The SurgeonMasters Podcast

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Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better...
Jeff welcomes to the podcast Otolaryngology surgeon, James Naples, MD.
In this podcast, we discuss the surgical mindset. If you’re a performance-driven surgeon, it can be difficult at times to manage the challenges of the perfectionist mindset. We expect our best every time and the best out of those around us.
There are times when we struggle in ways that appear technical but are more psychological, how our hands function is simply a manifestation of what our mind is doing. As a result, it’s important to address the performance mindset so that we can improve efficacy across the board.
What steps does Jim suggest we take to improve our mindset as surgeons?

• Step 1 - Rehearse & Visualize. Surgery is 1% perspiration and 99% preparation. Rehearse and visualize important events before they happen so you’re better prepared.
• Step 2 - Script All Possible Outcomes. If you think through every possible outcome and how to react to each, you will be fully prepared for the procedure.
• Step 3 - Limit Distractions. This may be controversial, but it’s important to remove all distractions (including music) from the operating room to clear your mind and find readiness. [Jim and I may have some different opinions on this, which we will share in a future podcast.]

Most importantly, PRACTICE your surgical mindset to attain the best outcome!

BIO:

Dr. James Naples is the Residency Program Director of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and a Clinical Advisor at Harvard Medical School. He has mentored residents and students through various stages of their training, and focuses on ways to improve their performance. Clinically, he is interested in cochlear implant, Acoustic Neuroma and vestibular disorders. Dr. Naples earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and stayed there to complete his residency training in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. He then completed his fellowship training in neurotology at the Perelman School of Medical at the University of Pennsylvania.

SurgeonMasters is a physician peer community dedicated to improving the personal and professional well-being of physicians.
Join your colleagues online at SurgeonMasters.com for events, resources, and more.
PRACTICE Your Best!

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Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better... This week on the Mini-Podcast we are discussing attending annual meetings after the AAOS last week. How do you get the most out of attending annual meetings and conferences? By doing the following: Pre-op, [...]

SurgeonMasters is a physician peer community dedicated to improving the personal and professional well-being of physicians.
Join your colleagues online at SurgeonMasters.com for events, resources, and more.
PRACTICE Your Best!

Send us a text

SurgeonMasters is a physician peer community dedicated to improving the personal and professional well-being of physicians.
Join your colleagues online at SurgeonMasters.com for events, resources, and more.
PRACTICE Your Best!

Send us a text

Pump the brakes on your week and take 10 minutes to make your life as a surgeon just a little better...

Jeff welcomes to the podcast Chief Medical Officer of the Lorna Breen Foundation, Emergency Medicine Physician, and physician coach, Stefanie Simmons.

On this episode, Jeff and Stefanie discuss the need for better support for physician mental health in the healthcare system. In training, residents and fellows are often in vulnerable situations, as they do everything they can to succeed while dealing with stress and other factors like medical school debt. Faced with these challenges and more, many residents simply put their heads down and grind it out, rather than getting the help they need to succeed.

Then in practice, many physicians are hesitant to seek mental health services for themselves because they’re afraid it may impact their ability to get licensed, credentialed, or employed. Almost everywhere, simply having therapy is not going to require disclosure if there isn’t an impairing diagnosis. We need to make it easier and less taboo for physicians in all stages of their careers to seek mental health when necessary.

What steps does Stefanie suggest we take to address mental health concerns?

• Step 1 - Seek Counseling when you need it. Don’t assume that it’s not safe to receive mental healthcare if you need it. Check with your specific hospital or system to see what their practices are and don’t sacrifice your mental health.
• Step 2 - Consider Coaching. Speaking with a like-minded colleague in a coaching capacity is another excellent option for dealing with stressors.

Most importantly, PRACTICE seeking mental health resources to experience well-being!
Guest Bio: Stefanie Simmons, MD, FACEP

Stefanie is the Chief Medical Officer at the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and a board-certified emergency medicine physician. She was the primary advisor to NIOSH for the Impact WellbeingTM guide for healthcare leaders, leads multi-state programs to improve the operational environment of care and remove barriers to mental health care, and serves as a national thought leader in healthcare worker well-being. Stefanie served as the Vice President of Patient and Clinician Experience for Envision over 7 years, serving 26,000 physicians and advanced practice providers with a focus on professional well-being, including translational research and programs designed to bring well-being best practices to clinical environments. She served as lead clinical faculty for the Clinician Experience Project Wellbeing program.

Stefanie earned her Bachelor of Science and Medical Doctor degrees from University of Michigan and completed residency training at the University of Michigan/St. Joseph Mercy emergency medicine residency. She has completed additional training in medical education, research methods, coaching, and positive organizational psychology.

SurgeonMasters is a physician peer community dedicated to improving the personal and professional well-being of physicians.
Join your colleagues online at SurgeonMasters.com for events, resources, and more.
PRACTICE Your Best!

Send us a text

Jeff welcomes to the podcast Dr. Kara Pepper – a practicing primary care internist, certified life coach, and primary care physician for Atlanta Ballet. Most physicians are aware of the concept of second victim syndrome – the negative experience or emotion that physicians may experience after an adverse event. On top of the experience of [...]

SurgeonMasters is a physician peer community dedicated to improving the personal and professional well-being of physicians.
Join your colleagues online at SurgeonMasters.com for events, resources, and more.
PRACTICE Your Best!