Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In this episode Dr. Sarah Smith welcomes Dr. Ben Reinking, a pediatric cardiologist, to share his transformative journey through medicine. Despite facing significant challenges such as overwork and team reductions, Dr. Reinking managed to redefine his approach to clinical practice. He candidly discusses his struggles with excessive workload and lack of support, leading him to experience burnout symptoms, like disturbed sleep and increased isolation from colleagues.

Through the use of gratitude exercises and professional coaching, he was able to shift his mindset, prioritize self-care, and reintegrate joy into his work. Dr. Reinking's insights offer valuable lessons for healthcare professionals looking to redesign their clinical days for long-term fulfillment and efficiency.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

1. Prioritize Personal Well-being: Dr. Reinking emphasized the importance of scheduling "me time" and ensuring it holds the same priority as professional responsibilities. This includes commitments like exercise and family time, crucial for maintaining personal health and happiness.
2. Effective Use of Teamwork: Overcoming isolation by effectively utilizing and connecting with multidisciplinary teams can mitigate workload pressure. Dr. Reinking's experience shows that working collaboratively with colleagues and fostering a sense of community enhances the overall clinical environment.
3. Embrace Coaching and Gratitude: A shift in mindset through coaching and daily gratitude exercises can significantly change how practitioners cope with challenging situations. Dr. Reinking found that focusing on what he was grateful for helped reshape his approach to daily clinical challenges.

Dr. Ben Reinking Bio:

Dr. Ben Reinking is a board-certified General Pediatrician and Pediatric Cardiologist, dedicated to guiding physicians toward fulfilling careers. As a Master Certified Physician Development Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation, Dr. Reinking specializes in coaching physicians to thrive in the healthcare system. He has clinical expertise in pediatric cardiology, echocardiography, and fetal cardiology. He has held leadership roles, including Medical Director of Pediatric Echocardiography and Clinical Pediatric Cardiology, and served as a mentor to medical professionals. Dr. Reinking founded The Developing Doctor to help physicians develop the skills, mindset, and resources necessary to create the life and career they envisioned when entering medical school.

--------------

Would you like to view a transcript of this episode? Click here

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.

**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at admin@reachcareercoaching.ca. I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

In Episode 108, host Dr. Sarah Smith is joined by Dr. Sarah Dalton, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist from Sydney, Australia. Together, they explore the challenges and innovations in creating sustainable career paths for clinicians within complex healthcare systems.

Dr. Dalton shares her unique journey through medicine, likening herself to a 'platypus' with diverse interests that have led her to integrate pediatrics, acute care, and quality improvement. Listeners will gain insights into her work in clinical leadership, her focus on patient experience and quality improvement in emergency settings, and her role in implementing electronic medical records across New South Wales.

Dr. Dalton also discusses balancing clinical and nonclinical roles, the significance of self-care, and the value of coaching for medical professionals. Join us as we delve into practical approaches and systemic solutions aimed at enhancing the sustainability of medical careers.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

1. Quality Improvement in Healthcare: Dalton emphasized the importance of quality improvement as a structured approach to solving healthcare system issues. By leveraging PDSA cycles, clinicians can effectively enhance patient experiences and streamline processes.
2. System-Level Change and Leadership: Leading large-scale healthcare initiatives, such as implementing electronic medical records across hospitals, requires authentic engagement and a clear vision of benefits for clinicians and patients alike.
3. Balancing Work and Wellness: Dalton shared her strategy for maintaining a sustainable work-life balance, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and incorporating regular breaks to recharge.

Dr. Sarah Dalton Bio:

Dr Sarah Dalton has a clinical background as a Paediatric Emergency Physician, and a long history of medical leadership roles including previous President of the Paediatric and Child Health Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Sarah has worked in different clinical and managerial roles across NSW over the last 25 years, including several executive leadership roles within NSW Health. Sarah has completed a Fulbright Scholarship in Clinical Leadership and is an experienced executive coach and facilitator who primarily works with healthcare leaders.

--------------

Would you like to view a transcript of this episode? Click here

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.

**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at admin@reachcareercoaching.ca. I would love to hear from you.