Posts by Patty Fahy, MD
Episode 6 – Physician Burnout: The Impact
This episode moves beyond the definition and underlying causes of burnout to focus on the impact on physicians, medical students, patients, and healthcare systems. Patty Fahy interviews a neurologist who retired in his 40’s and then five years later dusted off his medical license and launched a national company. She also interviews a medical student…
Read MoreEpisode 5 – Physician Suicide & Do No Harm | Robyn Symon
Robyn Symon Interview: Physician Suicide & DO NO HARM Robyn Symon, a two-time Emmy award-winning filmmaker, joined me for the Licensed to Lead podcast on April 30, 2020. Robyn has written, directed, and produced films and television series—and she specializes in documentaries. We spoke about her acclaimed and riveting film that takes an unblinking look…
Read MoreEpisode 4 – Physician Burnout: Definition, Controversies and Etiology
Physician Burnout: Definition, Controversies and Etiology The last episode waded into the murky waters of graduate business education. Anyone listening to that podcast should have emerged with serious doubts about whether an MBA is a desirable credential for healthcare, much less for healthcare leadership. This Licensed to Lead Podcast is the first of four episodes zeroing in on physician burnout. What is…
Read MoreEpisode 3 – Who Are The Masters of Healthcare?
The first two episodes of the LTL podcast spelled out why physicians are, well, LICENSED TO LEAD. What are the underlying issues, myths and evidence about physician leaders in healthcare? In this episode, it’s time to zero in on who is at the helm: if not physicians, who? This is a close look at graduate business degrees, MBA and MHA…
Read MoreEpisode 2 – Physician Leadership: The Myths and the Evidence
In this episode, Patty Fahy, MD, the host of Licensed to Lead describes the myths and evidence about physician leadership and why physicians are uniquely equipped to pick up the reins and lead our medical groups, hospitals, and healthcare systems. OVERVIEW PHYSICIAN CHARACTERISTICS= LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS MYTHS: Physicians are arrogant, un–herdable cats and lone wolves who don’t understand teamwork, business, or finances EVIDENCE: We’ve reviewed…
Read MoreUnleash The Instigator Within (When Your Team or Your Organizational Culture Needs a Shake Up)
My first grade teacher at Little Flower Catholic Grade School told me I was an instigator. I carried the ominous word home and pried the meaning out of my grandmother. Her explanation—a leader or troublemaker—was a relief. I was worried it meant an imminent prison sentence or a fast track to hell. The reflex of…
Read MoreEpisode 1 – Physician Leadership: The Foundation
The Licensed to Lead podcast is for physicians, physician leaders, or anyone who thinks healthcare needs a transformation. Licensed to Lead means that physicians must establish the vision and the medical standards in our healthcare organizations so that excellent patient care is the central focus. Currently, unlike other traditional professions, medicine is not led by members…
Read MoreWhy Leaders Must Embrace Resistance
You have an innovative idea that will streamline the work, double the margin, improve quality and eliminate the headaches. You got sponsorship, budget approval, and a project team. Today you are taking the plan out to your organization in a series of meetings. WAIT. What’s that noise? What are you hearing from colleagues? From those…
Read MorePhysicians Must Lead. Here’s Why
Some docs consistently say “no thanks” to formal leadership roles. They prefer not to run for a board position, become department chief, or step into an executive role because their passion and focus is patient care. This primary interest in the core work shows up in other professions, too. My brother, a mechanical engineer (I’d…
Read MoreA Critique of HBR’s Article: “You Can’t Fix Culture”
The Harvard Business Review magazine was on my desk, still in plastic: YOU CAN’T FIX CULTURE JUST FOCUS ON YOUR BUSINESS AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW I’ve been noting the disingenuous headlines that HBR plasters on its covers and its articles for years. That contrarian titling, or bait-and-switch, is the stuff of blogs, publications and…
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