Stories of Care

The Future is Bright: Medical Trainees and IPC Research

In this episode of Stories of Care, we dive into an innovative program at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine that integrates quality improvement (QI) and patient safety into medical education. Hear from Catriona, a third-year medical student; Dr. Jennifer Baldwin, an internal medicine physician and hospitalist director; and Dr. David Banach, an infectious disease physician and QI mentor, about their roles and experiences in implementing this unique curriculum. Learn how early exposure to QI concepts and real-world projects prepares medical students to identify and address gaps in healthcare delivery, and how effective mentorship fosters their development. Discover the impactful projects led by students, the comprehensive stepwise curriculum, and insights on scaling these practices to other institutions.

Cultivating a Resilient Infection Prevention Team

In this episode of the Stories of Care podcast, we welcome Dr. Gonzalo Bearman to discuss his career journey, the importance of leadership, and strategies to combat burnout in healthcare. We delve into the significance of team ethos, inclusion, and clear communication in fostering a productive work environment. Dr. Bearman also shares insights on ensuring team members stay motivated and valued, the importance of perseverance, and the need for professional fulfillment to mitigate burnout. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on building a thriving, resilient healthcare team.

Small Patients, Big IPC Challenges: IPC in Pediatrics

On this episode of Stories of Care, we delve into the challenging yet vital realm of infection prevention and control in pediatric populations. Our guest is Dr. Joseph McBride, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease. Dr. McBride sheds light on the complexities and strategies of managing infections in children and shares his wealth of experience ensuring effective infection prevention in pediatric settings.

Rising from the Ashes: Addressing Burnout in Infection Prevention

In this episode of Stories of Care, host Megan Srinivas, MD, MPH, is joined by Susy Hota, MD, MSc, to discuss infection prevention, health care equity, and the impact of the pandemic on burnout among health care professionals. Dr. Hota shares her journey from medical training to specializing in infectious diseases and highlights the challenges faced by infection preventionists. The discussion delves into the effects of the pandemic on burnout, the need for resilience, and the importance of creating sustainable health care systems.

Less is More: Nurse Driven Protocols to Reduce Infections

Research shows that nurse-driven protocols can reduce HAIs. In this episode of Stories of Care, we discuss what nurse-driven protocols are, how they can benefit everyone in the care environment, and how physicians and nurses can partner to incorporate them into clinical practice.