Latest / Morning Medical with Dr. Chow / Healthcare Leadership, Pet Relationships, and Mental Health Services in Canada

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Healthcare Leadership, Pet Relationships, and Mental Health Services in Canada · Morning Medical with Dr. Chow

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Welcome to another episode of Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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I'm your host, Dr.
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Chi-Ming Chow.
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Today, we're diving into some intriguing topics that are reshaping the landscape of healthcare.
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From leadership in the era of artificial intelligence to the impact of work stress on
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our furry friends, there's a lot to cover.
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Let's get started!
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First up, we're exploring the concept of human-centered healthcare leadership in the age
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of artificial intelligence.
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This topic was recently highlighted in a conversation with Frank Koo, the founder of
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Nextplay, who is preparing to speak at the upcoming HIMSS25 Asia-Pacific conference.
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Frank Koo is a seasoned leadership coach with a rich background, having held significant roles
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at LinkedIn, BE Education, and Oracle, among others.
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Frank Koo emphasizes that the challenge of digital transformation in healthcare is more of
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a human issue than a technological one.
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He notes that while technology has advanced rapidly, many healthcare organizations struggle
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with change management because they view digital transformation primarily as a
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technology problem.
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Koo argues that this perspective overlooks the emotional journey that healthcare workers
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experience when their familiar workflows and relationships with technology are disrupted.
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According to Koo, one of the most significant pitfalls is leading with technology rather than
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a clear purpose.
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Leaders often focus on the capabilities of new systems without adequately communicating how
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these systems will enhance patient outcomes or alleviate clinician workload.
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He suggests that effective leadership in this context requires adaptability, learning
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agility, a transformational mindset, and a purpose-driven approach.
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Attendees of Koo's session at the HIMSS25 Asia-Pacific conference can expect to gain a
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practical framework for leading human-centered change during technological disruption.
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They'll learn how to build psychological safety for their teams, ensuring that healthcare
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workers feel supported rather than threatened by innovation.
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Moving on to our next topic, we're delving into the evolving discussion around prostate cancer
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screening for men over the age of seventy.
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This conversation has gained renewed attention following the recent diagnosis of former
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President Joe Biden with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
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The United States Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends that men aged
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fifty-five to sixty-nine discuss the potential benefits and risks of prostate-specific antigen
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screening with their healthcare provider, making an individualized decision about
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screening.
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However, they suggest that men over seventy should forgo screenings entirely.
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This guidance has been called into question by several experts, including Dr.
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Marc Siegel, who argues that the current guidelines may have dangerous flaws.
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Dr.
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Shawn Dason, a urologic oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center,
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emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making between men in their fifties
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and sixties and their healthcare providers regarding prostate cancer screening.
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He notes that potential risks of screening can include over-treatment or unnecessary
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treatment, which sometimes result in bothersome side effects such as urinary, sexual, or
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bowel-related issues.
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Dr.
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Dason highlights that in previous decades, there was less understanding about when
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prostate cancer should be actively treated and when it could be managed through a protocol
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known as 'active surveillance.' He mentions that it's possible for some men to be
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over-treated after a diagnosis, where the cancer might not have led to death or other
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clinical problems, but the treatment itself could cause significant side effects.
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The use of prostate-specific antigen screening has reportedly declined in men over forty,
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which some attribute to the recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task
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Force.
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Dr.
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Marc Siegel finds this particularly troubling, stating that with over three hundred thousand
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new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed annually in the United States, and over thirty-five
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thousand deaths, many of which could potentially be prevented with earlier
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diagnosis, the guidelines may need reevaluation.
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Dr.
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Siegel advocates for all men over the age of forty-five to undergo prostate cancer
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screening, regardless of age, noting that treatment options have advanced significantly
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over the years and are now better tolerated with fewer side effects.
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Dr.
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Dason concurs that some men aged seventy and older might still be appropriate candidates for
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screening, especially if they're in good health and have a reasonable life expectancy.
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In such cases, diagnosing a serious prostate cancer could significantly impact their quality
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of life and longevity.
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The key takeaway here is the importance of individualized decision-making.
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Men are encouraged to consider their personal health situations and engage in discussions
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with their healthcare providers to determine the best course of action for prostate cancer
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screening.
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As always, it's crucial to weigh the potential benefits and harms carefully, particularly as
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treatment options continue to evolve.
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Let's turn our attention to a fascinating study that explores the emotional bond between humans
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and their pets, specifically focusing on how our work stress might be impacting our furry
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companions.
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This study, published in Scientific Reports, highlights what researchers refer to as
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"emotional contagion," where stress from work can transfer to our dogs at home.
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The research was led by Tanya Mitropoulos and Allison Andrukonis, who investigated how
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work-related rumination, or the habit of dwelling on work problems after hours, affects
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our pets.
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The study involved surveying eighty-five working dog owners, assessing their job stress
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levels, and how often they ruminated about work during their free time.
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Owners were asked to evaluate how stressed they believed their dogs were, and researchers also
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observed behaviors in the dogs that are typically associated with stress, such as
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whining, pacing, or restlessness.
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The findings revealed a strong link between owners with high job stress and dogs exhibiting
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more stress-related behaviors.
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Importantly, this connection remained robust even after accounting for other stressors in
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the home environment.
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Interestingly, many owners were not aware of their dogs' stress levels, but the canine
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behaviors were telling a clear story.
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The main driver of this stress transfer seems to be rumination.
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Owners who mentally brought work home were more likely to have stressed-out dogs.
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This phenomenon is referred to as "crossover," where stress from one individual spills over to
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others in the household.
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While previous research has shown this effect between human spouses, this study provides
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evidence that it can also occur between humans and their pets.
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Dogs are incredibly sensitive to their owners' moods, picking up on emotional cues through
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tone of voice, body language, and other subtle signals.
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When an owner is distracted or irritable due to work stress, the dog is keenly aware.
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Over time, this can significantly impact the dog's well-being.
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The study also suggests that changes in the owner's behavior—such as becoming less patient,
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more distant, or inconsistent with routines like feeding and walks—can exacerbate stress in
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dogs.
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This highlights the importance of maintaining consistent care and attention to our pets, even
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when we are dealing with personal stress.
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Given that many Americans consider their pets as family members, understanding this dynamic
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is crucial.
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As the study suggests, dog owners might benefit from avoiding work-related ruminations at home
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to protect their pets' well-being.
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Setting aside work stress when you walk through the door can be beneficial not only for your
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health but also for your dog's happiness and health.
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Now, let's discuss a critical issue affecting many Canadians: access to eating disorder
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supports.
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According to a recent report by the Looking Glass Foundation, less than half of Canadians
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are able to access the support they need for eating disorders.
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Kristyne Agabob and Lisa Brooks from the foundation highlight a concerning rise in
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eating disorders since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among Canadians under the age of
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thirty-five, who are at the highest risk of developing these conditions.
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The pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges globally, with eating disorders
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being one of the significant areas of concern.
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Agabob and Brooks point out that the increase in eating disorders could be attributed to
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several factors, including heightened stress levels, changes in daily routines, and
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increased isolation.
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These conditions have created an environment where individuals are more susceptible to
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developing or worsening existing eating disorders.
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The Looking Glass Foundation's findings are part of a larger conversation about the need
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for improved mental health services across Canada.
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Related reports, such as the one from Statistics Canada, suggest that girls and young
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women are particularly in need of better access to mental health care.
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This is further supported by calls for expanded mental health services in various provinces,
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including British Columbia, following tragic events that underscore the importance of mental
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health support.
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One of the critical issues highlighted by the foundation is the underfunding of mental health
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services, which has left many Canadians waiting for extended periods to receive care.
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For instance, in New Brunswick, there is an average two-month wait for long-term care
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assessments, which impacts timely access to necessary interventions.
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Advocates have condemned this underfunding as devastating, particularly for child welfare
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services, which are crucial for early intervention in mental health issues.
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The foundation's report emphasizes the importance of providing timely and accessible
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support for those struggling with eating disorders.
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As the rate of these disorders continues to climb, it becomes increasingly vital for
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policymakers and healthcare providers to address the gaps in mental health services.
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Expanding access to care can significantly improve outcomes for individuals suffering from
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these conditions, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and reducing the long-term
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impact of untreated mental health issues.
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As we wrap up today's episode, it's clear that the intersection of mental health and
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healthcare access remains a pressing issue.
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From the importance of human-centered leadership in healthcare to the personal bonds
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we share with our pets, and the critical need for accessible mental health services, these
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topics remind us of the profound connection between health and well-being.
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Thank you for joining me on Morning Medical with Dr.
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Chow.
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Until next time, stay informed and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.