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• Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FACS, PCC, orthopaedic trauma surgeon and SurgeonMasters CEO.
• Dr. Jim Naples, a Harvard ENT at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Jim Doorley, PhD, CMPC, Clinical and Sports Psychologist for the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Research Fellow in Integrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School

In this episode of the SurgeonMasters Podcast, Jeffrey M. Smith, MD, FACS, PCC interviews a Harvard ENT specialist James Naples, MD, and clinical sports psychologist, Jim Doorley. They discuss integrating psychological strategies from sports performance into surgical training, emphasizing the importance of mental fitness, emotional regulation, and resilience in enhancing surgical performance and how it relates to addressing physician burnout.

The discussion underscored the importance of mental resilience and psychological skills for surgical success, paralleling their significance in sports. James Naples, MD, and Jim Doorley highlighted techniques for immediate recovery from intraoperative mistakes and long-term well-being strategies. Efforts are underway to develop a customized curriculum for surgical trainees to address their specific performance mindset needs and challenges. The conversation also addressed balancing emotional detachment and empathy in medicine and how the process relates to physician burnout. Additionally, there was a light-hearted debate on the pros and cons of listening to music in the OR, reflecting diverse preferences among surgeons. Finally, the team addressed the need for institutional support in providing resources and training to enhance surgeons' mental fitness and overall performance.

Here are 10 highlights from the podcast:

1. Surgical Mindset vs. Performance Mindset:
2. Challenges in Surgical Training
3. Initial Collaboration and Goals
4. Curriculum Development
5. Key Skills and Topics
6. Experiential Learning
7. Broader Mental Fitness Concepts
8. Performance and Resilience
9. Burnout and Emotional Management
10. Institutional Support

Overall, the podcast underscores the critical role of psychological training in enhancing surgical performance and the need for a comprehensive approach to integrating these skills into surgical education.

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…

Jeff welcomes to the podcast executive coach and former healthcare system leader, Theresa “T” Hamilton-Casalegno, ACC, FACHE.

In this episode, Theresa broaches the neuroscience of coaching – a fascinating and extensive topic that can’t be fully covered in one podcast – to address how the coaching relationship benefits physicians.

She tells us that certain parts of the brain light up when we hold people in what’s called a naturally creative, resourceful, and whole state. In other words, professionals will usually rise to the occasion when given the chance. As a coach, this is a great way to approach conversations with clients, as it makes them much more open to learning and creating long-lasting change.

What steps does Theresa suggest we take to implement neuroscience concepts into coaching sessions?

• Step 1 - Be Curious Rather than Trying to Solve a Problem. It’s all about the coach asking open-ended questions and being curious, as opposed to making assumptions and giving instructions to try and solve a problem. On the receiving end of coaching, know that your curiosity is also critical to growing and achieving your best self.
• Step 2 - Help People Work from a Position of Strength. Focus on a person’s strengths and help them determine how they can use those strengths to accomplish their goals. As a coaching client and probably performance-driven self-critic, first shifting your thinking towards your strengths creates a more open mind for constructive feedback.
• Step 3 - Ask Disruptive Questions. New learning and growth come from the ability to challenge assumptions, limiting beliefs, or current thinking. Give people space to think about a different way of doing something. We don’t need to change beliefs or values.

Most importantly, PRACTICE positivity, curiosity, and developing new neuro pathways in coaching sessions!

Bio: Theresa “T” Hamilton-Casalegno, ACC, FACHE

Certified Executive Coach – Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute, University of California, Berkeley Haas School of Business

Theresa “Terri” Hamilton has spent more than 30 years in executive leadership positions, including fifteen years as Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of a regional healthcare system; five years as a Chief Executive and Vice President of a for-profit hospital; and twelve years in high-tech publishing as a Publisher and Vice President.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Emmanuel College, Boston, Massachusetts, and a Master of Science in Health Administration from Simmons University, Boston. Terri is also a Board Certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

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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Jeff welcomes to the podcast ophthalmology specialist and physician coach for introverts, Dr. Charity Hix.

Introverts have many traits that make for great physicians. They’re inquisitive, introspective, constantly researching, and thinking things through from multiple angles. While those traits are great for being a physician, the way the healthcare system is organized can make the job of a physician very draining for everyone, but especially introverts.

Introverts tend to regain their energy through solitude, but many specialties in medicine necessitate being around other people often and for long periods. There’s a misconception that introverts don’t like people. That’s not usually true - they just need time alone to recharge and function optimally. As a practicing physician, there isn’t a lot of alone time baked into your day so you have to be proactive in carving out space for yourself to recharge. (Note: Even if we are an extrovert or land somewhere in the middle, recharging to be our best is critical!).

What does Charity suggest we do to recharge?

• Create Self-Awareness. In order to get anywhere, you need to first understand where you currently stand. Whenever you’re doing a specific activity during your workday, take stock of how you feel. Are you engaged, bored, stressed, etc.?
• Take Baby Steps to Adjust. Small changes can create a big impact. Based on how you react to certain situations, be proactive about making incremental changes to your daily routine.
• Communicate Your Needs. Let other people know about your energy needs. Many people will be happy to accommodate you.

Most importantly, PRACTICE recharging to create sustainability!

Guest Bio: Charity Hix, MD

Charity is a physician burnout coach helping introverts in healthcare escape feelings of apathy, irritability, and resentment brought on by the increasing demands and decreasing rewards of medicine.

She uses her 20 years of experience in clinical medicine combined with coaching to help introverts discover ways to be diligent, thoughtful clinicians while prioritizing their needs and protecting their energy. She wants you to know you don’t have to feel guilty for wanting a thriving life inside and outside of medicine.

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!