“What is a mentor? Four words. One big question.”What do you look for in a mentor? What qualities should you consider? And, more importantly, what exactly is a mentor?To help answer these questions and discuss the role mentors play in the careers of physicians Dr. David Gratzer is joined by Dr. Suzanne Koven, a Harvard-affiliated physician and Writer-in-Residence at Massachusetts General, whose article, "What Is a Mentor?" was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.In this episode you will learn:the distinction between coaching and mentoringthe types of mentor relationshipsthe importance of genuine empathy and firm ego boundaries in mentorshow to find a good mentor. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

Welcome to another episode of Quick Takes Essentials, our summer series. This essential episode first aired in 2023 and is on the perpetually hot-topic of burnout. Could the old concept of a doctor’s lounge be a new way of helping to address burnout?With 182 studies yielding 142 different definitions of burnout, is burnout, in fact, depression?Here I speak with Dr. Srijan Sen (of the University of Michigan) about how burnout has become a loose term that means different things to different people.Please enjoy. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

Welcome to another episode of Quick Takes Essentials, our summer series. On this episode, released this past February, I sat down with Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos (of the University of Toronto) and former Physician-in-Chief of CAMH to discuss why, across North America, there are more people who are chronically homeless than ever before.  Dr.  Stergiopoulos is an internationally recognized expert on chronic homelessness and offers great insight on this topic.What psychiatric problems does this population have? And, importantly, how can we help them? Please enjoy. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

Welcome back to Quick Takes Essentials our summer series.ChatGPT is the most downloaded app in history.What are the implications for mental health services?Will AI change our work?In this episode, released in 2023, I speak with Dr. John Torous (of Harvard University) who serves as the director of the Digital Psychiatry Division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.Please enjoy. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

Welcome to another episode of Quick Takes Essentials, our summer series. This essential episode was released just this past May and is on the newly released CANMAT Depression Guidelines update. If you haven't had time to review the update, well, you can start by listening to this episode, which outlines all the major changes in that update in a quick, concise format. The update draws on eight clinically relevant questions, which we explore akin to following a patient's journey. Here I interview first co-author Doctor Raymond Lam of the University of British Columbia. Please enjoy. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

Welcome back to Quick Takes Essentials our summer series where we look back on recent clinical updates and big issues in psychiatry, which we focused on previously. This is the sleep episode. For answers to questions on sleep disorders and the new medications available for physicians to prescribe, have a listen to this episode released in April of 2023 where I interviewed psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Michael Mak.Take a moment or two this summer to learn something new while enjoying your morning coffee, taking a hike, or relaxing by the campfire.Please enjoy. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

Welcome to Quick Takes Essentials our summer series that introduces (or re-introduces) you to episodes from our archives that have focused on important clinical updates and recent big issues in psychiatry.Take a moment or two this summer to learn something new while enjoying your morning coffee, taking a hike, or relaxing by the campfire.This selection first aired back in May of 2022 and in it I spoke about cannabis use ("Who should be using cannabis? How should we talk to our patients about it?") with Dr. Kevin Hill of Harvard University. Please enjoy. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

“As far as medical treatments go, ECT is the safest medical procedure in all of medicine.”Will the stigma around ECT fade? Will ECT simply grow less relevant in the age of ketamine and MST? What’s the future of neuromodulation?Join Dr. David Gratzer as he speaks to Dr. Daniel Blumberger, scientific director of the Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention and professor at the University of Toronto to find out.During their discussion, we learn about:the 20-30 active clinical trials at the Temerty Centrethe impact and efficacy of some of the newer treatments like ketamine, rTMS, and MSTthe latest in the literature on ECT and suicide preventionand that ECT isn’t being replaced any time soon. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

“They really are the most widely used guidelines in the world.”Much has changed over the past eight years. In 2016, singer Olivia Rodrigo was just starting high school; quarterback Tom Brady seemed ageless; none of us were talking about pandemics. Recently the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) released its first major depression update in eight years. How has depression management changed, and what does it mean for you and your practice? Join Dr. David Gratzer as he speaks to Dr. Raymond Lam, the co-first author and the executive chair of CANMAT and find out.In this episode you will learn:when to recommend exercise (and how to discuss it with your patients)about the role of pharamacogenetic testinghow to think about neuromodulationand the reason for the format update to these guidelines. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

“It's visible. It's in our streetcars and buses, our subways our streets, and it's hard to ignore.”Homelessness seems to be more prevalent now than ever before. But why? And is there a solution? Joining Dr. David Gratzer to explore the challenges and changes in the chronically homeless population over the years is Dr. Vicky Stergiopoulos, a former Physician-in-Chief of CAMH and an internationally recognized expert on chronic homelessness.During their conversation we learn about:The importance of providers who understand the realities of homelessness.The evolving substance use patterns among the homeless population.The details on the longest randomized control trial on homelessness ever performed.And just how close Finland is to ending homelessness in the coming years. THANKS FOR LISTENING!Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.Follow CAMH Education on X (formerly known as Twitter) @camhEduFollow and subscribe to Reading of the Week where, every week, Dr. David Gratzer reviews research papers from the world of psychiatry.

Textbooks, highlighters, and classrooms? The world of medical education is changing. Today, we have AI, sim, and e-learning. To talk about MedEd, Dr. David Gratzer sat down with returning guest Dr. Ivan Silver, former vice president of education at CAMH and vice dean of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine.During their conversation we learn:MedEd evolved from being under-valued to having entire centres built that are geared towards faculty development.Saying “yes” and taking risks can change your life.Dr. Silver’s thoughts on where a tool like ChatGPT may fit in your future practiceAnd finally, if you can teach a 6- to 8-year-olds to do something they aren’t initially interested in – you can do just about anything!Follow us on X(formerly known as Twitter)

“We want to really be cautious because these are complex pieces of software “Should we be using an AI-based tool like ChatGPT in practice? Is it ready? Are we? In this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. Gratzer speaks with returning guest Dr. John Torous about the impact tools like this could have on mental health care, both now and in the future.During their conversation we learn:ChatGPT is just one of many large language models available.Google Research is creating one specifically for medical education.It’s a good tool for psychoeducation and quick drug-drug interactionsAI is already being integrated in to EMRs.There have been use cases that impacted both patient privacy and ethical concerns.Until the technology companies solve the privacy issue, never input PHI.And, one day, you may rely on a tool like ChatGPT to write your discharge summaries.Follow us on X(formerly known as Twitter)

On this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. Gratzer explores the increasing interest in coercive interventions across various jurisdictions. Joining him is journalist Anna Mehler Paperny who shares her personal experiences with involuntary hospitalization, highlighting the complex balance between patient rights and intervention.During this candid conversation we learn:the possible reasons for the resurgence of coercive careif the long-term risks associated with coercion outweigh the short-term benefitsthe importance of physicians to treat patients with respect and to recruit them as collaborators in their careAnna’s thoughts on how we can expand voluntary care.Follow us on X(formerly known as Twitter)

“I’ll never forget when it happened.”Up to 80% of psychiatrists experience a suicide loss in their careers and a recent survey found that the majority of them felt caught off guard by the emotional impact it had on their lives. On this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer and his guest, Dr. Juveria Zaheer discuss the impact on psychiatrists of losing a patient to suicide.Throughout this thoughtful conversation we learn:losing a patient to suicide happens to up to 80% of psychiatrists.shock, grief, sadness, depression, anxiety, and guilt are all normal feelings when this happens.two of the paper’s recommendations are already being implemented to help physicians deal with loss.and that the names of Russian authors are difficult to pronounce.Follow us on Twitter

“Burnout has become a loose term that means different things to different people.”Is burnout, in fact, depression? In this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer enjoys a lively conversation with Dr. Srijan Sen, Professor of Depression and Neurosciences at the University of Michigan, who argues that it is. They also discuss the confusion about its definition (182 studies had 142 different definitions), the key contributing factors (workload, environment and – no surprise – the EMR), and how the old concept of a doctor’s lounge could be a new way of helping to address burnout.During their discussion we learn:“burnout” is often used as a loose term that means different things for different people, which can make it difficult to study and treat,there is an artificial divide between burnout and depression that needs more research,depression rates among medical professionals have increased world-wide,the traditional stigma around physician’s reporting mental health issues is on the decline,what a few of the main contributors are that lead to burnout and depression,and how per-support and, yes, medical staff lounges can help keep burnout at bay.

“The lines between sleep, health and mental health in general are blurred.”Sleep is an important topic. It comes up on a regular basis when we meet with our patients. But what are the best treatments to prescribe? Is medication the way to go? What are our options?On this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer hosts CAMH psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Michael Mak. They discuss the impact of sleep (or lack thereof) on mental health and the current psychopharmacological and therapeutical treatments available.** During this episode’s conversation we learn about:**the impact insomnia and other sleep disorders have on mental healthhow the new family of insomnia treatments compares to the oldpossibly the best form of treatment currently availableand how mobile apps and web tools play a role in sleep therapy.Follow us on Twitter

“It's not necessarily all sunshine and rainbows.”A major, new study in The New England Journal of Medicine considers psilocybin and its potential for refractory depression. It’s received enthusiastic media coverage. Breakthrough drug? Overhyped headlines? Today, on Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer is joined by one of the study co-authors, Dr. Ishrat Husain Tier 2 Canada Research Chair and lead of the Mood Disorder Service at CAMH, to delve deeper into this headline-grabbing research.During their discussion we learn:how to talk to your patients asking about using psilocybin therapeuticallythe encouraging results of the study – and the adverse effects as wellhow practical it would be to scale up the study into current treatment algorithmsand if microdosing is really all its hyped-up to be.Follow us on Twitter

“Always leave them wanting more.”On this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer enjoys a conversation with retiring psychiatrist, Dr. David Goldbloom. They discuss research, stigma, Dr. Goldbloom’s optimism for the future of psychiatry, and, yes, his retirement plans (spoiler alert: he’s thinking about writing a book and no mention of golf).As he heads into retirement Dr. Goldbloom shares his thoughts  on:• Therapeutics: He is frustrated with the slow progress on their development.•The state of psychiatry today: He is excited by the shift among younger psychiatrists towards the care of people with severe and persistent mental illness.• The future: He is optimistic on the acceleration in the quality and sophistication and reach of research and our ability to forge new paradigms.• And he leaves us all with some sage advice:     o “See as many patients as you can because the exposure to a wide variety of people and wide variety of journeys is both humbling and profoundly educational.”     o “We don't seek second opinions as often as we should, and there's no way on earth we can be right all the time.” Follow us on Twitter

“We can create an environment that’s safe, predictable, consistent, standardized and reproducible.”To discuss how simulation is changing the world of med-ed, Dr. David Gratzer hosted Dr. Petal Abdool, Medical Director of the CAMH Simulation Centre, and Stephanie Sliekers, Manager of Simulation and Digital Innovation at CAMH.You’ll hear all about:• the new Simulation Centre at CAMH• VR courses already developed for suicide assessment• another VR project in the works for opioid overdose treatment• and the aspirations of the Centre to implement AI in future training.Follow us on Twitter

“It’s highly prevalent, highly available, highly pure and highly destructive.”In this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer speaks with Dr. David Castle, Director of the CAMH Centre for Complex Interventions, about the upwards trend in crystal methamphetamine use, its impact on health care visits and the risk of violence, the medication and psychological interventions available, and, yes, the Australian experience (no mention of digeridoos, however).You’ll learn a lot in this 28-minute episode, including:• why there's been that sharp rise in use here in Canada• its impact on emergency departments and on staff physical and mental health• steps to take when dealing with an agitated patient• medications that work in different scenarios• and the evidence for psychological and psychosocial interventions.Follow us on Twitter

“It’s an extraordinary program that literally helps hundreds of thousands of people a year.”During this discussion you will learn:• the incredible recovery rate of IAPT patients• the trackable outcomes are nearly 100%• how the program has become more equitable• and just they do with all the data the program collects.Follow us on Twitter

“We need to think about more than just the classic medical model borrowed from infectious disease: simple bug, simple drug.”Today’s conversation on Quick Takes between Dr. David Gratzer and former National Institute of Mental Health Director, Dr. Thomas Insel, delves into what’s right and what’s wrong with the current state of mental health care. Some highlights of this conversation include:• acknowledgement that existing treatments work, but the system is not delivering care well.• treatment tends to focus on drug therapies for symptom reduction rather than on plans for long-term recovery• care is often unaffordable and unavailable, particularly for those who need it most and are experiencing homelessness• and the key to recovery involves the three Ps – people, place, and purpose.Follow us on Twitter

“I think most physicians should be aware that there is some evidence.”Cannabis continues to be a topic of interest to clinicians and in this episode of Quick Takes Dr. David Gratzer sits down with Dr. Kevin Hill of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School to discuss where we are at with using cannabinoids in treatment.In this discussion we learn:• there is a link between patients with AUD and OUD and long-term cannabis use• some “droplets” of data that cannabis is effective as an adjunct pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia do exist• the science isn’t keeping up with patients’ desire to use it therapeutically• and, for the most part, the doses of CBD and THC that people might need for the disorders that they are trying to receive a relief from are much higher than what most people are taking.Follow us on Twitter

“There's this unanimous sense that how could something like this not exist? It seems so logical and beneficial.”This episode of Quick Takes kicks off a new series on mental health care innovations. These are short and focused episodes we hope you will enjoy.In this episode Dr. Gratzer speaks with Dr. Ainslie Heasman, about her about her program aimed at preventing  sexual abuse, Talking for Change.In this discussion we learn:• How important this program is to intervene with the individuals who may engage in abuse, as opposed to offering services to children to prevent their own abuse.• The difficulty in measuring the impact of both anonymous and non- anonymous interventions.• How well-suited this program is to the world of digital mental health care.Follow us on Twitter

“I would get home at the end of my long shifts on the wards, and I would have nothing left. Nothing left for myself, nothing left for my spouse, nothing left for my children.”After another year of pandemic, the topic of physician burnout is more relevant than ever. On this episode of Quick Takes Dr. Gratzer speaks with award-winning medical educator and bestselling author Dr. Jillian Horton(of the University of Manitoba) about identifying signs of burnout and strategies to deal with it. The conversation is very personal – Dr. Horton, a practicing internist, talks about her own experiences.In this discussion with Dr. Horton, we talk about:• ways to identifying and combat burnout• how you may not fit the clinical mold for the definition of burnout, but you could still be experiencing it• the stigma around talking about burnout is gradually lifting• organisational and systemic factors are the primary drivers of burnout, period.Follow us on Twitter

Can the wearable on your patient’s wrist help prevent their next manic episode?On this episode of Quick Takes Dr. Gratzer hosts Dr. John Torous, digital psychiatry expert and the first guest to appear on 3 podcast episodes. They always have plenty to talk about as the field of digital mental health care continues to expand. This time, the primary focus is on wearables and data collection.They discuss how data captured on devices (especially related to sleep and exercise) can potentially improve care – and overall health; the types of “passive data” that can be collected; and the pros (behaviour and environment) and cons (privacy, privacy, privacy!) that come with it.---During another fascinating tech talk between Drs. Gratzer and Torous we learn about:the implications of wearables in mental health carewhat forms they currently take (watches, rings, phones)the types of data that can be collectedsome can benefit treatment of schizophrenia and depressionothers would help provide accurate social determinants databut, in all cases, there may be risk to data and patient privacy to considerhow COVID ignited synchronous digital mental health care via telehealthand how an asynchronous care using data from wearables and apps is due to ignite next.---Hear more from Dr. John Torous on previous episodes of Quick Takes:Episode 3: What all physicians need to know about digital psychiatry.Episode 11: What all physicians need to know about mental health apps.---Follow us on Twitter

Patients wait for care; quality is often uneven. Can we do better?In this episode, Dr. David Gratzer speaks with Dr. David Goldbloom, Senior Medical Advisor at CAMH and a professor at the University of Toronto. Dr. Goldbloom (a returning guest) has just written We Can Do Better: Urgent Innovations to Improve Mental Health Access and Care. They speak about the book – and Dr. Goldbloom’s optimism.Dr. Goldbloom discusses real-world examples of innovation: a publicly-funded psychotherapy program in the UK that treats 600,000 people a year; a Nova Scotia program that helps families of children with ADHD and has inspired similar work in Vietnam and Finland; and a major Canadian study that has changed the way we think about homelessness. We also discuss the implications for policy makers – and for clinicians. And, yes, we do talk about The Simpsons.With Dr. Goldbloom’s book We Can Do Better: Urgent Innovations to Improve Mental Health Access and Care as the basis of the conversation we learn:Clients, families, and physicians alike all agree that the current system in Canada just isn’t good enough.Programs exist in places such as the UK and Australia that are already doing things better.Canada has created its own internationally successful programs but has had difficulties expanding across our own country.Traditionally the number of years it takes for clinical and innovation to be translated into clinical practice has been exceedingly slow.The pandemic has sparked rapid change they hope will continue. Follow us on Twitter

Sometimes it’s the simple things that make the biggest impact on patient care.In episode 14 of Quick Takes Dr. Gratzer talks to two leading experts on transgender care, Dr. Alex Abramovich and Dr. June Lam to get their input on how to foster a respectful and supportive care setting.The conversation flows between research studies and in-person care and provides an excellent overview of the trans experience in mental health care.You’ll hear about:how hormone replacement therapy may interact with psychotropic medicationsthe importance of using the right language when addressing and working with your trans patientsthe high rates of depression, homelessness and suicidality that studies have foundand tips for working with your trans patients to help lower those statistical rates.Follow us on Twitter

As Ramadan begins, what should you know as you care for your patients with mental health problems?In episode 13 of Quick Takes  Dr. Gratzer hosts Drs. Juveria Zaheer and Zainab Furqan in an insightful conversation on impact of Ramadan on our patients’ care.Drawing on their clinical experience and the literature, Drs. Zaheer and Furqan provide insights and suggestions for treating Muslim patients. What mental disorders may be particularly affected by Ramadan? How should medication regiments change in light of fasting? How might you start a discussion with one of your patients? With over 1.7 billion Muslims in the world – and about 80% of North American Muslims actively fasting – they discuss the conversations that you may have with your patients; their comments are enlivened with patient stories. And, yes, they share a few warm, personal memories.During this insightful conversation the guest physicians discuss the following:The surprising lack of resources they found when researching this topic for their Lancet paperHow to foster culturally safe care by acknowledging Ramadan and opening up the conversation with your patients whose treatment may be impacted by timing or foodSome possible talking points to go over with your patients who want to fully participate in this celebration: “Do you generally fast? Were you planning to fast this year? What does fasting mean for you?” and “I know Ramadan is coming up. What are your thoughts on the medications you're taking?”The obvious mental health and addiction issues impacted by fasting and changing sleep cycles as well as some you may not initially consider.Follow us on Twitter

“Racism exists and it exists in the lives of our patients.” – Dr. Amy GajariaIn episode 12 of Quick Takes Dr. Gratzer hosts Drs. Amy Gajaria and Saadia Sediqzadah in a compelling conversation on the importance of addressing race and racism in mental health care.In this, our longest episode of Quick Takes to date (30 minutes), the conversation covers some necessary, some easy, and some possibly difficult things clinicians should consider as they factor race into patient care.Understand that race is important to your patients, make it important to you as well.Recognize that there is a need to formalize diversity in mentorship and in leadership.Learn from our history to understand the hesitancy that black, indigenous and other people of colour have towards the medical system.Practice talking about race outside the clinical setting but don’t judge yourself – you won’t be perfect.Follow us on Twitter

Which apps should you recommend to your patients?On this episode of Quick Takes Dr. Gratzer sits down with returning guest and digital psychiatry expert, Dr. John Torous of Harvard University.They discuss the use of mobile apps to aid in diagnosis and treatment as well as issues around digital privacy, the potential of chatbots, and how AI may change the field. But at the heart of this episode, they try to determine just what makes a good app. What do physicians need to know before using an app in their clinical work?During Drs. Gratzer and Torous’ conversation we learn more about:  what makes a good app and how mobile apps can be integrated into mental health treatment how apps may pose a risk to data privacy and securitythe potential of chatbots and AIand the challenges of sustaining patient engagement with apps.  To hear more of what Dr. Torous has to say on the topic of digital mental health, listen to Quick Takes episode 3 What all physicians need to know about digital psychiatry.Follow us on Twitter

“If you have a room of one hundred people, one hundred people in that room have been affected by suicide.”So notes Dr. Juveria Zaheer, CAMH psychiatrist and clinician scientist with the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, and Dr. David Gratzer’s guest on this episode of Quick Takes.In this 10th episode of Quick Takes, Dr. Gratzer and Dr. Zaheer discuss the weighty topic of suicide. Often a difficult topic for health care providers to deal with, they keep it accessible by focusing on practical issues such as how to approach risk assessment and dealing with a suicidal patient..What you will learn:there’s a complicated relationship between COVID-19 and suicidewhat Dr. Zaheer’s research on suicide has uncoveredwhat some of the warning signs for suicide areways to co-create a safety plan with your patient.The podcast ends with an important reminder that the more we talk about suicide, the more we can all help prevent it. Follow us on Twitter

“We’re having a digital moment in medicine and behavioural health like one we have never seen.”So notes Dr. Jay Shore, chair of the American Psychiatric Association's Telepsychiatry Committee, and Dr. David Gratzer’s guest on this episode of Quick Takes.In this episode Dr. Gratzer and Dr. Shore discuss the rise of virtual care during this pandemic and how our current experiences could impact the entire healthcare system. They cover the challenges (Zoom fatigue) and opportunities (hybrid care solutions) COVID-19 has brought about. And Dr. Shore leaves the listeners with some excellent tips for providers new to virtual health as well as some guidelines on patient-physician interaction that should benefit all listeners.What you will learn:what the challenges are in virtual carewhat opportunities this period of rapid virtualization has brought abouthow our healthcare system may evolve as a result of all the digital work being done currentlyuseful tips for new virtual care providers and some guidelines on patient-physician interaction.Follow us on Twitter

The world of mental health care delivery is being reshaped. In this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer sits down with the associate chief in the General Adult Psychiatry and Health Systems division at CAMH, Dr. Allison Crawford. Dr. Crawford is an expert on telemental health and in a time when working at home and social distancing are the norm, the need to learn about alternative health care delivery methods is on the rise. Listen to this episode to learn the basics on telemental/virtual mental health and receive some excellent advice on how best to approach starting out in virtual mental health care. What you will learn: What telemental health looks like currently and what it is evolving intobeyond the name change to virtual mental healthhow much easier it is to do with our current technology.How patients are responding to itit goes beyond convenience for somethey actually rate the quality of virtual care higher than providers.Some very useful tips for how best to approach starting out in virtual mental health and what you should be aware ofrelationships are still incredibly important – and that can’t be replaced by machines.How the evolution of technology may impact the use and growth of virtual mental health. Follow us on Twitter

With one year of legalized cannabis (and this podcast) under our belts, it’s time to look at the impact that cannabis (and now legal edibles) has had – and how to talk to your patients about their use.In this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer sits down with Dr. Leslie Buckley, the Chief of the Addictions Division at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, to discuss the evidence for using cannabis to treat psychiatric disorders (spoiler alert: not much) and how to incorporate motivational interviewing techniques into practice – even in short interviews. We also talk about the problem with edibles and the advantages of CBD over THC.In this episode, the conversation focused on:How cannabis use has changed with legalization one year on – and where things might go now that edibles are legal.What the evidence is for using cannabis in treatment (not much).Some real-world examples – and excellent techniques – to try when using motivational interviewing with your cannabis patients.The main interview rounds out with talk about the difference between THC and CDB use.In this episodes’ bonus content, Double Take, Drs. Gratzer and Buckley enjoy the opportunity to engage in some role-play as they run through a scenario in which Dr. Gratzer plays a young adult who is using cannabis to relieve his anxiety. Listen as Dr. Buckley demonstrates some MI techniques while she interviews him. Episode #7 Double Take

Motivational interviewing for anxiety-related cannabis use (a role-play)In this episode’s Double Take, Drs. Gratzer and Buckley enjoy the opportunity to engage in some role-play as they run through a scenario in which Dr. Gratzer plays a young adult who is using cannabis to relieve his anxiety. Listen as Dr. Buckley demonstrates some MI techniques while she interviews him.

“The biggest risk is self-study without actual demonstration of performance.”Dr. Peter Selby, CAMH Chief of Medicine in Psychiatry, discusses the current state of technology in medical education with Dr. Gratzer.Together they cover topics such as:how technology has helped bridge the access gap in medical education;the benefit of smartphones to just-in-time learning;the ability of VR and simulation to help people learn in more diverse – and impactful – ways;and how an online community of practice helped to fill the void on smoking cessation education for Syrian refugees.

“It’s no accident that Alexa and Siri have names… so I suspect that technology will also morph to be more and more human-like.”Dr. David Goldbloom, CAMH Senior Medical Advisor, and Dr. Gratzer have a light-hearted conversation in which Dr. Goldbloom predicts 5 things that may be in store for the future of medical education and they consider how technology challenges the norms and expectations of the role of clinicians.Dr. Goldbloom bravely gives us his 5 predictions (safe in the knowledge he may not be around to account for them in the future!)They discuss the research Dr. John Torous has done on patient use of mental health apps. (Check out our episode of Quick Takes featuring Dr. Torous)As well as the difficulties in recommending apps to patients.Dr. Goldbloom looks back at his work using televideo for psychiatry outreach.Their discussion ends on a cautionary note regarding privacy protection when it comes to technology.

“As we think about simulation, and how it might not be feasible for everyone to come to a place and practice in a simulation lab, how we can make those more virtually available either through augmenting with virtual reality, or other kinds of digital spaces where we can start to experiment in more team-based care.”CAMH’s VP of Education looks ahead and considers just-for-me learning experiences and how AI and simulation may impact medical education.In his discussion with Dr. Gratzer they touch on the following:how to prepare clinicians to incorporate technology into their practice;the current deficiencies of medical school and residency programs in preparing students to have discussions on technology use in practice;the benefits of synchronous types of training and the example of ECHO;the potential of AI on exam writing;and what the future classroom may look like – and how it will function.

“I’m not sure we’re there yet, in psychiatry, in having that kind of useful information to make it really ‘just-for-me’ learning. I think ‘just-in-time’ is here, but ‘just-for-me’ I don’t think has arrived yet.”In a lively conversation with Dr. Gratzer, Dr. Ivan Silver, former CAMH VP Education, shares his thoughts on how medical education has been reshaped by technology.In this discussion, Dr. Silver:introduces some of us to the term “heutagogy” (the study of self-determined learning) and how technology can aid us in with our learning goals;looks back at the rise of video-based lectures;recounts the emergence (and decline) of MOOCs;details the progression of his paper-based library of evidence-based practice to a digital version he can easily share with students;and he brings up an interesting perspective on the impact of technology on the future of the earth (conference attendance really affects one’s carbon footprint!)

AI. Apps. Simulation.In this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer sits down with Drs. Ivan Silver, Peter Selby, Sanjeev Sockalingam, and David Goldbloom. This esteemed group of influential educators discuss how technology has changed medical education, and some of the potential and pitfalls of future changes.In this episode the following was discussed:How technology in the classroom began as video-based lectures and the limits of this teaching model.How existing online learning allows for more flexibility and accessibility.The future (and present) of learning through VR and simulation-based teaching.The dangers technology poses to privacy.And how to integrate technology into the medical education curriculum – without it replacing training in other necessary skills.Out of respect to what each of these educators had to say, we will be releasing their full interviews in four separate Double Take episodes. You’ll hear their responses to how technology functions in medical education (past, present and future) in our main Quick Takes episode, but their individual episodes offer far more substance. We highly recommend you listen to them all!Double Take with Dr. Ivan SilverDouble Take with Dr. Peter SelbyDouble Take with Dr. Sanjeev SockalingamDouble Take with Dr. David Goldbloom

“How many more patients?How much time is left in my day?”Sound familiar? Hopefully not too familiar – such thinking may indicate burnout.In this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer sits down with Dr. Treena Wilkie, Deputy Physician-in-Chief, Medical Affairs and Practice at CAMH to talk about burnout: what the signs are, and what can – and is – being done to help doctors avoid it.In this episode the following was discussed:What exactly is physician burnout?How common burnout is now and why rates may be rising.The effect physician burnout could have on the public health care system.What doctors can do if they think they may be experiencing it.And what organizations should do to try to ensure their physicians never burn out.To hear a story of one physician’s experience with burnout, check out our bonus track Episode #5 Double Take

Physician burnout is real – and on the rise.Our bonus content for this episode is a true “bonus” as you get to hear from a psychiatrist who not only experienced burnout, but who successfully bounced back and is thriving. Dr. Murray Erlich is open and honest as he tells his own personal story: what he went through, how he dealt with it, and his advice to all physicians on what warning signs to look out for.

When there is no psychiatrist, how do people get the mental health care they need?This special edition of Quick Takes covers this topic as Dr. David Gratzer interviews Prof. Vikram Patel – 2019 winner of the prestigious John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award – about how his ground-breaking research has helped with the prevention and treatment of mental health in low-income countries. This conversation breaks our 10 to 15-minute format and runs around 26 minutes – but the time flies by as Prof. Patel details his award-winning research projects and what inspired him to push his ideas out on a global scale.In this episode the following was discussed:What inspired Prof. Patel’s work.The significance of community health workers in his research.How the success of his project sparked the creation of the NGO, Sangath.And the challenges involved in scaling things up on a global level.The conversation ends with a one-minute rapid-fire Q&A between Dr. Gratzer and Prof. Patel.

The future of psychiatry is now.In this episode of Quick Takes Dr. David Gratzer sits down with one of the leading experts in digital psychiatry, Dr. John Torous of the Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, to discuss how digital tools are now being used in patient care, and what tomorrow may bring. They talk about apps, virtual reality, e-therapy, chatbots, data and, of course, privacy and ethics. Learn what apps you can incorporate into your practice today, and why your patients’ data could be at risk in a digital world.In this episode the following was discussed:The possibilities that new digital tools, and the data they provide, bring to the practice of psychiatry.The exciting potential of new technologies.How to use mobile apps in your clinical practice.The concerns that digital psychiatry can spark.What sparked Dr. Torous’s interest in digital healthcare.Things end with a one-minute rapid-fire Q&A between Dr. Gratzer and Dr. Torous.To hear more about the potential of digital psychiatry, check out our bonus track Episode #3 Double Take

Are you curious about things like how cell phone charging data may help psychiatrists predict psychosis in patients with schizophrenia? Then download our bonus Double Take episode for more information on psychiatry in the digital realm.In this bonus episode:Get a bit of a history lesson that explains how using patient data led to the differentiation of bipolar from schizophrenia.Hear how ‘new data’ can help us to understand even severe mental illness.Learn what surprises Dr. John Torous about the digital healthcare space.

The rules have changed.This summer, the Ministry of Transportation changed the reporting requirements for Ontario drivers.In this episode of Quick Takes: A podcast by physicians, for physicians, Dr. David Gratzer interviews Dr. Brittany Poynter, Associate Chief and Medical Head of the Emergency Department at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), and Dr. Travis Barron, CAMH Resident, for their thoughts on when to report a patient. Reviewing real-world examples involving people with mental illness, they discuss the new (and not so new) obligations to report – and the impact reporting may have on your patients’ lives.In this episode the following was discussed:The impact of the language in the legislation and how that may impact your decision to report.What constitutes "acute" psychosis?Defining engagement and treatment under these guidelines.Understanding that the absence of a mandatory duty to report does not mean the absence of a duty to reportTo hear more about the legal side of mandatory reporting, check out our bonus track Episode #2 Double Take

If you have another 8 minutes to spare, and you want to know what the legal department at CAMH has to say about mandatory report, then download our Double Take episode. In it, Dr. Gratzer speaks with CAMH legal counsel, Kendra Naidoo.In this bonus episode:What has changed in the reporting guidelinesThe importance of clinical consultation before reporting

For listeners who have another 8 minutes to spare – Dr. David Gratzer and Dr. Jonathan Bertram carry on their conversation on cannabis legalization in Canada.In this clip they have a more in-depth discussion on hyperemesis syndrome, dealing with sub-populations and the benefits of ginger – stat!In this episode:Identifying and treating hyperemesis syndromeDealing with sub-populationsIn-patientsOlder adultsAvailable resources for physiciansThe benefits of ginger

It's October 17, 2018.On this historic day Dr. David Gratzer hits the ground running in his new podcast series as he and his guest, Dr. Jonathan Bertram, discuss Canada’s new cannabis policy. By the end of this short and intimate discussion you’ll quickly learn what you need to know to screen, assess and treat cannabis intoxication. You'll also get valuable insight into dealing with new or existing patients thinking about cannabis as a treatment method.Dr. Bertram is an Addictions Medicine Physician at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) with a special interest in First Nations Outreach & Older Adults population in the context of Pain & Addictions Treatment.This episode covers the following:How acute cannabis intoxication presentsThe importance of taking a substance use historyTreating the intoxicated stateCannabis use disordersTreating patients with medical cannabisOne minute of rapid fire questionsTo hear more of this conversation on the impact of cannabis legalization, check out our bonus track Episode #1 Double Take