In this Episode I am delighted to welcome Dr Yumiko Kadota to the podcast. Dr Kadota is a medical doctor with experience and training in plastic surgery, a lecturer and anatomy teacher to university undergraduates in Sydney, a yoga teacher, fitness instructor and most recently she added best selling author to her long list of accomplishments. In 2019 she wrote a blog post about her experiences of a toxic culture and inhumane rostering and workload in Sydney hospital as a plastic surgical trainee. She suffered from severe occupational burnout and subsequent clinical depression. In March 2021 she released her book and memoir "Emotional Female". In Emotional Female she describes her own experiences of mental health issues, racism, bullying, misogyny and sexual harassment during medical training.
In this conversation we discuss her story, systemic failure and toxic culture in medicine. We revisit themes of occupational burnout, stigma surrounding mental illness amongst medical professionals and what it means to have good health and wellbeing.
We discuss the creative process of writing and the importance of creative outlet for Yumiko. As a fellow yoga teacher, we discuss the role yoga has played in her self development and continues to have in her daily life.
Ultimately I feel grateful we are able to have this conversation "on the other side" of her experiences and that she is well and able to find "santosha" ( contentment ) in the space she now finds herself.
You can learn more about Dr Kadota here:
https://mindbodymiko.com/the-ugly-side-of-becoming-a-surgeon/
https://twitter.com/mindbodymiko
You can order Emotional Female here:
booktopia.kh4ffx.net/AdEzJ
If any of the topics discussed in this episode have affected you or a colleague /friend please reach out and /or access some of the resources linked here:
HandnHand Peer Support for All Health Care Workers
https://m.facebook.com/HandnHandAU/
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ten/
For Doctors and Medical Students
https://drs4drs.com.au/getting-help/
In Victoria and Tasmania
https://vdhp.org.au/home/links
In Crisis Call 1300 374 377 ( 24/7 help line)
If you are not a Dr or Medical Student
Call Life line 13 11 14
Beyond Blue
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.
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.