The Spark

Latest Episodes:

The Spark, Episode 21 - A Tale of Two Reopenings (Part 1) Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

This episode is part 1 of 2 in our "Tale of Two Reopenings" mini-series. Dan Cummins speaks with Xavier 'Abe' Cortez, a third-year medical student reflecting on his experiences returning to the clinical wards after being removed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Then, Mihir Joshi speaks with Fiona Miller, a second-year medical student and mother of three, speaking on the process of stopping and starting school both for herself and her children.

Music: "Sneaker Chase" and "Operatives" by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

The Spark, Episode 20 - Gender in Medicine May 26, 2020

Show notes

For much of medicine's history as a profession, it was a crime for women to be doctors. While women gained the right to study and practice medicine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, by 1965 less than 10% of medical school graduates were women. That changed dramatically in the 1970s with the Equal Rights Amendment and Title IX. Today, more women than men are enrolled in medical school but have we reached equity? And how do other identities such as race intersect with gender? Host Tessnim Ahmad (resident) is joined by Dr. Urmimala Sarkar (Professor of Medicine) and Dr. LaMisha Hill (Director of the Multicultural Resource Center).

Some of the data on leadership is from Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic's book, Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And How to Fix It). Special thanks to Sarah Ahmad, neurology fellow at UCSF, whose research on microaggressions helped spur the creation of this episode.

Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

The Spark, Episode 19– Climate and Health: A Busy Two-Way Street Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

Host Tessnim Ahmad (MS4) discusses the health and health-system impacts of climate change with Dr. Katherine Gundling, Clinical Professor Emerita and former practice chief for the Allergy/Immunology faculty practice; Dr. Seema Gandhi, Associate Clinical Professor in the department of anesthesia; and MS3s Colin Baylen and Nuzhat Islam, who helped found the Human Health and Climate Change student group.

The Spark, Episode 18 - Burnout (Part 2) Nov 22, 2019

Show notes

Burnout is part of the American vernacular. It refers to the emotional exhaustion brought on by chronic work-related stress, and can manifest as cynicism and feeling like your work lacks meaning. The term was coined in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. He volunteered in a free clinic for patients with drug addiction and he used "burnout" to describe the exhaustion suffered by workers in helping professions, such as medicine, which carry rigorous demands and high ideals. While the term has been applied to other professions, burnout is particularly high in healthcare: a report released last month from the National Academy of Medicine describes rampant burnout, with up to half of doctors feeling it. There are many causes such as demanding work schedules and little autonomy. System changes have also created burdensome administrative tasks and new care models, leading some to feel the emphasis is on documentation billing and performance metrics instead of patient care. Like clinicians, trainees also suffer burnout – an estimated 60%. The path to medical school and then residency and fellowship is long and challenging, and it's becoming more competitive. The average test scores at most medical schools are rising, even while medical advances mean there's much more to learn now to be a competent physician. Host Tessnim Ahmad (MS4) is joined by Nikhil Rajapuram (MS4) and Dr. Lee Jones, Associate Dean for Students.

Get in touch with Nikhil: Nikhil.Rajapuram@ucsf.edu

Burnout Survey: http://bit.ly/31U5qBj

Transcript: http://tiny.ucsf.edu/uYNXk2

Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

The Spark, Episode 17 - Burnout (Part 1) Nov 22, 2019

Show notes

Get in touch with Nikhil: Nikhil.Rajapuram@ucsf.edu

Burnout Survey: http://bit.ly/31U5qBj

Transcript: http://tiny.ucsf.edu/uYNXk2

Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

The Spark, Episode 16: The Opioid Epidemic Sep 30, 2019

Show notes

Host Tessnim Ahmad (MS4) discusses opiate prescribing and related research with Dr. Wen Shen, Professor in the UCSF Department of Surgery, and his former mentee, Stephanie Kwan.. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

The Spark, Episode 15: Gun Violence Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

Gun violence is one of the biggest Health & policy epidemics gripping the country right now. In 2017, nearly 40,000 people in the United States died from guns. Perhaps more surprising, in the United States of America firearms are the second leading cause of death for children. Suicide accounts for the majority of gun deaths, followed by homicides including mass shooting. While Suicide is complex and a product of a myriad of psychosocial and biological factors, access to firearms is associated with higher suicide completion rate, and studies have shown that the presence of a gun in the home increases the risk of suicide for all members of that household. In terms of mass shootings, they've become more common and deadlier in recent years. The shooting in Las Vegas in 2017 was the deadliest mass shooting in US history, killing 58, and last year was the worst on record for school shootings. Children in the US are 36 times more likely to be killed by guns compared to kids in other high-income countries, and there are substantial disparities by race and socioeconomic status with African-Americans especially likely to be affected by gun violence. Join your host Tessnim Ahmad (MS4) as she discusses the role of medical professionals in the firearm policy debate with Dr. Jahan Fahimi, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Board Member of SAFE: Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic, and fellow students Daniela Cordero and Mary Turocy. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

The Spark, Episode 14: Improving the Care of Dementias Jan 15, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, we showcase the latest research and patient care initiatives at UCSF and its School of Medicine focused on treating people with Alzheimer's disease and dementias, including student work in this area. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

The Spark, Episode 13: Treatment of Chronic Pain Nov 16, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, we showcase the latest research and patient care initiatives at UCSF and its School of Medicine focused on treating people with chronic pain, including student work in this area. We'll hear from Dr. Mark Schumacher, MD, PhD, Professor and Chief of the Division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, as well as third-year medical student Emma Levine. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

The Spark, Episode 12: Health Care Equity Oct 09, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, we feature initiatives in the School of Medicine focused on diversity, equity and inclusion – both in approaches to patient care and research, as well as in medical education via the Bridges Curriculum. We'll hear from Dr. Michelle Guy, a professor of medicine and a dean's diversity leader in the Differences Matter Initiative, as well as second year medical student Daniella Cordero, who has been instrumental in activism around gun violence prevention, White Coats for Black Lives, as well as gender and health equity. Music: Sneaker Chase by Podington Bear. Licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected