ACGME Well-Being Podcasts

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Corey Feist, founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. They discuss Corey’s involvement in suicide awareness and prevention initiatives following the tragic death of his sister-in-law, Dr. Lorna Breen. The conversation focuses on the immense pressures faced by health care professionals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Corey shares insights into the importance of mental health support, connection, and belonging in the medical field. They also discuss practical strategies for creating supportive environments and reducing barriers to mental health care for health care workers.

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Srijan Sen, professor of depression and neurosciences in the Department of Psychiatry and director of the Francis and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center at the University of Michigan. They discuss Dr. Sen’s extensive research on depression in medical residents, exploring the relationship between depression and suicide. The conversation delves into the multifactorial nature of suicide, the impact of workplace conditions on mental health, and the importance of both treatment and prevention of depression. Dr. Sen shares insights on effective preventive measures and strategies to create supportive environments in medical education.

Mukta Panda, a CLER Field Representative at the ACGME, and Paul Chelminski, a Professor of Medicine at UNC, share insights on building mental health resilience in medicine. They dive into the critical role of connection and belonging, revealing how these elements combat despair. The discussion highlights alarming mental health struggles among medical professionals and offers practical strategies to foster supportive environments. Emphasizing empowerment and gratitude, they outline interventions that can transform workplace dynamics and promote well-being.

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Dr. Sid Zisook, professor of psychiatry at the University of California and director of the Physician Peer Support Program. They discuss their pioneering work in suicide prevention at the University of California, San Diego, including the development of the HEAR Program (Healer, Education, Assessment, and Referral). The conversation explores the multifaceted approach they took, including education, screening, and warm referrals, to support mental health among physicians and other health care workers. Both share insights on the importance of addressing stigma, creating supportive environments, and implementing comprehensive mental health programs.

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Alan Nager, professor of pediatrics and division director for emergency medicine and transport medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. They discuss the tragic loss of Dr. Nager’s daughter, Sarah, a pediatric resident who died by suicide. The conversation focuses on Sarah’s life, her passions, and her journey in medicine. Dr. Nager shares his insights on the pressures faced by medical residents and the importance of mental health support. They also explore strategies for creating supportive environments and reducing barriers to mental health care in the medical field.

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Will Bynum, an associate professor of family medicine at Duke University. They discuss the challenges of transitions in graduate medical education, particularly from medical school to residency, and the associated risks to well-being and mental health. Dr. Bynum explains how transitions can heighten feelings of shame due to new responsibilities, uncertainties, and high expectations. He describes shame as a “fire” that can be ignited in these combustible environments, affecting self-esteem and identity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues to support residents’ mental health.

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Jon Courand, a pediatrician and Dean for Well-Being in GME at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. They discuss Dr. Courand’s journey into resident and faculty well-being work, highlighting his creation of the Transition to Residency Risk Index. Dr. Courand shares his experiences as a program director and critical care attending physician, dealing with burnout and moral distress. He emphasizes the significant challenges residents face during the transition from medical school to residency, including severe wellness issues that often go unnoticed by program directors.

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin discusses the challenges of transitioning from medical school to residency with Dr. Andrea Tou, a pediatric gastroenterology fellow at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Dr. Andrew Sullivan, an occupational environmental medicine resident at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences at Walter Reed National Medical Center. Dr. Tou shares her experience of moving from Canada to Europe for medical school and then to the US for residency, highlighting the isolation and lack of support she felt. Dr. Sullivan discusses the additional challenges of moving locations and the lack of support in a transitional internship. Both emphasize the importance of addressing mental health and well-being during these critical transition periods in graduate medical education.

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin interviews Dr. Jim Naples, an assistant professor of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School and residency director at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. They discuss the challenges of transitioning from medical school to residency, focusing on Dr. Naples’ personal struggles with the “surgical yips” during his education and training. He describes the anxiety and pressure of being closely monitored in the operating room, which exacerbated his difficulties. Dr. Naples emphasizes the impact of the high-pressure environment on his performance and the importance of addressing these challenges in medical education.

In this episode, Dr. Stuart Slavin and Dr. Greg Guldner discuss mental health and well-being in graduate medical education (GME). They highlight the reduced stigma among current residents/fellows but note the persistent underutilization of mental health services. Dr. Guldner explains barriers such as time constraints, prioritization issues, and the impact of depression on seeking help. He emphasizes the importance of addressing these barriers, especially during stressful periods of transition in GME. Despite advancements like teletherapy, many residents and fellows still do not seek the help they need, often due to internal and external stigmas and logistical challenges.