Small Changes Big Impact

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Small Changes Big Impact explores the challenges, process and impact of change that drives family medicine. Through honest conversations with family doctors, you will hear stories of how they were inspired to make a change and what they learned along the way. Listen, and be inspired by how family do…

University of Toronto - Department of Family & Community Medicine


    • Jun 24, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 33m AVG DURATION
    • 31 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Small Changes Big Impact

    Personal stories from the frontlines during COVID-19 with Dr. Nadia Alam

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2020 48:41 Transcription Available


    In our season finale of Small Changes, Big Impact, we have Dr. Nadia Alam, a family doctor and anesthetist in Georgetown, Ontario, and the past president of the Ontario Medical Association. In this episode, she talks about her family, and shares stories of the work she's doing in her local community to help her patients and other allied health providers during COVID-19.Recorded April 29, 2020.

    Faces fighting COVID with Dr. Gray Moonen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2020 31:27 Transcription Available


    This week, we have Dr. Gray Moonen, a resident physician at Toronto Western Family Health Team in the Department of Family Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He discusses how he started the social media campaign #FacesFightingCOVID and his experience as a resident during the pandemic.Recorded April 20.

    EDI, race, and authenticity in medicine with Dr. Onye Nnorom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2020 46:12 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Dr. Onye Nnorom. She's the new lead for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She is the Black health theme lead for the University of Toronto medical school, family doctor and public health specialist, and assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Today's episode focuses on inclusion and authenticity. This episode was recorded on March 9, 2020, but its release was delayed due to the COVID lockdown.

    Longterm care and leadership during COVID-19 with Dr. Allan Grill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2020 36:56 Transcription Available


    This week, we have Dr. Allan Grill's second appearance on our podcast, who spoke about longterm care and leadership during COVID-19. Dr. Grill is the lead physician at the Markham Family Health Team and Chief of Family Medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital.

    Virtual care during COVID-19 and the patient-centered medical home with Dr. Ali Damji

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2020 33:50 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Dr. Ali Damji, a family physician at Credit Valley Family Health Team, assistant professor at the Department of Family Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He works in many roles and wears many hats - including office based care, palliative care, home based care, addictions and is the QI program director at his site. Today, he speaks about transitioning to virtual care during COVID-19 and the idea of the patient-centered medical home.

    COVID-19 in the context of global health and vulnerable populations with Dr. Praseedha Janakiram

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2020 45:24 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Dr. Praseedha Janakiram. She is a family physician at Women's College Hospital, the program director for the Enhanced Skills Program for global health and vulnerable populations. She works at the Crossroads Refugee Clinic. She is the faculty lead for the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration and an assistant professor in the Department of Family Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Today, she talks about COVID-19 in the context of global health and vulnerable populations through all of her different roles.

    The art of negotiation and and family medicine in the time of COVID-19 with Dr. Nikolina Mizdrak

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2020 40:03 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Dr. Nikolina Mizdrak, a family physician at the Toronto Western Family Health Team, a physician member of the negotiating team for the OMA since 2017, and an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on the art of negotiation and important role the OMA plays in providing care to all patients.

    How small structural changes can impact your patient population with Dr. Camille Lemieux

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 36:18 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Dr. Camille Lemieux, Chief of Family Medicine at UHN. Today's episode focuses on her leadership roles during COVID-19 and how small structural changes can impact your patient population.

    A teaspoon of wellness makes the medicine go down with Dr. Julia Alleyne

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 28:13 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Dr. Julia Alleyne, the associate program director of the Academic Fellowship and Graduate Studies program at the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine. Today, we discussed the importance of wellness and resilience in keeping people healthy.Visit https://www.wellsense.net/Recorded April 2, 2020.

    A candid COVID conversation with Dr. Ruby Alvi

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020 43:50 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Dr. Ruby Alvi, the undergraduate site director at Trillium Health Partners - Mississauga site, and the University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine's pre-clerkship director. Today, we're having a candid COVID conversation.Recorded April 1, 2020.

    Supporting residents and seeing patients in the COVID-19 era with Dr. Allyson Merbaum

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2020 36:03 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Allyson Merbaum, community family physician at North York General Hospital, post-grad site director and assistant professor at the University of Toronto and the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Today's episode focuses on addressing challenges in community family medicine, and supporting our residents. Recorded April 30, 2020.

    Hot topics in COVID-19 with Dr. Ross Upshur

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2020 61:44 Transcription Available


    With the pandemic of COVID-19 spreading everywhere around the world right now, there's a lot of fear, frustration, and anxiety. On the flip side, there's a lot of innovation, connectedness in novel ways and reflection going on. In the spirit of physically distancing ourselves and innovating, we've decided to continue our podcast through Zoom. Today, we interviewed Ross Upshur, and discussed hot topics in COVID-19. Recorded on March 25, 2020.Additional links (provided by guest speaker):Very clear explanation of the effect of distancing and other measures on spread of virus - https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-the-hammer-and-the-dance-be9337092b56Cool visualization and explanation of pandemics - https://www.visualcapitalist.com/history-of-pandemics-deadliest/ MPH FCM Advanced standing - http://www.dlsph.utoronto.ca/program/mph-family-and-community-medicine-advanced-standing/MPH - https://dfcm.utoronto.ca/mph-fcm

    Providing care to specific communities including LGBTQ2S folks and those living with HIV with Dr. James Owen

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2020 36:15 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have James Owen. He's a family doctor at St. Michael's Hospital. He is the LGBTQ2S Health Education Lead and the Course Director for Complexity and Chronicity in the MD Program at the University of Toronto. He's also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on providing care to specific communities, including LGBTQ2S folks and those living with HIV.

    Finding time to recharge your soul and empathy as a transformative experience with Dr. Diana Toubassi

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2020 25:53 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Diana Toubassi, family physician at Toronto Western Hospital and assistant professor at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on the importance of finding time to recharge your soul and empathy as a transformative experience.

    Advocating for a better health system with Dr. Danielle Martin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2020 36:26 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Danielle Martin, family doctor and chief medical executive at Women's College Hospital. She's also an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on advocating for a better health system.

    Creating space to improve personal and professional care with Dr. Nadine Laraya

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2020 29:14 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Nadine Laraya, community family physician in West Toronto affiliated with St. Joseph's Health Centre, a community family medicine liaison to St. Joseph's Centre and a lecturer at the university of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on the importance of pacing oneself and creating space to improve personal and professional care.

    Leadership transparency and the approach to feedback with Dr. Allan Grill

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2020 39:13 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Allan Grill, family physician and chief of family medicine at Markham Stouffville Hospital, physician advisor for the College of Family Physicians of Canada and associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on leadership transparency and the approach to feedback.

    What you can do to change the world with Dr. Michael Kidd

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2020 40:37 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Michael Kidd, family doctor and head of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, and director of the World Health Organization Centre for Family Medicine and Primary Care. Today's episode focuses on what you can do to change the world.

    Using what we know about influenza to put the novel coronavirus into perspective with Dr. Jeff Kwong

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2020 23:18 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Jeff Kwong, family doctor at Toronto Western Hospital, and a senior scientist at ICES and at Public Health Ontario. He's also professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine and cross appointed at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on using what we know about influenza to put the novel coronavirus into perspective. Contact Public Health Ontario:Head Office480 University Avenue, Suite 300Toronto ON M5G 1V2 Tel.: 647-260-7100Toll Free: 1-877-543-8931communications@oahpp.caLaboratory ServicesTel.: 416-235-6556Toll Free: 1-877-604-4567customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca

    Importance of learning in an educational institution with Dr. Mahan Kulasegaram

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2020 28:46 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Mahan Kulasegaram, an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. He works as a scientist at the Wilson Centre, the MD program and the Office of Education Scholarship. Today's episode focuses on the importance of learning in an educational institution.

    Doctors as patients and challenges with transitioning back to work with Dr. Tali Bogler

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2020 29:52 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Tali Bogler, a family physician at St. Michael's Hospital and Chair of family medicine obstetrics there. She's a lecturer in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and a yoga instructor and creator of Downward Docs. Today's episode focuses on doctors as patients and the integration required between the department and health care system.

    Encountering a new medical system in New Zealand with Dr. Adam Pyle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2020 26:56 Transcription Available


    Joining us by teleconference today is Adam Pyle, a family physician at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, lecturer in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, adjunct assistant professor at Queens University and the Canadian medical lead for the Toronto Wolfpack rugby team. In today's episode, we explore the challenges in encountering a new medical system.

    Producing future family physicians with Dr. Vanessa Rambihar

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2020 20:14 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Dr. Vanessa Rambihar, a family physician at Women's College Hospital, assistant professor at the University of Toronto and associate director for Admissions, Awards and Recruitment. Today's episode explores the changes that she championed that impact our admission process to produce future family physicians.

    Social justice and innovation in primary care with Dr. Naheed Dosani

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2019 32:39 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Naheed Dosani, a family and palliative care physician at William Osler Health System. He's the founder and lead palliative care physician with the PEACH program, Inner City Health Associates, and he's a lecturer in the Department of Family Community Medicine in the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on his work with the PEACH program, social justice and inequities in death, and innovation in primary care. Additional links and information:PEACH Program:http://www.icha-toronto.ca/programs/peach Good Wishes Program (donation page at Haven Toronto but write 'Good Wishes Program for PEACH' in comments)https://www.haventoronto.ca/shopandshare

    Exploring new ideas in medicine and the future of technology in healthcare with Dr. Ross Upshur

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2019 36:13 Transcription Available


    Today's episode is in combination with Dr. Ross Upshur's podcast called Conversations in Complexity. Today's episode focuses on the emotional, psychological, and existential exploration of current topics in medicine.

    Work life balance and achieving personal happiness with Dr. Aisha Lofters

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2019 22:57 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Aisha Lofters, family physician and Chair and Implementation Science at Women's College Hospital, clinician scientist and associate professor at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on the importance of work life balance and achieving personal happiness.

    Time as a commodity in family medicine with Dr. Braden O'Neill

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2019 33:53 Transcription Available


    In studio today, we have Braden O'Neill, family physician at North York General Hospital, assistant professor and new investigator at the Department of Family Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. Today's episode focuses on the importance of time as a commodity in family medicine.

    Taking career risks with Dr. Giovanna Sirianni

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2019 17:20 Transcription Available


    Today's episode discusses the importance of taking risk in one's career. In studio today we have Giovanna Sirianni, a family doctor with a focused practice in palliative care at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She's also the enhanced program director in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She is the faculty development lead for palliative care and the workplace based assessment lead for the MD program. She is also the cohost and co-creator of the About Empathy podcast.

    Supporting family physicians with Dr. Arun Radhakrishnan

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2019 27:33 Transcription Available


    Today's episode focuses on the importance of support to improve our health care system. In studio, we have Arun Radhakrishnan, a family physician with a focused practice in chronic pain. He's the clinical lead for the Collaborative Mentoring Network at the OCFP and an adjunct professor at Women's College Hospital associated with the University of Toronto.

    Behaviour change with Dr. Peter Selby

    Play Episode Play 30 sec Highlight Listen Later Nov 5, 2019 18:23 Transcription Available


    Today in studio, we have Dr. Peter Selby, professor of family and community medicine, psychiatry, and public health at the University of Toronto. He's also Chief of Medicine in Psychiatry at CAMH. Today, we delve into behaviour change and the context necessary for making those changes with primary care providers.

    Challenges with MAID with Dr. Kimberly Wintemute

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2019 29:47 Transcription Available


    In the studio today, we have Kimberly Wintemute, a family physician at North York General Hospital and assistant professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. She's also the primary care co-lead for Choosing Wisely Canada. Today's episode focuses on medical assistance in dying (MAID). We explore Dr. Wintemute's experiences and challenges with MAID, and the impact it's had on her life personally, and professionally.

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