#38 Psychological Challenges and Surgery Culture with Dr. Andrew Brunswick

Get on-demand, lifetime, risk-free access to the Empowered Surgeons Group here.Dr. Andrew Brunswick, a neurosurgeon at Kaiser Permanente in LA, joins us on the podcast to discuss the psychological challenges and culture in surgery. In this episode, we cover:The culture Andrew experienced while working on Wall StreetThe problem with getting stuck on the hedonic treadmillThe power of the word "enough"Why satisfaction is a decision available to all of us at every momentParallels between athletes and surgeonsThe psychological challenges of training in neurosurgeryNavigating difficult conversations and the human tendency to self-blame after surgical complicationsHow surgery culture addresses complications and mistakesThe slippery slope of feeling like we owe our patients our livesThe perils of perfectionismReflecting on the kind of surgeon we would want if we were patientsSelf-care and balance during residency and beyondMaking Mom proud in the ORThe power of being courteous, patient, respectful, and empatheticHow focusing on “What if?” can drain joy from the jobThe importance of modeling emotional intelligence and resilienceWhy protecting the asset is not the same as protecting the ego or being lazyHow being salaried can reduce subconscious bias in decision-makingFollow Dr. Andrew Brunswick on Instagram here and find his clinical profile here.