The Well Doctor Series

Approximately 20 % of New Zealanders are actively religious, yet up to 80% of people who are seriously ill or terminal wish for some sort of spiritual care. Dr Richard Egan has spent 25 years researching and working in the field of spirituality and faith in health care. He completed a master's in spirituality and education and a PhD examining spirituality in end-of-life cancer care. In this episode, he chats with Dr Sam Hazledine about the role of spirituality and faith in healthcare.These are the seven areas of spiritual care Dr Egan teaches his medical students: 1. Developing Personal Spiritual Wellbeing and/or Existential Wellbeing, Self-Reflection and Integration2. Develop Awareness of Literature3. Develop Assessment of Spiritual Needs4. Develop Spiritual Care Approaches5. Awareness of working with Spiritual Care Experts/Chaplains6. Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Cultural Competence and Diversity7. Ethical Considerations about Spiritual Care

As a junior doctor, there’s often pressure to follow the traditional path and enter a training program straight away. Having not yet decided on a specialty, Dr Edward Rose chose a different route — taking a year off to explore his options. Now a happy and fulfilled GP and musician, he joins Dr Sam Hazledine to discuss the power of following your instincts, stepping off the expected path, and building a career in medicine that fits.

Dr Peta Wright is a gynaecologist, paediatric and adolescent gynaecologist, fertility specialist, and founder of Vera Women’s Wellness. After realising the traditional, system-focused model of healthcare wasn’t serving her patients in the best way, she made a bold decision to create a more holistic, patient-centred practice. In this episode, she chats with Dr Sam Hazledine about her journey, why doctors must prioritise their own health, and how living in alignment with your purpose leads to better care for patients.

Dr Lauren Bosley is a first-year doctor based in Queensland. Like many medical students, she pushed herself to excel until the pressure led to burnout. In this episode, she shares how this experience has helped her recognise the signs of burnout early and course-correct—insights she hopes will help others do the same.

Dr Chris Jones has been practising medicine for nearly 40 years and remains as passionate as he was on day one. While he now works full-time as a GP, his career has been anything but routine. During his time off, he locums with the Royal Flying Doctors. He has also assisted in the Boxing Day tsunami relief and evacuated children from Nauru on medical grounds, a move that clashed with Australian and Nauruan political policies and led to his expulsion.In this episode, Chris sits down with Dr Sam Hazledine to share his remarkable stories and reveal the secret to a life and career he still loves.

As a British plastic surgeon working in New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Shan Shan Jing experienced a life-altering accident that shaped her, both personally and professionally. In this episode, she speaks with Dr Sam Hazledine about the lessons she learned from being on the other side, as the patient.

Maysam has championed medical student wellbeing through research-backed initiatives like “wellbeing days,” allowing students time off without explanation. As Curtin Association of Medical Students’ first Equity Director, she ran mental health events, formed a wellbeing working group, and served on the Education Committee for three years, advocating for flexible attendance and free access to study resources. These efforts earned her an MWI Scholarship. In this episode, she joins Dr Sam Hazledine to discuss how collaboration and innovation can transform student wellbeing across medical faculties.

As a first-in-family med student, Greeshma didn’t have relatives to turn to for advice. But this experience inspired her to create opportunities for collective peer learning and support.As NZMSA Pre-Clinical Representative, Greeshma champions student wellbeing, co-founded a mentoring programme with AUMSA, and organises events to foster connection. As Director of Events for the Women in Health Network, she helps female students across health specialties connect and thrive.Her leadership and advocacy earned her an MWI Scholarship.In this episode, Greeshma sits down with Dr Sam Hazledine to share advice for other first-in-family medical students, explain how mentorship programmes can help break down traditional university hierarchies, and discuss why she believes in the power of supporting her peers.

Dr Sarah Arachchi is a Melbourne-based Paediatrician and debut author of Brown. Female. Doctor.  Which tells a powerful first-hand account of her journey to become a Paediatrician as a woman of colour in Australia. The book explores the complexity of navigating two cultures: her fiercely proud Sri Lankan heritage and her identity as an Aussie girl who enjoyed playing cricket with the boys. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine caught up with Sarah to discuss her debut novel and the valuable insights her experiences offer for others in the medical profession.You can get your copy of Brown. Female. Doctor. here:https://publishing.monash.edu/product/brown-female-doctor/https://www.amazon.com.au/Brown-Female-Doctor-Sarah-Arachchi/dp/1923192167

Dr Andrew Jeklin’s medical journey is anything but ordinary. Originally from Canada, his career has taken him from Boston to remote locum roles across Australia and unexpectedly to Uganda, where he helped found CAFAR, an NGO that uses creativity, theatre, and play to support the psychosocial well-being of refugees and foster fresh perspectives within their communities. Despite this adventurous path, Andrew has continued to progress toward specialist training. In this episode, he joins Dr Sam Hazledine to share how blending purpose, adventure, and medicine can enrich one's career and life.Check out CAFAR here:https://www.cafarfoundation.org/

Janvi and Marcus are medical students at the University of Otago. Marcus serves as the President of the Otago Medical School Student Association, while Janvi leads the ECCO Conference. Coming from diverse cultural backgrounds—Janvi is Hindu, and Marcus is Māori—they bring unique perspectives to their mindfulness practice. In this episode, they join Dr Sam Hazledine to discuss how mindfulness supports them through the pressures of medical school and how their cultural beliefs have shaped their approaches to staying grounded and well.

Dr Nelu Simonsz is a paediatrician dedicated to both medicine and parenting. Having transitioned to a consultant role a few years ago, she brings valuable insights into career progression. With a large social media following, Nelu shares practical children’s health advice with a broad audience. In this episode, she joins Dr Sam Hazledine to discuss the transition from registrar to consultant, exploring mindset shifts, identity, leadership, and the realities of consultancy—both the challenges and the rewards.Follow Dr Nelu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_nelu_simonsz/

Dr Jo Braid is a physician of 20 years and a professional coach specialising in helping healthcare professionals overcome burnout through the mind. In this episode, Jo takes Dr Sam Hazledine and listeners through a practical coaching exercise to understand and control the thought cycle. You will learn how to catch, check, and change negative thoughts.Links discussed in this podcast: https://www.drjobraid.com/ https://howwefeel.org/ https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/the-burnout-recovery-podcast/id1651327553

Daniel Lavin, a final-year medical student at the University of Auckland, has never failed an exam—and has made it to his final year without burnout.In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine talks with Dan about the psychology and mechanics of medical exams, sharing strategies for effective preparation and long-term retention.

Dr Tom Petrie saw his Instagram following grow to over twenty thousand after using the platform as a way of online journaling: telling adapted anecdotes from his ward rounds. Now, he is in his second year as a junior doctor. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine chats with Tom, offering advice for medical students on navigating med school. They discuss what worked for Tom during his studies and insights gained from hindsight.

Dr Nina Su is a paediatric and emergency doctor in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Frustrated by healthcare systems that felt like a "revolving door," Nina founded the podcast Revolving Door Syndrome. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine and Nina discuss how small habits like humility, seeking feedback, note-taking, and thoughtful communication can help you master the art of medicine, win on the wards, and ultimately become a better doctor.

Dr Gareth Andrews is an anaesthetist who has balanced medicine and pursuing his passions throughout his career. His adventures include the longest unsupported ski crossing of Antarctica via the South Pole by an Australian and an unsupported trek to the North Pole. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine and Gareth discuss how simple practices like gaining perspective, setting boundaries, and managing priorities can help you build a fulfilling, balanced life in medicine—and ultimately become a better doctor.

Kate Nelson is a psychologist trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). She works with Wombat Health, specialising in helping doctors recover from burnout. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine and Kate explore how core beliefs influence both the onset and recovery from burnout and how shifting from a "performance" mindset to a "mastery" mindset can aid in overcoming it.

Dr Henry faced burnout after working at Lismore Base Hospital during the devastating 2022 floods- the most significant flood in modern Australian history. This experience inspired him to found Wombat Health, an online psychology clinic that connects individuals with Australia-based therapists from home. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine and Henry discuss the five pillars of recovery from burnout, drawn from Henry's personal experience. If you are a doctor who needs help recovering from burnout, Drs4Drs offers a free support service for doctors and medical students.

Dr Henry faced burnout after working at Lismore Base Hospital during the devastating 2022 floods- the most significant flood in modern Australian history. This experience inspired him to found Wombat Health, an online psychology clinic that connects individuals with Australia-based therapists from home. Two out of three medical professionals experience burnout, often going months or years without realising it. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine and Henry discuss the first step in overcoming burnout: recognising it.

Dr Angela Lim is the CEO & Founder of Clearhead, a finalist in the Science and Innovation category of Women of Influence Awards 2021, a 2017 finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year, and a paediatric doctor. She is breaking new ground in the industry by employing artificial intelligence to transform how people access healthcare. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine and Angela discuss the power of mind mastery in medicine and how understanding one's mental landscape can elevate one's medical career.

Dr Ash Bowden, affectionately known as "Doctor Do More," is recognised for his dedication to inspiring his community and colleagues to stay active. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine and Ash discuss strategies for maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle while managing the demanding hours of a full-time medical career.

In 2021, Dr Dave Homewood reached a crossroads in his medical career, uncertain of the best path to rediscover his purpose. So, he bought a van, spent three months retrofitting it, and set off to Australia with a surfboard, a stethoscope, and an open mind. In this episode, Dr Sam Hazledine chats with Dave about finding purpose. From the ancient Japanese concept of Ikigai to modern approaches, they explore how purpose in medicine can lead to happiness and fulfillment.

Dr Sam Hazledine is a global leader in advocating for doctors' wellbeing. He successfully lobbied the World Medical Association to include doctor's health in the Declaration of Geneva, the modern-day Hippocratic Oath. As a doctor, Sam founded Medrecruit, Medworld, and the Medworld Institute to help doctors lead fulfilling lives, knowing that fulfilled doctors are better doctors. In this bite-sized episode, he shares the "why" behind the Well Doctor Series, introduces the doctors involved, and explains what you can expect to learn and what we aim to achieve.