Girl Doc Survival Guide

Dr. Angelina Hong wrote about love and medicine , describing  “the blurry spectrum, balancing out physical, mental, and emotional pain with the immense honor of saving and cherishing human life, while simultaneously struggling to reconcile our altruistic goals with realistic but necessary human incentives.” Her writing resonates with me. Dr. Angelina Hong, MD, is currently an internal medicine res...

2023 was a tough year for me (if you've been listening, you know some of the reasons why). My memory was somewhat affected, and it was hard for me to hold things in my head (thankfully, this has gotten better). Listening back to these past episodes was a treat for me, and I hope that this compilation might help other listeners as well. 

Dr. Ashley Wysong is a force of nature, and I recently had the pleasure of hearing her lecture at Yale. She seamlessly integrated practical advice in a presentation full of clinical pearls. She's learned a lot to help her be successful, and she shares some of her useful tips with me. Dr. Ashley Wysong, MD is the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Dermatology Founding Chair, P...

Dr. Jeffrey Cohen took a course called Mindful Medicine as a medical student, and it continues to influence him today. He learned about metacognition and cognitive biases, and he emphasizes approaching all interactions with humility, curiosity, and grace. Dr. Jeffrey M. Cohen, MD is a board-certified medical dermatologist and the Director of the Psoriasis Treatment Program at Yale School of Medici...

Dr. Doolittle has a Master's in Divinity as well as an MD, and his research spans hepatitis, HIV, and wellness and burnout. He'll often ask his trainees, "How is your spirit?" It was a pleasure to talk to him about the intersection of medicine and spirituality, the inner life, how it might relate to burnout, insights on how to stave off burnout, and the connection among curiosi...

It's always instructive to hear how someone who started a movement, like that of Narrative Medicine, defines it. Listen in to how Narrative Medicine began for Dr. Charon, why narrative capacity is a better term than narrative competence, and what burnout might really mean.  Dr. Rita Charon, MD PhD is a physician, literary scholar, and founder of the narrative medicine program at Columbia Univ...

Please join me in Part 1 of my conversation with Dr. Rita Charon, where we talk about what she is reading, death, the humanities, ontology, the industrialization of medicine, and reasons to be optimistic still. Dr. Rita Charon, MD PhD is a physician, literary scholar, and founder of the narrative medicine program at Columbia University. She is a Professor of Medicine and Professor of Medical Human...

This conversation really helped me understand why I am having more trouble understanding my own self these days. Laurie also shares how taking responsibility, but not blame or praise, and openness can help us make decisions. Dr. Laurie Ann Paul, PhD (publishes under the name L.A. Paul) is the Millstone Family Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Cognitive Science at Yale University. Her main r...

Learn how it is that Dr. Lipoff and I ended up connecting to have this conversation! (for the impatient ones [like me], find this info at 5:44). Dr. Jules Lipoff, MD is a dermatologist practicing in northwest Philadelphia and Clinical Associate Professor (Adjunct) in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.  He runs a PRIDE clinic (PRoviding Integrated Dermatology for Everyone) serv...

Dr. Jason Lee has written and presented on how we think, cognitive bias in medical diagnosis, and errors in the pathologic pathway of a biopsy from clinic to final report. The latter was recently published in the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology .  It is truly a pleasure to hear Dr. Lee talk with ease about errors, including his own. Dr. Jason B. Lee, MD is Professor, Director of the Jefferson Derma...

Dr. Jeremy Howick has spent his career studying evidence-based medicine as well as placebo effects. In part, this started from when he was a competitive rower, developed an allergy to a cat, and was prescribed ginger tea as a treatment. Dr. Jeremy Howick, PhD is the Director of the Stoneygate Centre for Excellence in Empathic Healthcare and a Senior Researcher at Oxford University. He is the autho...

Many of the guests on this podcast have emphasized the importance of awareness. Awareness of how we think can help improve how we think. Awareness of implicit bias can improve how we implement our true values. Awareness of emotions can improve how we react or don't react to different situations. I find awareness difficult to cultivate, and I have always admired Dr. Earl Glusac's ability...

Dr. Doris Day tells a powerful personal story that she carries with her, a story that has motivated her to get a degree in journalism before becoming a doctor. Together, we explore emotional intelligence, metacognition, and deliberate practice. We end up at self-compassion and the phrase, "but I still love you"! Dr. Doris Day, MD is a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at New Yo...

Join Dr. Waters and host Christine Ko in this insightful conversation that delves into the emotional and human side of healthcare, offering guidance for both patients and healthcare providers. Discover practical tips for developing and teaching empathy to healthcare professionals and the positive impact it can have on patient care. Learn about the challenges patients face when navigating the compl...

This episode provides a valuable perspective on imposter syndrome, emotional intelligence, and personal growth within the medical field while offering relatable insights for listeners from all walks of life. Learn about Paige Porter's inspiring journey from an athlete with a biology degree to a fourth-year medical student with aspirations in dermatology. Her experiences and path offer valuabl...

Anyone who makes critical decisions needs to be aware of dual process theory and the heuristics we use and are subject to. Dr. Pat Croskerry, Dr. Christopher Chabris, and Dr. Itiel Dror are all experts in critical thinking about how our minds work. This episode is also available for Yale CME credit (1.0 hour). Dr. Pat Croskerry, MD PhD, is a professor in emergency medicine at Dalhousie University...

Hopefully we are all lucky to know the feeling of being lit up. Dr. Ed Vessel studies how neural networks in the brain light up when we are aesthetically moved. I think of this as a type of awe or wonder - when we experience being moved in this way, our so-called "default mode network" becomes very active. The default mode network is generally suppressed unless we are being introspective...

I loved talking to Ellen because her research seems to so nicely cover both System 1 and System 2 thinking - how small feelings should influence us and at the same time how actual numbers and thinking about numbers should also influence us. Dr. Ellen Peters, PhD is the Philip H. Knight Chair and Professor and Director, Center for Science Communication Research, at the University of Oregon. Dr. Pet...

As an aside, learn why Dr. Bhan is now Mr. Bhan! Mr. Kavyansh Bhan has written a review article on emotional intelligence and good medical practice, and he talks with me about what he has learned about emotional intelligence through writing the article and through practicing. Mr. Kavyansh Bhan is training in Orthopaedic Surgery at Bart’s Hospital in London. 

This special three-episode bundle is available for continuing medical education credit , if desired. Dr. Marie Angele Theard, Dr. Kyle Harwell, Dr. Jong Sung Yoon, and Dr. David Caruso speak about the growth mindset and courage and curiosity, deliberate practice of skills, and emotions as data. We can use deliberate practice to interrogate and develop courage and curiosity rather than fear and sha...

It is always refreshing to be reminded that it is not easy to learn communication skills, and leaning in vs. out in the workplace is easier if you can be authentically yourself. Dr. Samantha Dodson and I talk about these concepts as well as the importance of having relationships that can help you grow. Samantha Dodson, PhD received her doctorate in Management from the Eccles School of Business at...

The theme from the last 20 episodes is togetherness. We all need meaningfulness, and while meaning can come from work or outside work, those of us lucky enough to find meaning in work last longer in that work if we work together. Emotions become important in the workplace because they help bond us together, create trust, understanding, and meaning. I send thanks out to all the guests who have been...

I am interested in being able to think better, and at my department's recent retreat, we took the Neethling Brain Instrument, which assesses thinking preferences. There are different quadrants, left vs right brain - cognitive vs. affective. Laurie Zorn helped teach us about the Neethling Brain Instrument as well as our thinking preferences and whole brain thinking. I wanted to learn more, and...

We often think more choice is better, individuals should only decide for themselves, and a bigger paycheck is motivating. Dr. Barry Schwartz has researched and written about these things, indicating that choice can actually be paralyzing, practical wisdom needs to be tailored to individuals, and most people are more satisfied when work gives meaning, not just money. We also touch on maximizing vs...

Many consider it unprofessional to express emotions, particularly one like grief, in the workplace. Dr. Ellie Stillwell researches work and nonwork relationships and the emotions that are involved, including grief. Grief is a signal of caring, and we touch on how less grief can perhaps be detrimental in terms of less caring and more burnout. Dr. Ellie Stillwell, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Ma...