The Long Call

How do you become the kind of physician you want to be? This episode reviews 10 books that can shape one's approach to medicine, leadership, productivity, and life beyond the hospital. From developing expertise to managing your time and finding purpose, these recommendations offer inspiration and practical insights for physicians at every stage of their careers. And don't worry — there's not a medical textbook in sight! Books featured in this episode: Grit — Angela DuckworthPeak — Anders Eric...

What happens when a physician is named in a malpractice lawsuit—and how do you navigate a process you were never trained for? We sit down with Dr. Sarah Gutman to talk candidly about medical litigation, from the initial shock and isolation to finding support, understanding the legal process, and separating a lawsuit from your identity as a physician. We discuss why residents should learn about the medical-legal system early, how colleagues and programs can better support physicians going thro...

Residency application season is upon us - what actually catches a PD's eye when reviewing them? In this episode, MDK pulls back the curtain on review of residency applications, from personal statements and letters of recommendation to application gaps, hobbies, and yes...typos. Along the way is some practical advice for helping to tell an authentic, compelling story, with the goal not to look perfect but to help programs understand the physician you are becoming.

Call shifts are demanding, unpredictable...and also some of the most memorable parts of training. In this episode, we share our practical survival tips for before, during, and after call — from sleep, caffeine, food, and what to wear to managing downtime, protecting your mental energy, and keeping the team vibes immaculate. We also reflect on why call can create such strong camaraderie and connection, even in the middle of the exhaustion.

In this episode, Khaila takes us behind the scenes of the fellowship interview trail while the experience is still fresh. She shares what surprised her most, how fellowship interviews differ from residency interviews, the questions that kept coming up, and what helped her prepare (without over-preparing). We also talk about evaluating program fit, the role of mentorship, interview fatigue and comparison, and the shift from trying to prove you belong to recognizing that getting the interview m...