The Well Doctor Series

Dr Richard Egan on the role of spirituality and faith in healthcare

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

Dr Edward Rose on carving your own path in medicine

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 on caring for yourself to better care for patients

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 on how to identify and overcome burnout

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.

Variety, Service, and a Little Rebellion: Loving Medicine After 40 Years

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.