37. How Becoming a Dad Made Me a Better Doctor

Originally Aired: July 28, 2022

Sometimes we forget that we are made up of different parts of our lives.  We cannot live as though our personal and professional lives don’t blend together or affect each other.  This week in the podcast I reflect on one aspect of this personal/professional integration and consider the ways that becoming a dad has made me a better doctor. 

It’s possible, that I was going to become a better doctor anyway with a few more years of deliberate practice under my belt. But I believe that the lessons I have learned from my children and from caring for them have helped me serve my patients and trainees better in the 3 key ways.

1. I give better advice: Not just the textbook answer, but stuff that actually works
2. I have more empathy for parents: when we ask them to do treatment options, I know that doesn’t take away their other responsibilities or time commitments
3. I use a coaching style: Don’t just wag your finger at families, encourage them when they are doing a good job and help them make tweaks to be more successful.

I hope you enjoy this episode and a special thanks to listener OKhateeb for their kind review!! Leave a review on your favorite podcast app and I’ll spotlight it in a future episode.