A Doctor's View

Dr Paul Polyvios

A Doctor’s View takes a deeper look at common medical and health-related issues, approaching each topic with clarity, honesty, and a thoughtful, reflective style. Hosted by Dr Polyvios, the podcast connects clinical insight with everyday experience — exploring the medical facts, the psychology behind them, and how they shape everyday life. A calm, engaging space for anyone who wants to understand health and the human experience more clearly — all from a light-hearted but opinionated doctor’s perspective. Instagram: @adoctorsview Twitter: @DrPolyvios Email: adoctorsview@gmail.com *Disclaimer* Please be aware that all opinions and content expressed in this podcast do not constitute professional medical advice. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical questions or concerns. Under no circumstances shall the podcast host or guests be liable for any damages resulting from the use of this podcast.

  1. AUG 6

    Invisible Exhaustion: How Decision and Noise Fatigue Drain Us

    If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! Have you ever wondered why you struggle to decide what to have for dinner after a long day at work? That mental exhaustion has a name—decision fatigue—and it affects everyone, but takes a particularly heavy toll on healthcare professionals. Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of our choices after prolonged periods of decision-making. While it might sound like an academic concept, its effects are profoundly practical and widespread. For doctors and nurses, decision fatigue isn't just an inconvenience; it's a daily challenge that can affect patient care and personal wellbeing. Throughout a typical hospital shift, healthcare workers make hundreds of micro-decisions. When a nurse reports a patient's overnight blood pressure drop, this triggers a cascade of mental questions about causation and treatment options. Even seemingly simple requests like prescribing pain relief require careful consideration of drug interactions, patient history, and potential side effects. These continuous small decisions gradually erode mental reserves, leading to compromised judgment as the day progresses. Compounding this challenge is what I call "noise fatigue"—the mental drain caused by constant exposure to beeping monitors, alarms, phones, and the general cacophony of busy wards. This sensory overload further taxes already strained cognitive resources. It explains why many hospital staff eat lunch in silence or why closing your front door at home becomes the most cherished moment of the day—finally experiencing silence and freedom from the pressure of constant decision-making. Understanding these psychological phenomena helps explain seemingly irrational behaviours and underscores the importance of creating systems that minimise unnecessary decisions. While recognising decision fatigue doesn't excuse poor choices, it helps us develop strategies to preserve mental energy for critical decisions and create environments that support rather than deplete our cognitive resources. Next time you feel inexplicably exhausted, consider how many decisions you've made recently and perhaps give yourself the gift of silence. Your brain will thank you. Thank you for listening! email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

    27 min
  2. 08/13/2023

    Perfectionism, Burnout, and Productivity: A Deep Dive into Healthcare Challenges and Solutions

    If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! Ever felt the weight of perfectionism bearing down on you, be it personal or professional? Join me, Dr. Polyvios, as I engage in a profound discussion with Dr. Samantha Anthony about perfectionism and the corresponding burnout it can provoke, particularly in the healthcare field. With a personal touch, Dr. Anthony uncovers her own struggles with perfectionism, highlighting the often-overlooked traits such as persistent guilt, fear of criticism, and a compulsive need for excessive preparation. From this enlightening exchange, you'll discover how accepting our limitations and recognizing the elusive nature of perfect outcomes can moderate perfectionism and kindle productivity. Steering the conversation towards the darker side of perfectionism, we expose the specter of unrealistic expectations and the storm of guilt and fear it can stir. Unpacking the importance of downtime, we spotlight how career interruptions are not just breaks but opportunities for personal growth and development. Drawing inspiration from nations like Australia that have mandated time off, we dig into how such strategies can ward off burnout. Listen and gather valuable insights on the significance of reliable support for those who step back from work to reclaim their wellbeing. Wrapping up our discussion, we consider the broad-ranging impact of perfectionism across various professions, acknowledging its role in fuelling creativity yet also recognizing its potential to lead to burnout. Our dialogue circles around the stress perfectionism can engender in the workplace and the strategies to support those wrestling with its weight. We stress the importance of open communication in recognizing burnout signs and promoting a safe space for these crucial conversations. Listen in to gain actionable ideas on balancing perfectionism with creativity, navigating career decisions in medicine, and supporting mental health in the workplace. Permitted to Pause Mugs: Buy a Permitted to Pause mug here Permitted to Pause: Website: www.permittedtopause.co.uk Instagram: @permittedtopause Doctors in Distress: Website: www.doctors-in-distress.org.uk Instagram: @docs_in_distress Thank you for listening! email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

    1h 5m
  3. 01/18/2023

    Eating Disorders and Body Image | feat. The London Centre

    If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! This episode focuses on an important topic that is becoming more and more prevalent. An eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia is a severe psychological eating disorder where an individual restricts their food intake to lose weight or avoid weight gain. Recorded at The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image, I’m joined by Dr Bryony Bamford, Founder and Director and Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Christina de Beukelaar, The London Centre’s Lead Dietitian. We discuss a number of questions that surround eating disorders and the role of a clinical psychologist and dietician when treating such a difficult and debilitating illness. These include:  Why eating disorders are so hard to treat.The common personality traits seen in eating disorders.Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).The role a dietitian plays in treating eating disorders, a psychological illness.What is refeeding syndrome and why is this such an important risk in eating disorder patients?What an initial consultation and process with a patient looks like.How treatment plans vary for different eating disorders and different ways of controlling weight such as laxatives, purging and over-exercises.Treating eating disorders with patients who have strict vegan diets.Thoughts on showing calories on restaurant menus.How the pandemic impacted the number suffering with eating disorders.How social media is contributing to the rise in eating disorders.Advice for parents or people coming to terms with an eating disorder.How to seek help.Bios: Dr Bryony Bamford Dr Bryony Bamford is a specialist eating disorder psychologist treating children adolescents and adults with eating disorders, eating problems and low body esteem. She has been treating eating disorders throughout her 20-year career. She has worked with individuals with eating disorders across a number of different treatment settings, inpatient and outpatient, and within the NHS and privately. Early on in her career Dr Bamford worked in international research, developing psychological treatments for severe and enduring anorexia. In 2013 Dr Bamford founded The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image.  Christina de Beukelaar Christina de Beukelaar is a specialist dietitian and has over 15 years clinical experience, her expertise spans all areas of Dietetics and Nutrition, specialising specifically in eating disorders.  Christina’s practical and person-centred approach allows individuals to establish long term lifestyle changes.  She works directly with clients and additionally provides education and training for their family members around food and meal times. Useful Links: The London CentreNHS BEAT Eating DisordersOther specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) information Thank you for listening! email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

    56 min

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A Doctor’s View takes a deeper look at common medical and health-related issues, approaching each topic with clarity, honesty, and a thoughtful, reflective style. Hosted by Dr Polyvios, the podcast connects clinical insight with everyday experience — exploring the medical facts, the psychology behind them, and how they shape everyday life. A calm, engaging space for anyone who wants to understand health and the human experience more clearly — all from a light-hearted but opinionated doctor’s perspective. Instagram: @adoctorsview Twitter: @DrPolyvios Email: adoctorsview@gmail.com *Disclaimer* Please be aware that all opinions and content expressed in this podcast do not constitute professional medical advice. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical questions or concerns. Under no circumstances shall the podcast host or guests be liable for any damages resulting from the use of this podcast.