The Hat Rack

Season 04 - Episode 02

In this episode of The Hat Rack, host Dr. Bill McCauley is joined by Dr. Noah Ivers, a family physician, clinician scientist, and implementation researcher at Women's College Hospital in Toronto. Together, they explore how physicians can use clinical performance data, practical feedback, and conversations with colleagues to close the gap between evidence and everyday practice.

Dr. Ivers explains audit and feedback: measuring aspects of clinical practice, comparing the results with guidelines or peers, and using that information to identify opportunities for improvement. He discusses why a report card alone is rarely enough, and how useful feedback can help physicians develop specific action plans and try different approaches with their patients.

The conversation examines why changing practice can be difficult, even when physicians know what the evidence recommends. Drawing on examples from antibiotic prescribing, Dr. Ivers describes how habits, assumptions about patient expectations, and the clinical environment can shape decisions—and how feedback can help address those barriers.

Dr. McCauley and Dr. Ivers also discuss the importance of supportive, non-judgmental conversations with colleagues. They explore academic detailing, group learning, and the value of sharing performance data in an environment where physicians feel comfortable acknowledging areas for improvement.

The episode closes with practical ways to begin, from accessing existing practice reports to running a focused search in an electronic medical record and discussing the results with a trusted colleague. Dr. Ivers offers a clear takeaway: use data to guide your learning, talk about it with a peer, and make improvement a normal part of clinical practice.

Referenced Resources

Audit and feedback: effects on professional practice — Cochrane Review The systematic review discussed by Dr. Ivers, examining the effects of audit and feedback on professional practice.

MyPractice Report: Primary Care — Ontario Health Information and access details for Ontario Health's primary care practice reports, discussed as one way physicians can obtain data about their practice.

Academic Detailing Service — Centre for Effective Practice The Ontario service discussed in the episode, offering educational discussions to help primary care clinicians apply evidence in practice.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On!

Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians gain access to the strategies and insights that CPD experts use to plan, deliver, and measure meaningful continuing education. Guests draw from extensive local, national, and international experience, providing practical takeaways for physicians and educators alike.

Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

📧 Questions, Comments, & Suggestions: [email protected]

Season 04 - Episode 01

In this episode of The Hat Rack, host Dr. Bill McCauley is joined by Dr. Ramesh Reddy, emergency physician, writer, and documentary contributor. Continuing the series exploring physicians whose professional lives extend beyond traditional clinical practice, Dr. Reddy shares how a career in emergency medicine gradually opened into journalism, storytelling, documentary film, and screenwriting.

Dr. Reddy reflects on growing up with the expectation that he would pursue medicine, eventually discovering creative interests in writing, film, and storytelling. He discusses how a personal story about a museum security guard led him to take writing courses, publish in The Globe and Mail, and begin developing confidence as a writer.

The conversation follows Dr. Reddy's journey into long-form journalism, including his research into stolen Cambodian antiquities and the international art market. He describes the persistence required to cold-call sources, overcome rejection, and develop a story that ultimately contributed to the documentary LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption.

Dr. Reddy also discusses writing screenplays, learning new creative disciplines, and balancing the security of medicine with the uncertainty of artistic work. The episode explores how storytelling has strengthened his clinical practice by helping him listen more carefully, recognize the humanity in patients' experiences, and understand the therapeutic value of allowing people to tell their stories.

Referenced Resources

How to Write Op-Eds and Personal Essays — NYU School of Professional Studies The online NYU writing course discussed by Dr. Reddy, focused on developing personal essays, op-eds, nonfiction writing, and publication-ready work.

South China Morning Post: How a statue looted from a Cambodian temple revealed a vast smuggling network Dr. Reddy's long-form article about looted Cambodian antiquities and the international trafficking network surrounding them.

LOOT: A Story of Crime and Redemption A documentary about the looting of Cambodian temples, the global trade in stolen antiquities, and efforts to return cultural treasures to Cambodia.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On!

Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians gain access to the strategies and insights that CPD experts use to plan, deliver, and measure meaningful continuing education. Guests draw from extensive local, national, and international experience, providing practical takeaways for physicians and educators alike.

Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

📧 Questions, Comments, & Suggestions: [email protected]

Season 03 - Episode 06

In this episode of The Hat Rack, host Dr. Bill McCauley is joined by Dr. Kris Lehnhardt, emergency physician, educator, and Director of Space Medicine at UTHealth Houston. Continuing the series exploring physicians who have built careers that extend beyond traditional clinical practice, Dr. Lehnhardt shares his remarkable journey from emergency medicine residency at Western University to becoming a leader in one of medicine's most unique and rapidly evolving fields.

Dr. Lehnhardt reflects on a lifelong fascination with space that began in childhood and ultimately led him through aerospace medicine, extreme environmental medicine, academic leadership, and seven years working with NASA. Along the way, he discusses the challenges of pursuing a career path that had no clear roadmap, the importance of mentorship, and the role that curiosity, persistence, and calculated risk-taking played in shaping his professional journey.

The discussion highlights the value of following a direction rather than a predetermined destination, emphasizing how meaningful opportunities often emerge through networking, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Dr. Lenhart also offers candid insights into building expertise in a highly specialized field, overcoming skepticism, maintaining a clinical emergency medicine practice, and helping prepare the future of human spaceflight through research, education, and innovation.

Referenced Resources

UTHealth Houston Space Medicine Program A multidisciplinary program focused on education, research, and innovation in space medicine, preparing healthcare professionals and researchers to support the future of human space exploration.

Website: https://med.uth.edu/emergencymedicine/divisions/space-medicine/

NASA Human Research Program NASA's research enterprise dedicated to understanding and mitigating the risks associated with human spaceflight, supporting missions ranging from low Earth orbit to future exploration of the Moon and Mars.

Website: https://www.nasa.gov/hrp/

International Space University (ISU) An international educational institution that brings together students and professionals from around the world to study all aspects of space exploration, science, engineering, policy, and human spaceflight.

Website: https://www.isunet.edu/

Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) The world's leading professional organization dedicated to aerospace medicine and human performance in aviation and space environments.

Website: https://www.asma.org/

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Program Information about Canadian astronauts, astronaut recruitment, training, and Canada's role in human spaceflight.

Website: https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On!

Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians gain access to the strategies and insights that CPD experts use to plan, deliver, and measure meaningful continuing education. Guests draw from extensive local, national, and international experience, providing practical takeaways for physicians and educators alike.

Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

📧 Questions, Comments, & Suggestions: [email protected]

Season 03 - Episode 05

In this episode of The Hat Rack, host Dr. Bill McCauley is joined by Dr. Andrew Park, emergency physician, healthcare executive, and past president of the Ontario Medical Association. This conversation marks the first in a new series exploring physicians who have built careers that extend beyond traditional clinical practice.

Dr. Park shares his unconventional journey—from early clinical work in a high-acuity emergency department in British Columbia to stepping into leadership roles he never initially sought. Along the way, he reflects on pivotal moments that shaped his path, including mentorship, failure, burnout, and the challenges of transitioning between clinical and administrative roles.

The discussion highlights what leadership really means in medicine, emphasizing that it is not defined by titles but by a skill set that must be developed over time. Dr. Park also offers candid insights into the realities of leading at scale, including his experience representing thousands of physicians across Ontario and navigating the complexity of advocacy, competing priorities, and system-level change.

Referenced Resources:

Ontario Medical Association (OMA) The professional association representing physicians across Ontario, responsible for advocacy, negotiation, and policy work on behalf of its members.

Ivey Business School Executive MBA Program A leadership-focused MBA designed for working professionals, allowing participants to continue clinical or professional work while developing management and organizational leadership skills.

UBC Master of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change A fully online Master of Education program focused on adult learning, leadership, and global change, delivered in partnership with international universities.

OMA Physician Leadership Program A leadership development program that supports physicians in building skills in communication, advocacy, and system-level leadership.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On!

Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians gain access to the strategies and insights that CPD experts use to plan, deliver, and measure meaningful continuing education. Guests draw from extensive local, national, and international experience, providing practical takeaways for physicians and educators alike.

Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

📧 Questions, Comments, & Suggestions: [email protected]

Season 03 - Episode 04

In this episode of The Hat Rack, host Dr. Bill McCauley is joined by Dr. Amrit Kripalani, pediatric nephrologist at London Health Sciences Centre and medical education researcher, and Dr. Frank Myslik, Senior Medical Information Officer at London Health Sciences Centre. Together they speak on the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in medicine and discuss what it means for physicians, learners, and patients.

The conversation explores how tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and emerging clinical AI platforms are already shaping clinical practice and education. From AI-powered clinical scribes that reduce documentation burden to decision-support tools that help clinicians quickly access evidence, the guests discuss how AI may allow physicians to spend less time at the keyboard and more time connecting with patients.

At the same time, the discussion highlights important challenges—including privacy concerns, bias in training data, and the growing number of patients using AI to look up health information. Dr. Kripalani and Dr. Myslik reflect on how medical education and clinical practice must adapt, emphasizing critical appraisal skills, open conversations with patients about AI-generated information, and the evolving role of physicians as trusted interpreters in an AI-enabled healthcare environment.

Referenced Resources:

HEAL 2.0 - Healthcare Enhanced by Artificial Intelligence & Learning

An upcoming conference exploring the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare education and practice.

AI Clinical Scribes

Technology that captures physician–patient dialogue and generates clinical notes, improving presence and connection.

OpenEvidence – AI Clinical Decision Support Tool

A clinical AI search and decision-support tool designed to provide evidence-based answers to physician questions.

ConnectMyHealth (Ontario)

A provincial portal allowing patients to access their own laboratory and diagnostic results online.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On!

Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians gain access to the strategies and insights that CPD experts use to plan, deliver, and measure meaningful continuing education. Guests draw from extensive local, national, and international experience, providing practical takeaways for physicians and educators alike.

Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

📧 Questions, Comments, & Suggestions: [email protected]

S3:E3

Safety, Humility and Compassion: Patient Communication in a Multicultural World

In this episode, Dr. Bill McCauley explores the complexities of cultural communication in healthcare. Joined by Dr. Tehseen Ladha and Jannelle Yoon, the discussion delves into the challenges and strategies for effective communication with diverse patient populations. From understanding high and low context cultures to practicing cultural humility and safety, this episode offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals aiming to improve patient interactions and outcomes. Tune in to learn how empathy, curiosity, and cultural awareness can transform healthcare experiences.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On! Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians gain access to the strategies and insights that CPD experts use to plan, deliver, and measure meaningful continuing education. Guests draw from extensive local, national, and international experience, providing practical takeaways for physicians and educators alike. Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. 📧 Questions, Comments, & Suggestions: [email protected]

S03 E02: In this episode of The Hat Rack, host Dr. Bill McCauley sits down with three guests—Brandon Fonseca, a Toronto-based software engineer; Ann DeBono, a London, Ontario realtor; and Ken Anderson, a retired Anglican priest—to hear directly from patients. For the first time on the podcast, the conversation explores how patients think physicians learn, stay current, and evolve in their practice. From assumptions about recertification to expectations around conferences and ongoing learning, this discussion reveals how the public perceives physician education. The guests also explore how online medical information—including "Dr. Google"—can be both empowering and risky, shaping how patients approach conversations with their physicians. Patients describe how empathy, clarity, listening, and simple human connection—pulling up a chair, making eye contact, explaining next steps—can deeply impact their experience of care. The episode includes real stories of navigating menopause, specialist referrals, and a frightening hospital admission for sepsis, revealing how communication can calm fear, build trust, and help patients feel safe. Referenced Resources:

• AI Clinical Scribes (e.g., ambient documentation tools) Technology that captures physician–patient dialogue and generates clinical notes, improving presence and connection.
  • Ontario MD
  • CPSO
• Sepsis Information – Sepsis Alliance Patient-friendly education on recognizing sepsis early.
• Women's Health & Menopause Research – Women's College Hospital (Toronto) A leading Canadian institution advancing research on menopause and women's health.
• Shared Decision-Making & Patient Communication – Choosing Wisely Canada Supports conversations around testing, treatments, and evidence-informed care.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On! Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians gain access to the strategies and insights that CPD experts use to plan, deliver, and measure meaningful continuing education. Guests draw from extensive local, national, and international experience, providing practical takeaways for physicians and educators alike. Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. 📧 Questions, Comments, & Suggestions: [email protected]

S03 E01:

In this episode of The Hat Rack, host Dr. Bill McCauley sits down with Dr. Eleftherios Soleas(Terry) and Dr. Adam Gavarkovs ([email protected]), two leading Canadian scholars in health professions education, to explore the often-invisible world of research in Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Together, they uncover how scholarship drives change in medical education—shaping how physicians learn, practice, and sustain their careers.

From the evolution of CPD beyond conferences to the rise of assessment-based learning, interprofessional teamwork, and workplace-embedded education, this conversation highlights how evidence is reshaping practice. The guests also discuss the transformative potential of artificial intelligence—from AI-powered simulated patients to personalized learning through EMRs—and the challenges of ensuring ethical, safe, and effective use.

Listeners will gain fresh insight into the past, present, and future of CPD research, including its role in promoting physician well-being, fostering professional collaboration, and creating meaningful, agile learning experiences.

Referenced Resources:

• Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions (JCEHP) – A leading peer-reviewed journal publishing scholarship on CPD, learning, and health professions education. Explore at JCEHP.
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) – Accreditor and standard-setter for CPD activities in Canada, including recognition of assessment-based and team-learning models. Visit royalcollege.ca.
• Amy Edmondson's Work on Psychological Safety – Foundational research on how safe, supportive team environments foster deeper learning and collaboration. See The Fearless Organization.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On!

Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians gain access to the strategies and insights that CPD experts use to plan, deliver, and measure meaningful continuing education. Guests draw from extensive local, national, and international experience, providing practical takeaways for physicians and educators alike.

Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

📧 Questions, Comments, & Suggestions: [email protected]

S02 E06:

In this episode of The Hat Rack, Dr. Bill McCauley is joined by internationally recognized psychiatrist and physician well-being expert Dr. Mamta Gautam. Together, they explore the powerful connection between continuing professional development (CPD) and physician resilience. Dr. Gautam shares her "Five Cs of Resilience" framework—control, commitment, connections, calming, and care—and discusses how CPD can be intentionally structured to nurture these essential elements of well-being. They also delve into the culture of medicine, the hidden costs of perfectionism, and the critical role of peer support and safe learning environments. Tune in for actionable strategies to plan CPD activities that support not just knowledge, but also emotional and professional fulfillment.

Referenced Resources:

• The Raft – An accredited online platform created by Dr. Gautam, offering community, leadership resources, and support for women physicians. Available at theraft.ca.

• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) – Provides standards and accreditation for CPD in Canada. Learn more at royalcollege.ca.

• Five Cs of Resilience – Dr. Gautam's framework for physician well-being: Control, Commitment, Connections, Calming, and Care, introduced through her leadership and professional development programs.

• Psychological Safety in Learning Environments – See work by Amy Edmondson, including The Fearless Organization, for foundational concepts related to creating safe, inclusive spaces for professional learning.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On!

Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians in practice gain access to the strategies that CME/CPD experts and influencers use to effectively plan CME and implement change in their professional practice. The Hat Rack guests draw from their extensive experience as developers, contributors and promoters of CME/CPD, providing insights at local, provincial, national and international levels.

Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Continuing Professional Development, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

Questions, Comments, & Suggestions can be directed to [email protected].

Season 2 - Episode 5

In this episode of The Hat Rack, host Dr. Bill McCauley sits down with Dr. Mark Soth, a critical care physician and creator of The Loonie Doctor, to explore the intersection of financial literacy, physician wellness, and career satisfaction. Drawing from personal experience and years of financial education outreach, Dr. Soth shares how financial independence isn't just about retirement—it's about reclaiming time, reducing burnout, and aligning your career with your values. From recognizing the hidden costs of physician culture to understanding the psychology of regret, this episode offers practical guidance for physicians at all stages of their careers. Whether you're early in practice or planning for retirement, this conversation will inspire you to be more intentional with your time, money, and purpose.

Referenced Resources:

• The Loonie Doctor – Dr. Soth's blog offering physician-focused financial education, tools, and perspectives. Available at looniedoctor.ca

• The Money Scope Podcast – Co-hosted by Dr. Soth and evidence-based portfolio manager Ben Felix, this podcast discusses financial topics through a physician-friendly lens. Available via podcast platforms or looniedoctor.ca/moneyscope

• Reboot Your Portfolio by Dan Bortolotti – A physician-friendly introduction to investing with practical strategies.

Find Something to Hang Your Hat On!

Listen to The Hat Rack podcast, where physicians in practice gain access to the strategies that CME/CPD experts and influencers use to effectively plan CME and implement change in their professional practice. The Hat Rack guests draw from their extensive experience as developers, contributors and promoters of CME/CPD, providing insights at local, provincial, national and international levels.

Hosted by Dr. Bill McCauley, CPD Associate Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Continuing Professional Development, Western University in London, Ontario, Canada.

Questions, Comments, & Suggestions can be directed to [email protected].