Welcome back to Doctor Friends, a podcast in which a group of friends, who happen to be doctors, explore issues within the American healthcare system.

This week Tomás, Christian and Grace welcome the physician executive Kai, and geriatrics, palliative care and addiction medicine specialist Lauren to discuss their experiences and challenges in dealing with death and grief in medical practice. Kai and Lauren delve into the emotional impact of patient deaths, differing perspectives between emergency and hospice settings, and the importance of authentic communication with patients and their families. 

They reflect on the challenges physicians face, specifically the emotional and ethical dilemmas concerning death, strategies for processing grief and the systemic issues affecting patient care. The conversation also delves into the cultural expectations surrounding 'a good death' and the importance of humanising medicine. Their personal anecdotes and professional insights offer a candid look at the complexities of providing compassionate care in high-stress environments.

Doctor Friends should not be used in place of professional medical advice. The opinions of the participants are their own and do not represent the institutions that they work for. 

Presented by Tomás, Christian, Grace, Kai and Lauren. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

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Follow us on Instagram or write to us at doctorfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

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Welcome to the Doctor Friends podcast in which a group of friends, who happen to be doctors, discuss issues in American healthcare. 

This first episode introduces Grace, Christian and Tomás who reflect on years of personal and professional experience and ask if medicine is a field worth going into. They share their backgrounds, why they’re drawn to medicine and outline their frustrations with a system that exploits their dedication while undervaluing their roles within it. 

The conversation also covers burnout, moral injury, residency match declines, and systemic failures that push emergency medicine to act as a safety net for people without the necessary support. They reflect on work-life balance and the conflict between purpose and exhaustion, and explore whether collective action, like unionising, might be a path forward.

Doctor Friends should not be used in place of professional medical advice. The opinions of the participants are their own and do not represent the institutions that they work for. 

Presented by Grace, Christian and Tomás. Produced by Ilia Rogatchevski.

Liked the episode? Tell your friends!

Follow us on Instagram or write to us at doctorfriendspodcast@gmail.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.