Pathologists: Listen Up!

Podcasts have grown in popularity across mainstream media, allowing curious minds to build their knowledge of a particular area they may not have access to elsewhere. From book clubs to gardening advice, there’s a podcast out there for everyone – including pathologists and clinical professionals! Here, Christine Ko, professor of dermatology and pathology, tells us about her podcast, Girl Doc Survival Guide, and how it is opening conversations about stress management.

What inspired you to start Girl Doc Survival Guide and what does the podcast aim to achieve?
 

I was inspired when I noticed that colleagues and trainees at all levels were all dealing with the same common stressors. Some of these were familiar to me, some were not. It struck me that skills like emotional intelligence, a growth mindset, metacognition, and self-compassion would be helpful in dealing with almost any stressor. I had never received in-depth training on these types of skills, and so I thought that it might be helpful to me, as well as others, to have conversations on this topic.

How has your experience as a clinician influenced the way you approach creating content for the podcast?
 

I am influenced by the things that I see around me. When I see shame in medicine, I want to talk about it, to try to overcome this unhealthy habit. I realize that we are not well-equipped to deal with medical errors and misdiagnoses, and I want to talk to others to see how they have dealt with these situations. The more podcast conversations I have, the more I realize many physicians have a shared experience, and therefore, I feel less alone.

Compared to traditional learning resources like textbooks or lectures, what unique advantages do podcasts offer to pathologists and medical students?
 

Podcasts allow you to listen while doing other things, like walking, doing chores, or simply relaxing. This casual audio format provides learning opportunities at your own pace.

Pathology has struggled to recruit people into the field for a number of years now. How might podcasts be used to help alleviate that and increase interest?
 

Podcasts can serve as a great outreach mechanism to promote pathology and pathologists. On my podcast, I have spoken to a number of pathologists, and I believe that through getting to know the person directly in an informal setting, pathology will appeal to younger listeners who have not yet chosen a field of study.

How do you curate guests and topics to ensure value for your audience?
 

I have found guests in my immediate circle, among my colleagues (locally and internationally), via social media, and via podcast matchmaking services. As I become more experienced, I am trying to ensure that conversations focus on thriving in medicine, and I believe that tighter focus will ensure value for the audience.

Finally, for students or pathologists who may not have explored podcasts yet, what would you say to encourage them to give it a try?
 

There are plenty of podcasts available out there to whet your appetite outside of the lab – or to ignite your interest if you’re new to the field. Of course, I’d recommend listening to The Girl Doc Survival Guide, which can be accessed through all streaming platforms. I’d greatly appreciate any feedback as this allows me to tailor content to the needs of listeners.