Healing in Healthcare with Dr. Zoe Wang and Dr. Iona Morrison

SafeSpace is proudly sponsored by Pastest: a fantastic resource with a huge library of high-quality practice questions and mock exams for a wide range of healthcare professions. So, if you're serious about acing your exams, head over to Pastest.com.  In today's episode, Mariam sits down with both Dr. Zoe Wang and Dr. Iona Morrison, two esteemed GPs with a focus on holistic health and sustainable practices, who share their insights on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and the importance of self-care and mindfulness. They discuss their journey into medicine, the significance of community and personal stories in patient care, and the impact of their experiences in various healthcare settings around the world. Iona highlights her initiatives as a well-being lead in Islington, including the creation of supportive environments for healthcare staff, and the transformative Healing in Healthcare retreat they co-host in Wales.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Both Dr. Zoe Wang and Dr. Iona Morrison emphasize the importance of viewing patients as whole individuals, considering their physical, mental, and social contexts. This holistic perspective is crucial for effective general practice and patient care. The Healing in Healthcare retreat fosters a sense of community among healthcare professionals, allowing them to share their experiences and vulnerabilities. This connection helps combat feelings of isolation and promotes well-being. Initiatives like mindfulness sessions and movement workshops are essential for healthcare professionals to manage stress and improve their overall well-being. These practices encourage self-care, which is vital for maintaining compassion and effectiveness in their roles. The establishment of a sustainable healthcare interest group highlights the importance of integrating sustainability into healthcare practices. Collaborating with like-minded colleagues can lead to meaningful changes and improvements in both team dynamics and environmental impact. Compassionate leadership is crucial for creating a supportive work environment. Leaders should model self-care and vulnerability, fostering a culture where staff feel valued and empowered to prioritize their well-being. BEST MOMENTS "I enjoyed getting to know people, their stories, and understanding the whole person that was in front of me. The mind, the body, the place that they came from, the community that they lived in." "Holistic health really being about looking at the person as a whole and not just as a person, you know, but how they're within their structure of their family, friendship, social, community, environment, planet." "If we can show that we are really honouring and respecting and valuing the healthcare professionals, then hopefully, people will be more likely to stay." "It's about supporting health, bringing healing, which maybe is a provocative word, or what does it mean? Even just questioning, what does it mean?" "In the listening, often what happens is you realize that everyone else's stories are actually a part of your own." HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  Dr Melany McKenna is a Clinical Psychologist, Cognitive Analytic Therapy practitioner, and Executive Coach. With a specialist interest in staff wellbeing, and supporting NHS professionals, Dr McKenna offers psychologically informed reflections, prompting us to consider staff wellbeing from a systemic perspective. If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. PODCAST DESCRIPTION SafeSpace is a new grounding and respite podcast aimed at Healthcare Professionals focused on staff wellbeing in the healthcare work environment, a grossly overlooked issue and yet, the cornerstone of the healthcare system which is why it is crumbling. There are 3 components to the podcast:   - Candid interviews with healthcare leaders, and a wide variety of passionate healthcare professionals about their own experiences and struggles with their well-being as they have progressed through their careers   - Reflective discussions with a clinical psychologist, my co-host, regarding key topics that have arisen such as coping with bullying, depression, burnout, grief, menopause, etc   - Guided meditations specific to the healthcare worker getting ready for the day ahead, pausing during, winding down, and accepting following the working day.   This podcast is not a panacea or substitute for a formal management plan, but a motivating, and catharsis tool to help during a stressful day.