In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Pamela Buchanan shares with host Dr Saba Fatima her experiences and insights on the intersection of race and healthcare. She discusses the impact of racism on patient care, the importance of recognizing and addressing implicit biases, and the need for culturally competent care. Dr. Buchanan emphasizes the significance of listening to patients, advocating for their needs, and the challenges faced by healthcare providers of color. She also highlights the importance of mental health and self-care for physicians, particularly in the face of systemic racism and burnout. The conversation concludes with a call for systemic changes to promote racial equity in healthcare and the importance of compassion in the medical field.

Dr Pamela Buchanan is a board-certified physician, speaker, and nationally recognized thought leader in mental well-being and health equity.
With over 20 years of medical experience, she's a TEDx speaker known for her powerful talk on emotional flatline, where she shared the emotional toll of emergency medicine during the pandemic. She is the author of the Oxygen Mask Principle and a strong voice in the movement to prevent physician suicide. Her work in health equity challenges healthcare systems to listen better, reflect deeply, and deliver care that is truly inclusive.

#healthequity, #racism in healthcare, maternal mortality, implicit bias, culturally competent care, #physicianwellness, #mentalhealth, patient advocacy, racial disparities, #DEI efforts

takeaways
Dr. Buchanan emphasizes the importance of joy in medicine and the lives she has touched.
Racism in healthcare is still prevalent and affects patient outcomes.
Maternal mortality rates for Black women are alarmingly high.
Implicit biases can lead to mismanagement of pain in patients of color.
Culturally competent care is essential for effective treatment.
Healthcare providers must actively combat their biases.
Compassion is crucial when dealing with racist comments from patients.
Advocacy and allyship are important for career advancement in medicine.
Mental health support is vital for healthcare providers.
Systemic changes are needed to ensure equitable care for all patients.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Racism in Medicine
03:50
Personal Experiences with Racism
06:59
Impact of Racial Bias on Patient Care
12:03
Recognizing and Addressing Implicit Bias
13:17
Culturally Competent Care
15:30
Navigating Racism in Healthcare
18:04
Racism in Professional Advancement

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the 'Muted in Medicine' podcast or its host. The information shared is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.

© 2024 Muted in Medicine. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use, distribution, or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact mutedinmedicine@gmail.com

In this episode of Muted in Medicine, host Saba Fatima speaks with Dr. Will Bynum about the pervasive issue of shame in the medical field. Dr. Bynum shares his personal journey with shame stemming from a medical error during his residency, highlighting the emotional turmoil and isolation that often accompanies such experiences. The conversation delves into the cultural factors that perpetuate shame in healthcare, including perfectionism and the stigma surrounding vulnerability. Dr. Bynum emphasizes the need for open discussions about shame and the importance of creating supportive environments in medical education and practice. The episode concludes with reflections on how to navigate struggles in medical training and the role of grading and ranking in shaping self-worth among medical learners. In this conversation, Will Bynum and Saba Fatima explore the complexities of shame, its impact on personal growth, and the importance of shame competence in various contexts, including parenting and medical education. They discuss practical strategies for managing shame, recognizing it in others, and fostering a supportive environment that encourages self-compassion and emotional literacy. The dialogue emphasizes the need for awareness and understanding of shame as a universal human experience, particularly in professional settings.


Will Bynum, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and a Veteran of the United States Air Force. He received his M.D. at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in 2010, completed his residency with the US Air Force and received his Ph.D. in Health Professions Education at Maastricht University in the Netherlands in 2023, where defended his thesis entitled “Out of the shadows: a qualitative exploration of shame in medical learners”, which was awarded best Doctoral Dissertation by the Association for Medical Education in Europe. He has published and spoken widely on the topic of shame and is Co-Founder and Co-Director of The Shame Lab, which conducts research, develops training, and delivers consultancy to advance constructive engagement with shame in professional practice

takeaways
Shame is a common yet invisible emotion in medicine.
Medical errors can lead to feelings of isolation and shame.
Human connection is a source of joy in medicine.
Struggle is a normal part of the learning process.
Perfectionism in medicine can exacerbate feelings of shame.
Shame can hinder open communication among healthcare professionals.
Creating supportive environments can help mitigate shame.
Medical education often perpetuates a culture of shame.
Grading and ranking can negatively impact self-worth.
Engaging with shame can lead to personal and professional growth. You can hold them accountable to things that shame otherwise might have impeded accountability.
Children need to learn about failure, but at what age?
Instilling effort and self-worth in children is crucial.
Authentic self-worth should not be tied to achievement.
Shame competence is a set of skills we can learn.
Shame is a distributed emotion that affects everyone.
Recognizing shame in ourselves and others is essential.
Self-compassion is a vital tool for managing shame.
Treating ourselves with kindness can transform our experiences.
Feeling shame is a sign of our hu

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the 'Muted in Medicine' podcast or its host. The information shared is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.

© 2024 Muted in Medicine. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use, distribution, or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact mutedinmedicine@gmail.com

In this episode of Muted in Medicine, Host Dr. Saba Fatima speaks with Dr. Jennifer Cowart about the critical role of advocacy in healthcare. They discuss the importance of physician advocacy, the barriers that prevent doctors from engaging in advocacy, and how physicians can get involved at local, state, and federal levels. Dr. Cowart shares her experiences with current healthcare issues, including rural access to care, food insecurity, and the impact of Medicaid cuts. The conversation also highlights the challenges posed by prior authorization processes in patient care, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and advocacy in the healthcare system. In this conversation, Jennifer Cowart discusses the evolving dynamics of hospital care, emphasizing the shift towards outpatient services and the challenges faced by families in providing care. The discussion also highlights the pressing issue of food insecurity, particularly its impact on children and families, and the importance of community support. Cowart advocates for healthcare workers, addressing workplace safety and the need for systemic reforms. The conversation touches on the challenges faced by rural healthcare providers, particularly regarding visa issues for international physicians. Cowart encourages healthcare professionals to engage in advocacy, providing practical steps for involvement while navigating the potential risks of political engagement. The discussion concludes with a hopeful outlook on future generations and their commitment to justice and equity in healthcare.

Dr. Jennifer Cowart is a practicing academic hospitalist and Associate Professor of Medicine. She has more than ten years of experience in patient safety and quality improvement, which led her to develop an interest in healthcare policy and legislative advocacy. She has served on policy committees for Society of Hospital Medicine and Society of General Internal Medicine. Her opinions expressed here are her own and not representative of her employer nor any medical society of which she is a member.

takeaways
Advocacy is essential for improving patient care.
Physicians often hesitate to advocate due to fear of politics.
Small actions can lead to significant changes in healthcare.
Engaging with local policymakers can improve community health.
Advocacy can start with identifying daily frustrations in care.
Physicians can participate in advocacy days organized by medical societies.
Meetings with lawmakers can be productive and engaging.
Medicaid cuts lead to increased healthcare deserts and access issues.
Prior authorization processes can delay necessary patient care.
Advocacy is a moral responsibility for healthcare providers. Moral injury is prevalent in healthcare due to tight turnaround times.
Hospitals are no longer places for recovery but for acute care.
Food insecurity is a growing concern, especially for children.
Community support is vital in addressing food insecurity.
Staff safety is directly linked to patient safety in healthcare settings.
Advocacy can start at the local level and be impactful.
Physicians should be aware of their organization's media policies.
Younger generations are passionate about creating a more just world.
There is a need to increase the number of American medical trainees.
Engaging in advocacy can begin with small, practical s

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the 'Muted in Medicine' podcast or its host. The information shared is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice.

© 2024 Muted in Medicine. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use, distribution, or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact mutedinmedicine@gmail.com