Balancing  Medicine and Passion through Charting Efficiency and Pursuing External Pursuits

Penelope joined Dr Sarah Smith, the Charting Coach, to share her remarkable journey through the challenges of medical training, personal struggles, and the pursuit of passions outside of medicine.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

1. Prioritize Efficiency: Dr. Hsu’s approach to using patient visits as an opportunity to write notes and explain things to prevent follow-up queries emphasizes the importance of working efficiently in a clinical setting.
2. Embrace Multiple Passions: Her story showcases the significance of integrating multiple interests and pursuing a fulfilling life outside of medicine to prevent burnout.
3. Relevance over Eloquence: Dr. Hsu stresses the need to prioritize practicality over perfectionism in charting, focusing on relevant information for billing, continuity of care, and legal coverage.

This is the conclusion of a three-part series, focusing on how coaches can recognize and respond to a suicidal client. This episode provides a modified case study and offers useful tips for anyone who may be in a situation where they are attempting to communicate with a person who is contemplating suicide.

Topics discussed:

• How to coach a client experiencing suicidal thoughts
• How to counsel a suicidal client
• Supporting clients dealing with suicidal feeling

“I think that one of the things that we offer as coaches is a positive vision of the future.” – Dike Drummond MD

In part two of this 3 part series, Dr Hsu, Dr Pappas and Dr Drummond of The Happy MD, discuss what to do if you suspect a colleague is having suicidal thoughts and how to reach out to express our concern. They also explore the barriers to seeking help including imposter syndrome, shame, and guilt.They delve into the following key aspects:

• How to know when your friend is suicidal
• What to do for a suicidal coworker
• How to recognize someone is suicidal at home

“If you do reach out, you’re not going to get rebuffed. If you can hold on somehow through all that darkness, the love that you would give is right there for you. They’re going to be there. You just have to say something.” – Penelope Hsu MD

In part one of this series on physician suicide, Penelope and her colleague Dr Pam Pappas share their personal experiences of suicidal ideation. They chart the dark descent into depression and hopelessness they both experienced, as well as the turning point that ultimately saved their lives. A difficult conversation to be had, but both Dr Hsu and Dr Pappas use their own stories to educate, uplift, and inspire further conversations on physician suicide.

“I think It is far more common than we think. Isolation is the thing that keeps us from acknowledging it within ourselves, of getting support, of sharing, of leaning on anyone. My hope would be that people can hear our stories and realize it doesn’t mean you’re weak. It doesn’t mean you’re broken. It just means you’re human.” – Penelope Hsu MD

Who doesn’t love simple and practical life hacks to beat burnout?

Dr. Penelope Hsu, a New York City pediatrician and one of our coaches at The Happy MD, joins us in today’s episode. She is going to share with us the five tools that she uses to help her coaching clients who are struggling with physician burnout. These are quick, easy, and doable ways to alleviate stress in the workplace.

With her passion for working with doctors in training, Dr Hsu spoke with Shwetha Kochi of the Beyond the Rx Podcast to introduce the concepts of physician burnout to be alert for, whether you are a medical student or an attending. She also explains what coaching is and why it is the perfect modality to help prevent and recover from burnout.

After becoming the Speaker Coach for Crushing The Myth, Penelope refined her original speech to really dive deep into her journey through some of the darkest times of her life to get to the other side to a life of joy and balance.

Dr Hsu chats with fellow coaches Laurie Lawson and Bernie Siegel about the unique path she has forged for herself-incorporating medicine, acting, and coaching. Her own struggles to be authentic and balanced have led her to help others find clarity and purpose in their own lives.

Penelope spoke at the inaugural event for Crushing The Myth – Asian American Speaker Series in NYC. She, along with other speakers, addressed issues around specific myths and cultural expectations that broadly effect the community. She walked the audience down part of the dark and difficult path that she has taken herself to achieve good mental health. Then she told how she uses her training and and experience as a physician, professional actor, and life and leadership coach to help all people to achieve balance and passion in their personal and professional lives.