This episode of CCIM Host Dana Phang invites Dr Clare Skinner, an emergency medicine staff specialist and a former hospital director, who was the immediate past president of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. Dr Skinner offers insights into balancing a demanding medical career with family life. Emphasising the importance of strategic decision-making, rather than merely declining opportunities. Dr Skinner shares how an audacious approach has led to positive outcomes, despite the sacrifices and imperfections along the way.

Throughout her career, Dr Skinner has experienced gender bias and has navigated the challenges of being a woman in leadership roles. Recounting the assumptions made about her abilities and priorities, particularly during her pregnancy, and discusses the discrepancies in treatment compared to her male counterparts. Dr Skinner underscores the need for women to remain true to themselves in leadership roles, avoiding the adoption of aggressive male leadership styles.

They engage in a candid conversation about the complexities of juggling multiple roles as women in medicine. Highlighting the importance of prioritising and negotiating with partners to balance work and family life effectively, sharing examples from her own life.

Her journey to medicine was unconventional, with initial interests in medical research, music, art, and communication. Her formative years were shaped by a focus on health policy, public health, and education, but her internship at Canberra Hospital shifted her focus to clinical practice. Her admiration for a physician at Canberra Hospital inspired her to view medicine as an inclusive and community-oriented practice. Dr Skinner recounts her involvement in the Canberra bushfires, an experience that shaped her as a clinician and solidified her passion for emergency medicine.

They concluded with Dr Skinner stressing the importance of empathy and understanding within the healthcare system, acknowledging the challenges faced by medical professionals and the need for compassion in the workplace. She encourages individuals to reach out for support in times of psychological distress or addiction, highlighting the trust placed in health professionals.

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The CCIM Podcast is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network, offering the latest in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, and more. Discover the network at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.