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Check out these Medically-Related Podcasts

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Creepy, but juicy. That’s how I’d describe a podcast I just finished called The Shrink Next Door. It’s a fascinating series reported by Joe Nocera (of New York Times fame) about an East Coast academic psychiatrist who manipulates at least one patient into sacrificing control of his finances, social connections, and business for decades. For medical folks like us, it brings up monumental issues of professionalism, ethics, and oversight.

Another one to listen to (but be prepared for nightmares) is Believed. This podcast chronicles Larry Nassar’s decades of sexual abuse of patients within and beyond his role as the USA Gymnastic national team doctor. It’s a chilling description of how even well-meaning adults can have blinders on when it comes to a physician, based on his perceived social status. 

And please feel free to listen to my guest spots on the White Coat Investor Podcast, the FeminEm Podcast, and the Hippocratic Hustle Podcast, although they are admittedly less captivating than The Shrink and Believed :). Use the links included in this entry or download them directly from your favorite podcast app.

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The “No Contact” Rule After Interviews

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Just a brief reminder about the “no contact” rule that some residency programs (and medical schools) follow. While thank you notes and letters of interest are often warranted, if the institution requests no contact, it is important that you follow that rule. First, you don’t want to be seen as someone who is trying to gain an advantage when others are holding back, and second, you would like to be viewed as a candidate and future practicing physician who notes and follows instructions.

Importantly, if you are contacted by residency programs after your interview and promised a ranking to Match, I’d suggest you take that information with a grain of salt. It is flattering, but it should not change your Match list in any way. If a medical school contacts you with a positive review but no acceptance (yet), I would suggest being gracious while you continue to move through the admissions process. In other words, don’t let compliments affect your good judgment.

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It’s Not Personal

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When I was in my second year of medical school, a third-year student came to speak to our class about being on the wards. He gave an animated talk about how important it was to recognize that when residents, attendings, or nurses hollered at us on on our clinical rotations, 99% of the time, it wasn’t personal. He likened the situation to Boston traffic – how drivers lean on their horns for little cause because they are simply frustrated about their days.

It’s not personal, he said.

I am saying the same to my clients. I’ve had applicants complain that faculty interviewers mixed them up with other candidates or were wholly unprepared – reading their applications for the first time during the interview itself. Remember: It’s not personal. This process is arduous and long, and most candidates, faculty, and program coordinators are tired and doing their best. When things are rough, give others the benefit of the doubt. It will help you get through this stressful process with your sanity intact.

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Check out this FeminEm Podcast

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Want to get tips on professional happiness, autonomy and flexibility, entrepreneurship, how to choose a medical school and residency program, and how to nail an interview? Download my recent guest spot on the Feminem podcast – 2018 Summer Series.

FeminEm (Females Working in Emergency Medicine) is an open access resource for women in emergency medicine. FeminEM offers a national conference (FIX18), an e-newsletter, a blog, and accessible mentorship.
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Your Residency Application: What Do Program Directors Really Want?

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If you were a program director (PD), you’d be trying to avoid two big headaches as you assessed a residency candidate:

1) Will this person be competent and collegial? A PD does not want to get complaints from patients, faculty, or other services about his/her residents.

2) Will this person leave the program prematurely? A PD does not want to scurry around to fill an open call schedule/ residency slot.

As you approach your interviews, consider how you can demonstrate your competence and collegiality, as well as your commitment to the field and the residency program. For the former, ensure you showcase academic successes, extra curricular activities that demonstrate teamwork, and – if asked – hobbies and reading materials that demonstrate your personality. For the latter, highlight research projects in the specialty, sub-internships, and knowledge about the program and city.

Making sure the PD knows you are not going to cause him/her headaches is half the battle.

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About Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Michelle Finkel

Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to
stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital.
She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated
Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more

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Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the White Coat Investor podcast:

Listen to Dr. Finkel’s interview on the FeminEm podcast: