The Doctors' Room Podcast

Ep-7: Leading from Within: Introversion, Extroversion, and Leadership in Medicine

Dr. Linny Phuong sits down with Associate Professor Kerryn Ireland-Jenkin to explore the dynamics of introversion and extroversion in leadership. Inspired by Susan Cain’s book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, they discuss how personality traits shape leadership styles, decision-making and workplace dynamics in medicine.   Kerryn shares her personal leadership journey—navigating the complexities of medical leadership, adapting to different communication styles and creating psychologically safe spaces where every voice is valued. She reflects on the challenges of stepping outside her comfort zone, how ambiversion plays a role in her leadership and the importance of fostering inclusive environments for both introverts and extroverts.   Key discussion points include:   * How introverts and extroverts recharge and engage in leadership * The evolving perception of leadership in medicine * Strategies for ensuring all voices are heard in high-stakes environments * The balance between authenticity and professional expectations in healthcare * The role of psychological safety in effective teamwork   Whether you identify as an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in between, this episode offers valuable insights into how different leadership styles can contribute to a thriving medical workforce. If this conversation sparked new reflections for you, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Get in touch using the details in the show notes.   Listen now and join the conversation on leadership in medicine! Contact details for listeners:   AMA Victoria Director of Communication and Advocacy, Taryn Sheehy at amavic@amavic.com.au Facebook: AMAinVictoria Twitter: amavictoria Instagram: youramavic LinkedIn: Australian Medical Association (Victoria) Links: https://amavic.com.au/news---resources/podcast-the-doctors-room   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

ep-6: The Mental Load of Medicine: Balancing Career, Family and Invisible Work

Dr. Linny Phuong takes inspiration from The Wife Drought by Annabel Crabb and is joined by paediatrician Dr. Robyn Silcock (neé Miller) founder of the Mental Load Project. Together, they explore the invisible labour that disproportionately falls on women, the challenges of balancing a demanding medical career with home life and how couples—especially in dual-career households—can share the mental load more equitably.   Key topics include:   * What mental load is and why it matters for doctors How the unequal division of domestic labour impacts career progression * Strategies for dividing (not delegating) household responsibilities * How medical workplaces can better support flexible work for both men and women * Cultural expectations and the gendered judgment of parenting and domestic tasks * The role of leadership in driving equality in hospitals and medicine * Practical tips for rebalancing the mental load at home Robyn shares insights from her work helping couples navigate invisible labour, highlighting how small, intentional shifts at home can lead to more sustainable careers for doctors. This conversation is essential for anyone in medicine grappling with the challenge of "doing it all" and looking for tangible strategies to create a more equal, supportive home and work environment. Contact details for listeners:   AMA Victoria Director of Communication and Advocacy, Taryn Sheehy at amavic@amavic.com.au Facebook: AMAinVictoria Twitter: amavictoria Instagram: youramavic LinkedIn: Australian Medical Association (Victoria) Links: https://amavic.com.au/news---resources/podcast-the-doctors-room   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

ep-5: The Moment of Lift: Empowering Women for a Healthier World

Dr. Linny Phuong is joined by Dr. Rangi De Silva, an obstetrician and gynaecologist with extensive experience in global health. Inspired by The Moment of Lift by Melinda French Gates, they explore how empowering women leads to better health outcomes, stronger communities, and lasting societal change.   Dr. De Silva shares insights from her PhD research on maternal morbidity, mortality, and stillbirth in the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting the critical role of reproductive rights, access to care, and systemic support for women. Drawing from her clinical and research work in the Solomon Islands, she discusses the far-reaching impact of maternal health on families and communities, as well as the barriers that continue to limit access to life-saving care.   Key discussion points include:   * The ripple effect of empowering women on family and community health * Barriers to maternal healthcare in low-resource settings and what can be done to improve access * The importance of reproductive rights and access to contraception * Gender inequality in healthcare leadership and strategies for change * The need for more investment and research in women’s health * This thought-provoking conversation underscores the urgency of lifting women up—not just for their own well-being, but for the betterment of society as a whole.   Thank you for listening to this season of The Doctors’ Room! We hope these discussions inspire you.  Contact details for listeners:   AMA Victoria Director of Communication and Advocacy, Taryn Sheehy at amavic@amavic.com.au Facebook: AMAinVictoria Twitter: amavictoria Instagram: youramavic LinkedIn: Australian Medical Association (Victoria) Links: https://amavic.com.au/news---resources/podcast-the-doctors-room   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

ep-4: Factfulness and the Future of Health: Challenging Misconceptions in a Changing World

Dr. Linny Phuong is joined by Dr. Georgia Behrens, Acting Director of the Australian Government’s National Health, Sustainability and Climate Unit. Together, they explore key themes from Factfulness by Hans Rosling, discussing how misconceptions shape our understanding of global health, climate change and public health policy.   Dr. Behrens shares insights from her work in climate and health policy, highlighting the importance of moving beyond an us vs. them mindset, overcoming the negativity bias in media, and building resilience in healthcare systems. They also delve into the significance of media literacy, data interpretation, and staying curious in an era of complex health challenges.   Key discussion points include:   * The gap instinct—why the world isn’t simply divided into “developed” and “developing” nations * How the negativity instinct skews public perception of health progress * The importance of resilience and flexibility in healthcare planning * The role of healthcare professionals in improving media and data literacy * The rise of climate-conscious healthcare leadership and system-wide sustainability efforts This episode offers a refreshing, optimistic perspective on global health, tackling how facts—and the way we interpret them—can lead to better decision-making in healthcare.   If you found this episode thought-provoking, let us know! Contact details are below. Contact details for listeners:   AMA Victoria Director of Communication and Advocacy, Taryn Sheehy at amavic@amavic.com.au Facebook: AMAinVictoria Twitter: amavictoria Instagram: youramavic LinkedIn: Australian Medical Association (Victoria) Links: https://amavic.com.au/news---resources/podcast-the-doctors-room   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

ep-3: The Power of Checklists: Precision, Safety, and Culture in Medicine

Dr. Linny Phuong explores the themes from The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande with Associate Professor Stephen Warrillow, intensivist and Director of Intensive Care at Austin Health. They delve into the critical role of checklists in medicine and how structured processes improve patient safety, clinical governance, and team culture.   Key topics include:   * The importance of clinical governance and why doctors—at all levels—should care * How checklists prevent errors, improve efficiency, and create safer systems * The role of checklists in high-risk procedures and everyday hospital operations * How structured systems like medical emergency teams (MET calls) have saved lives * The intersection of AI and medicine—will AI enhance or replace clinical decision-making? * Leadership, culture, and the role of ‘soft skills’ in high-performing medical teams * Practical strategies for self-care and preventing burnout * Stephen shares valuable insights on how structured systems, checklists, and leadership play a vital role in modern healthcare. He also highlights the need for balance—both in medicine and personal life—and encourages doctors to cultivate passions outside of their careers.   Join us for this insightful conversation on why getting things right in medicine isn’t just about skill, but about creating the right systems to support excellent patient care. Contact details for listeners:   AMA Victoria Director of Communication and Advocacy, Taryn Sheehy at amavic@amavic.com.au Facebook: AMAinVictoria Twitter: amavictoria Instagram: youramavic LinkedIn: Australian Medical Association (Victoria) Links: https://amavic.com.au/news---resources/podcast-the-doctors-room   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]