The Well Doctor Series

Approximately 20 % of New Zealanders are actively religious, yet up to 80% of people who are seriously ill or terminal wish for some sort of spiritual care. Dr Richard Egan has spent 25 years researching and working in the field of spirituality and faith in health care. He completed a master's in spirituality and education and a PhD examining spirituality in end-of-life cancer care. In this episode, he chats with Dr Sam Hazledine about the role of spirituality and faith in healthcare.These are the seven areas of spiritual care Dr Egan teaches his medical students: 1. Developing Personal Spiritual Wellbeing and/or Existential Wellbeing, Self-Reflection and Integration2. Develop Awareness of Literature3. Develop Assessment of Spiritual Needs4. Develop Spiritual Care Approaches5. Awareness of working with Spiritual Care Experts/Chaplains6. Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Cultural Competence and Diversity7. Ethical Considerations about Spiritual Care

As a junior doctor, there’s often pressure to follow the traditional path and enter a training program straight away. Having not yet decided on a specialty, Dr Edward Rose chose a different route — taking a year off to explore his options. Now a happy and fulfilled GP and musician, he joins Dr Sam Hazledine to discuss the power of following your instincts, stepping off the expected path, and building a career in medicine that fits.

Dr Peta Wright is a gynaecologist, paediatric and adolescent gynaecologist, fertility specialist, and founder of Vera Women’s Wellness. After realising the traditional, system-focused model of healthcare wasn’t serving her patients in the best way, she made a bold decision to create a more holistic, patient-centred practice. In this episode, she chats with Dr Sam Hazledine about her journey, why doctors must prioritise their own health, and how living in alignment with your purpose leads to better care for patients.

Dr Lauren Bosley is a first-year doctor based in Queensland. Like many medical students, she pushed herself to excel until the pressure led to burnout. In this episode, she shares how this experience has helped her recognise the signs of burnout early and course-correct—insights she hopes will help others do the same.

Dr Chris Jones has been practising medicine for nearly 40 years and remains as passionate as he was on day one. While he now works full-time as a GP, his career has been anything but routine. During his time off, he locums with the Royal Flying Doctors. He has also assisted in the Boxing Day tsunami relief and evacuated children from Nauru on medical grounds, a move that clashed with Australian and Nauruan political policies and led to his expulsion.In this episode, Chris sits down with Dr Sam Hazledine to share his remarkable stories and reveal the secret to a life and career he still loves.

As a British plastic surgeon working in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Shan Shan Jing experienced a life-altering accident that shaped her, both personally and professionally. In this episode, she speaks with Dr Sam Hazledine about the lessons she learned from being on the other side, as the patient.

Maysam has championed medical student wellbeing through research-backed initiatives like “wellbeing days,” allowing students time off without explanation. As Curtin Association of Medical Students’ first Equity Director, she ran mental health events, formed a wellbeing working group, and served on the Education Committee for three years, advocating for flexible attendance and free access to study resources. These efforts earned her an MWI Scholarship. In this episode, she joins Dr Sam Hazledine to discuss how collaboration and innovation can transform student wellbeing across medical faculties.

As a first-in-family med student, Greeshma didn’t have relatives to turn to for advice. But this experience inspired her to create opportunities for collective peer learning and support.As NZMSA Pre-Clinical Representative, Greeshma champions student wellbeing, co-founded a mentoring programme with AUMSA, and organises events to foster connection. As Director of Events for the Women in Health Network, she helps female students across health specialties connect and thrive.Her leadership and advocacy earned her an MWI Scholarship.In this episode, Greeshma sits down with Dr Sam Hazledine to share advice for other first-in-family medical students, explain how mentorship programmes can help break down traditional university hierarchies, and discuss why she believes in the power of supporting her peers.

Dr Sarah Arachchi is a Melbourne-based Paediatrician and debut author of Brown. Female. Doctor.  Which tells a powerful first-hand account of her journey to become a Paediatrician as a woman of colour in Australia. The book explores the complexity of navigating two cultures: her fiercely proud Sri Lankan heritage and her identity as an Aussie girl who enjoyed playing cricket with the boys. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine caught up with Sarah to discuss her debut novel and the valuable insights her experiences offer for others in the medical profession.

You can get your copy of Brown. Female. Doctor. here:

https://publishing.monash.edu/product/brown-female-doctor/

https://www.amazon.com.au/Brown-Female-Doctor-Sarah-Arachchi/dp/1923192167

Dr Andrew Jeklin’s medical journey is anything but ordinary. Originally from Canada, his career has taken him from Boston to remote locum roles across Australia and unexpectedly to Uganda, where he helped found CAFAR, an NGO that uses creativity, theatre, and play to support the psychosocial well-being of refugees and foster fresh perspectives within their communities. Despite this adventurous path, Andrew has continued to progress toward specialist training. In this episode, he joins Dr Sam Hazledine to share how blending purpose, adventure, and medicine can enrich one's career and life.

Check out CAFAR here:

https://www.cafarfoundation.org/