Third Spacing

Victoria Wondersnatch is a drag queen who is also a clinician-scientist. In this episode, we discuss her journey in combining these two paths. In our episode, Wondersnatch shared how their journey started with watching YouTube make-up tutorials, performing in modest gatherings, and now starring in and writing regularly sold out larger-than-life spectacles with Drag Qabaret.

Now, Wondersnatch also runs her own YouTube channel where she integrates her research in dermatology and hair biology into their make-up tutorials. Makeup and hair products are used to radically transform and craft a drag queen’s appearance. ‘‘The way that you wear your hair, the way that you react when you start to lose your hair is hugely affected by the way society has told us what our hair means to us’. Wondersnatch can combine this experience with her scientific knowledge to expertly discuss gender-affirming dermatology and evidence-based approaches to skincare that center patient’s experiences

Drag Qabaret is more than a platform of self-expression, but Wondersnatch also uses this platform to support charitable causes. In their interview, Wondersnatch shares that Qabaret raised at least $100,000 of funds from their performances, and amongst other causes have been used to support filmmakers to produce films about stigma and discrimination among people who are living with HIV.

Join us as we delve into the world of Victoria Wondersnatch, where drag meets science, and every performance is a celebration of diversity and empowerment.

0:55 How did you get started doing drag?

01:35 How has the drag scene evolved over time?

02:59 Plans going forward with drag

03:55 Being a dermatologist and clinician scientist

05:32 How being in the field affects the way Victoria does drag

06:57 Using drag for advocacy

09:01 How can we push more for advocacy in the medical workspace and outside of work

11:47 Using hair as a role in gender affirming dermatology

15:47 How being in dermatology has affected the way Victoria does drag

18:00 Parting words

Dr. Tsoi Wing Foo is a renowned psychiatrist with over 60 years of experience in the field. He dedicated his career to the care of transgender people and is one of the pioneers in transgender psychiatry in Singapore. Dr. Tsoi also authored the book "Cries from Within," which explores the challenges faced by transgender people in Singapore and the available treatment options. In this episode, Dr. Tsoi discusses the challenges faced by transgender individuals, the evolution of treatment approaches, and the resistance from the medical community. Dr. Tsoi emphasizes the importance of providing proper care and support for transgender patients, including hormone therapy and gender change surgery. He also highlights the need for a shift in societal attitudes towards transgender individuals.

00:25 Introduction
01:02 Inspiration to dedicate life’s work in transgender care/psychiatry
02:02 Definition of gender dysphoria and what it means to have it
03:28 Experience of taking care of trans patients back in the 70s/80s, process of how it used to be to diagnose them
08:56 Comparison of the medical community’s view of LGBTQ community then and now
09:42 Dealing with rejection of medical community’s view of trans care
10:22 Views on the terms ‘transsexual’ and ‘transgender’, and shift in view of gender dysphoria from a sexual disorder to a gender identity disorder
12:02 Discussion on the shift of view in MTF ppl
12:41 Trans people visiting the clinic with a plan in mind
13:30 Next focal point for medical industry to focus in trans care
14:29 Is it important to being personally involved with transgendered people
16:57 Advice for medical students who want to pursue in trans care

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the interview are his own and do not reflect the views of his employer.

Dr Gerald Sng shares his perspective as a researcher of junior doctor burnout.
In our first ever video episode, Dr Sng discusses the factors contributing to high rates of burnout among junior doctors, and explores what can be done to address it. He draws insight from his research into residents and medical students in Singapore, informed by his own experiences navigating the healthcare system. Dr Sng also draws a connection between empathy and burnout, and shares how they might be two sides of the same coin.

00:07 Introduction and Guest Introduction 

00:38 Dr. Sng's Journey into Burnout Research

02:15 The Connection Between Burnout and Empathy 

03:33 Trends in Burnout and Its Causes 

04:20 Understanding the Concept of Burnout 

05:11 Pillar 1: Emotional Exhaustion

06:30 Pillar 2: Depersonalisation

07:36 Pillar 3: Personal Achievement 

09:10 Burnout as a Symptom of a Larger Problem 

12:39 Addressing Burnout: Systemic Changes and Individual Strategies 

15:02 Shifting mindsets from individual to institutional responsibility 

16:58 The modern struggles of junior doctors

19:20 What needs to change in our healthcare system?

24:10 Are you optimistic about the future for junior doctors?

27:31 The Future of Burnout Research and Advocacy 

31:18 Conclusion and Farewell

[00:00:42] Hazirah’s public health background

[00:04:31] The problem with opportunistic testing

[00:09:34] The priority on efficiency in our systems and how we can make change from within these systems

[00:00:35] Introduction to Hazirah and Overview of her research on Malay issues

[00:06:13] Thoughts on public health campaigns and how their framing could influence health outcomes

[00:12:08] Why is race being seen in isolation problematic in healthcare?

[00:18:51] How can we be more culturally competent?

[00:28:27] How should healthcare workers and doctors approach the topic of race?

[00:35:41] How should we think about the reasons why people may or may not have health-seeking behaviour

[00:41:03] Final thoughts

In this episode, we interview Prof Roger Foo, a practicing cardiologist who is also the Director of the NUSmed and NUHS Cardiovascular Disease Translation Research programmes, and head of the NUHS Clinician Scientist Academy. We talk about his path to becoming a clinician scientist, how his interest in cardiology developed, exciting insights into cardiovascular research and tips for students to engage in research.