• Episode 103: Redefining Professional Identity
    Jan 6 2025

    Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

    In today's episode, we're thrilled to have Dr. Wendy Schofer join us. As a pediatrician and lifestyle physician, Dr. Schofer's diverse career journey offers a wealth of insights into creating a sustainable practice. From her time in the Navy, balancing the demands of family and career, to exploring new facets of herself through improv and coaching, Wendy's story is one of growth, challenge, and transformation.

    Today's discussion will delve into her sabbatical experience, the transition from military to civilian life, and her innovative approach to medicine, focusing on building meaningful relationships and acknowledging personal limits.

    Join us as Wendy shares her strategies for finding fulfillment and balance both in and out of the clinical setting. Whether you're a physician seeking inspiration or simply interested in the journey of sustainable medical practice, this episode promises to be a compelling listen packed with practical wisdom and heartfelt reflections.

    Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

    1. Embrace Experimentation: My sabbatical taught me to explore beyond traditional medical roles, integrating yoga, CrossFit, and improv into my professional life. This journey led to coaching parents and physicians, emphasizing the importance of personal and professional growth through diverse experiences.
    2. Redefine Your Role: In my transition from active duty to civilian practice, I focused on building a specialty clinic around long-term relationships and open emotional discussions with families. By recognizing my limitations and outsourcing certain tasks, I've started creating a fulfilling practice that aligns with my passions.
    3. Prioritize Self-Care: Managing exhaustion and burnout taught me the necessity of addressing my own needs, such as adequate sleep and downtime. I advocate for balancing clinical practice with personal well-being to sustain a rewarding career in medicine.

    Dr. Wendy Schofer Bio:

    Wendy Schofer, MD is a board-certified pediatrician and lifestyle physician, improv comedian and founder of Family in Focus®. She specializes in engaging with emotions in the community, on stage and in her clinical practice. In fact, understanding her emotions helped her heal from personal burnout and now leads the way to creating a practice and life she loves.

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    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.

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    52 mins
  • Replay Dr. Adam Stewart - One of Our Top 2 Episodes of 2024
    Dec 30 2024

    Please enjoy this replay of one of our top two episodes of 2024.

    In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Adam Stewart, a comprehensive family doctor known for his passion and expertise in efficiency and self-management materials for patients.

    Dr. Stewart shares valuable insights on delegation, empowering staff, optimizing patient visits, and the use of technology to streamline healthcare workflows. Join us as we delve into the strategies and techniques that Dr. Stewart has developed over his nearly 15 years of practice in a small rural town in Ontario, and gain inspiration for redesigning your own clinical day for sustainability and efficiency.

    Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

    1️⃣ Delegation Maximizes Potential: Dr. Stewart emphasizes the significance of delegating tasks according to staff members' value of time and training them to work to their maximum potential, thus optimizing clinic workflow and efficiency.

    2️⃣ Empowering Autonomy Boosts Morale: Giving staff autonomy, mastery, and purpose in their roles can lead to increased job satisfaction and clinic morale, ultimately contributing to sustainable and enjoyable clinical practice.

    3️⃣ Evaluating Time and Tasks: Tracking time in patient appointments, assessing staff roles, and comparing time tracking against revenue can help healthcare professionals understand the value of time and optimize workflows for greater efficiency.

    Dr. Adam Stewart Bio

    Dr. Adam Stewart is a rural family physician who offers comprehensive primary care. He is part of the Central Hastings Family Health Team (CHFHT). He received his Bachelor of Science (Hon.) in Physiology from the University of Western Ontario where he also completed his medical degree and family medicine residency. Dr. Stewart joined the CHFHT in July of 2009. He was the Lead Physician at CHFHT from 2010-2012 and he resumed that role from September 2018 to October 2021

    Dr. Stewart is passionate about EMR and digital health. He has presented at several conferences over the years regarding his innovative and advanced use of EMR technology.

    For the first seven years of his career, Dr. Stewart also worked shifts in the Emergency Departments of local hospitals. In more recent years, Dr. Stewart has been developing his interests in EMR technology and practice efficiency, all the while maintaining a full time family medicine practice.

    Dr. Stewart was a dedicated OMA Council Member via his role as an Executive of the Section of General and Family Practice from March 2017 until December 2020. He has served on other committees within the OMA. In 2021, Dr. Stewart was awarded the OMA’s “Section Service Award” in recognition of significant service to his specialty, medical profession, and the public.

    Dr. Stewart was an OntarioMD Peer Leader from 2015 to 2020

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    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.

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    51 mins
  • Replay Dr. Tena Frizzle - One Of Our Top 2 Episodes of 2024
    Dec 23 2024

    Happy Holidays. Please enjoy this replay of one of our top two episodes of 2024.

    In today's episode, titled "Finding Sustainable Solutions for Overwork and Burnout," your host, Dr. Sarah Smith, is joined by Dr. Tena Frizzle, a family doctor with 23 years of experience in rural Nova Scotia.

    Dr. Frizzle bravely shares her personal struggle with burnout, detailing the overwhelming backlog of paperwork and the emotional toll it took on her professional and personal life.

    Together, Dr. Smith and Dr. Frizzle provide insight into the challenges and complexities of practicing medicine, as well as strategies for finding sustainable solutions to combat burnout and improve work-life balance.

    Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

    1️⃣ Addressing Burnout: Dr. Frizzle and Dr. Smith discuss the emotional burden of practicing medicine, the need to be kind to oneself, and strategies for managing burnout without drastic lifestyle changes.

    2️⃣ Time Management Strategies: The episode explores the importance of better time management, avoiding interruptions, and dealing with decision fatigue to achieve a sustainable work-life balance.

    3️⃣ Embracing New Approaches: Dr. Frizzle's experience with using artificial intelligence for note-taking and the discussion of the need for curiosity and bravery in trying new approaches to address ongoing issues and burnout in the medical profession.

    Dr. Tena Frizzle Bio:

    Dr. Tena Frizzle is a rural Family Physician caring for families for over 20 years in a border town of Nova Scotia, Canada. Tena shares a love of perinatal, mental health and comprehensive care with residents, medical students & colleagues.

    Join us as we delve into Dr. Frizzle's journey and explore ideas for change in the pursuit of a more sustainable and fulfilling clinical practice.

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    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.

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    54 mins
  • Celebrating Episode 100 Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast
    Dec 16 2024

    Hello and welcome to the 100th episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

    I'm your host, Dr. Sarah Smith, and today we're celebrating this milestone with a deep dive into sustainable practices that can transform your clinical day. We’ll explore strategies for effectively onboarding clinical staff and discuss how facilitating chart audits has improved the standard of care. We'll address the challenges of dealing with uncertainty in medical practice, such as unpredictable patient schedules and medication side effects, and highlight the invaluable role of relational continuity in primary care with its numerous benefits.

    In this episode, I’ll share insights on managing patient access and follow-up when there's high demand and limited supply of family physicians, leveraging team resources, and innovative solutions to reduce clinician burnout. Plus, I'll discuss the importance of building a strong "medical neighbourhood," incorporating the expertise of social workers and pharmacists to enhance patient care.

    Join me as I reflect on my personal journey since 2017, including my recent relocation back to Australia, and how coaching can lead to a balanced clinical life. We will also talk about our successful programs, Charting Champions and Smarter Charting, designed to support healthcare professionals in creating sustainable workdays.

    🎧 Episode Highlights:

    • Celebrating our 100th episode milestone
    • Strategies for sustainable clinical days & workflow redesign
    • Importance of building a "medical neighbourhood" for enhanced care
    • Dr. Smith's journey of transformation and the influential role of coaching
    • Listener testimonials and practical strategies to reduce burnout

    Stay tuned for listener testimonials, exciting upcoming guests in 2025, and a special offer as a token of gratitude for your support. Let's delve into practical strategies that support both personal satisfaction and professional efficiency in clinical medicine. Thank you for being part of our journey!

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    **** 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.

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    30 mins
  • Episode 99: Transformative Career Coaching for Physicians: Focusing on Balance and Intentional Living
    Dec 9 2024

    Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast, where we explore innovative strategies for creating more efficient and balanced clinical days.

    Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Jattu Senesie, a board-certified OBGYN who has courageously reshaped her career to prioritize well-being and sustainability. Dr. Senesie shares her transformative journey from enduring the pressures and expectations of traditional medical practice to becoming a renowned coach for early-career physicians, focusing on intentional career transitions and life design.

    Join us as we explore how Dr. Senesie overcame feelings of dissatisfaction and burnout, and learn valuable strategies for keeping well-being at the core of your professional journey. Whether you're navigating the challenges of medical training or seeking a more sustainable approach to your career, this episode provides a wealth of wisdom and encouragement.

    Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

    1. Start with Well-being: Success and personal fulfillment can coexist. It's crucial to incorporate well-being as a cornerstone in your career and life planning.
    2. Shift from Survival to Sustainability: Move beyond the survival mindset from medical training and cultivate habits that respect your own priorities as well as those of others.
    3. Recognize and Address Needs Early: Be proactive about understanding and meeting your personal needs to avoid burnout and enhance career longevity.

    Dr. Jattu Senesie Bio:

    Dr. Jattu Senesie is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, self-described recovering pathological altruist and native of the Washington DC metropolitan area. She is an alumna of the University of Maryland Baltimore County where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Biological Sciences. Her medical training took her to Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. There she obtained her medical degree and completed her residency training in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Dr Senesie returned to the DC area after training and spent six years in a private obstetrics and gynecology practice in Maryland.

    Dr Senesie retired from clinical practice at age 35 in an attempt to find a balance between maintaining her own sense of well-being and living a life of service. Since leaving clinical medicine, she has become a personal and professional development coach and physician satisfaction specialist through her business Essence of Strength. Because of her own experience, Dr Senesie’s particular passion is helping early career physicians to be as intentional about the factors impacting their sense of satisfaction and well-being as they have been about those contributing to their success.

    Through individual coaching, workshops, writing and speaking, she seeks to help her fellow healthcare professionals develop the mindset and the methods necessary to sustain their full potential inside and outside the clinical setting.

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    **** 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.

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    54 mins
  • Episode 98: Addressing Sleep Apnea and Accident Reduction Through Remote Monitoring Innovations
    Dec 2 2024

    Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast, where we explore innovative approaches in healthcare to create balanced clinical days for practitioners.

    In this weeks episode, we are thrilled to welcome Ron Richard, a former respiratory therapist and paramedic turned medical device innovator. Ron's journey from the front lines of healthcare to pioneering advancements in respiratory and sleep-related medical devices is nothing short of inspiring.

    We delve into his vast experience, from developing CPAP machines and patient wearables to his groundbreaking communication board for intubated patients that revolutionized patient care.

    As we discuss the intersection of technology and medicine, Ron shares insights about the evolution of wearables, remote patient monitoring, and the role of collaboration in innovation.

    We'll also touch on his bestseller, "Someday is Today," a guide to turning ideas into market realities. Join us for a captivating conversation that bridges the gap between clinicians and engineers, offering practical advice for medical professionals aspiring to innovate responsibly. Stay tuned as we explore the future of healthcare innovation with Ron Richard.

    Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

    1. Collaboration in Innovation: Engage clinicians and engineers in the design process of medical devices to ensure products are patient-centric and meet real clinical needs.
    2. Embracing Wearables: Explore the potential of wearables in providing real-time health feedback, enhancing patient monitoring, and even reducing risks such as accidents with remote monitoring for conditions like sleep apnea.
    3. Charting and AI: Address the time-intensive nature of electronic medical records and the future role AI could play in reducing the charting burden for healthcare providers, allowing more focus on patient care.

    Ron Richard Bio:

    Mr. Richard has been employed in the medical industry for over thirty-five years and has extensive knowledge and experience in respiratory, pulmonary and sleep medicine. He began his medical career working in a respiratory department at a large teaching hospital in the Midwest. Upon leaving the medical center, he became involved in owning and operating home care companies, sleep laboratories, manufacturers and distribution businesses. In addition to these experiences, he was instrumental in developing and designing several products used in the treatment and diagnosis of chronic health care conditions. He has launched over 40 major products resulting in sales over $1B.

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    **** 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.

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    43 mins
  • Episode 97- Transforming Medical Learning, Problem-Based Approaches and the Role of Facilitators
    Nov 25 2024

    Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast, where we explore innovative strategies for creating more efficient and balanced clinical days.

    In this episode, Dr. Sarah Smith speaks with Dr. Melissa Vyvey, a family physician from Ottawa specializing in geriatric care and co-director of the Foundation for Medical Practice Education. Join us as we delve into Dr. Vyvey's journey from a full practice family doctor to a leader in continuing medical education, tracing the roots of an impactful program born 30 years ago at McMaster University.

    We'll uncover the evolution of problem-based learning, the significance of small group dynamics in medical practice, and how these elements combat burnout, enhance clinical judgment, and promote peer support. Dr. Vyvey also shares her insights into incorporating fun into learning, managing cognitive load, and the critical role of "de-implementation" for improving patient care.

    Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

    1. Supporting Physician Wellness: Dr. Vyvey highlights the importance of incorporating fun and social aspects into CME, making learning enjoyable and fostering a supportive professional community.
    2. Enhancing Practice through Reflection: Learn about structured reflection tools and how they aid in identifying learning gaps, setting action plans, and improving patient care.
    3. Balancing Professional Roles: Dr. Vyvey speaks on managing multiple roles and the value of peer support groups in sustaining a fulfilling career in medicine.

    Dr. Melissa Vyvey Bio:

    Dr. Melissa Vyvey is a family physician in Ottawa. She is the Co-Director of Programs at the Foundation for Medical Practice Education, a not-for-profit providing continuing medical education for family physicians by family physicians, based out of McMaster University. She is also an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa in the Department of Family Medicine. She is passionate about helping family physicians keep up to date! 

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    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.

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    40 mins
  • Episode 96: Leadership & Culture in Healthcare Transformation
    Nov 18 2024

    Welcome to the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Sarah Smith, a rural Family Physician and Charting Coach, dedicated to helping Physicians and healthcare providers achieve work-life balance through sustainable clinical models.

    In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Michele Thomson join us. Michele, a resident of Vancouver, Canada, is a former registered nurse and the founder of Curis Consulting. She focuses on leadership development and creating psychologically safe workplaces. Michele's journey from nursing to consulting revealed the vital role of leadership in fostering supportive environments, particularly in senior housing and long-term care settings.

    Michele shares insights from her transformative experiences in healthcare leadership, emphasizing the importance of honest communication, staff well-being, and meaningful changes that align resources for improved patient care.

    Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

    1. Effective Change Management: Michele highlighted that sustainable improvements in care require both adding and removing responsibilities, ensuring workloads remain manageable while focusing on quality.
    2. Empowering Leadership: Creating trusting relationships and using respectful communication not only improves team dynamics but also directly impacts staff well-being and patient care quality.
    3. Meaningful Engagement: Moving beyond conventional engagement activities, Michele found that personalized, thoughtful gestures resonate more with teams, fostering a greater sense of pride and contribution.

    Michele Thomson Bio:

    Michele Thomson is a Registered Nurse who has re-invented herself as a coach and consultant specializing in workplace culture and leadership development. Driven by her personal experiences with toxic workplace challenges, Michele is dedicated to fostering work environments that align with her core mission: creating environments that foster professional growth, have a lasting impact and nurture individuals on a personal level.

    Michele's expertise in creating vibrant, psychologically safe spaces is made possible because of her unique approach - a fusion of the logical foundations of neuro-science with the power of mindset and human behaviour. She supports organizations and leaders in cultivating environments where individuals don't just work—they flourish. Michele also helps leaders understand that at its foundation, leadership is an exchange of energy between two people, and it's not as complicated as we have made it out to be.

    With Michele, it's not just about making a living; it's about living a fulfilling life.

    She has been featured on numerous global podcasts and is a speaker on leadership and workplace wellness. Michele, who values her roles as a daughter, wife, stepmother, and dog mama, finds joy in a hot cup of tea, a glass or two of cabernet and is a lover of all things lemon.

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    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.

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    34 mins