In S 3 E 11 I am delighted to welcome Associate Professor Rhea Liang to the podcast. Rhea is a general and breast surgeon, surgical educator, and diversity advocate. She is Surgical Discipline Lead and Clinical Sub-Dean at Bond University, and notably she is the immediate past Chair of the RACS Operate With Respect education committee.
A third of medical trainees report that they have experienced or witnessed workplace bullying or harassment, including racism in 2021 according to the AHPRA annual Medical Training Survey. After a sentinel event in 2015 RACS launched Building Respect. In this conversation we delve into the nuts and bolts of what it actually takes in terms of planning, investment, resources, expertise and supports to role out a strategy and system designed to change culture.
Rhea gives wonderful insights from her international learning and experience across disciplines and industries designing and implementing change in complex systems. The conversation zooms in and out from big picture systems thinking to on the ground clinician experience, from the professional to the personal and from the logistics of process to the truly practical. Rhea explains the mechanics of having peer " cup of coffee" conversations to address disrespectful behaviours, the evidence-base behind this work and some real world examples. She breaks down her very practical 5 step tool for helping medical students and doctors in training to build skills to address micro-aggressions and micro-inequities in the moment.
We discuss her own career journey experience, opportunities and challenges and her powerful drive, purpose and passion as a clinical champion and advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion permeates this entire conversation. I left uplifted and very inspired by the thoughtful, intelligent and brilliant clinician.
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better"
Maya Angelou
Reference / Links :
Dr Rhea Liang Twitter @LiangRhea.
Research in Diversity
Liang R, Dornan T, Nestel D. Why do women leave surgical training? A qualitative and feminist study. Lancet. 2019 Feb 9;393(10171):541-549. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32612-6. PMID: 30739689.
RACS Operating with Respect and Building Respect Strategic Plan https://www.surgeons.org/about-racs/about-respect/what-we-are-doing
Podcasts with Rhea
Dr Matt and Dr Mike's Medical Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-it-takes-to-be-a-surgeon-with-dr-rhea-liang/id1270681468?i=1000540825239
The Theatre RCSE 1/4 part series with Dr Rhea Liang and Dr Simon Fleming
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1IQdrxQW63FmnRbWoIlhnQ?si=oAi6lcMtQJmztyjx6oaLCA
Cheryl's Podcast Recommendation of the month
Dare to Lead with Brene Brown and Dr Linda Hill on Leading with purpose in the digital age
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Qem4
The Mind Full Medic Podcast is proudly sponsored by the MBA NSW-ACT Find out more about their service or donate today at www.mbansw.org.au
Disclaimer: The content in this podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care professional. Moreover views expressed here are our own and do not necessarily reflect those of our employers or other official organisations.