Scott Weingart, influential physician, discusses his five fears in medical practice. Topics include the distinction between carrying fear and being afraid, the importance of embracing the seriousness of sick patients, fear of lawyers, fear of complications in medical procedures, and the fear of rushing decisions. The podcast explores concepts like external calibration, self-doubt, and Monday morning quarterbacking.
Having a healthy respect for the legal aspect of medicine can lead to better patient care and shared decision-making.
Imposter syndrome can drive continuous learning and improvement in physicians.
The fear of Monday morning quarterbacking can motivate proactive steps to prevent potential complications and ensure comprehensive patient care.
Deep dives
Fear of Lawyers and the Press
One of the fears discussed in the episode is the fear of lawyers and the press. It is emphasized that this fear, when handled properly, can lead to better patient care. It is important to have a healthy respect for the legal aspect of medicine, allowing it to guide medical decision-making and the documentation process. This fear can also drive shared decision-making with patients and aid in avoiding unnecessary tests and procedures.
Fear of Imposter Syndrome
Another fear discussed is the fear of imposter syndrome. It is mentioned that even experienced physicians can have this fear, which involves negative self-talk and doubts about personal capabilities. The speaker emphasizes the importance of external calibration and recognizing one's skills based on external markers rather than relying solely on internal perceptions. This fear can drive continuous learning and improvement.
Fear of Monday Morning Quarterbacking
The fear of Monday morning quarterbacking is highlighted as a healthy fear. It involves anticipating potential criticisms or second-guessing from others after a medical procedure or decision. This fear can motivate physicians to take proactive steps, such as thorough documentation and involving other specialists when necessary, to prevent potential complications and ensure comprehensive patient care.
Fear of Complications
The fear of complications, particularly in procedural interventions, is discussed. The speaker acknowledges the importance of understanding potential complications and taking necessary precautions to minimize risks. This fear can drive meticulous attention to detail during procedures, thorough patient evaluation, and the consideration of alternative approaches to ensure patient safety.
Fear of Patients Dying
The fear of patients dying while under a physician's care is presented as the final fear. This fear is described as a game between life and death, with the physician striving to keep the patient alive. It is suggested that this fear can lead to being fully present and engaged in the resuscitation process, pushing physicians into a focused and highly skilled state known as flow state. This fear is seen as a key motivator for delivering optimal care in critical situations.
Scott Weingart is arguably one of the most influential and polarizing physicians on the planet. He is not one to mince words and often comes across as definitive in how he describes his practice of medicine. What people don't realize, he says, is that his clinical care is often guided by fear, not bravado, ego, or machismo. In this episode, Scott breaks down his five fears when it comes to medical practice and thinks that those who seek to follow his advice should take these fears into account before acting.
Guest Bio: Scott Weingart is an emergency physician who went on to complete fellowships in Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, and ECMO at the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He is currently chief of the Division of Emergency Critical Care at Stony Brook Hospital and a tenured professor of emergency medicine at Stony Brook Medicine. He is best known for his podcast on Resuscitation and ED Critical Care called the EMCrit Podcast; it currently is downloaded > 400,000 times per month. Scott is the author of multiple books including Emergency Medicine Decision Making and the Resuscitation Crisis Manual.
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