I’ve been a well-respected doctor at my local hospital, having practiced medicine for over 20 years.
I’m passionate about my work and loved to share my knowledge with others.
For this reason, I started a podcast where I discuss medical topics I see regularly and sharing experiences from my exam room with other doctors.
I’m careful to observe HIPAA, and always protect my patients’ identities.
However, when the hospital administration found out about his podcast, they weren’t happy.
They called me into the board room, and essentially explained how they felt, saying I was sharing confidential information. They claimed that what I was doing could be detrimental to the hospital’s reputation.
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I was shocked.
My podcast didn’t involve my hospital. It involved my own experiences. My examinations. The patients who had come in to see ME.
Without me, the hospital wouldn’t have patients at all.
To me, this was an insult.
But it got worse.
They told me that I needed to stop the podcast immediately.
I was taken aback.
“Without me, the hospital wouldn’t have patients at all.”
I explained my side of things, carefully stating that I had never shared any confidential information on my podcast, always being careful to protect my patients’ privacy.
I told the beings in charge that I would be open to having them review my podcast episodes, and being to me ANY of the episodes that offended them.
Nothing.
After repeated attempts to try and explain my side to the administration, I realized that they were simply not willing to listen. They went into our meeting close-minded, and remained that way, despite my attempts to sway.
Feeling frustrated and misunderstood, I decided to take a break from the podcast.
It wasn’t worth the risks to continue it doing it.
I became resentful, feeling I was being unfairly targeted. My passion for sharing knowledge was being stifled.
After a few months away from the recordings, I realized I just couldn’t stay away.
I missed interactions with my listeners.
I missed opportunities to share the knowledge I had accumulated over many years with others.
“I became resentful, feeling I was being unfairly targeted. My passion for sharing knowledge was being stifled.”
After a period of private deliberations, I decided to start the podcast again.
This time around, I made sure to be even more careful about what I created.
I consulted with a lawyer to make sure I wasn’t violating any laws. I made it clear to my listeners that I wasn’t sharing any confidential information.
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Lo and behold, to my utmost surprise, the hospital admin didn’t give me any more trouble.
In fact, they started to see the value in it, and even promoted it to other doctors there.
It was a complete 180.
I was so relieved.
I don’t know what ultimately did it. I can definitely say I’m thankful to have outlets like SoMeDocs out there, sharing the medical podcasts that are doing the world good.
I don’t know what ultimately did it. I can definitely say I’m thankful to have outlets like SoMeDocs out there, sharing the medical podcasts that are doing the world good. Click To Tweet
I’m happy that I can do what I love to do again. Happy to have found a tribe of doctors that are experiencing what I am, and to be able to continue my passion for sharing knowledge with others.
Thank you to the world, for remaining open. For advocating behind doctors like me, who are following our passion. For supporting what we do outside of our busy office work.
Thank you for giving us platforms that promote positive health change.
One Response
Those health administration people figured out that they have no right to prevent your podcast work. I expect your reputation for quality care and professional diligence was part of their deliberation. However, hospital administrators in particular, are not healers; they are not doctors; they are not philosophically aligned with what you do and who you are. They generate, maintain and sustain cash flow; they comply with the fuss and rattle of policy. They are disconnected from the essence of doctor-patient connection.
You, though, are not.
You returned to your connections with patients. Bravo. Doctors are “teachers”, as you know.