White Coats of the Round Table

Mike and John are joined by Alex Howson to discuss the field of continuing medical education (CME) and its career opportunities. Alex shares her background as a trauma OR nurse and sociology professor before transitioning into medical writing and specializing in CME. She highlights the importance of empathy and patient perspective in CME writing and emphasizes the transferable skills that clinicians bring to the field. Alex also provides insights into the job market for CME writers and suggests steps for clinicians interested in pursuing a career in CME.

Mike and John discuss the importance of career planning and staying relevant in your field. They emphasize the need for both short-term and long-term goals, and the importance of aligning those goals with your personal values and higher calling. They also discuss the challenges of saying no to projects that don't align with your goals and offer strategies for having conversations with your superiors about your career objectives. The episode concludes with a discussion about the upcoming break and the importance of tradition and family.

Mike and John talk with Nicole Plourd, a physician assistant, as she shares her career trajectory from clinical practice to the pharmaceutical industry. She started in clinical practice, specializing in orthopedics and ENT, before transitioning to telemedicine dermatology. In her role, she also got involved in medical content review and marketing. Eventually, she moved into the pharmaceutical industry, working in medical content review and promotional review. Nicole emphasizes the importance of taking risks and trying new things, as well as seeking advice from others who have made similar career transitions.

Mike and John discuss the recent FTC ban on non-competes in contracts, which will have significant implications in the healthcare system. The elimination of non-competes will increase competition, raise wages, and provide more options for patients. The ruling will give more negotiating power to healthcare professionals and encourage employers to focus on employee retention and satisfaction.

In this episode, Mike and John discuss the concept of SWOT analysis and its application in personal career planning. They explore how SWOT analysis can help individuals identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in order to make informed decisions about their career paths.

In this episode, Mike and John are joined by Jenn Fluke to discuss the benefits of outdoor recreation in combating burnout. Jenn shares about her project, Inspiring Wild Hearts, which aims to help women overcome their fears and connect with nature. The conversation emphasizes the importance of resilience, pushing oneself, and finding balance in work and personal life through outdoor recreation as well as discusses the challenges of loneliness and social isolation, and the role of outdoor activities in building friendships and communities.

The conversation explores the use of the term 'doctor' in healthcare and when it is appropriate to use. John and Mike discuss the different perspectives on when and how the term should be used, particularly in clinical settings while still emphasizing the importance of patient comfort and trust. They also touch on the importance of transparency, the changing dynamics of healthcare, and the potential misuse of the title on social media.

Mike and John discuss the biohacking industry, focusing on the benefits and concerns associated with lifestyle modifications. They explore the idea of optimizing human function through practices such as exposure to natural light, breathing techniques, and structured routines. However, they also raise concerns about the potential for obsession and the need for evidence-based practices.

Mike and John answer audience questions about consulting in healthcare. They discuss topics such as highlighting consulting work on a CV, the difference between a CV and a resume, the importance of additional degrees in consulting, setting up a consulting company, liability insurance, and determining hourly rates. The full webinar is available for members on the AAPA website. https://www.aapa.org/

John McDonald and guest Frank Randall discuss various aspects of personal finance. They explore the impact of small purchases and the concept of the 'latte factor.' They also discuss the use of apps and automation to help with saving and investing. The conversation delves into the importance of saving and the trade-off between short-term pleasures and long-term financial wellness, as well as addressing generational perspectives on finances and the need for professional financial advice.

Mike discusses the pros and cons of career coaching for healthcare professionals, highlighting the benefits of personalized guidance, accountability, networking opportunities, skill development, and objective feedback that career coaches can provide. However, he also raises concerns about the cost, quality variability, dependence on coaches, mismatched goals, and overemphasis on coaching, encouraging listeners to carefully consider the value and necessity of career coaching.

Mike and John discuss the topic of dealing with difficult bosses in the healthcare industry. Sharing personal stories and experiences of working with challenging managers, the conversation highlights the importance of setting boundaries, advocating for oneself, and aligning with management to make work relationships easier. They also discuss when it may be appropriate to go to HR and the potential consequences of doing so. The episode emphasizes the need for healthcare professionals to navigate difficult work situations while maintaining professionalism and preserving future job prospects.

John and Mike discuss the power of gratitude as a tactic to fight burnout, sharing personal experiences and reflections on finding gratitude in frustrating situations. The importance of stopping and appreciating the present moment can require a mindset shift, and contentment takes commitment. They explore themes like the fear of losing, the pursuit of enough, and career as identity.

John and Mike discuss their childhoods and how their career choices were influenced by their parents and personal experiences. They reflect on the importance of work-life balance and finding fulfillment in their respective professions. The conversation highlights the value of personal growth and the need to adapt to unexpected career paths.

In this episode, Mike Asbach and John McDonald are joined by Kate Cozart, The Resilient PharmD, to discuss wellness, imposter syndrome, and burnout in medical education. They explore the need for adaptability and openness to change in healthcare education, the importance of psychological safety and compassion in creating optimal learning environments, and the balance between necessary discomfort and unnecessary stress in medical training. They also discuss the concept of deliberate play in medical education and the role of compassion in improving outcomes and promoting student wellness. Find Kate

The conversation explores the balance between necessary discomforts and unnecessary harm in medical training. Mike and John discuss the importance of recognizing the value of difficult tasks and experiences in training, while also acknowledging the need for boundaries and work-life balance. The conversation emphasizes the need for ongoing reform in medical training programs to ensure a balance between excellence and discomfort. Overall, the hosts encourage listeners to engage in thoughtful discussions and advocate for positive change in medical education.

This episode discusses the role of academia in healthcare professions, and explores the impact of workforce projection and oversupply. There is a need for more diverse and broad training to prepare students for non-traditional career paths as the role of healthcare professionals in the era of technology is shifting.

Mike and John discuss the importance of networking in healthcare careers. They cover various networking strategies, including LinkedIn networking, attending conferences and seminars, joining professional associations, and networking within organizations. They emphasize the value of building connections, collaborating on projects, and staying up-to-date in the field.

In this episode, Mike Asbach interviews Madison Loomis, a healthcare recruiter, about maximizing compensation in healthcare and the value of PAs and NPs in the industry. They discuss the idea of job switching and its impact on clinical competence, as well as the importance of having difficult conversations with employers about compensation. Madison emphasizes the need for clinicians to find a boss who values and supports their growth. The conversation highlights the need for healthcare to be more transactional and open about compensation as communication and proactive retention are essential for career growth.

John and Mike discuss the impact social media can have on personal and professional life and the importance of being mindful of the content shared on personal social media accounts, as personal branding can be crucial in the healthcare industry. Maintaining a professional online presence, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, is essential. Our Website