Stimulus - Learn Tools to Crush It in Your Medical Career

Rob Orman, MD
  • 4.9 (421)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY
Stimulus - Learn Tools to Crush It in Your Medical Career

Do you work in medicine and love patient care but feel like parts of the job don’t measure up? Stimulus equips you with tools, mindset shifts, and strategies they didn’t teach you in training—so you can practice medicine like a boss, flourish in your career, and not let it crush your soul. Emergency physician and executive coach Rob Orman, MD, goes in-depth with thought leaders on how to avoid burnout, improve communication, lead without drama, and stay calm amidst the storm. Don’t just suck it up, think differently.

  1. FEB 24

    Active Shooter:  Run, Hide, or Fight?

    Violence has a cadence, a rhythm that disrupts the normal flow of life. When an act of violence erupts, the first sign is often a sudden, unexplainable shift in the environment—an eerie silence, a heightened energy, or a gut feeling that something is wrong. But when does that uneasy feeling cross the threshold into immediate danger? In this episode, we explore the critical decision points in an active violence situation in the healthcare/hospital setting, the moral and ethical dilemmas of medical providers staying versus escaping, and tactical strategies for survival. Finally, we break down the "run, hide, fight" approach and how to act decisively when every second counts. Guest bio: Mike Shertz, MD is an emergency physician who spent 13 years as a Green Beret and a Special Forces medic. He is the founder and purveyor of Crisis Medicine, which teaches tactical casualty care to medical professionals. Check out this video that we did together in 2019 on how to place and remove a tourniquet and this one on how to pack a gunshot wound with combat gauze.  Want more? Subscribe to our free newsletter, Doctoring Done Well. Every other Saturday, straight to your inbox—strategies to work smarter, lead better, and build a career that lasts. We Discuss: Recognizing an Active Violence SituationMoral Dilemmas: Stay or Escape?Perspectives on Risk and ResponseTactical Survival: Run, Hide, FightPost-Shooting Medical Response

    32 min

  2. FEB 10

    The Upset Patient Protocol

    Dealing with an angry, upset patient can feel like walking into an emotional storm. The frustration in the room is palpable, and even the most experienced clinicians can feel thrown off balance. While medical training equips us to handle complex diagnoses and emergencies, it often falls short when it comes to managing interpersonal conflict. That’s where the Universal Upset Patient Protocol comes in—a straightforward, highly effective framework designed to de-escalate tense situations, restore trust, and protect your own emotional bandwidth. In this episode, we explore Dr. Dike Drummond’s original protocol, breaking down each step with specific language to use in the heat of the moment. Finally, we’ll add a few practical tweaks to help make these conversations even more natural and effective in real-world practice. 💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡 Guest Bio: Dike Drummond, MD, is a physician coach, burnout prevention expert, and creator of the Universal Upset Patient Protocol—a step-by-step framework for managing challenging interactions with upset patients. A former family physician, he transitioned to coaching to address the emotional toll of healthcare on providers. As founder of TheHappyMD.com, he’s helped thousands of physicians improve communication, manage stress, and build healthier professional relationships. We Discuss:The Universal Upset Patient Protocol: A Framework for Diffusing ConflictKey Principle: Acknowledgment Over FixingStep 1: Acknowledge the Vibe and Name the EmotionStep 2: Open the Door for Them to SpeakStep 3: Apologize and Show CompassionStep 4: Identify Their NeedStep 5: Clarifying Reflection (Rob O Addition)Step 6: Set Boundaries and ExpectationsStep 7: Express GratitudeBeyond the Protocol: The Magic of Conflict Framework Mentioned in this episode: 5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier Scripts for your least favorite conversations. The quick and dirty guide to calling consults. A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work. My favorite documentation templates. Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death. Free Resources Link Upcoming Programs You Won’t Want to Miss! Awake and AwareMay 5–7 | Bend, Oregon - A 3-day, in-person workshop to challenge your mindset, recharge your purpose, and connect with people who get it. The Unburnable CourseStarts September | Online - A 6-month, online program with bi-weekly live coaching. Real strategies for career longevity and resilience. Spots are limited. Check the show notes for details! Our Current Courses Doctoring Done Well | Bite-Sized Wins Every other week, a few minutes of career-elevating insight delivered straight to your inbox. The Doctoring Done Well Newsletter is never lame, never spammy, and always fresh. Sign up for our Newsletter

    31 min

  3. JAN 27

    The Emergency Mindset: What Med School Got Wrong

    What defines the unique mindset of an emergency clinician? It’s not just the fast pace or the chaotic environment—it’s the deliberate, top-down thinking that prioritizes patient safety over diagnostic certainty. This approach, though deceptively simple, often flies in the face of traditional medical training, which emphasizes comprehensive differentials and exhaustive workups. In emergency medicine, knowing what the patient needs often matters more than knowing exactly what they have. In this episode, we explore the emergency medicine mindset, the pitfalls of the bottom-up approach, and why experienced clinicians focus on acute interventions and dangerous conditions. Finally, we discuss how humility and strategic communication with patients can make all the difference in mitigating risk and building trust. 💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡 Guest bio:  Reuben Strayer is an emergency physician based in Brooklyn, at Maimonides Medical Center. He tweets @emupdates and blogs at EMupdates.com on a variety of emergency medicine topics. His clinical areas of interest include airway management, analgesia, opioid misuse, procedural sedation, agitation, decision-making, and error. His extra-clinical areas of interest include sweeping generalizations and jalapeño peppers.  We Discuss: A Critique of Medical School Training and the Bottom-Up ApproachTop-Down Approach and Ophthalmology InsightsThe 8 Responsibilities of Emergency PhysiciansThe Wheel of Dangerous ConditionsTop-Down Thinking in PracticeHumility and Communication in Emergency Medicine Mentioned in this episode: 5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier Scripts for your least favorite conversations. The quick and dirty guide to calling consults. A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work. My favorite documentation templates. Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death. Free Resources Link The UnBurnable Course Career Longevity. Self Mastery. Anti-Burnout. Next cohort begins Sept 2025. The UnBurnable Course Doctoring Done Well | Bite-Sized Wins Every other week, a few minutes of career-elevating insight delivered straight to your inbox. The Doctoring Done Well Newsletter is never lame, never spammy, and always fresh. Sign up for our Newsletter

    29 min

  4. JAN 13

    Nonverbal Communication | From facial expressions to tonal authority

    Mastering nonverbal communication can be an elusive task, but the fact remains: what’s unsaid leaves a significant footprint in any interaction. Nowhere is this more palpable than in the medical exam room, where trust and connection between physicians and patients often hinge on subtle, nonverbal cues. So, how can one build trust through facial expressions and tone of voice alone? In this episode, we break down how to silently establish rapport, effective use of pauses, the curious role of your eyebrows, impact of end-of-sentence inflection, how to convey uncertainty with confidence, and why learning a patient’s eye color can pay dividends. 💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡 Guest bio:  Bradley Block, MD, is a private practice otolaryngologist on Long Island, New York, where he lives with his wife and three young sons. He is a partner at ENT and Allergy Associates and creator of the Physician’s Guide to Doctoring Podcast. He realized that rapport was the key to gaining trust, seeing patients efficiently, enjoying his practice, and building his reputation. He tried to find a podcast that would help him improve at doctor-patient communication, but there was none, so he created Physician’s Guide to Doctoring! The topics quickly expanded to “everything we should have been learning while we were memorizing Kreb’s Cycle.” We Discuss: The "Interest and Authority" Framework for Nonverbal CommunicationFacial Expressions: Conveying InterestHumor and Likability in Patient InteractionMaking Eye Contact and Noticing Eye ColorAttitude and Authority in Patient CareEffective Communication TechniquesAddressing Patient Concerns and Fears Mentioned in this episode: Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event Ready to reset, recharge, and level up? Awake + Aware is a game-changing 3-day workshop where you will learn how to stay cool when the pressure’s on and lock in the mindset you need to flourish. Space is limited. 🎓 P.S. Yes, this is a CME event! Awake + Aware Bend 2025 5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier Scripts for your least favorite conversations. The quick and dirty guide to calling consults. A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work. My favorite documentation templates. Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death. Free Resources Link Doctoring Done Well | Bite-Sized Wins Every other week, a few minutes of career-elevating insight delivered straight to your inbox. The Doctoring Done Well Newsletter is never lame, never spammy, and always fresh. Sign up for our Newsletter

    32 min
  5. Why You Can't Be Bad at Meditation

    12/30/2024

    Why You Can't Be Bad at Meditation

    What’s the biggest mistake people make about meditation? Thinking they’re bad at it. Why do they think this? Because they’ve tried meditating, and their mind just won’t shut up! It’s a common misconception that meditation means clearing your mind of all thoughts. But in reality, meditation has little—or nothing—to do with that. If your mind wanders or feels like a crowded room full of shouting voices when you close your eyes, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what’s supposed to happen! A wandering mind isn’t failure—it’s expected, even for seasoned meditators. In this episode, we break down the exact steps of how to meditate, what to do with a wandering mind, and why a flurry of thoughts—popping up like popcorn—doesn’t mean you’re bad at meditation. In fact, it means your mind is working exactly as it should. Ultimately, meditation isn’t about thinking less; it’s about changing how you engage with your thoughts, making it a skill you simply can’t fail. 💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡 Mentioned in this episode: Doctoring Done Well | Bite-Sized Wins Every other week, a few minutes of career-elevating insight delivered straight to your inbox. The Doctoring Done Well Newsletter is never lame, never spammy, and always fresh. Sign up for our Newsletter

    18 min

  6. 12/16/2024

    What's It Like To Be A Transgender Physician?

    It started in medical school, when I witnessed the stark reality of the hidden curriculum: a transgender patient referred to as "it" by an attending physician. Over the years, I saw more subtle but no less harmful behaviors—snickers, misused pronouns, quiet biases. I often felt lost in how to respond. Today, transgender identity feels more politically charged than ever. But beyond the politics, what’s it like simply to be transgender? What challenges do transgender patients face—physically, medically, socially, and emotionally? And how do you navigate a world that sees you differently after transitioning? In this episode, Dr. Jailyn Avila shares her story. We cover the deeply personal aspects of transition, from conversations with her wife and kids to navigating professional dynamics as an internationally recognized expert. Dr. Avila offers candid insights into her experience as a physician presenting as both male and female, practical advice for providing better care for transgender patients, and strategies for addressing pronouns and mistakes with grace. 💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡 Guest bio:  Jailyn Avila is a board-certified emergency medicine physician,  transgender woman,  wife, and mother of three. She has been heavily involved in medical education with an emphasis on bedside ultrasound and runs Core Ultrasound, delivering online educational content. In 2021, Jailyn began her gender transition and “completed” said transition in 2023. Jailyn is currently Core Faculty for the UHS SoCal MEC Emergency Medicine Residency in Temecula, California where she also functions as the Associate Ultrasound Director and the Director of Faculty Development.  Coming Out to Her WifeNavigating External Frictions and Gender IdentityBalancing Personal and Professional IdentityThe Gradual Process of TransitionWork and Social DynamicsExperiences as Both a Male and Female PhysicianManaging Emotions: The RAIN MethodCaring for Transgender Patients in the Emergency DepartmentImpact of Jailyn's Transition on Her Family and ChildrenUnderstanding Gender and Biological Variations Mentioned in this episode: Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event Ready to reset, recharge, and level up? Awake + Aware is a game-changing 3-day workshop where you will learn how to stay cool when the pressure’s on and lock in the mindset you need to flourish. Space is limited. 🎓 P.S. Yes, this is a CME event! Awake + Aware Bend 2025 Never Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh. If you’d like a few minutes of career-elevating curated kickassery delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter. Sign up for our Newsletter 5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier Scripts for your least favorite conversations. The quick and dirty guide to calling consults. A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work. My favorite documentation templates. Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death. Free Resources Link

    49 min

  7. 12/02/2024

    Regression to the Mean Isn’t as Boring as it Sounds

    Why do our minds seek explanations for everyday patterns, even attributing a cause where none may exist? "Regression to the mean" offers a statistical lens on why extreme experiences naturally revert to the norm. In medicine, this concept reveals why critical observations and repeated assessments are essential to avoid overreactions to abnormal results. In this episode, we explore the nuances of regression to the mean, breaking down its impact on medical decision-making, patient assessments, and even how we view high-stakes scenarios in healthcare. Finally, we delve into how understanding this principle can enhance clinical judgment and reduce unnecessary interventions. 💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡 Guest bio:  Josh Russel, MD, is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine and is double board-certified in Palliative Care and Emergency Medicine. Apart from his clinical practice, he is a writer, educator, entrepreneur, and trivia enthusiast. We Discuss:Superstitions in the Emergency DepartmentUnderstanding Regression to the MeanIs It a Good Idea to Chastise Fighter Pilots?Blood Pressure Lives on a Bell CurveThe Importance of Control GroupsPediatric Visits For FeverNatural History of Disease Processes: Some Are OutliersThe Test of TimeBalancing Urgency with Thoughtful Testing Thresholds Mentioned in this episode: 5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier Scripts for your least favorite conversations. The quick and dirty guide to calling consults. A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work. My favorite documentation templates. Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death. Free Resources Link Never Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh. If you’d like a few minutes of career-elevating curated kickassery delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter. Sign up for our Newsletter Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event Ready to reset, recharge, and level up? Awake + Aware is a game-changing 3-day workshop where you will learn how to stay cool when the pressure’s on and lock in the mindset you need to flourish. Space is limited. 🎓 P.S. Yes, this is a CME event! Awake + Aware Bend 2025

    38 min

  8. 11/18/2024

    Five Ways to Connect With Patients

    Being a patient can feel like a lonely experience, especially when you sense your doctor is disconnected. A rushed or disengaged interaction can leave patients feeling unheard and uncared for, no matter how clinically skilled the physician is. At the same time, doctors struggle with overwhelming workloads, which can lead to unintentional detachment from those they treat.  In this episode, we explore five ways to build connection in the exam room quickly, why small gestures matter, and how intentional preparation can change the entire dynamic. Finally, we dive into the emotional complexities of patient care and the essential role of listening and presence in preventing burnout. Our conversation centers around the ‘Presence 5 Practices’ from this article.  💡 Check out our Free Resources specifically designed to address pain points in medical practice💡 Guest Bio: Clay Smith, MD, is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University. He is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Pediatrics and the founder of JournalFeed, which provides concise, daily summaries of top medical journal articles. We Discuss:The Disconnect Between Patients and PhysiciansWhy Genuine Doctor-Patient Connections Matter More Than You ThinkEasing Patient Anxiety and ShameThe Impact of Preparation and Focus on Patient CareListening Intently and CompletelyAligning Care with Patient PrioritiesBuilding Trust by Connecting with the Patient's StoryUnderstanding Emotional CuesThe Delicate Balance of Antibiotic StewardshipUnderstanding Fear Behind Patient Anger Mentioned in this episode: Awake + Aware Bend May 5-7, 2025 | Our in person live event Ready to reset, recharge, and level up? Awake + Aware is a game-changing 3-day workshop where you will learn how to stay cool when the pressure’s on and lock in the mindset you need to flourish. Space is limited. 🎓 P.S. Yes, this is a CME event! Awake + Aware Bend 2025 5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier Scripts for your least favorite conversations. The quick and dirty guide to calling consults. A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work. My favorite documentation templates. Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death. Free Resources Link Never Lame. Never Spammy. Always Fresh. If you’d like a few minutes of career-elevating curated kickassery delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter. Sign up for our Newsletter

    52 min
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4.9
out of 5
421 Ratings

About

Do you work in medicine and love patient care but feel like parts of the job don’t measure up? Stimulus equips you with tools, mindset shifts, and strategies they didn’t teach you in training—so you can practice medicine like a boss, flourish in your career, and not let it crush your soul. Emergency physician and executive coach Rob Orman, MD, goes in-depth with thought leaders on how to avoid burnout, improve communication, lead without drama, and stay calm amidst the storm. Don’t just suck it up, think differently.

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