Dr. V. Fan Tait is a pediatric neurologist with years of experience in child health and wellness, family-centered care in medical homes, children with special needs, health care delivery, and advocacy for children, families, and pediatricians. She earned a BS from the University of Alabama, her MD from the University of Kentucky Medical Center, and completed her pediatric residency and pediatric neurology fellowship at the University of Utah Medical Center.
For more than 10 years, Dr. Tait directed the Department of Child Health and Wellness which included many of the strategic priorities of the academy: early brain and child development; the Institute of Healthy Childhood Weight; Bright Futures and the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness, which addressed health in Head Start and Child Care. In addition, she led the Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council (DPAC) from its inception and continues to be actively involved in the national climate change initiatives.
[00:01] Opening Segment
- Dr. Fan Tait tells us the story behind her career as a pediatric neurologist
- She talks about the advocacy that she only realized when she became a pediatrician
[05:46] Becoming a Member of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Here’s how Fan became a chapter president of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- What she loves the most about working with her fellow pediatricians in the Academy
- The main reason medical homes are a big issue for Fan
- Fan leaves a message for her fellow pediatricians
[15:57] Coping with the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic
- The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients’ mental health
- Listen to Fan’s thoughts
- Fan shares some resources about how to address mental health issues
- Pediatricians should accept the fact that they can’t fix everything
- Here’s what they should focus on instead
- The importance of education according to Fan
[30:39] Pediatricians Taking Care of Themselves
- Why pediatricians should also take care of their health and wellness
- Listen to our interesting exchange about “moral injuries”
- Here’s our conversation about vaccines and vaccination programs
- What’s the difference between self-sacrifice vs. self-preservation?
[45:17] Dealing with Negative Self-Thoughts
- How pediatricians can deal with their negative self-thoughts
- Fan gives us a sneak peek about the 2022 Healthcare Workforce Rescue Package
- Link below
- Fan sends a message for her resident self
- Listen to her message!
[54:33] Closing Segment
- Final takeaways
- Acknowledgment for Dr. Fan’s contributions to the American Academy of Pediatrics
- How to start an advocacy campaign for kids
- The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our mental health
- Resources about the COVID-19 pandemic accessible to you
- Access to care services remains an issue
- What pediatricians can offer to families right now
- Screening for social determinants of health, depression, suicidal ideation, food insecurity, and housing
- Don’t fix everything alone
- Remember why we pediatricians are making sacrifices
- What is a “moral injury?”
- Dealing with burnout
- The metaphor of the oxygen mask
- The 2022 Healthcare Workforce Rescue Package
- The economic impacts of COVID-19 on patients and pediatricians
- Be honest about what you can and cannot do.
- You are enough, always
Key Quotes:
“You don’t have to be proud in the negative sense of pride, but you do have to have confidence in yourself, that you can do it, and you should do it.” – Dr. Fan Tait
“f physicians are well themselves, then I believe the care that they give is better.” – Dr. Fan Tait
Resources mentioned:
- Physician Burnout & Moral Injury: The Hidden Health Care Crisis
- 4 ways COVID-19 is causing moral distress among physicians
- 2022 Healthcare Workforce Rescue Package
- Physician Health and Wellness
- More control over work environment can improve physician wellness
- Survey: Pandemic disrupting practices, finances of early, midcareer pediatricians
- Introduction: Women in Medicine
- Pediatric Meldown previous episode: Food Insecurity: No Child Should Go Hungry
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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If you’d like to connect with me, you can find me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or email me at [email protected] or [email protected]. To learn more about me visit https://www.medicalbhs.com/
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