The Balanced Medics' Handover Podcast : Recent Episodes

Balanced Medics

Are you a health professional seeking change in your work life? If so, this is the right podcast for you. The Handover looks to explore the journeys of people who have changed their life within health through beating burnout, changing specialities, going non-clinical or doing something completely different!

The options are limitless.

Your host, Dr Isabella Townshend, has transitioned from clinical to non-clinical work and hopes to help in your transition to find a life that is right for you.

Visit https://balancedmedics.com to find out more!

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This episode we have Dr Joy Hussain on to share her unique journey in and outside medicine. From engineering, to remote medicine in Australia & Alaska, to a PhD in sauna therapy...Joy shows you can change lanes in medicine multiple times.

We discuss:

  • Moving countries as a doctor and the challenges associated with it
  • Remote medicine
  • Leaving one opportunity to make space for another
  • Sauna therapy and the benefits of sweat
  • Going for your dreams, and continuing to try in finding your special space in medicine and the world
  • The importance of failure in learning

To reach out to Joy go to her website | LinkedIn

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Dr Folusho "Foley" Tugbiyele is an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist from Atlanta, Georgia with a special interest in Urogynaecology. He's also an entrepreneur & intrapreneur and believes that intrapreneurship can help prevent burnout.

We discuss:

  • What intrapreneurship is
  • How to negotiate
  • Ways we can reclaim our time
  • His journey to entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

To reach out to Dr Foley head to his Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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Dr Hana Ali, the founder of HealthCareer Transitions, is on the pod today to speak all about her unique journey in and outside medicine. Dr Hana decided to pursue a career outside of clinical medicine in her final year of medical school.

We discuss:

  • Dealing with unsolicited advice
  • The decision to work outside of clinical medicine
  • Entrepreneurship & tech startups
  • The importance of community
  • Trusting your own decisions
  • Her new company HealthCareer Transitions

To connect with Dr Hana Ali go to Instragram | LinkedIn | Website

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We are lucky to have the wise and powerful Dr Stacia Dearmin on the pod to discuss adverse outcomes, medical errors, and litigation.

Dr Dearmin is a paediatrician, speaker, coach, and a doctor who had her own experience with an unexpected patient death and malpractice litigation. Dr Dearmin turned this harrowing experience into Thrive, a business aimed at letting physicians know they're not alone and helping doctors learn how to thrive after litigation and poor outcomes.

Takeaways

  • Stacia's journey from a traumatic patient outcome to starting Thrive
  • The impact of adverse patient outcomes on a physician's perspective
  • The importance of teamwork and support in the medical profession
  • Coping with adverse events in medicine requires self-care, support, and understanding from colleagues
  • The experience of medical training should emphasise the importance of compassion and humanity in the practice of medicine

To reach out to Dr Stacia Dearmin head to Thrive.

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Dr Jessica Wade is a Noongar woman now living on Bundjalung country (Northern Rivers Region, NSW) who is a mother, medical doctor, sex therapist, and founder of Living a Turned on Life. Her business, Living a Turned on Life is all about reclaiming joy, pleasure, and connection with yourself. Our conversation gets deep as we discuss burnout, healing as a healer, finding the path in medicine right for us, and being brave to go against the grain.

We discuss:

  • How Dr Jess left GP training to reconnect with who she was and heal
  • How Dr Jess found her path as a holistic sex therapist
  • Her business Living a Turned on Life that offers sex & relationship therapy, somatic trauma therapy, and mind-body therapy
  • The importance of caring for ourselves as healers to better care for others
  • Recovering from burnout
  • The importance of listening to our bodies

To reach out to Dr Jessica Wade head to her website or Instragram.

Balanced Medics would like to acknowledge the traditional Owners of the land that we work and live on. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. The Handover Podcast is recorded on the land of the Cammeraygal People of the Kuring-gai Nation.

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Dr. Samantha Benjamin-Allen is a board-certified physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation. She started her own business after witnessing the unnecessary decline and complications that can occur as an inpatient. Her business provides specialised care and treatment plans to help individuals recover and thrive at home.

We discuss:

  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation can help individuals go from tragedy to triumph and regain their function and purpose.
  • There is a gap in care for severely debilitated individuals who want to recover and thrive at home.
  • Starting a business in the healthcare field allows for more flexibility and the opportunity to fill gaps in the system.
  • Setting boundaries and prioritising self-care are important for maintaining balance as an entrepreneur.
  • Physicians have valuable skills and qualities that can make them successful entrepreneurs.

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

To reach out to Dr Samantha Benjamin-Allen go to her website | Insta

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A quick episode on how we can all work with our inner critic. That pesky critical voice that we all have.

Using coaching knowledge, from training with The Co-Active Training Institute, Dr Isabella covers what the inner critic is, how we can identify it, and then work with it.

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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Dr. Maryam Baqir shares her journey from growing up inPakistan to becoming a physician in New York. Dr. Baqir opens up about her experience of burnout and shares her journey of finding joy in medicine. Dr. Baqir also explains her transition from being a hospitalist to primary care, driven by her passion for preventive care and helping patientsproactively maintain their health.

We discuss

  • Experiencing burnout after years of exhaustion and neglecting other aspects of life
  • The importance of being in touch with oneself
  • Exploring different aspects of medicine to findwhat aligns with your vision and philosophy of health – it’s okay to not be drawn to a particular specialty straight away
  • The importance of saying NO
  • Staying curious, asking questions, and seeking help to find a path in medicine that brings you joy

Reach out to Dr Maryam Baqir on Instagram or LinkedIn

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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Dr. Catherine Kizana is an Emergency Medicine Specialist and Parenting Coach. We're lucky to have her on to share her journey through medicine, parenting, and postnatal depression. Dr Kizana sees her experience being admitted in a mother and baby psychiatric unit for 5 weeks as the hardest thing she's ever been through and the greatest gift. From this difficult time, her company ABC Parenting was founded so that she can help other parents in their own journey.

We discuss:

  • Transitioning to a new specialty in medicine
  • Fertility journey and postnatal depression
  • Mandatory reporting
  • The impact of childhood experiences on parenting
  • Fear is a common theme in parenting, and understanding its impact can lead to better responses

For parenting coaching with Dr Kizana go to ABC Parenting

For more resources go here.

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Dr. Phillippa Smith shares her journey from surgical training(SET program) to medical administration training (RACMA), highlighting the possibility of changing career paths at any point. She discusses her background in science and academia, her transition to government work, and her decision to pursue medicine. Dr. Smith also explains her initial interest in surgery, the process of applying to the surgical training program, and the factors that ledto a career change to medical administration. Additionally, Dr. Smith discusses her experience juggling medicine and motherhood, as well as the impact of fertility on women in medicine.

Takeaways

  • It is possible to change career paths at anypoint in your medical career

  • Seeking support from mentors, career coaches,and loved ones can help navigate career decisions and personal challenges

  • Building a strong support network is crucial forsuccess and wellbeing

  • Reflecting on what’s worth it for you is reallyimportant in making career decisions and when considering changing career paths

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Dr Phillippa Smith by emailing contact@balancedmedics.com

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Dr Sarah Arachchi is a paediatrician, soon to be author, speaker, mother of two boys and a strong advocate for women. She has organised conferences and events for medical parents and currently co-convenes the RACP educational sessions for paediatricians as well as being a member of the AMA Women in medicine committee.

We discuss:

  • How mentorship and support are crucial in a medical career

  • Being a parent and a doctor

  • Fertility in medicine

  • Representation matters

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Sarah Instagram

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Dr Adaira Landry is an Emergency Medicine Physician, and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School with almost a decade of experience mentoring students and early-career professionals. She is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and mentor. She co-founded Writing in Color, a nonprofit that teaches the craft of writing.

Dr Resa E. Lewiss is a Professor of Emergency Medicine, TEDMed speaker, designer, entrepreneur, educator, mentor, and point-of-care ultrasound specialist. She also hosts the Visible Voices Podcast, amplifying content in the healthcare, equity, and current trends spaces.

They're on to discuss their upcoming book, 'Micro Skills: Small Actions Big Impact', which is a business self-help book about reaching big goals in small actionable steps. They share their personal journeys in medicine and writing, as well as what drew them to emergency medicine. The book covers various themes, including self-care, communication, reputation building, networking, conflict navigation, and finding new opportunities. The authors emphasise the importance of self-care first, before everything else.

We Discuss

  • The importance of self-care and the impact of the workplace environment on professional success
  • Dr Lewiss & Dr Landry's new book, 'MicroSkills: Small Actions Big Impact'
  • Self-care and compassion are essential to prevent burnout and promote well-being
  • The importance of authentic self-expression, doing things you enjoy, and how this helps us show up as better versions of ourselves

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Connect with

Dr Adaira Landry here: X/Twitter, LinkedIN, Instagram; www.adairalandryMD.com

Dr Resa E. Lewiss here: LinkedIN, Instagram, X/Twitter; www.resalewissmd.com

Buy the book from April 16th 2024 here: Amazon | HarperCollins

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Dr. Malathi Acharya shares her journey from being a hospitalist to becoming a primary care physician and eventually starting her own practice in integrative medicine. Dr. Acharya emphasises the importance of self-care and self-nourishment in combating burnout and finding meaning and purpose in medicine.

We discuss:

  • How self-care and self-nourishment are essential in combating burnout and finding meaning and purpose in medicine

  • Starting your own practice requires learning new skills and overcoming fears, but it offers the opportunity for greater control and fulfilment

  • Emerging models of medicine that provide hope for a more balanced and fulfilling career

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Dr Malathi here: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

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Dr. Patrick Johnson, a psychiatrist and the medical director of the Victorian Doctors' Health Program, discusses physician suicide and wellbeing. He shares his journey to becoming a psychiatrist and his interest in doctors’ health. Dr. Johnson emphasises the importance of addressing loneliness, shame, and depression as risk factors for suicide. He highlights the need for leadership and wellbeing in the medical profession and encourages open conversations and connections among colleagues.

We discuss how:

  • Loneliness, shame, and depression are significant risk factors for physician suicide

  • Leadership and wellbeing are crucial in addressing mental health issues in the medical profession

  • Open conversations and connections among colleagues can help prevent physician suicide

  • Prioritising wellbeing is essential

  • Supervision and coaching are valuable resources for doctors to gain wisdom and navigate the challenges of their careers

  • Balance is a dynamic process that requires actively making time for different aspects of life

If you or someone you know needs help please call your local doctors' health service or Lifeline.

Doctors' Health Service - Drs4Drs.com | 1300 374 377

Lifeline | 13 11 14

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Dr Stephen Bergman AKA Samuel Shem, author of famed ‘The House of God’, is on to talk his new book.

‘Our Hospital’ is the final book in Shem’s Healing Quartet, about the COVID-19 pandemic and money-driven bureaucracy in medicine.

It was fun to speak with Shem to hear about his colourful life & provocative books.

‘The House of God’ is a satirical novel, exposing the dark side of medicine training. It’s often said that ‘The House of God’ did for the art of medicine what ‘Catch-22’ did for the art of war.

We discuss:

  • Shem’s reason for going into medicine (Harvard Med OR conscription to the Vietnam War)

  • Why Shem got into writing (and how he got F for writing in Harvard & didn’t write for 4 years after that)

  • ‘The House of God’

  • His new book ‘Our Hospital’

  • Shem’s hope for the future of medicine & healthcare workers

  • The importance of sticking together and human connection

Get Shem's new book here.

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Dr Jolie Keenan is an infectious disease physician, real estate investor, mother, and founder of Best Year Journals. Best Year Journals was created after witnessing patients write down lists of dreams and aspirations post life-changing diagnoses. Jolie noticed that often the dreams were being written down for retirement, so she decided to create these journals with her mother so that we can live our “retirement” goals NOW.

We discuss:

  • Migration

  • Choosing our specialty

  • Highlights & challenges of infectious disease

  • Exploring the world outside of medicine

  • Entrepreneurship

  • A little bit of magic

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Get the journals here Best Year Journals

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Dr Mary Leung is on this episode to discuss how she recovered from burnout and found a path that aligned with her values more. Dr Leung is a physician specialised in medical oncology, haematology, and internal medicine. She went from feeling trapped and devalued at work to regaining control of her life.

We discuss:

  • what led up to Mary’s burnout

  • the danger of self-sacrifice

  • how she transformed her life

  • how caring for ourselves helps how we relate and help others

  • the importance of boundary setting

  • we are worthy, just as we are

  • the power of gratitude and curiosity

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Find out more about Mary here: shiningwithgratitudemd.com | shiningwithgratitudemd@gmail.com | Facebook | LinkedIn

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This episode we have Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown, a sleep medicine physician, to speak all about how she found her niche in medicine and created her own business. She is passionate about helping people discover sleep as their superpower. Dr. Afolabi-Brown is a clinician, speaker, consultant, and coach, and she helps busy professionals and their children prioritise sleep to thrive, achieve optimal health, and live to their fullest potential.

We discuss:

  • How we can exert so much pressure on ourselves

  • Burnout, people-pleasing, and self-doubt

  • How she found her niche in medicine

  • The importance of sleep and how we can practically prioritise it

  • Effects of poor sleep on our health, functioning, and wellbeing

  • Unhelpful habits like waking up with caffeine and going to sleep with alcohol

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Dr Funke here restfulsleepmd.com | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

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This episode we have Sharee Johnson on. Sharee is a registered psychologist and executive coach to leaders, business owners and health professionals. Sharee is the founder of Coaching for Doctors and author of bestselling book The Thriving Doctor. As part of Coaching for Doctors, Sharee also offers Recalibrate, an immersive development program for doctors that is due to start in-person this 8th of March in Melbourne. There is an online version starting in April this year if this suits better.

For those listeners who would like to sign up, you can mention that you listened to this podcast episode and take advantage of the early bird prices.

For junior docs, there is still 1 scholarship per program available if you’d like to apply.

We discuss:

  • Why Sharee became a coach for doctors

  • Stoicism, perfectionism & overachieving

  • “Work-life balance”

  • Unhelpful habits we may have, how to notice them and change them for more helpful ones

  • Mindfulness (bear with us)

  • Tips on how to thrive in medicine and take care of ourselves

  • What the Recalibrate Program offers doctors

For coaching with Isabella go here.

Sign up to Recalibrate here and say you listened to this episode to take advantage of early bird prices.

Find out more or reach out to Sharee here.

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Today we have Dr Nishi Bhopal, a psychiatrist, sleep medicine physician, who practices holistic medicine, calling from San Francisco. Nishi did all the things she was supposed to do, but found herself experiencing high levels of stress in training, that ultimately led to burnout. Nishi is on to share her story and how she turned her experience into a practice that helps to heal others.

Nishi currently teaches other doctors sleep medicine. If you’d like to sign up to her free masterclass go here.

We discuss:

  • How Nishi has experienced three big health systems - NHS, Canada & the US

  • Changing specialties from internal medicine to psychiatry

  • How Nishi realised she wanted to change specialties and how the transition was

  • Dealing with unsolicited advice

  • Feelings of exhaustion, perfectionism, doubt, anxiety, and burnout

  • The arrival fallacy

  • Healing from burnout and finding fulfilment while still in medicine

  • Identifying your skills and unique talents

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Nishi Youtube | Website | Private Practice

Sign up for sleep medicine teaching

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This episode we my friend on, Dr Charlotte Cachia, my friend from internship & residency who has a big career change.

From critical care to a non-clinical specialty, pathology, Charlotte is on to share her story. I’m so grateful for Charlotte’s vulnerability and honesty in how she healed from burnout and found a career in medicine that helps her live a more fulfilling life.

We discuss:

  • Charlotte’s journey from young high school graduate to even younger doctor

  • Charlotte’s experience with burnout, the contributing factors, and the build up to the moment she decided to leave her job as a critical care SRMO

  • What places us more at risk of burnout (like people-pleasing and overachieving)

  • The importance of TIME to think over our next steps

  • How it is OKAY to change directions in our career, at ANY time

  • Charlotte’s transition from critical care to pathology

  • Pathology training & tips on what to do if you’re interested in it

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Pathology Training Website.

Read Charlotte’s article here.

Reach out to Charlotte via email.

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This episode we have Dr Barb Blasko, an Emergency Medicine Specialist and owner of a mobile healthcare service for equestrian events, called Show MD. This episode is all about how we can combine our passions to create our own unique career. Instead of ‘either/or’, we can be ‘yes, and’.

We discuss:

  • How she got to where she is now

  • Why Barb chose Emergency Medicine

  • How Barb combined her love of horses with medicine

  • Tips on starting your own business

Coaching with Isabella at balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Barb via her website | email barb@showmd.org

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This episode we have Dr Mary Magdy on to discuss her role as a Principal Investigator in Clinical Trials. This job is a hidden gem that remunerates well. It’s a growing industry in Australia and not want some might think when they hear research. Tune in to learn more about this role that is a great option for doctors that want to stay in medicine, keep seeing patients, but in a different way.

We discuss:

  • Mary’s journey in medicine and how she found clinical research

  • What clinical research is

  • Who funds this type of research

  • The different roles in a clinical trial

  • What a Principal Investigator & Sub-Investigator is - and a detailed overview of what they do

  • The highlights and lowlights of the job

  • The type of person that would be suited to this job

  • Who could apply

Coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Check out Good Clinical Practice.

Reach out to Mary via LinkedIn.

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This episode we have Dr Bishan Rajapakse on. He is an Emergency Medicine Specialist, writer, educator, and advocate for wellbeing, culture, and safety. Bishan came on to share his story & wisdom. This episode is great to show us all how there is no rush to the consultant finish line. We all do life at our own pace and that is more than okay.

We discuss:

  • Bishan’s scenic route to specialisation

  • How he lived his life with what made sense to him (instead of what makes sense to others)

  • Following your ‘gut’ and your values

  • How Bishan considered leaving medicine at one point, and then reconnected to his why

  • Changing specialties

  • Taking time off during training

  • The “medical treadmill” (and hopping off it)

  • Not feeling like you fit the mould of medicine and certain specialties

  • Failure!!! & medical shame

  • Valuing who WE ARE, over what we do

For coaching with Isabella - balancedmedics.com/coaching

Read Bishan’s blog post in Life in the Fast Lane

Get in touch with Bishan Insta | YouTube | Blog | LinkedIn

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Ready to take radical responsibility for our 2024?

This episode is all about how we can reflect on 2023 and design our 2024 to be the year we want it to be.

Looking forward to witnessing your powerful 2024.

For coaching go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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We’re so excited to share the latest episode of the podcast. Dr Kristine Goins, also known as The Nomad MD, is our guest. Kristine is an integrative adult and paediatric psychiatrist and world traveler. She is living proof that doctors can work remotely and is on a mission to help digitise medicine. Kristine is a coach to help other physicians change their life from traditional medicine to pursue location freedom.

We discuss:

  • Kristine’s journey from traditional medicine to pursuing location freedom

  • Her own experience with burnout

  • What integrative medicine and integrative psychiatry is

  • The role of travel in healing

  • How Kristine became a digital nomad & continued to practice medicine

  • Kristine’s vision in transforming the healthcare system

For coaching with go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Dr Kristine Goins here Website | Instagram | Facebook

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This episode we have the inspiring Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito on to share her journey. Vanessa is a Clinical Breast and Interventional Radiologist and solopreneur. She is the Clinical Director and business owner of Women’s & Breast Imaging in Cottesloe, educator, co-author, mother and triathlete. Vanessa is an international medical graduate and dedicates her recent award, Filipino-Australian of the Year, to all migrant people and migrant doctors.

We discuss:

  • Her journey through medicine

  • How she changed from surgical trainee to radiology training

  • Why she migrated to Australia

  • Her experience as an international medical graduate in Australia and how she became registered as a radiologist in Australia

  • How she became a business owner and solopreneur

  • Why she writes

  • Healing from burnout and having a life that is more than work

  • The importance of asking for help, and the moment when Vanessa did reach out for help during a period of burnout

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito at her website | Insta | Twitter | LinkedIn

Drs4Drs if you need help - it’s always ok to ask for help.

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This episode we have Dr Toni Liu back! Listen to episode 2 to hear our first chat about people-pleasing and how to beat it. This time we are chatting all about those tricky emotions surrounding leaving medicine. Dr Toni Liu is a physician from the US who left medicine to be a cartoonist, digital nomad, and self-love and relationship coach.

We discuss:

  • The emotions we both felt when contemplating leaving medicine

  • What came up when we left full-time clinical medicine (it wasn’t all sunshine straight away)

  • How we can navigate those tricky emotions and pursue our dreams

  • Dealing with unsolicited advice

  • How we both are now vs at the start of our journeys

This episode is inspired by Dr Heather Fork from The Doctors’ Crossing.

Coaching with Isabella balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Dr Toni Liu: Insta | LinkedIn | Website | Podcast

Helpful articles

5 tips for handling the emotional side to leaving medicine

20 Tips On What To Do If You Want To Quit Medicine

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This episode we have Dr Seema Pattni, a mother, GP and career coach with a special interest in coaching women of South Asian backgrounds. Seema kindly came on to the pod to discuss how we can make empowered choices in our lives. I’m sure we have all felt a bit lost at some point in our lives, moving past this fog can be scary. Where do we even start?

We discuss:

  • How we can make sustainable career and life choices based on our own values

  • Seema’s journey through medicine, why, and how she re-evaluated her own career

  • How we can identify our own values

  • The importance of knowing our core values

  • How we can apply them to make the change we want in our lives

  • Navigating conflicting values

Insta | LinkedIn | Website

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This episode we have Dr Matthew Coleshill (BSc (Hons), PhD) from the Black Dog Institute on the pod to discuss physician mental health & The Essential Network (TEN) for health professionals. I feel very privileged to share this episode to help normalise talking about mental health in doctors and to share another resource that is available to all of us.

This episode happens to be published after the recent loss of one of our own to mental health. It’s okay to not be okay. There is help out there. Please reach out to your loved ones, colleagues, GP, professionals or one of the resources listed in our bio and show notes.

Having a mental health struggle does not mean you are not fit to practice or not well enough to be a doctor. It is so human and more common than you may think. You are not to blame, things are tough out there. I’m sure we have all struggled in medicine at some point in our lives. I know I have.

I would like to share the memory and impact of Dr Trudy Hong, who left this world too soon. We need change in the health system, not just momentary outrage. My dream is we can be that change.

This episode we discuss:

  • The Essential Network (TEN) for health professionals of the Black Dog Institute - a free mental health resource for health professionals that is confidential and separate to our employers

  • What is unique about physician mental health

  • Physician anxiety, PTSD & burnout

  • Signs and symptoms of common mental health issues we may face as doctors and human beings

  • Where we can get help if we need it

Resources for help now

Doctors health - Drs4Drs

TEN for Health Professionals

AMA find a doctor

Hand-n-Hand Peer Support

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This episode we are lucky to have Dr Chloe Walters on, a paediatric trainee and mental health advocate. Dr Walters shares her mental health story and is working to fight the stigma of mental illness. Hearing her story shows how powerful vulnerability is, and we hope this episode can help someone feel less alone.

It’s okay to seek help if you need it.

We discuss:

  • Chloe’s journey through medicine with mental illness

  • How she was diagnosed with bipolar

  • Why Chloe decided to share her story

  • The stigma around mental health

  • The importance of sharing stories to break this stigma

  • Chloe’s hopes for how mental health will be seen in medicine

For coaching with Isabella balancedmedics.com/coaching

Find out more from Dr Chloe Walters: YouTube | TikTok

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This episode we reflect on the podcast so far.

What has been covered, highlights from our inspirational guests, and lessons learnt.

If you want to hear more about someone or something please send through a voicemail or message.

Leave voicemail here.

For coaching with Isabella go here balancedmedics.com/coaching

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This episode our very special guest is Dr Rachel Beanland, a Public Health Medicine Specialist, mindfulness meditation teacher, and coach for doctors. Rachel is also the host of The Authentic Tea Podcast, a great pod to listen to if you haven't yet. We are lucky to have her on to share how she created her own unique path in and outside medicine.

We discuss:

  • Her alternative journey in and outside medicine

  • How she created her unique intentional career & how we can do it too

  • Working remotely in public health

  • Rachel’s shift from hospital medicine to public health

  • Fear of failure

  • Celebrating diversity in medicine

Coaching with Isabella balancedmedics.com/coaching.

Find more about Dr Beanland here: Facebook | Instagram | Community Sign Up | Website | Authentic Tea Podcast

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This episode our exciting guest is Dr Alex Kharazi, a cardiothoracic surgeon, mother, skydiver, and author. Dr Kharazi comes on to share her story, discuss her new book, “The Heart of Fear”, and the links between high-risk sports and medicine. We also discuss how we can go beyond our limiting beliefs in medicine and seek out all the possibilities.

We discuss:

  • How she became interested in surgery after a skydiving malfunction

  • Her new book - “The Heart of Fear”

  • Alex’s writing journey

  • How medicine can approach our current challenges, ways we can challenge our thinking, go beyond limiting beliefs, and change the culture in medicine

  • What medicine can learn from high-risk sports

  • Changing our decisions from fear-based, risk-averse to authentic decision-making

  • The arrival fallacy

Coaching with Isabella balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Dr Kharazi: TikTok | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website | Buy the book here

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This episode our inspiring guest is Dr Ali Tahayori, who holds a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Fine Art. Dr Tahayori currently exhibits his art internationally, while working as a Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist. Dr Tahayori was born and raised in the homophobic climate of 1980s Iran and moved to Australia in 2007. His art reflects on the identity of an outsider, which was assumed from the environment he grew up in as well as dealing with migration.

Listen to his unique story to hear how we can bravely follow our interests at any stage and create something beautiful out of our experiences.

We discuss:

  • Dr Tahayori’s journey in art and medicine

  • How he almost became an architect

  • Where our interests in life come from, ourselves or external influence

  • Ali’s drive to create art

  • Listening to what he really wanted - and deciding to study art

  • Being an outsider and dealing with our identity

  • Balancing art and medicine

This episode was recorded in June - to keep up to date with Ali’s artworks and exhibitions follow him on Instagram or check out his website.

Coaching with Isabella at balancedmedics.com/coaching

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This episode we are lucky to welcome Dr Cheryl Martin. Dr Martin is an Emergency Physician, chair of the Australian College of Emergency Medicine workforce wellbeing executive, and host of The Mind Full Medic Podcast. Dr Martin is on the pod to answer some tough questions about navigating uncertainty in medicine; from clinical decision making, to rostering, to jobs, and training programs. Have a listen for some tips on ways we can care for ourselves through these tough moments in medicine.

We discuss:

  • Cheryl’s journey through medicine

  • Professional Fulfilment as a new lens for wellbeing in medicine

  • Uncertainty in medicine, and why it’s so challenging

  • How to deal with uncertainty - in clinical decision making, rostering, and our training

  • Ways to manage living in different cities for training

  • Managing setbacks in training

  • How we can best care for ourselves & others through difficult moments in medicine

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Find more from Dr Cheryl Martin through her Podcast | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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Dr Marianne Gazet is a Foundation Year 2 Doctor in the U.K (PGY2 equivalent in Australia) who is also the creator of the podcast More Than Medical Students. Her podcast is all about how we are more than our titles, medical student or doctor. We’re lucky to have her on the pod to discuss her perspective on how we can live our lives as more than health professionals, and her own journey!

We discuss:

  • Why it’s important to remember we are more than our titles (doctor or medical student)

  • Marianne’s journey in medicine

  • Taking gap years in medicine

  • How she started More Than Medical Students - content creating, studygram, collaborating with other medical students

  • The transition from medical student to doctor

  • Tips on keeping your other interests alive

Coaching with Isabella - balancedmedics.com/coaching

Follow Marianne here | Check out her podcast here

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Kylie Brennan is here this episode to share her rich story. From registered nurse to the pharmaceutical industry to mindset coach running her own business, Kylie has had many roles. This episode is all about how we can give ourselves permission to change course in our life to fulfil our values and curiosity.

We discuss:

  • Kylie’s time as a nurse

  • Why Kylie decided to search for something more

  • Burnout and how it’s related to moral injury

  • Kylie’s transition to the Pharmaceutical Industry from clinical work

  • How she started her own business as a mindset coach

  • Kylie’s current work as a mindset coach that is dedicated to helping others to fulfil our highest potential (using neuro-linguistic programming)

  • The inner critic (that we all share)

  • Her book - Focus is Fertiliser

Kylie's website | Instagram

Coaching with Isabella - balancedmedics.com/coaching

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In this episode, we sit down with the inspiring Dr. Olivia Ong - a mother, Rehabilitation and Pain Specialist, author, and coach renowned for her expertise in resilience and burnout. After being hit by a car, as a first year registrar in 2008, she was told she would never walk again or practice medicine. Against all odds, Dr Ong learnt to walk again and is still practicing medicine. Beyond this, Dr Ong uses her experience in her motivational speaking, writing, and her business The Heart Centered Doctor aimed at helping doctors around the world lead the life they deserve without burnout.

We discuss:

  • Recovering from paralysis and learning to walk again

  • The greatest teaching she learnt from her accident

  • Self-compassion, what it means, how it helps, and how to grow it

  • How self-compassion changed her life, and can change all our lives

  • The lack of control we experience in medicine and how we can navigate this

  • 5 things to help control our internal world

  • How to get connected with how we’re feeling and ways to handle challenging emotions

  • Dr Ong’s approach of Heart-Centered Care - living a life by design not by rosters

Visit Dr Ong’s website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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In this episode, we're honoured to welcome back Dr. Violet Kieu, a distinguished Fertility Specialist and consultant Gynaecologist. Join us as we dive deep into the world of fertility and family planning, celebrating women's health week with Dr. Kieu's expert insights. We also tackle the big question – to freeze or not freeze our eggs?

We discuss:

  • What fertility medicine and family planning really means
  • How to optimise our fertility with a preventative approach (including men’s health)
  • When we should start family planning
  • Reproductive freedom & choice
  • How likely we are to fall pregnant in our 20s, 30s & 40s
  • When we should seek fertility advice
  • Infertility
  • Family planning options including for: same-sex couples, single women and women over 35
  • When we should consider freezing our eggs
  • Is it better to freeze eggs or embryos?
  • Process of IVF, and the pros & cons, cost per year for storage

Reach out to Dr Violet Kieu here: Insta | Freeze Fertility Newsletter

Leave a voicemail for the pod here.

For coaching go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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This episode we have a fellow podcaster and Melbourne-based doctor Dev Raga speaking about money! He works as a GP and is the host of ‘my millennial money professional’ podcast. Dev kindly shares his wisdom and tips on how we can apply simple money concepts to our own lives to gain greater freedom & choice.  

We discuss:

  • Basic financial principles & tips for all of us to get our money working for us

  • How Dev got into podcasting about finance 

  • That money concepts aren’t as complex as the human body!

  • What financial independence is & how we can achieve it

  • Why we often don’t speak about money + why we don’t get taught much about it

  • How our training is often longer as a profession, but a great time to learn how to invest & save

  • Money may not bring happiness, but it can provide options

For more from Dev, check out his podcast. Dev's twitter.

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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Dr Hilton Koppe is back! Hilton self-published his first book One Curious Doctor earlier this year, since then he has now published a second edition of the book through Wakefield Press.

Hilton kindly has come on to talk about self-publishing vs publishing companies - as he’s experienced both. A great episode for those wanting to release a book into the world.

The second edition is available now for those wanting to read One Curious Doctor.

We discuss:

  • What Hilton’s been up to since the last episode

  • The publishing process - and how to self-publish

  • Self-publishing vs publishing company including profit difference

  • How it is to work with an editor

  • Hilton’s feelings towards the reception of his book so far

Buy One Curious Doctor here.

Read Hilton's latest article A journey of wonder for one curious doctor.

Self-publish with Hambone Publishing here.

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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This episode we are lucky enough to speak with Julian Meagher, a Sydney based artist who has exhibited extensively across Australia, Asia and America. Including being a finalist in the Archibald Portrait Prize multiple times. Before becoming a professional artist, Meagher went to med school and practiced as a doctor. Meagher is living proof that we can pursue the career that calls to us - even if it’s very different from medicine.

We discuss:

  • His unique path in medicine

  • Why & how he transitioned from medicine to art

  • The uncertainty in the first 5 years as a painter and how the transition was

  • Importance of friends, community and mentors

  • The identity of being a doctor and dealing with this when leaving medicine — Meagher is now “thankful rather than fearful”

  • How the time to study medicine & work as a doctor is never wasted

  • Letting go of failure

  • How Meagher never fully let go of medicine - and still works in surgical assisting (but out of choice and enjoyment)

Learn more about Julian Meagher here.

Connect with Julian on Instagram.

For coaching go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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This episode we have Dr Cara Fox on to discuss her unique path in medicine. Dr Fox is a great example of how medicine does not have to be traditional or linear. We explore her alternate path and hope to show others that you can follow whatever piques your interest.

We discuss:

  • Her non-traditional journey through surgery, economics, global health, scuba diving + more

  • How she decided GP training wasn’t for her - it’s ok to change!

  • Moving to Berlin for a medical education start-up

  • Travelling to the Philippines with the under-23 female soccer team as a Sports Medicine Doctor (coincidentally this episode is released after the historic win of the Australian female soccer team, Go The Matildas!)

  • More about Sports Medicine

  • Her current role as a Medical Advisor + more information about pursuing this role in general

  • Following your interests, wherever they may lead you 

For coaching - balancedmedics.com/coaching

For more on Sports Medicine

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Dr Kelly-Anne Garnier is a General Practitioner who is passionate about Lifestyle Medicine. Her path in medicine started off uniquely, she was initially a banker! Now she is dual trained in General Practice and Lifestyle Medicine. This episode is all about this unique specialty and Kelly shares tips on if it could be a right fit for you.

We discuss:

  • Her “long road” route to medicine (another example that we all have our own timelines)

  • Listening to that little voice telling you there’s time for change

  • What Lifestyle Medicine is 

  • Why Kelly was drawn to Lifestyle Medicine

  • How to apply for Lifestyle Medicine + the requirements 

  • The exam process

  • Managing our careers with intention

Learn more at https://lifestylemedicine.org.au/

Dr Garnier’s website https://redefininghealth.com.au/ - this episode was released after the free webinar, but keep an eye out for more from Kelly!

For coaching go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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Dr Jemma Hogan is a doctor specialising in both medical administration (RACMA) and paediatric medicine (RACP). She is currently working as the Director of Medical Services and as a Paediatric Advanced Trainee! This episode we shine a light on med admin, a lesser known medical specialty, and speak about dual training.

We discuss:

  • Why she chose to do dual training in Paediatrics and Medical Administration

  • What working as a Director of Medical Services involves

  • What Medical Administration is

  • What the day to day role is like

  • The hours

  • What it’s like being a dual trainee

  • The requirements for RACMA & different pathways 

Find out more about RACMA here

For coaching go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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This episode we have the lovely Dr Leslie Gan on to speak about a lesser known medical specialty. Dr Leslie Gan is a rehabilitation medicine physician and Co-Director of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics in a public health service in Queensland.

We discuss

  • How she re-evaluated her life while doing BPT and changed paths

  • Why she chose Rehabilitation Medicine

  • What the specialty is all about 

  • The requirements - (BPT not required)

  • Who would be suited to the job

  • The exams are separate to BPT exams! 

Find out more by reaching out to your nearest friendly rehab physician or reach out to Dr Leslie Gan for more info.

leslie.gan@health.qld.gov.au

General Rehabilitation Medicine Training

For coaching with Isabella, go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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Associate Professor Samantha Loi is a Principal Research Fellow at the Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre and a neuropsychiatrist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

We discuss

  • How she got into research

  • Why she chose Psychiatry as a specialty

  • How she got into neuropsychiatry

  • The levels of seniority in research

  • Samantha’s typical work day

  • Who would be suited to research and how to get involved

Email contact@balancedmedics.com if you’d like to speak with Samantha.

For coaching with Isabella, go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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Dr Surina Taneja is a junior doctor from England who is interested in a career in surgery, but also took the time to explore other options. Surina worked in Australia, as a doc, for two years and has kindly come onto the pod to share her story. She explores her interests and shares her experiences in medicine on YouTube. Surina is particularly passionate about maintaining a work life balance in the pursuit of our career dreams.

Update: she has been accepted into surgical training in the U.K, congrats Surina!

We discuss:

  • why she went into medicine

  • why she side-stepped off the medical training ladder

  • Her first two years as a junior doc in the UK

  • How she found her first year in Australia (spoiler: it wasn’t the paradise that was sold to a lot of docs from the UK)

  • The reality of working in Australia

  • The ups and downs of taking a year off from the medical conveyor belt

  • Her YouTube journey

  • How to handle references when you take time off

Learn more about Surina here https://www.surinataneja.com/

Follow her YouTube channel here

For coaching with Isabella, go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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Dr Jo Hely is our latest guest! Jo is a doctor who has worked in hospital administration, junior doctor education, medical regulation and medico-legal roles. Throughout her years in medicine, she met doctors who were dissatisfied with their careers and saw a real need for a career advisor with a specialised medical background.

Now Jo is behind Insight Medical Careers, that offers services that include establishing your career direction, career change, and advancing into specialty training (including interview prep).

Also, this 13th of July, Jo is running another round of The Bigger Picture! A 6-week course for women doctors to gain greater clarity around your values and where work fits into your bigger picture. If you’re interested, use the code TBP when signing up to get the discounted price.

We discuss:

  • Her medical journey

  • Why she chose medical administration training

  • How a serious medical diagnosis of a loved one affected her path

  • How and why Insight Medical Careers was born - to create a career and life that you love

  • The Bigger Picture - Jo’s latest project, focused on helping women in medicine live life by their values & developing networks

Find out more about Dr Jo Hely here.

Sign up for The Bigger Picture here. Use the discount code TBP.

For coaching with Isabella, go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

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Dr Chido Mwat is a Zimbabwean comedian, writer, film and web content maker living in Naarm (Melbourne, Australia). She does all this while working as a doctor in ED.

We discuss:

  • How she blends her creative side with working as a doctor

  • Juggling “the creative” & “doctor” identity 

  • Her inspiration at the moment & the need to be creative

  • Chido’s current projects 

  • Embracing failure

Learn more about Chido here.

Check out her latest web-series here.

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Dr Karen Barnard thought medicine would be her forever career, but after 30 years of clinical experience, she realised it was time for a change. With the support of her mentor coach, she found the perfect career for her as a physician career coach. Now Karen dedicates herself to helping doctors transition out of clinical medicine.

We discuss:

  • Her own medical journey

  • Why she felt it was time for a career change & the moment she began to notice this need to change

  • How she made that career transition leap - it’s a process

  • Her biggest barrier in her career change

  • Advice for everyone listening who is questioning their career in medicine

Reach out to Karen at https://drkarenbarnard.com/

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Dr Ben Bravery's journey through medicine isn't the typical one. In 2011, while living in Beijing, China and building his own science communication business, Ben was diagnosed with Stage 3C colorectal cancer. He was 28 years old. He returned to Australia and underwent 18 months of treatment. After this, Ben needed a change. He decided to become a doctor. Ben is now undertaking speciality training in Psychiatry. His memoir ‘The Patient Doctor’, published in 2022, speaks of his journey and mission to change health care for the better.

We discuss

  • His memoir ‘The Patient Doctor’

  • How he went from a zoologist working with giant pandas to medical doctor

  • The moment he was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 28 years old

  • How his experience in the hospital as a patient spurred him to become a doctor to change the health system

  • Medical training & the system

  • How we can protect ourselves from moral injury & compassion fatigue

  • How he held onto and continues to hold onto his humanity during medical training

  • What’s next for him

Check out his book and reach out via benbravery.com or Ben's social media Insta | Twitter | LinkedIn

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Our guest Dr Eunice Chou, is a doctor from New Zealand and digital nomad. She is currently exploring the world and sharing videos of her life on YouTube!

We discuss:

  • Why she became a digital nomad & how she is doing it

  • Her plans for her year off

  • Why she decided to take the year off

  • Burnout

  • Her experience as a junior doctor

  • How she’s exploring what she really wants to do in life

  • The reactions of others to her year off

For coaching go to balanced medics.com/coaching

For lesser known specialties go here.

Follow Eunice's travels on YouTube and Instagram.

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Our guest Dr Sonia Henry is a GP and published author, passionate about welfare of doctors, improving health equity, especially in remote Australia and First Nations health. Her first book 'Going Under' was an Australian best seller and her memoir 'Put Your Feet In The Dirt, Girl' is going to be released on May 30.

Sonia came on to discuss her alternative path in medicine and new book!

We discuss:

  • Her writing journey & how she became a published author

  • Juggling writing & doctoring

  • Her amazing debut novel Going Under

  • Her journey into the Australian desert & new memoir Put Your Feet In The Dirt, Girl

  • The viral post she wrote ‘there is something rotten inside the medical profession’

  • Dealing with the ‘online haters’

  • How she came to love being a rural doc

  • That we can shed our labels and be whoever we want to be

For coaching go here balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to her and check out her book here.

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Dr Emily Amos came on the pod to talk about her portfolio career, and share how this approach can create greater fulfilment & balance in our life. Dr Amos is a General Practitioner, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, 200hr yoga teacher, university tutor and registered mindfulness meditation teacher. She also hosts the mind.life.me podcast, talking about what’s good for our mind, body and soul.

We discuss:

  • what is a portfolio career

  • the distinction between portfolio career vs “side-hustle”

  • overwhelm

  • her burnout recovery journey

  • how she designed a life that fulfils her

  • the doctor identity and what it means to be a “good doctor”

For coaching go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out dremilyamos.com

Whole Hearted Medicine Retreats

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Dr Violet Kieu is a consultant Gynaecologist specialising in fertility, reproductive endocrinology, and fertility preservation. She is also a writer, and shares all about fertility medicine through her blog Freeze Fertility.

We discuss

  • Why she chose fertility medicine
  • Societal factors in making life choices, especially medicine
  • Requirements in becoming a fertility specialist
  • Her typical day
  • All about her writing

Stay tuned for part 2 - all about our own fertility in medicine, to freeze or not to freeze, that is the question.

For coaching go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Follow Violet on Insta, check out her website here, and writing at Freeze Fertility.

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This episode we are lucky to have Rachel Clark, a medical science liaison (MSL) with 20 years experience in this role. She generously shared all about this profession and how this position can open up doors for you in many industries and other roles.

It’s a great option for those without medical registration, like new graduates or interns.

We discuss

  • What is an MSL
  • The day-to-day activities
  • The industries you can work in - pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotechnology and managed care companies
  • How you can carve out a niche for yourself based on your interests
  • The flexibility and diversity of the role
  • Advice on what you should do before applying for a role
  • Requirements needed for role
  • How to get around the “experience needed” requirement
  • How there is room to grow
  • Who would be suited to MSL

(Apologies for my loud mic, it was new at time of recording and turned up too high)

For coaching go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

Medicines Australia Code of Conduct Course

For more info about this role contact@balancedmedics.com

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This episode we are lucky to have Dr Chelsea Turgeon here to talk about her amazing journey from O&G trainee (resident) to digital nomad, healthcare career coach, author and podcaster. Chelsea quit training to pursue her own path and now works to help others find their own fulfilment in career and life.

We discuss

  • External validation
  • The moment she decided to drop out of residency and bought a one-way ticket to South Korea
  • Trusting her intuition in becoming a digital nomad
  • Her burnout, hitting rock bottom, then coming out the other side
  • How her plan evolved from aspiring travel blogger to healthcare career coach
  • Navigating unsolicited advice about major career & life changes
  • If she ever looked back

For coaching with Isabella go to balancedmedics.com/coaching

To reach out to Chelsea visit her website, follow her on socials Insta, listen to her podcast

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Dr Antonia Reale holds an MD & PhD, with a special interest in multiple myeloma, she kindly came onto the pod to talk about what being a medical scientist is all about. 

We discuss:

  • Balancing motherhood with medicine and completing a PhD
  • What a research scientist is & what a medical scientist is (applied research)
  • The requirements to be a research scientist and medical scientist
  • “Typical” work hours in research
  • The registration requirements for pure research
  • A bit about the day-to-day roles as a medical scientist

For coaching: balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Antonia Reale on LinkedIn

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This episode we are lucky to speak with Dr Hilton Koppe: writer, workshop facilitator, podcaster and doctor living on Bundjalung land on the east coast of Australia. Hilton facilitates reflective writing workshops for doctors and other health professionals with the goal of deepening their compassion, overcoming professional isolation and reducing risk of burnout. Hilton’s memoir, One Curious Doctor, explores the personal impact of working as a country doctor.

We discuss

  • His experience of being diagnosed with PTSD
  • The moment he was “done” with medicine - and all the difficult emotions that came with it (guilt, shame, feeling like a failure)
  • Generational trauma
  • Poetry
  • His insightful memoir “One Curious Doctor”
  • Witnessing the suffering of patients and people dying
  • The power of creative writing for doctors and healing the self

For coaching: balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach out to Hilton on his website

For more resources check out balancedmedics.com

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This episode we are lucky to have Dr Jo Braid as our special guest. Dr Braid is a rehab specialist, who is also a coach that supports healthcare professionals work through topics such as imposter syndrome, burnout, fear of failure and more. We discuss:

  • Imposter syndrome
  • The 5 different types of imposter syndrome
  • How to recognise it
  • How to care for ourselves when experiencing it

If you'd like coaching with Isabella - balancedmedics.com/coaching

Connect with Dr Jo Braid:

Website | The Burnout Recovery Podcast | Insta

Resources:

MensLine | Drs4Drs | Beyond Blue | TEN - Black Dog Institute

Helpful books

  • Mindset by Dr Carol Dweck
  • The Thriving Doctor by Sharee Johnson

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From rural town and life-changing accident to doctor with interest in pain medicine and public health. Dr Caitlin Gorry proves we are more than medics. She left residency to pursue cosmetic medicine, cannabis prescribing, problem-based learning tutoring for medical students and more. 

Note: since recording this episode, Dr Gorry now is self-employed. 

We discuss:

  • Her life-changing accident
  • Working as a doctor with an invisible disability
  • Her struggles in completing internship
  • Leaving residency
  • What plant-based medicine is & how to enter the industry
  • When and why plant-based medicine can be prescribed
  • Remuneration
  • How you can have a range of options with general registration

For coaching go here: balancedmedics.com/coaching

Reach Dr Gorry here:

https://www.drcaitlingorry.com.au/ & here at honahlee

email: hello@drcaitlingorry.com.au

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This episode we have the great privilege of having Dr Una as our guest. Dr Una is a real force of nature, paediatrician, author, entrepreneur, and creator of EntreMD. On a mission to change the culture of medicine and help 100,000 U.S physicians live life and practice medicine on their own terms.

We discuss:

  • That feeling of wanting more in medicine
  • Starting your own business
  • How introverts can learn the skill of speech, networking, marketing and entrepreneurship
  • How she has helped hundreds of doctors gain autonomy and create profitable businesses
  • Gaining autonomy through owning that we are the CEO of our lives
  • Breaking out of the victim mentality
  • Changing the culture in medicine
  • Not letting fear stop us

Find Dr Una here:

https://entremd.com/ | Her books on amazon | EntreMD Business School

For coaching: balancedmedics.com/coaching

For more resources go to balancedmedics.com

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This episode we're speaking all about living la vida locum with Go Locum co-founder Phoebe Bardsley & Dr Ed Stoios.

We discuss:

  • The how, what, why & where of locum work
  • Tips on how to keep references current during locum work
  • What the requirements are to be a locum - usually you'll need three references, ideally from doctors you have worked with within the last 12 months
  • The pros & cons of locum work
  • Remuneration + tax/superfunds
  • How Go Locum is aiming to bring transparency to locum work

For coaching: balancedmedics.com/coaching

Join the Doctors Changing Careers Facebook group

Visit Go Locum website + insta

Facebook group: Locum Doctors Australia

Article on financial guide locum work

Locum Doctor Accounting (One example)

For more resources go to balancedmedics.com

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Welcome back! This episode we're lucky to be speaking with Dr Lara Hochman, a family medicine physician and advocate for physician wellbeing. Dr Hochman created Happy Day Health – a boutique physician matchmaking agency that matches doctors with practices that align with their values & needs. Dr Lara Hochman helps medics transition from burnout to enjoying practicing medicine again.

She's also a co-author of the book Made for more: Physician Entrepreneurs who live life and practice medicine on their own terms which was compiled by Dr Nneka Unachukwu.

This episode we discuss:

  • Dr Hochman's journey in medicine
  • How physicians are the cavalry and change is happening in the culture of medicine
  • All about the new book Made for more
  • Dr Hochman's journey from primary care physician to entrepreneur
  • What the requirements are for physicians wanting to journey into entrepreneurship
  • Starting with WHY

For career transition coaching: balancedmedics.com/coaching/

Reach out to Dr Lara Hochman, founder of Happy Day Health:

Website | LinkedIn | Youtube | Instagram | Twitter

Get the book here

For more resources go to balancedmedics.com

None

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This episode we're speaking all about skin cancer medicine and finding your niche with Dr Marjia (Maryjka) Johns. Dr Johns is a GP with specialty interest in skin cancer medicine, sexual health and paediatrics. 

We discuss:

  • The stigma around choosing GP training
  • Skin cancer medicine and how to further your training in it
  • How skin cancer medicine can be a great option without a previous specialty as the Skin Cancer College of Australasia is a college that can be stand alone
  • Finding your niche in med
  • Breaking the mould of what it means to be a female doctor
  • How finding balance in life can be quite tricky!

To contact Dr Marjia Johns: message her on Instagram

For info on the Skin Cancer College of Australasia, Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) at The University of Queensland

For more resources check out: balancedmedics.com

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Welcome back!

This episode we chat with Dr Claire Noonan, a GP with a special interest in human psychology and the ability to facilitate transformation through therapy.

Dr Claire offers group therapy, workshops including one focused on Impostor syndrome and retreats through Clarity Lane. Her next retreat is in partnership with the Burnout Project by Dr Amy Imms in March 2023, called “Healing the Healers”.

We discuss:

  • Why she decided to be a GP and how it wasn’t a linear path
  • Why she started her business Clarity Lane
  • Imposter syndrome
  • How she got the courage to start her own business
  • Burnout and job quitting
  • Losing her gallbladder to work-related stress
  • How to keep creative in medicine

To contact Dr Claire Noonan:

https://www.claritylane.com.au/

Register for the Healing the Healers Retreat Autumn 2023

Her socials: Insta | Facebook group

Dr Valerie Young - Imposter Syndrome

For more resources check out balancedmedics.com

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This episode we chat with Dr Gemma Woolley, a doctor that left residency to pursue an exciting career in cosmetic medicine. Listen to hear all about Dr Gemma's unconventional journey in medicine, about to become a professional snowboarder she decided to be a doctor instead! Then a life-changing diagnosis of a family member made her reassess her career journey.

We discuss:

  • Exploring the options in medical school
  • Physician anxiety as a junior doctor
  • Not having any specialty that calls to you after internship
  • Leaving residency
  • Her journey into cosmetic medicine
  • How to get started as a cosmetic physician
  • Telemedicine opportunity in cosmetics
  • How cosmetics can be more than purely aesthetic

If you like what you heard and want to find out more, check out:

balancedmedics.com

Our socials

Insta | LinkedIn | Facebook

More resources

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Welcome back to The Balanced Medics' Handover Podcast. Today we're talking with Dr Jessica Wells, a Public Health Physician. 

We're going to be discussing:

  • Dr Well's journey to work in Public Health
  • What Public Health is
  • The requirements needed to join the training program - there have been changes since this podcast was recorded and now up to 12 months of a Master’s degree (or equivalent) will be considered if it includes a formal work placement.
  • Who would be suited
  • What the day-to-day role is like
  • On-call, after hours and renumeration
  • Where you can study a Master of Public Health (MPH)

For more information on Public Health training in Australia check out the links below:
Public Health Medicine RACP

Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine

Master of Public Health requirements:

  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics
  • Health Protection (includes Environmental Health and/or Communicable Disease Prevention and Control)
  • Health Promotion
  • Health Policy, Planning or Management

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Welcome back!

Today, we're talking about designing a life that's right for you and your values. And who better to have on the show to talk about this than Cath Nolan? Catherine is an award-winning coach, a celebrated advocate for gender equality and inclusion, an international speaker and 4 x bestselling writer. Catherine has spent the past 20 years helping people to dream without limits and create a life that aligns with their values.

This episode we discuss:

  • What coaching is
  • Finding your zone of genius
  • Connecting with your values + separating them from external influences
  • Not living to the expectations of others
  • Working beyond fear
  • Two key pearls of wisdom to take away

Find Cath Nolan on:

https://www.cathnolan.com/

Socials: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

Her podcast: Don't be ARSD with Cath Nolan

For more resources check out: balancedmedics.com

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This episode we're speaking with our inspirational guest, Dr Amy Imms, a medical doctor, mother of 5, and founder of The Burnout Project

During her GP training, Dr Imms found herself in the midst of burnout with very little resources available. This experience pushed her to start a new mission of providing for others what she could not find for herself. The Burnout Project was born and for the past 6 years she has worked to raise awareness of burnout, reduce stigma, support burnt-out individuals, and create burnout-aware workplaces.

In this episode we discuss

  • What burnout is
  • How to recognise the signs & prevent it
  • Why junior doctors are most at risk of burnout
  • How & why Dr Imms founded The Burnout Project
  • Finding the career right for your life, beyond burnout

Reach out to Dr Imms:

https://www.dramyimms.com/

Social media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

For more resources check out balancedmedics.com

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This episode we discuss physician burnout and how it can affect our partners. Who better to have on as a guest than my own husband?

During internship and residency I was suffering from a deep burnout while also being a newlywed, oh and the pandemic hit in my second month as a junior doc.

The strain of my burnout, the pressures of the job, COVID-19 and being newly married wasn't easy.

Today we have an open conversation about:

  • How burnout affected our relationship
  • How it affected Samu, my partner
  • What helped us get through it
  • What I found most helpful from him in my time of need
  • The relationship now, after slowly recovering from burnout and leaving clinical medicine
  • My career transition

Personally, I left clinical medicine for my own health. However, this isn't the answer for everyone. I believe we can all find the right path for us. Whether you want to stay in medicine but improve your current situation, adjust the way you practice, change specialties, find a non-clinical career or do something completely different. Stay tuned for next weeks episode where we will do a deep dive into burnout with Dr Amy Imms, creator of the Burnout Project.

For more resources check out balancedmedics.com

Social media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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This episode we're speaking with our special guest Dr Prasanthi Purosothaman, a GP with specialty interest in women's health, dermatology and cosmetic medicine. 

Dr Pras is the in-house GP for Eucalyptus (digital health startup) and Medical Director for Frenchie (sexual wellness brand). On top of this, she is also the founder of the new skincare and wellness brand L'Orient due to launch in 2023. 

In this episode we discuss

  • Finding your niche in medicine
  • Aligning with your values to create a career that is right for you
  • The many possibilities you can find in and out of medicine (no need to limit yourself!)
  • How Pras went viral on TikTok
  • Using your creativity to explore unchartered territory

Reach out to Dr Prasanthi:

www.drprasanthi.com.au

Social media: Instagram | Tiktok (Dr Pras is best contacted on social media through TikTok currently)

For more resources check out balancedmedics.com

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Could you be a people-pleaser? Ever have a hard time saying no?

In this episode we speak with Dr Toni Liu, who went from 'model Asian child' to 'great disappointing failure' once she left medicine. However, for Dr Toni she felt that her life had only just begun. 

We'll cover Dr Toni's journey leaving medicine to become a digital nomad, what people-pleasing is, the dangers of it and how to beat it. 

Reach out to Dr Toni Liu

Website: https://drtooni.com/

Toni's Instagram Facebook group: Acceptians

For more resources check out balancedmedics.com or follow us on social media!

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Welcome to the first episode of The Handover Podcast by Balanced Medics. 

In this episode we cover why Balanced Medics was create. Why it's called The Handover and what the podcast will cover.

We also touch on how Isabella's medical journey has already been non-conventional.

For more resources check out:

balancedmedics.com or follow us on social media