Pediatric Advanced Clinical Focus Session: It's Okay to Not Be Okay: Despite Perceptions Otherwise, Everyone Has Mental, Family, & Physical Health Challenges to Overcome and Achieve Success.-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the session titled "It's Okay Not to Be Okay," the panel of medical professionals, including Jeremy Roberts, Megan Machak, and Dinesh Ratnasingham, shared their personal stories and insights on dealing with various challenges during medical training and practice. Jeremy recounted his experience of being diagnosed with testicular cancer during his pediatric rehabilitation fellowship and how he navigated his treatment plan while continuing his academic path. He emphasized the importance of health being a priority and the support he received from his program was crucial in maintaining equilibrium.<br /><br />Megan discussed her encounter with PTSD following a traumatic event early in her medical training, highlighting the struggles of balancing personal mental health challenges with academic responsibilities. She stressed the significance of recognizing when help is needed and utilizing available resources without stigma.<br /><br />Dinesh shared insights from his life, coping with his mother's illness, and balancing the roles of a caregiver and a medical professional. He focused on the importance of responding empathetically to those around us, within healthcare systems and personally, fostering an environment of support and understanding.<br /><br />The talk collectively addressed the need for systemic change in the medical field to better support professionals' mental and physical health, moving away from solely emphasizing individual resiliency. They discussed strategies and offered advice on managing disclosures, leveraging available resources, and ensuring supportive structures within healthcare organizations. The session encouraged ongoing discourse about mental health, dismantling stigma, and creating an empathetic and supportive medical community.

Keywords

mental health

medical training

testicular cancer

PTSD

caregiver

healthcare support

systemic change

resiliency

stigma

empathetic environment

supportive structures