This episode of 'The Patient Physician' features Dr. Carol Bernstein, Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Well-being in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Montefiore Medical Center, to discuss the critical subject of mental health and well-being among medical professionals. She shares the history and evolution of addressing mental health in graduate medical education (GME). The conversation explores stigma, access to mental health services, and the need for systemic changes in the treatment of mental health within the medical field during training. Dr. Bernstein shares her insights and opportunities for improving mental health support for residents & fellows.

MEET OUR GUEST: DR. CAROL BERNSTEIN

Dr. Carol A. Bernstein is a psychiatrist at Montefiore Medical Center, a premier academic medical center and nationally recognized leader in patient care, research, and community service located in the Bronx, New York. With over 20 years of experience, she is a Professor and Vice Chair for Faculty Development and Well-being in the Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center.

Dr. Bernstein’s expertise includes emotional support and well-being, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has published research on stress, burnout, and depression in graduate medical education, as well as the impact of the pandemic on pediatric faculty burnout.

As a board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Bernstein is dedicated to providing high-quality patient care and contributing to the advancement of psychiatric knowledge and practice.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:11 Introducing Dr. Carol Bernstein

01:45 The Importance of Mental Health in Medical Training

02:33 Dr. Bernstein's Journey and the ACGME Task Force

06:09 Challenges in Mental Health and Well-Being

08:47 Addressing Stigma and Access to Mental Health Services

12:49 Defining Good Mental Health

17:08 Barriers to Mental Health in GME

19:51 The Importance of Anonymity and Dedicated Mental Health Services

26:21 Understanding Mental Health Analogies

26:49 The Importance of Therapy and Medication

28:55 Personal Experiences with Mental Health

29:49 Grading Mental Pain

31:48 Generational Differences in Mental Health Perception

33:02 De-stigmatizing Mental Health in Medicine

34:34 Encouraging Mental Health Support in GME Programs

39:39 The Importance of Self-Care for Physicians

43:43 Cultural Shifts in Mental Health Acceptance

49:02 The Human Side of Physicians

Please email questions or show ideas to info@physiciansrs.com.

Connect with Us on Social:

• FACEBOOK
• LINKEDIN

In this episode of The Patient Physician, hosts Paul Smith and Chris Fullbright are joined by Dr. Michelle Sexton, ND, a Texas native now practicing medicine in San Diego, CA. Dr. Sexton's expertise lies in the endocannabinoid system and holistic medicine, focusing on mind-body healing. The conversation delves into her background in midwifery and naturopathic medicine, the nuances of the endocannabinoid system, and the challenges faced by naturopathic doctors in the conventional healthcare landscape. They discuss the importance of addressing sleep, trauma, and the patient-doctor relationship in delivering comprehensive care. Dr. Sexton also shares her experiences integrating natural medicine into conventional systems and the significant role of patient-reported outcomes in improving quality of life.

MEET OUR GUEST: Dr. Michelle Sexton, ND | @dr.michellesexton | ecsdoctor.com

Dr. Sexton is the author of "Eat, Sleep, Relax, Protect, Forget: An Endocannabinoid (ECS) Guide to Systems Wholeness for Women"

Dr. Michelle Sexton, ND, is an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the University of California, San Diego Department of Anesthesiology. She is a physician/scientist with extensive clinical experience and basic, translational, and clinical research experience. Dr. Sexton's clinical research and work focus on body/mind healing. Having studied cannabinoid pharmacology for 6 years at the University of Washington, she has been helping her patients fine-tune their Endocannabinoid Systems since 2008.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:21 Dr. Michelle Sexton's Background

01:40 Understanding the Endocannabinoid System

03:46 Naturopathic Medicine vs. Traditional Medicine

06:57 Challenges and Growth in Naturopathic Medicine

10:46 The Importance of Patient-Physician Relationship

17:37 The Critical Role of Sleep in Health

21:25 Training Differences: Naturopathic vs. Traditional Medicine

26:22 Fear of Obsolescence in Medicine

27:05 Fragmentation of Medical Care

29:12 The Role of Naturopathic Doctors

31:37 Challenges in Patient Care

32:39 Integrative Medicine and Business Models

35:08 Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences

39:15 Building Trust with Patients

45:02 Keys to Whole Body Wellness

46:49 Future Plans and Reflections

48:17 The Patient Physician Concept

Please email questions or show ideas to info@physiciansrs.com.

Connect with Us on Social:

• FACEBOOK
• LINKEDIN

This episode of 'The Patient Physician’ features Virginia Simmons, director of Graduate Medical Education (GME) at UTMB. Virginia shares her 30-year journey in the GME arena, highlighting the unique structure and success of UTMB’s GME programs. The discussion covers the comprehensive support system for residents, fellows, and their families, emphasizing wellness programs and community involvement. Virginia discusses the balance of maintaining a structured yet caring environment and the importance of personal connections. The podcast also explores the utility of serving others, maintaining personal wellness, and innovative approaches to onboarding new residents and fellows. Gain insights into strategic efforts aimed at recruiting high-quality doctors and the significance of human connections in medical education.

MEET OUR GUEST - VIRGINIA SIMMONS, Administrative Director for Graduate Medical Education at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)

Virginia has served as the administrative director of all aspects of Graduate Medical Education (GME) at UTMB for over 30 years. In collaboration with the Associate Dean of GME, Virginia works as a liaison, developing and maintaining communication and relationships with other entities locally and nationally. This includes overseeing the budget, institutional office and personnel, GME credentialing, and accreditation of all programs and house staff. Connect with Virginia via email at vsimmons@utmb.edu.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Welcome

00:08 Spotlight on Virginia Simmons and Her Role in GME

00:57 Exploring the Success of GME Programs

04:01 The Importance of Care Beyond Protocols in GME

05:36 Celebrating Resident and Fellow Appreciation

08:56 Enhancing Onboarding with Orientation and Vendor Expos

13:02 Incorporating Spouses and Families into the GME Community

17:09 Personal Touch and Support in Challenging Times

23:33 A Day in the Life: Juggling Personal and Professional Crises

25:49 The Essence of Being Human in Healthcare

27:32 Going Beyond the Call of Duty: Stories of Leadership and Compassion

30:29 Elevating Training Programs: The Importance of Staying Human

39:06 Innovative Approaches to Supporting Staff and Trainees

42:31 Concluding Thoughts: Staying Competitive by Staying Human

Please email questions or show ideas to info@physiciansrs.com.

Connect with Us on Social:

• FACEBOOK
• LINKEDIN