"Teams know what are the blocks to compassion, what prevents them from being compassionate, and what are the things that they do that can actually enhance it."

Dr Tony Fernando is a psychiatrist and researcher in Auckland, New Zealand. He obtained his medical degree from the University of the Philippines and his internship at St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital (Columbia University) in New York. Tony’s research interest is in sleep medicine and medical compassion. He plays the cello, is a cheap-eats foodie and despite his fear of the water, has swum across the Auckland Harbour and competes in ocean races and triathlons. In January of 2017, he received temporary ordination as a Buddhist monk in Chanmyay Myaing monastery in Myanmar. He completed his PhD at the University of Auckland, studying barriers to compassion in medicine. More recently, he started a weekly mindfulness and emotional balance programme for inmates at Mt Eden Correctional Facility in Auckland. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Tony, where he speaks about his research exploring doctors' compassion.

Time Stamps:

2.31 Tell us a bit about your research, exploring compassion and barriers to compassion amongst doctors.

17.02 What is next for you, in terms of helping doctors cultivate compassion?

21.47 What are three tips you would offer others who are on their own compassionate journey?