We talked with:Anthony Chin-Quee, M.D., is a board-certified otolaryngologist with degrees from Harvard University and Emory University School of Medicine. An award-winning storyteller with The Moth, he has been on the writing staff of Fox's "The Resident" and a medical adviser for ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." He is the author of the memoir "I Can't Save You."Alyx B. Porter, M.D., is a neurologist who subspecializes in neuro-oncology. Her clinical focuses include tumors of the brain and spinal cord; neurological complications of cancer and cancer treatment including brain metastases. Dr. Porter is the most senior Black female adult neuro-oncologist in the country. She is passionate about physician workforce diversity. She is a noted philanthropist, having endowed a scholarship at her alma mater, Spellman College, and created ElevateMeD, a nonprofit to support the next generation of diverse physician leaders.We talked about:In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:Numbing yourself is not the answer. Dr. Chin-Quee's book talks about how drugs, alcohol or sex are used to numb the stress and strain of medical training and work. Another coping strategy is to emotionally disassociate from your patients. But Dr. Porter argues she's a better doctor when she cares — and patients can tell when you don't. The challenge is to care without letting these feelings consume you. Dealing with medical fatigue. Sometimes you don’t know you’re about to burn out until it happens. Dr. Porter starts look for any shift in pattern among learners — are they starting to come in later? Are they getting a little more irritable with patients or colleagues? It’s important to really ask, “How are you doing?” and if necessary, ask them multiple times. Create spaces for underrepresented groups in medicine. Despite all the progress (and lip service) paid to diversity, equity and inclusion in medicine, it's still essentially a "club for white guys," Dr. Chin-Quee says. It's important to admit the medical world wasn't made for you, Dr. Chin-Quee says, so you can carve out your own place in it. Dr. Porter talks about systemic changes needed to better support women and people of color in medicine — including scholarships, mentorships and leadership development — which is why she founded ElevateMeD. Can't get enough?Purchase "I Can't Save You."From Bookshop.org.From Amazon. From Barnes & Noble. Want to read more about health topics? Check out our blog.Got feedback?If you've got ideas or book suggestions, email us at
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