, and how educators must earn the trust of their…
Have you ever received one of those generic "Thank you, providers" emails and felt like your hard work went unnoticed? As a physician, being referred to as just a "provider" can feel impersonal and dismissive. Let's start recognizing the individuals behind the title and showing our appreciation in meaningful ways.…
In this episode, pediatrician Wendy Schofer discusses physician appreciation. She emphasizes that appreciation is an offering of love that fulfills the psychological need for belonging and love. Wendy relates the five love languages to how physicians can express and receive appreciation and highlights the importance of appreciating ourselves. Tune in…
Self-worth is a vital component of overall wellbeing, but it's not something that just happens overnight. It's a mindset that needs to be nurtured and cultivated over time. If you're serious about improving your self-worth, you need to prioritize yourself and make time for self-care. And don't think you're alone…
In this episode, we are joined by Tracey O’Connell, a radiologist and physician coach, to discuss the pitfalls of “do what you love” as career advice, particularly for college graduates. We explore the role of love in our career choices, whether it be a love for intellectual content, patients, being…
It's no secret that the weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar business, with countless products promising to help you shed pounds quickly and easily. But the truth is, there are very few supplements or products that are actually proven to work. Even trusted professionals can fall prey to the…
Losing weight can be a challenge, especially if you're in your forties or fifties. And it's easy to fall into the trap of trying to overhaul your entire diet all at once. But when it inevitably becomes too difficult to maintain, we end up feeling defeated and ashamed. As doctors,…
In this episode, we talk with family physician Heather Awad about how to be an example of what's possible for your patients on their weight loss journey. Heather shares her experience of embracing imperfection and how that has helped her patients shed their own perfectionistic tendencies. Based on neuroscience research,…
Creating a schedule for the day may seem simple, but it's far from it. There are so many intricacies that go into the process, from ensuring that no one is double or triple booked to creating an efficient schedule that maximizes productivity. In the days of manual scheduling, mistakes were…
In this episode, we speak with Michael Bronson, an anesthesiologist, founder and CEO of AnesthesiaGo, about his journey into healthcare entrepreneurship. Michael discusses the pain points he encountered as a scheduler for anesthesia staff and how he discovered an empty niche waiting to be occupied. We explore the challenges of…
Falls are no joke. They can cause serious harm, from disability to death. And the cost? Astronomical! So, preventing falls is an absolute must. Did you know that the shoes we wear could be making us more susceptible to falling? That's right! Poorly fitting shoes, both too big and too…
In this episode, Sheetal Gambhir, a geriatrician, discusses the importance of feet in preventing falls in elderly patients. She shares insights on what to look for in shoes, including surface area, heel height, and sole consistency. She also highlights the challenges in translating academic knowledge into practical advice, especially with…
To create real change in healthcare, we need to start with a burning platform. We need to clearly communicate what we're striving for: team-based care and patient-centered care. And we need to engage everyone in the organization, from physicians to support staff, in the process. One way to do this…
When it comes to organizational culture, actions speak louder than words. It's frustrating to see management who are disconnected from the day-to-day operations of the organization, holed up in their offices and out of touch with the staff, physicians, and patients. It's important for leaders to manage by walking around,…
In this episode, we are joined by Robert Allan Bear, a physician and health care consultant, to explore the challenges of maintaining strong organizational cultures in health care systems. Robert delves into the impact of pre-pandemic stress and pandemic-induced erosion on health care organizations, and the critical need for strong…
Looking back, I realize the importance of self-compassion. It's a choice how we talk to ourselves, and I wish I had been more aware of this earlier on. I would have acknowledged the challenges I faced and recognized that it didn't define me as a person. In addition, I would…
It's important to pay attention to our thoughts and feelings. When we experience intense emotions like anxiety or anger, it's crucial to understand the root cause of those feelings. In my experience, when I feel angry because a family member won't listen to my advice, it's often because I believe…