Out with Burnout

Join Phil, Katherine, and guest, Steve Taff for a discussion on how to Navigate Difficult Conversations. 

About our guest: Dr. Taff enjoys the collaborative aspect of his work and has been an active leader in the Academy of Educators and the Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. His scholarly interests include learner and faculty wellbeing, building and evaluating inclusive learning environments, curriculum design, and applied educational philosophy. He will assume the role of Assistant Dean for Faculty Leadership Development with the Office of Faculty Promotions & Career Development (OFPCD) as of July 1, 2024. 

Episode References:

Benson, B. (2019). Why are we yelling?: The art of productive disagreement. Portfolio.

Bianchi, N. M. (2023). Five tough talks. Coraggio.

Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2002). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high. McGraw-Hill Contemporary.

Scott, K. (2019). Radical candor: Be a kick-ass boss without losing your humanity. St Martin’s Press.

September is Women in Medicine Month, a time when the medical community and others celebrate and honor the contributions of women in the field of medicine. 

In honor of Women in Medicine Month, Out with Burnout is taking a break between seasons 2 and 3 to provide a special episode diving into the topic of Menopause. 

The Out with Burnout hosts, Drs. Katherine Rivera-Spoljaric and Phil Abraham discuss symptoms and treatments of menopause with Dr. Denise Willers. Dr. Willers is a Professor and Division Chief of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology at WashU Medicine and the Medical Director of the Women’s Health Clinic at Barnes Jewish Hospital.  She is a 2025 recipient of the Dean’s Impact Awards, highlighting her community engagement through patient care, advocacy, leadership, and commitment to serving underserved populations.

For inquiries on today's topic or requests for future special episode topics, please email [email protected]. 

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development

Hosts: Katherine Rivera-Spoljaric, MD, and Philip Abraham, MD
Executive Producer: Megan Shaffer
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer

This is the 18th of a series of 18 episodes focused on understanding the wellness wheel and providing tips and tricks on how to improve your life. This month's topic is Recreational Wellbeing with special guest Gammon Earhart, PT, PhD. Dr, Earhart is a Professor of Physical Therapy, Neurology, and Neuroscience, and serves as the Associate Dean for Physical Therapy and Director of Program in Physical Therapy.

Sources mentioned in this episode:

• Exercise reshapes aging bodies and minds - Science Direct
• Daily steps and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of 15 international cohorts- The Lancet, Public Health Journal
• Effects of dance on gait and balance in Parkinson's disease: a comparison of partnered and nonpartnered dance movement - PubMed

This is the final episode of Season 2.  Out with Burnout will return in a few months for Season 3.

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development

Hosts: Katherine Rivera-Spoljaric, MD, and Philip Abraham, MD
Executive Producer: Megan Shaffer
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer

This is the 17th of a series of 20 episodes focused on understanding the wellness wheel and providing tips and tricks on how to improve your life. This month's topic is Physical Wellbeing with special guest Patrick Hill, MA, PhD, life purpose researcher.

Sources mentioned in this episode:
"Social capital and burnout among mental healthcare providers" - Journal of Mental Health
"Could the connectedness of primary health care workers involved in social networks affect their job burnout? A cross-sectional study in six counties, Central China" - BMC Health Services Journal
"Promoting a sense of belonging, engagement, and collegiality to reduce burnout: a mixed methods study among undergraduate medical students in a non-Western, Asian context" - BMC Medical Education Journal
"Social connectedness as a determinant of mental health: A scoping review" - PLOS ONE

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development
Executive Producer: Katie Cammarata
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer

This is the 16th of a series of 20 episodes focused on understanding the wellness wheel and providing tips and tricks on how to improve your life. This month's topic is Occupational Wellbeing with special guest Bradley Evanoff, MD, MPH, occupational health and safety expert.

Sources mentioned in this episode:
"Healthcare Occupations: Characteristics of the Employed" - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

"Physical, psychological and occupational consequences of job burnout: A systematic review of prospective studies" - PLOS One

"The Business Case for Investing in Physician Well-being" - JAMA Internal Medicine

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development
Executive Producer: Katie Cammarata
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer

This is the 15th of a series of 20 episodes focused on understanding the wellness wheel and providing tips and tricks on how to improve your life. This month's topic is Physical Wellbeing with special guest Adam Goldstein, CPA/ABV, financial advisor.

Sources mentioned in this episode:
"The Effect of Understanding Issues of Personal Finance on the Well-being of Physicians in Training" - WMJ

"An assessment of residents' and fellows' personal finance literacy: an unmet medical education need" - International Journal of Medical Education

"Well-being Assessment of Medical Professionals in Progressive Levels of Training: Derived from the WHO-5 Well-being Index" - Cureus

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development
Executive Producer: Katie Cammarata
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer

This is the 14th of a series of 20 episodes focused on understanding the wellness wheel and providing tips and tricks on how to improve your life. This month's topic is Physical Wellbeing with special guest David Carr, MD, dementia and geriatrics specialist.

Sources mentioned in this episode:
"Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Dementia" - Psychiatric Clinics of North America Journal

"Inequalities in dementia incidence between six racial and ethnic groups over 14 years" - Alzheimer's & Dementia Journal

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development
Executive Producer: Katie Cammarata
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer

This is the 13th of a series of 20 episodes focused on understanding the wellness wheel and providing tips and tricks on how to improve your life. This month's topic is Environmental Wellbeing with special guest Meg Krejci, wellness consultant for mindfulness.

Sources mentioned in this episode:
"Interventions to Improve Mental Health, Well-Being, Physical Health, and Lifestyle Behaviors in Physicians and Nurses: A Systematic Review" - American Journal of Health Promotion

"The Impact of Psychological Interventions with Elements of Mindfulness (PIM) on Empathy, Well-Being, and Reduction of Burnout in Physicians: A Systematic Review" - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

"Stress management in Medicine" - Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development
Executive Producer: Katie Cammarata
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer

This is the 12th of a series of 20 episodes focused on understanding the wellness wheel and providing tips and tricks on how to improve your life. This month's topic is Physical Wellbeing with special guest Brenden Lucey, MD, sleep medicine specialist.

Sources mentioned in this episode:
"Most Physicians Sleep Fewer Hours Than Needed For Peak Performance, Report Says" - American College of Chest Physicians

"Sleep health is associated with next-day mindful attention in healthcare workers" - Sleep Health

"The Impact of Sleep and Circadian Disorders on Physician Burnout" - CHEST Journal

"Emotional Labor and Depressive Symptoms Among Healthcare Workers: The Role of Sleep" - Workplace Health and Safety Journal

"Work-Family Conflict and Depression Among Healthcare Workers: The Role of Sleep and Decision Latitude" - Workplace Health and Safety Journal

"Associations of physician burnout with career engagement and quality of patient care: systematic review and meta-analysis" - The BMJ

Resources:
Episode 10, Season 1: Gratitude  

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development
Executive Producer: Katie Cammarata
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer

This is the 11th of a series of 20 episodes focused on understanding the wellness wheel and providing tips and tricks on how to improve your life. This month's topic is Spiritual Wellbeing with special guest Rev. Callista Isabelle, Director for Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life at Washington University in St. Louis.

Sources mentioned in this episode:
"Spirituality linked with better health outcomes, patient care" - Harvard School of Public Health

“Spirituality in Serious Illness and Health” — JAMA

"Tracy Balboni: How Spirituality Can Affect Caregiving" — Harvard University

Resources:
Episode 10, Season 1: Gratitude 

Affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Department of Pediatrics; Office of Faculty Development
Executive Producer: Katie Cammarata
Guest Relations & Management Support: Megan Shaffer