Ep 119. Thoughtfully, Forever

EP121. The Social Script: What Doctors Should (and Shouldn’t) Post on Social Media with Dr Maria Li

In this episode I chat with Sydney General Practitioner and social media expert, Dr Maria Li on the best practices for doctors on social media. Dr Li has created tonnes of content, collaborated with over 100 professionals and organisations and is a member of the WHO's global FIDES network. We focus on 5 key principles for responsible social media use because I would love to see more doctors being a credible source of accurate information for patients on social media. I encourage you to look at the other content we produce and let me know what you think! YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@AustraliaAnaes] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/anaesthetists/?viewAsMember=true] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/AustralianSocietyofAnaesthetists] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/asa_australia/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@asa_australia] Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/asa-australia.bsky.social] Useful articles from Ahpra and Dr Li: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Social-media-guidance.aspx [https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Social-media-guidance.aspx] https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/14/social-media-is-media-a-crucial-reminder-for-doctors/ [https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/14/social-media-is-media-a-crucial-reminder-for-doctors/] https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/21/social-media-for-doctors-popularity-is-not-respect/ [https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/21/social-media-for-doctors-popularity-is-not-respect/] https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/27/social-media-for-doctors-your-posts-should-reflect-your-judgement-not-your-stream-of-consciousness/ [https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/27/social-media-for-doctors-your-posts-should-reflect-your-judgement-not-your-stream-of-consciousness/] https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/30/social-media-for-doctors-making-fun-of-patients-is-never-ok/ [https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/30/social-media-for-doctors-making-fun-of-patients-is-never-ok/] https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/38/social-media-for-doctors-your-comments-and-messages-count-as-your-content/ [https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/38/social-media-for-doctors-your-comments-and-messages-count-as-your-content/] Some AI generated notes: Episode Highlights 00:02:15: Maria Li explains how she started an Instagram account during lockdown in 2020 out of boredom, initially posting bland health promotion content that unexpectedly grew into a major passion project. 00:05:30: Maria discusses her organic collaboration approach—reaching out to subject matter experts on social media to co-create content, offering graphic design services as an incentive, and iterating through multiple drafts before publishing. 00:12:00: Maria establishes the foundational principle that social media is media—a public broadcast stage, not intimate conversation—using the example of a Victorian doctor deregistered by AHPRA for posting negative commentary about gay, Chinese, and Muslim people. 00:16:30: Maria explains how social media algorithms amplify content triggering outrage, fear, and anger, creating a trap where doctors unconsciously drift toward sensationalism. 00:22:15: Maria provides the example of a nurse who went viral crying in a hospital corridor after a patient death, only to face intense backlash for appearing to exploit the tragedy for engagement. 00:28:45: Maria warns against making fun of patients through role-plays and mocking videos, citing the Santa Barbara urgent care clinic staff who were terminated after posting videos laughing at patient bodily fluids. 00:35:20: Maria addresses patient privacy concerns, explaining that identifiers extend beyond names to include tattoos, distinctive features, and contextual details that could enable identification even without explicit consent. 00:42:00: Maria illustrates how comments are public content through the example of "Dr. Jane," an obstetrician who received a formal complaint after arguing heatedly in a local Facebook mums group 00:48:30: Maria emphasizes that following trends exhausts creators and confuses audiences. Key Takeaways Treat every social media post as a televised interview with your name and credentials displayed—the regulatory standard for online behavior mirrors in-person professional conduct. Prioritize credibility and respect over viral engagement; algorithms reward emotional arousal and controversy, but this conflicts with building sustainable professional reputations. Comments, screenshots, and deleted content remain permanent evidence; assume all social media activity is discoverable and can trigger formal regulatory complaints or reputational damage. Quality and authenticity matter far more than posting frequency; doctors can build loyal followings by staying true to their genuine interests rather than chasing algorithmic trends. Patient privacy extends beyond names to distinctive features, contextual details, and even background appearances; when in doubt, obtain explicit consent or increase anonymization. Quotable Moments "Social media is media. That's the principle. Social media is actually really good at fooling us into thinking that it's intimate and it's personal." "The moment you do post, you actually completely lose control of who sees your content. Kind of like a radio interview. Once you say what you say, you have no idea who's listening." "Before you make a post I want you to actually ask yourself this question: would I say this on TV with my name and my job title on the screen? If the answer is no why would you say it on social media?" "Attention doesn't equal respect. Attention doesn't equal credibility. So that's what I mean when I say popularity isn't respect." "You don't need to win arguments online. People get really up in arms about winning an argument against someone they've never met. You don't need to. You can just walk away." "Your superpower is whatever you genuinely care about, even when nobody's watching. Create what you're passionate about and you don't need to attract an audience. They will find you."

Ep120. webAIRS meets M&M with Dr Yasmin Endlich

In this episode I chat with Dr Yasmin Endlich, Medical Director at webAIRS, web based Anaesthesia Incident Reporting System. We currently have over 13,000 reports in webAIRS, making it one of the world's largest incident reporting systems. We chat about the various analyses (currently over 30 underway!), what's happening behind the scenes and how we will be discussing de-identified incident reports at the up and coming Australian Society of Anaesthetists M&M meeting. I also couldn't help discussing safety-II principles - examining what went right to prevent harm rather than only analysing failures. Three action items to consider: 1. Come to the next ASA M&M meeting! 29th June 2026. Complimentary registration for ASA members. Register or find the next event here [https://asa.org.au/asaeducation/events] 2. Join [https://www.anztadc.net] webAIRS user, if you haven't already. Any anaesthetist or trainee member of the ASA is eligible. 3. Report your incidents. Including the near misses. Help us better develop a safety-II approach Three more podcasts on webAIRS: Ep54. webAIRS with Prof Martin Culwick [https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/5940c2ae-2f7a-4174-ad3a-869ac46ccc64/ASA-2054.mp3] Ep57. webAIRS: Lingual Nerve Injury [https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/f4cc8ce3-390c-42f2-8e3f-d44917dfdba1/EP57-20Lingual-20Nerve-20Injury-20AAP-20.mp3] Ep79. webAIRS: Jaw Dislocation [https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/cf949d95-0e23-4fc7-bded-e54dabe7c75d/EP79v2-jaw-dislocation-AAP.mp3] Some AI generated notes: Key Takeaways webAIRS is the world's largest anesthetic incident reporting system with over 13,000 reports, enabling rare event analysis and evidence-based safety improvements across Australia and New Zealand. Safety-II methodology—analysing what went right in near misses and no-harm events—offers a complementary approach to traditional incident analysis and may drive more effective safety interventions Implementation science remains underdeveloped in anaesthesia. Most institutions adapt to safety recommendations but rarely publish their implementation processes, limiting knowledge sharing and replication webAIRS supports institutional M&M programs through anonymous, de-identified case access with categorization tools. ASA is launching exclusive member M&M events using webAIRS data Registration with webAIRS offers dual benefits: self-reflection and learning for individual reporters, plus contribution to community-wide safety analysis. Reporting is legally privileged, anonymous, and eligible for CPD credit Quotable Moments "We understand that the health system is a complex beast, which we as humans are constantly adapting and adjusting or creating workarounds to keep things safe for our patients and usually efficient as well." "We report a lot. So the numbers of our reports are there. Then they get assessed. But the reporting back and then looking at systems and then looking how to improve things and going up the pyramid to reduce adverse events, that's basically where it stops in most healthcare areas." "It's not only important for oneself when you report as it's a part of self-reflection. It is a part of working through an incident yourself as well. But it also benefits the wider community." "We don't want is anybody who has reported an incident feel like, oh, we are not treating the data safely. We 100% are. And it will stay anonymous and it will stay completely de-identifiable as well."

Ep 119. Thoughtfully, Forever

In this episode, I'm reviewing an article that was published in the April 2026 Anaesthesia and Intensive Care journal (AIC). It's all about sharps waste management! A snapshot (literally) on what we are placing in our sharps bins and whether there is any room for improvement (spoiler alert - yes, there is plenty!). I also share some insights from my Sabbatical in Switzerland. This podcast accompanies the poster designed by Dr Nathan Chin in the June 2026 Australian Anaesthetist magazine. Download your free copy here [https://asa.org.au/resources/publications]. To read the scientific paper from AICm click here [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0310057X261433580]. You may need your ASA login to access it. Three more episodes you might want to listen to: Ep69. Talking TRA2SH - trainee led research into sustainability in healthcare with Dr Jess Davies [Ep69. Talking TRA2SH - trainee led research into sustainability in healthcare with Dr Jess Davies] Ep96. Introducing Prof Philip Peyton, new editor in chief at Anaesthesia and Intensive Care [Ep96. Introducing Prof Philip Peyton, new editor in chief at Anaesthesia and Intensive Care] Ep114. Laughing Gas, Serious Waste: Measuring Nitrous Wastage with Dr Ethan Fitzclarence [Ep114. Laughing Gas, Serious Waste: Measuring Nitrous Wastage with Dr Ethan Fitzclarence] Some AI generated notes: Episode Highlights 00:00:30: Introduction to the sharps bin contamination study from April 2026 Anesthesia and Intensive Care journal, featuring artwork by anaesthesia trainee Dr. Nathan Chin 00:02:15: Sharps waste disposal costs 30 times more than general waste, with incineration producing 10 times the carbon footprint of regular waste disposal 00:04:45: UK data shows sharps disposal produces 50 times more carbon dioxide emissions compared to recycling 00:06:30: Zurich, Switzerland example demonstrating the "polluter pays principle" through mandatory tax-added garbage bags and strict recycling enforcement 00:10:20: Study methodology involved photographing sharps bins and counting non-sharps contamination across multiple hospital sites 00:12:45: Key finding: 79.5% of non-sharps items could theoretically be recycled, but only 18% could realistically be recycled with current hospital infrastructure 00:15:30: Most common sharps bin contaminants include glass vials (propofol bottles), plastic syringes without needles, IV lines, endotracheal tubes, and single-use stainless steel instruments 00:18:15: Only 19% of surveyed hospitals can recycle plastic syringes and one-third can recycle plastic ampoules, with glove recycling available at only one surveyed site Key Takeaways Healthcare waste management practices significantly lag behind residential recycling standards; implementing systematic segregation at point of use could dramatically reduce environmental impact and costs Policy presence alone does not ensure compliance—hospitals must invest in infrastructure, education, and accountability systems to translate waste management guidelines into operational reality Individual clinician behaviour change is achievable and impactful; simple actions like detaching needles from syringes before disposal can redirect substantial waste from expensive sharps streams Hospitals should audit their recycling capabilities and partner with waste management providers to expand options for plastic syringes, glass vials, and metal instruments currently defaulting to sharps bins Quotable Moments "Sharps bin waste is the most expensive waste to get rid of, both from an economic perspective and also in terms of the impact on our environment." "Getting rid of sharps waste could be 30 times more expensive than getting rid of general waste. 30 times!" "Sharpe's disposal, the autoclaving crushing landfill type of disposal, produces 50 times the amount of carbon dioxide emission compared to recycling. 50 times. Whoa." "We buy stuff, we open endless amounts of packaging and we don't think about how or how much it's going to cost to dispose of it." "Nearly 80% or four in five items could have been recycled for perhaps one 50th of the carbon footprint. That is astounding."

Ep118. Trauma Informed Care with Brigette Berry

In this episode, I explore trauma informed care with expert clinical psychologist Brigette Berry who specialises in acute and chronic pain. We examine five core principles of Fallot and Harris (2009): safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment. Trauma informed care benefits all patients, not just those who have disclosed trauma. For example, many women may have undisclosed trauma, children and neurodivergent people could all benefit from the application of these principles. Brigette recommends the Blue Knot Foundation [https://blueknot.org.au/] for support and further training. Three other episodes of the Australian Anaesthesia podcast you might enjoy listening to are: Ep55. Hypnotising children! with Drs Annette Webb and James Auld [Ep55. Hypnothttps://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/99504620-4e5e-452e-9627-1b3dce8843b9/ASA-20Podcast-20Episode-20055-20v3-converted.mp3ising children! with Drs Annette Webb and James Auld] Ep60. Communicate like a Boss with Dr Andrea Wojnicki [https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/79e68d74-37ea-4fad-af05-020e0aee751f/V3-20-20Communicate-20Like-20a-20Boss-20-converted.mp3] Ep83. The Women's Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (WELI) with Prof Nina Deutsch & A/Prof Larry Schwartz [https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/ee9632df-8266-49ed-ac54-d1474a1382b7/EP83-Women-s-Empowerment-AAP-converted.mp3] Let me know if you're interested in the Blue Knot training or any other feedback: podcast@asa.org.au Some AI generated notes: Episode Highlights 00:02:15: Suzi introduces the concept of non-technical skills as essential core competencies for good doctoring, noting that anaesthetists can inadvertently contribute to patient trauma through insensitive communication. 00:05:30: Bridgette defines trauma using DSM-5 criteria as experiencing a literal or perceived threat to life, and notes that general anaesthesia itself may constitute a perceived threat to self. 00:08:45: Discussion of statistics showing one in three women have experienced interpersonal violence, emphasising the prevalence of trauma in patient populations without requiring explicit disclosure. 00:12:20: Explanation of the five trauma-informed care principles from Fallot and Harris (2009): safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. 00:15:00: Practical safety applications including physical environment modifications (lighting, noise reduction), narrating procedures, and obtaining consent for physical contact. 00:22:30: Bridgette highlights unconscious behaviours in healthcare settings, such as lifting blankets without introduction or consent, demonstrating how small actions affect emotional safety. 00:28:15: Discussion of preoperative communication using positive language and imagery to support post-operative recovery and self-efficacy, referencing hypnosis-based communication techniques. 00:35:40: Bridgette introduces the COPE AHEAD skill from dialectical behaviour therapy as an evidence-based framework for imagined rehearsal and coping strategy preparation. 00:42:00: Emphasis on maintaining professional boundaries and respectful containment as essential components of trustworthiness, alongside being curious about fostering safety. 00:45:15: Bridgette recommends Blue Knot Foundation training and resources as practical tools for implementing trauma-informed care in healthcare settings. Key Takeaways Trauma-informed care is universal best practice applicable to all patients, not only those with disclosed trauma histories, and benefits neurodivergent individuals and children equally. Simple acts of narration, consent-seeking, and signposting (e.g., "I'm about to put the drip in") significantly reduce threat perception and build emotional safety without requiring additional time. Anaesthetists have a powerful preoperative role in setting positive post-operative outcomes through clear expectations, anxiety reduction, and empowering communication that improves both physical recovery and patient trust in healthcare systems. Individualisation within a trauma-informed framework is essential; clinicians should remain flexible and responsive to patient cues, recognising that some patients may find excessive choice overwhelming while others require it. Professional development training through organisations like Blue Knot Foundation provides practical, evidence-based tools for implementation, and adopting these principles requires ongoing humility and willingness to unlearn and relearn practices. Quotable Moments "There is always something more to learn, something more I can improve upon." "One in three women have experienced some type of interpersonal violence, as an example. So if we think about one in three patients that we see for anaesthetic procedures, you know, there's a high proportion of those who experience traumatic events." "Re-traumatisation is a very real thing. And I guess when we go through the principles, I can dive in slightly further. But we know, especially for those who have been through the more kind of chronic, prolonged, inescapable traumas, that are cumulative, we're less likely to feel safe within our own bodies." "Even if we're asking the question of, is there anything else we can do in this space within reason that could make you more comfortable? That's really therapeutic than just not asking and making the person feel like they can't advocate for anything." "It's the spirit of cooperation. So that may have to involve negotiation for the specific person in front of me." "Being curious about how can I foster more safety. I think training, professional development training within your setting is really, really helpful." "It's very humbling though, I will say, working in a trauma-informed way. So there's always stuff to learn unlearn, relearn, you know, and it's about humbling ourselves enough to be okay with that process because it makes us better clinicians and then it gives our patients a better experience."

Ep117. Anaesthesia, Advocacy, and Authentic Leadership with Dr Mark Priestley

In this episode I chat with Dr Mark Priestley, Chair of the Leadership and Management Special Interest Group (LAMSIG), Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) NSW and ANZCA Councillor.We are chatting about one of my favourite topics – leadership! We go through my 4 part leadership curriculum, the importance of identifying core personal values, his work based on the book “Crucial Conversations [https://www.amazon.com.au/Crucial-Conversations-Kerry-Patterson/dp/1469266822]” and navigating media when speaking out. Want to continue discussing leadership? Listen to Episode 83 [https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/ee9632df-8266-49ed-ac54-d1474a1382b7/EP83-Women-s-Empowerment-AAP-converted.mp3] where I chat with Professor Nina Deutsch and Assoc Prof Larry Schwarz about the Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Initiative Dr Priestley hosts a leadership and management discussion at the ASA’s 2025 National Scientific Congress (NSC). The videos from the 2025 NSC are due out in August. ASA members can access them here [https://asa.org.au/asaeducation/educational-recordings/nsc-recordings]. The leadership collection of the Australian Anaesthesia podcast can be found on the LAMSIG webpage [https://acecc.org.au/special-interest-groups/leadership-management/]. Find out more about AUS-NZ WELI and apply to join here [https://ausnzweli.org/]. Some AI generated notes: Episode Highlights 00:02:15: Assoc Prof Suzi Nou introduces WELI (Women's Empowerment and Leadership Initiative), a mentorship program matching emerging leaders with advisors, designed to address the underrepresentation of women in senior anaesthesia roles. 00:05:30: Mark Priestley discusses how leadership became his passion after joining the tripartite ASA/ANZCA/NZSA Leadership Special Interest Group five years ago, discovering that leadership development is largely absent from medical training. 00:12:45: Priestley describes the AFRACMA (Affiliated Royal College of Medical Administrators) course as valuable for understanding healthcare management, finance, and difficult conversations, delivered as half-day fortnightly sessions over six months. 00:18:20: Mark explains his transition to Head of Department at Westmead Hospital after six months’ sabbatical, emphasizing that effective leadership combines both strategic vision and day-to-day management. 00:28:40: Discussion of ASMOF (Australian Salary and Medical Officers Federation) and Priestley's advocacy for improved working conditions in New South Wales, noting that unions thrive when organisational leadership fails. 00:35:15: Mark addresses concerns about speaking publicly on contentious issues, recommending transparency with stakeholders and clear communication about media appearances to avoid ambush situations. 00:42:00: Suzi presents a four-part leadership curriculum: self-knowledge, communication and negotiation, strategic thinking and political context, and mentoring the next generation. 00:48:30: Mark emphasizes the importance of identifying core personal values and "ratcheting down the moral compass" to guide decisions when facing conflicting priorities. 00:55:45: Priestley describes his workshop on difficult conversations, based on the book "Crucial Conversations," delivered specifically to anaesthetists with clinically relevant scenarios. 01:08:20: Mark discusses the inaugural Heads of Department networking day (H2H), designed as a forum for senior leaders to discuss challenging scenarios and share expertise. 01:15:30: Priestley announces his transition from Head of Department to ANZCA Council member and ASA PIAC (Professional Issues Advisory Committee) representative, continuing his leadership contribution at a broader level. Key Takeaways Leadership development should begin early and continue throughout your career; it's not a single destination but a continuous learning cycle involving reflection, feedback-seeking, and strategic growth. Self-awareness is the foundational prerequisite for all other leadership skills—you cannot effectively manage others or navigate complex situations without first understanding your own values, strengths, and limitations. Difficult conversations are a core leadership competency that can be learned and improved through deliberate practice; avoiding them creates long-term organizational dysfunction and erodes influence. Strategic focus requires saying "no" to good opportunities to concentrate on two or three truly important priorities; attempting everything leads to failure and burnout. Formal credentials and titles matter less than demonstrated competence, authentic communication, and the ability to build trust with stakeholders across hierarchical levels. Quotable Moments "Once you've finished your training, whether it be in anaesthesia or another area completely outside of medicine, then most of your career development will be made in the area of leadership." "If you don't know yourself, you can't manage yourself, you can't manage yourself, you can't manage others." "The big decisions are not what you're going to do, but what you're not going to do, like deliberately actively decide to put on a back burner because the common mistake is to try too much." "If you think the good stuff means they're talking about you, then you have to accept that maybe the bad stuff means they're talking about you and sometimes you're better off ignoring the commentary, you know, full stop." "Unions thrive when the corporation or the organisational leadership is failing. And I think that's what's happening in New South Wales."