Ep. 192 Safeguarding Physician Wellbeing: Julie Wei’s Journey

Many doctors enjoy writing, but how does a meaningful idea become a published book? Just ask Dr. Julie Wei, director of pediatric otolaryngology at Akron Children’s Hospital and author of two books. In this episode of the BackTable ENT podcast, Dr. Wei discusses her third book “Safeguarding Physician Wellbeing” with podcast host Dr. Gopi Shah. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR PearsonRavitz https://pearsonravitz.com/backtable --- SYNPOSIS First, Dr. Wei shares her journey to authorship, which grew out of her efforts as an advocate for physician wellness. Then, she delves into topics covered in her book, including personal relationships, finances, fertility, and career growth. Much like operating room time-outs, “Safeguarding Physician Wellbeing” uses checklists at the end of each chapter to provide action items for readers. Drawing from her own experience as a surgeon and writer, Dr. Wei offers practical advice for prospective authors. The podcast wraps with thoughts on the need to prioritize physician wellness in an increasingly productivity-focused healthcare system. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 02:28 - Dr. Julie Wei’s Journey to Authorship 08:17 - The Concept of Well-being 16:10 - Checklists: A Tool for Patient Safety & Surgeon Well-Being 30:59 - Empowering Trainees to Speak Up 33:41 - The Importance of Taking Time Off 39:54 - Physician Well-being in the U.S. Healthcare System 44:06 - The Process of Writing A Book 52:45 - Final Thoughts & Encouragement for Aspiring Authors --- RESOURCES Dr. Julie Wei’s Akron Children’s Hospital Profile: https://www.akronchildrens.org/people/Julie-Wei.html “Safeguarding Physician Wellbeing,” Dr. Julie Wei: https://www.amazon.com/Safeguarding-Physician-Wellbeing-Julie-Wei/dp/1032589892