Marcus sits down with Dr. Michael Schmitz, an emergency physician in Maine, to discuss how docs can notice burnout and compassion fatigue as soon as they start…and what docs can do about it. Learn what term Dr. Schmitz has coined to describe emotions and conditions that go beyond burnout, beyond compassion fatigue and beyond exhaustion. Find out what is on both Dr. Schmitz’s play list and compare it to Marcus’. Finally, learn the ancient wisdom passed down by one of the greatest teachers of all time and how Dr. Schmitz applies this guidance to his work in medicine.
Key topics:
- 00:00 – Introduction
- 00:54 – Marcus asks about Dr. Schmitz’ article on burnout.
- 04:55 – The two talk about COVID and the intersection of art and life.
- 06:51 – Dr. Schmitz talks about getting his start in the medical field.
- 12:21 – Marcus asks if there a specific time he witnessed compassion. Dr. Schmitz talks about an interaction with a patient’s mother in the back of a EMS Truck that he was not prepared for.
- 20:38 – The idea of teaching compassion and effective writing to healthcare students comes up and the two talk about the shift in recent years to equip students for their chosen field.
- 24:25 – Marcus asks Dr. Schmitz how he takes care of himself.
- 30:23 – Dr. Schmitz is asked about his music collection and then they talk about how music has influenced their lives. Dr. Schmitz wants to leave people with, “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
- 42:02 – Thank you and conclusions!
Resources for you:
More About Mike Schmitz DO, MS, FACEP:
Current roles:
- Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Southern Maine Health Care
- Medical Director, YCEMA COVID Vaccination Center
- Medical Director, Paramedic Program, Southern Maine Community College
- Clinical Instructor, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Publications:
- Schmitz M. Author. “Can We Please Stop Calling it Burnout?” MedPage Today Second Opinions. 2022 July 10.
- Schmitz M. Author. “Is It Really a Question of Mandates or Morals?” MedPage Today Second Opinions. 2022 Jan 17.
- Schmitz M. Author/Guest. “3-M Mask.” National Public Radio—Here & Now. 2021 June 9.
- Schmitz M. Author. “A Promise to Carry the Fire - An Essay for Doctor’s Day” Real Talk Podcast. 2021 March 30.
- Schmitz M. Author. “An Open Letter to My Paramedic Students” EMSWorld. 2020 31 March.
- Schmitz M. Author. “College Degrees and the Affective Domain” EMSWorld. 9 November 2019.
- Schmitz M. Author. “The Professional and the Paper” EMSWorld online 22 April 2019. print June 2019 Vol. 48, No. 6
Date: 10/24/2022
Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare
Episode title and number: Episode 73 – Dr. Michael Schmitz - How Emergency Docs Deal with Emotions
