Welcome to Why Medics Matter, a podcast exploring the challenges, triumphs, and unique experiences of doctors in today’s NHS. Hosted by Dr Amie Burbridge and Dr Simon Frazer from DoctorsTraining, this show is for doctors, by doctors.Each episode covers topics that matter to medics - medical educatio
Most of us have been told that a good doctor stays calm, keeps control, and doesn't let emotion get in the way. But what if control isn't something your brain can actually do? What if the anxiety, frustration and self-criticism you've spent years trying to suppress were never "you" in the first place? And what if the harder you push logic at them, the more they push back? In this conversation with Professor Steve Peters, consultant psychiatrist and author of The Chimp Paradox, we go dee...
Most of us have been told that the way to protect standards and patient safety is more structure: tighter curricula, exact numbers, rigid pathways, committing to a specialty by 24 and staying on that line to the end. But what if that's the very thing draining the joy out of being a doctor? What if the rules built to protect standards are quietly lowering them, by burning out capable people and straitjacketing the most able? And what if only a quarter of the recommendations that come out of re...
Most of us have been told that if a doctor is struggling with organisation, communication or exams, the problem is effort, attitude or resilience. But what if the very traits that got them into medical school, the hyper focus, the attention to detail, the sheer persistence, are the same ones that leave them exhausted once the job demands teamwork, small talk and juggling ten things on a ward round? What if the anxiety, the time off and the failed exams you're seeing are the symptom, not the c...
Most of us picture high performance as a Formula One pit stop: elite talent, huge resources, everyone flat out. In medicine we've quietly absorbed a version of that, the doctor as superhuman, no lunch, no sleep, just keep going. But what if that model is the very thing burning you out? What if the "high-pressure" environment we're so proud of surviving is actually what stops you performing at all? And what if real high performance starts not with pushing harder, but with admitting you're huma...
Your inbox is full, you've got reports to write, and you're typing it all one finger at a time. Why Medics Matter, from DoctorsTraining, for time-poor doctors who suspect AI could help but feel behind. Yasmeen Hyatt, an anaesthetics trainee spending her time mastering AI, gives you permission to start small and stay in control: where AI genuinely saves hours, why judgment must always stay yours, and how to use it without ever putting patient data at risk Support the show: If you found value i...
Why Medics Matter is DoctorsTraining's podcast for doctors who've been told to just "be more resilient." This week, Dr Claire Ashley author of The Burnout Doctor, now published in eight countries, makes the case that resilience has nothing to do with it, and that some of the most capable doctors are the ones who burn out hardest. She walks through the five stages that lead there, the moment her own denial finally cracked (a panic attack she never saw coming), and what actually helped her re...
In this episode, Simon and Amie discuss an often overlooked skill for healthcare professionals, influence and negotiation. While technical medical skills are explicitly taught, the art of navigating interpersonal conflict, job planning, and service changes is usually learned the hard way. Simon and Amie explore the pitfalls of traditional negotiation and share strategies for principled negotiation, helping you advocate for yourself and your patients while preserving vital workplac...
In this episode of Why Medics Matter, Amie and Simon look further at imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and burnout among medical professionals. Together Amie and Simon break down the five classic types of imposter phenomenon, explore how these traits act as modifiable risk factors for burnout, and discuss why career transitions trigger these feelings the most. Listen to the full interview with Claire Ashley, Season 2 Episode 11. Support the show: If you found value in this...
Have you ever felt like a fraud at work, or believed that your clinical success was just a stroke of luck? You are not alone alone. In this episode of Why Medics Matter, Simon and Amie are joined by GP, author, and burnout prevention expert Dr. Claire Ashley to discuss imposter syndrome. Discover the five distinct subtypes of imposter syndrome and takeaway some actionable tools that can help. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate, review, and subscr...
In this episode Simon and Amie undertake a candid reflection following their interview with Dr. Jason Hancock. They tackle one of the most challenging yet essential aspects of practicing medicine, managing and embracing clinical uncertainty. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter Podcast. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
In an era of AI and increasing data is clinical uncertainty a thing of the past? Simon and Amie are joined by Dr Jason Hancock, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Director of Medical Education. Together, they explore why uncertainty is not a flaw to be fixed with more tests or AI, but a core clinical skill that must be nurtured. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
Why do we stay silent when we witness inappropriate behaviour at work? In this episode Simon and Amie look at the psychology of the bystander effect and how it impacts the NHS. They explore the diffusion of responsibility that prevents doctors from acting and provide a practical toolkit for moving from a passive observer to an active upstander. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast ...
"I’ve been a doctor for 20 years, but for the first 15, I’d never heard of sexual safety in the workplace... why are we talking about this now?" In this vital episode, Amie and Simon are joined by Dr. Ellen Knox, Consultant Obstetrician and Associate Postgraduate Dean, to tackle the complex and often "harrowing" reality of sexual misconduct within the NHS. Support Resources & Links National 24/7 Sexual Abuse Support: 0808 500 2222 | rapecrisis.org.ukBMA Wellbeing Support (24/7...
"It Wasn't Like That When I Was a Trainee..." Have you ever caught yourself saying this on the ward? You’re not alone! Simon and Amie reflect on the generational differences in medicine, how they can create tension, and why mixing these diverse perspectives ultimately builds a complex, beautifully chaotic workplace. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
In this episode of Amie and Simon are joined by Dr. Toni Brunning to explore the fascinating world of Generational Intelligence. Is the generational gap in the NHS a source of unavoidable friction, or an untapped opportunity for better leadership?. We discuss how to co-design education that actually works for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Support the show: If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe! Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, rev...
Amie and Simon talk about shame and culture, and the importance of being open and honest and developing compassionate communities. Remember, you matter. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
In this raw and honest episode of Why Medics Matter, we step into the uncomfortable territory of shame in medicine. It’s the feeling that keeps us awake at 3am replaying a patient encounter, the inner voice that tells us a clinical error is a moral failing rather than a human one. In this episode we are joined by Dr Mike Blaber, Palliative Medicine Consultant in the West Midlands and and we explore shame and imposter thoughts and why sharing our shame stories can be incredibly powerfu...
The first phase of the The Medical Training Review was published in October 2025. Amie and Simon reflect on the review and how things might look for the future of Postgraduate medical training. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
Welcome to Season 2! Simon and Amie are joined by Dr Vijay Nayar to explore one of the most critical skills in medicine, communication. In this episode, they discuss the differences between high-context and low-context cultures, the power of vulnerability at work and share insights on navigating communication challenges faced by doctors who have trained outside the UK. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your...
It’s the end of the very first year of Why Medics Matter and to celebrate, Simon and Amie have curated some of their favourite moments from the incredible expert speakers who joined the show throughout 2025. Relax and enjoy some of the standout moments that shaped our first year and look ahead to an exciting 2026. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
Simon and Amie explore the all important job plan. They reflect on how to negotiate it, optimise it, and build a job plan that works for you. https://www.rcp.ac.uk/improving-care/resources/empowering-physicians-effective-job-planning-for-better-patient-care/ Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
The transition to becoming a Consultant or SAS Doctor is one of the biggest steps in a medical career. In this episode, Simon and Amie are joined by Dr Anna Baverstock to explore how best to prepare for this change. Together, they reflect on the challenges, surprises, and strategies that can help make the move from resident doctor to an autonomous practitioner. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite pod...
Simon and Amie reflect on the importance of autonomy and identity for SAS doctors. We discuss how labels can empower and limit us and how autonomy and recognition are central to professional identity. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
It’s SAS Week, and Simon and Amie are joined by Dr Swetha Maddula Batambuze, SAS Chair at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Together, they reflect on the highs and lows of being a SAS doctor, highlighting the challenges, opportunities, and reasons to celebrate this vital group of clinicians. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
On the 29th August, NHS England published the 10 Point Plan to improve resident doctors’ working lives. Simon and Amie discuss the ten points and ask "Does it go far enough"? Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
In this episode, Professor Namita Kumar, Rheumatologist and Postgraduate Dean for North East England and North Cumbria, shares practical tips on becoming a supportive, inspiring and skilled supervisor. We also explore the challenges facing medical education today and how we can all play a role in shaping its future. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
Why do we find it so difficult to say no? Amie and Simon discuss the power of saying no and provide useful tips to help with those difficult conversations we all have. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
Boundaries in medicine are vital for our mental fitness. In this episode, Simon and Toni reflect on the increasingly blurred lines between work and home life, and ask the important question: Should doctors be in work WhatsApp groups? Toni shares three practical tips to help maintain boundaries; 1. Recognise when boundaries are needed 2. Set the boundary 3. Maintain those boundaries with confidence and consistency If you are constantly checking your phone, looking at work WhatsApp groups, ...
In this episode, Amie and Simon dive into the transformative power of coaching and the surprising ways it can elevate your career. From the art of active listening to unlocking potential through meaningful conversations, they explore why coaching isn't just helpful, but essential. Whether you're just starting out or decades into your journey, coaching has something to offer. Learn more at www.doctorstraining.com Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and ...
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between coaching and mentoring? Simon is joined by Dr Susy Stirling, an Associate Dean in Yorkshire and Humber and a Coach. The benefits of coaching in resident doctors are discussed and as ever we share our personal stories and how coaching has impacted our lives. Support the show: If you found value in this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Why Medics Matter on your favourite podcast platform!
About Why Medics Matter
Welcome to Why Medics Matter, a podcast exploring the challenges, triumphs, and unique experiences of doctors in today’s NHS. Hosted by Dr Amie Burbridge and Dr Simon Frazer from DoctorsTraining, this show is for doctors, by doctors.Each episode covers topics that matter to medics - medical educatio
Why Medics Matter is a English learning podcast from DoctorsTraining. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
