Today, we are joined by Dr. Rebecca King, a consultation-liaison psychiatrist and physician well-being leader from Newfoundland, Canada.
Dr. Rebecca King, MD, FRCPC, is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Memorial University and Director in the Office of Learner Well-being and Success. She completed fellowship training in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psycho-Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and is a graduate of the Advanced Teacher Training Program in Mindful Practice in Medicine at the University of Rochester.
Dr. King explores how curiosity and service have shaped her career in psychiatry and well-being. They discuss lessons from COVID-19, resident needs, accessibility in medical education, AI's impact on physician identity, and why understanding unspoken narratives is essential to compassionate leadership. Flourishing in medicine begins by slowing down, being fully present, and creating environments where caregivers and learners can thrive.
We also cover:
- Why psychiatry: the inseparability of mind and body, curiosity, and service
- Lessons from COVID-19: burnout, connection, and the importance of community
- Resident needs: mental health, belonging, identity, and asking for help
- Accessibility and inclusion in medical education
- AI's impact on physician identity and what remains human in medicine
Learn from Dr. King's integration of psychiatry and mindful practice to understand how curiosity, presence, and compassionate leadership foster well-being across healthcare.
Links:
Dr. Rebecca King LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-king-md-frcpc-a81986184/
Memorial University Faculty: https://www.mun.ca/medicine/faculty-and-staff-resources/faculty-a-z/king-rebecca.php
NL Medical Association Physician Wellness: https://nlma.nl.ca/physician-wellness/
EmPro: https://www.myempro.com/
EmPro Peer Support: https://www.myempro.com/peer-support/
Physician Support Line: +1(888) 409-0141
Physician Support Line Website: https://www.physiciansupportline.com/
Dr. Krasner's Website: https://mickkrasnermd.com/
Mindful Practice in Medicine: https://mindfulpracticeinmedicine.com/
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:00) Why Psychiatry
(05:30) Consultation-Liaison Work
(08:00) Mind-Body Connection
(10:30) Sloan Kettering Training
(13:00) Shaping Practice
(15:30) COVID-19 Lessons
(19:00) What Pandemic Revealed
(22:00) Physician Resilience
(25:00) Resident Needs
(28:30) Mental Health and Belonging
(31:00) Identity and Inclusion
(34:00) Accessibility in Education
(37:00) AI and Physician Identity
(40:30) What Remains Human
(43:00) Unspoken Narratives
(46:00) Slowing Down
(49:00) Creating Thriving Environments
(52:00) Compassionate Leadership
(55:00) Conclusion
