In this episode of The Hat Rack, we Dr. Vladimir Yakovishin, a Western University alumnus with a powerful story of resilience in the face of adversity. Dr. Yakovishin shares his journey of unexpectedly losing his vision during medical school and the impact it had on his path to psychiatry. His insights reveal how mentorship, collegiality, and the support of the medical community helped him overcome self-doubt and persevere in his career. Together, they discuss the importance of not facing obstacles alone and the role of supportive networks in overcoming professional challenges.

Dr. Dave Davis suggests you consider being your own CME Director from his over 40 years of experience as a practicing physician and CME/CPD influencer. A Western University medical school graduate, Dr. Davis has been involved in changing and improving the quality of CME/CPD for practicing physicians by holding many roles over his career. Among other positions, he has been Chair of Continuing Education at McMaster's Faculty of Health Sciences, Associate Dean of CPD at the University of Toronto, Chair for the Alliance for CME, and Chair of the Society of Academic Medicine.

Dave Davis on LinkedIn

Article discussed in episode.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) provides a preview of future changes to the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. Katherine Marsden, Associate Director of Learning & Strategy, RCPSC shares updates, supports and clarification throughout her interview with 'The Hat Rack'.

Welcome Melissa Lujan and Zarreen Warsi from The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) to ‘The Hat Rack’. Listen in on our conversation highlighting the Mainpro+ Program, Professional Learning Plans (PLP) opportunities and Linking Learning. Rethink your approach to capturing your CPD through point of care learning and peer learning as well as hear about the upcoming 2024 changes at the CFPC.

Learn together with ‘The Hat Rack’ on how artificial intelligence is being used in healthcare.  Dr. Rob Arntfield, Medical Director of the Critical Care Trauma Centre at London Health Sciences Centre provides some background on AI, how AI is being used today, predictions for future opportunities along with strategies of how to get involved with AI in your practice.

Website referred to in podcast: Western Sono

George Kovacs of Dalhousie University and a practicing physician in Nova Scotia discusses with ‘The Hat Rack’ skills acquisition and procedural learning.  Are you practicing enough?  Where are your practicing opportunities?  With our guest’s many years of experience, Dr. Kovacs explains how the Clinical Cadaver Program came to be.  Listen In.

In this episode we delve into transformative learning in medical practice with Dr. Steve Wong, director of the renowned "This Changed My Practice" program at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Wong shares invaluable insights on integrating Continuing Medical Education (CME) seamlessly into daily practice, highlighting real-life stories of impactful changes and innovations. Join us for an enlightening conversation that explores the power of reflective learning and practical strategies to enhance professional growth and patient care.

In the first episode, Dr. John Yoo, the Dean of Medicine, delivers a greeting and discusses the significance of CPD, emphasizing its value and the efforts to enhance continuing education and professional development at Schulich. Following this, Dr. Fawad Ahmed, a family doctor and chair of the Schulich Windsor Faculty Development Committee, provides insights into the Windsor Faculty Development Plan, highlighting their innovative three-year rolling seminar series aimed at addressing the specific development needs of faculty members in Windsor.

In this episode, Dr. Kristin Clemens, an endocrinologist and associate professor in the Department of Medicine at Schulich, discusses the Faculty Development Mini Fellowship, a unique opportunity awarded through the CPD Office, and shares her enriching experience with the Harvard Leadership Certificate Program. She details the courses she took, the skills she developed, and the impact of emotional intelligence on her leadership style. This episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in leadership development and professional growth within the medical field.

In this episode, Dr. Alison Allan, Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Schulich, discusses the Basic Medical Sciences Leadership Program, developed to address the specific leadership development needs of faculty in the basic medical sciences. She explains the program’s three levels—investigation, application, and refinement—each tailored to different stages of leadership experience. Dr. Allan highlights the collaborative effort behind the program’s creation and its focus on fostering a culture of leadership within Schulich, ensuring that leaders at all stages receive appropriate and evolving development. Join us for an insightful exploration of how leadership training can be tailored to benefit both individual faculty members and the institution as a whole.

In this episode, Dr. Adam Gavarkovs, PhD, an education developer within the CPD office, presents a novel approach to conducting needs assessments in continuing professional development. He discusses the importance of a thorough needs assessment in creating effective educational activities and introduces a new methodology developed by the CPD office. This approach goes beyond identifying competency gaps, incorporating factors such as subjective gaps, the perceived importance of competencies, and alignment with organizational values. Join us to learn how these innovative strategies can enhance the impact of CPD activities and ensure they meet the real needs of physicians.

In this episode, Dr. Sonja Payne, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine at Schulich, discusses the development of an online module titled “Managing the Unanticipated Difficult Airway” (MUDA). She explains the motivation behind the project, which stemmed from a needs assessment highlighting gaps in airway management skills among anesthesiologists. Dr. Payne elaborates on the multi-faceted educational program that combines e-learning, hands-on simulation, and high-fidelity scenarios to teach both technical and non-technical skills. Tune in to learn about this innovative approach to critical skills training and the collaborative efforts that made it possible.

In this episode, Dr. Gauri Ghate, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine, discusses the creation of an online module designed to improve the emergency department care of sexual assault survivors. She highlights the importance of addressing both the physical and psychosocial trauma experienced by these patients and shares insights from her needs assessment survey, which identified gaps in knowledge among emergency physicians. Dr. Ghate also talks about the collaborative efforts with the CPD team to develop an interactive and CME-accredited module that aims to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care. Tune in to learn about this crucial educational resource and its potential impact on patient care in emergency settings.

In this episode, Dr. Shanil Narayan, a General Internist and Adjunct Professor who also serves as the Regional Academic Director for the Huron Perth Academy of the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, discusses a project aimed at improving the management of congestive heart failure in rural environments. He shares insights from a comprehensive needs assessment and explains how the results informed the design of an interdisciplinary heart function program. Tune in to learn about the innovative strategies implemented to address the unique challenges faced by healthcare providers in rural settings and how these efforts have led to improved patient outcomes.

In this episode, Dr. Tim Nguyen, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncology, presents findings from a national survey of Canadian oncologists, which aimed to understand their preferences and barriers regarding continuing professional development (CPD). He discusses key insights, such as the value placed on peer interactions, journal articles, and conferences, as well as the challenges of time constraints and financial barriers. Dr. Nguyen also explores potential solutions, including leveraging AI for knowledge consolidation and enhancing institutional support for CPD. Tune in to learn about the evolving landscape of professional development in oncology and the innovative approaches being considered to address unmet needs.

In this episode, Dr. Rookaya Mather, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology, discusses the critical importance of operating room ergonomics and the prevention of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries among healthcare professionals. She shares her personal experience with a work-related injury and the insights gained from an interdisciplinary forum on MSK injury prevention. Dr. Mather highlights the need for ergonomic assessments, proactive physical conditioning, and collaboration with occupational health services to mitigate injury risks. Tune in to learn about practical strategies and best practices to optimize ergonomics and protect the well-being of healthcare providers in procedural specialties.

In this episode, Dr. Sabe De, an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology and this year's recipient of the Schulich Award of Excellence in Continuing Medical Education, shares his experiences in coordinating large virtual CPD events, including the Western University Virtual Echo Symposium and the Western University Update in Cardiology. He discusses the planning, execution, and benefits of virtual learning, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and potential for high-quality education. Tune in to learn about the innovative approaches being employed to enhance virtual CPD and engage a broad audience in the cardiology community.

In this episode, Dr. Michelle-Lee Jones, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences at Schulich, discusses the development and impact of social accountability rounds within her department. She explains the rationale behind this initiative, the diverse topics covered, and the importance of addressing psychosocial determinants of health in medical education. Dr. Jones highlights the positive feedback received from faculty and trainees and shares future perspectives on expanding and improving the rounds. Join us to learn about this innovative approach to integrating social accountability into medical training and its potential to enhance patient care.

Join The Hat Rack as we explore the realities of rural medical practice. Dr. Ken Milne, a seasoned emergency physician, and Dr. Matt Breton, a newly practicing family doctor, discuss the unique challenges of continuing medical education (CME) in rural environments, balancing limited resources with high demands. Learn about innovative approaches to staying up-to-date, fostering collegial relationships, and adapting clinical guidelines to fit local contexts.

In this episode of The Hat Rack, we Dr. Vladimir Yakovishin, a Western University alumnus with a powerful story of resilience in the face of adversity. Dr. Yakovishin shares his journey of unexpectedly losing his vision during medical school and the impact it had on his path to psychiatry. His insights reveal how mentorship, collegiality, and the support of the medical community helped him overcome self-doubt and persevere in his career. Together, they discuss the importance of not facing obstacles alone and the role of supportive networks in overcoming professional challenges.