A Doctor's View

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! In this episode of A Doctor’s View, Dr. Polyvios sits down with Viktor from Tough Muscles to explore how calisthenics — simple bodyweight strength training — can transform not just your physical health but your mental well-being too. From boosting focus during stressful exam periods to finding calm after intense hospital shifts, discover why moving your own body through space can be the most empowering workout of all. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a complete beginner, this conversation offers practical tips and real-life insights on building strength, resilience, and mental clarity through calisthenics. Tough Muscles Website. Click here: https://toughmuscles.co.uk/ Instagram: @Tough_Muscles Thank you for listening! email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! Have you ever wondered why you struggle to decide what to have for dinner after a long day at work? That mental exhaustion has a name—decision fatigue—and it affects everyone, but takes a particularly heavy toll on healthcare professionals. Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of our choices after prolonged periods of decision-making. While it might sound like an academic concept, its effects are profoundly practical and widespread. For doctors and nurses, decision fatigue isn't just an inconvenience; it's a daily challenge that can affect patient care and personal wellbeing. Throughout a typical hospital shift, healthcare workers make hundreds of micro-decisions. When a nurse reports a patient's overnight blood pressure drop, this triggers a cascade of mental questions about causation and treatment options. Even seemingly simple requests like prescribing pain relief require careful consideration of drug interactions, patient history, and potential side effects. These continuous small decisions gradually erode mental reserves, leading to compromised judgment as the day progresses. Compounding this challenge is what I call "noise fatigue"—the mental drain caused by constant exposure to beeping monitors, alarms, phones, and the general cacophony of busy wards. This sensory overload further taxes already strained cognitive resources. It explains why many hospital staff eat lunch in silence or why closing your front door at home becomes the most cherished moment of the day—finally experiencing silence and freedom from the pressure of constant decision-making. Understanding these psychological phenomena helps explain seemingly irrational behaviours and underscores the importance of creating systems that minimise unnecessary decisions. While recognising decision fatigue doesn't excuse poor choices, it helps us develop strategies to preserve mental energy for critical decisions and create environments that support rather than deplete our cognitive resources. Next time you feel inexplicably exhausted, consider how many decisions you've made recently and perhaps give yourself the gift of silence. Your brain will thank you. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! Ready to debunk the myths, lies, and half-truths about obesity and healthy living? Listening to this episode will challenge the 'health at any size' idea that obesity and health can coexist. I dive into a dissection of the 'obesity paradox' and 'fat but fit' - a term that has been doing rounds on social media and even within medical circles. The episode looks at the World Health Organisation's definition of health and discusses a study that proves that metabolically healthy obese people are at a higher risk of coronary heart disease than their normal weight, metabolically healthy counterparts. I don't stop at challenging the 'obesity paradox'; we also take a hard look at the controversies around obesity and health, explaining why being 'metabolically healthy' doesn't necessarily mean you're healthy if you're obese. I bring to light the risks of obesity, including complications during pregnancy and other health issues, often ignored in popular discussions, including the impact of obesity on fertility. This episode also talks about the dangers of taking everything you see online at face value and dispel some of the myths about caloric intake and the role the laws of thermodynamics has in weight gain and loss. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! Ever felt the weight of perfectionism bearing down on you, be it personal or professional? Join me, Dr. Polyvios, as I engage in a profound discussion with Dr. Samantha Anthony about perfectionism and the corresponding burnout it can provoke, particularly in the healthcare field. With a personal touch, Dr. Anthony uncovers her own struggles with perfectionism, highlighting the often-overlooked traits such as persistent guilt, fear of criticism, and a compulsive need for excessive preparation. From this enlightening exchange, you'll discover how accepting our limitations and recognizing the elusive nature of perfect outcomes can moderate perfectionism and kindle productivity. Steering the conversation towards the darker side of perfectionism, we expose the specter of unrealistic expectations and the storm of guilt and fear it can stir. Unpacking the importance of downtime, we spotlight how career interruptions are not just breaks but opportunities for personal growth and development. Drawing inspiration from nations like Australia that have mandated time off, we dig into how such strategies can ward off burnout. Listen and gather valuable insights on the significance of reliable support for those who step back from work to reclaim their wellbeing. Wrapping up our discussion, we consider the broad-ranging impact of perfectionism across various professions, acknowledging its role in fuelling creativity yet also recognizing its potential to lead to burnout. Our dialogue circles around the stress perfectionism can engender in the workplace and the strategies to support those wrestling with its weight. We stress the importance of open communication in recognizing burnout signs and promoting a safe space for these crucial conversations. Listen in to gain actionable ideas on balancing perfectionism with creativity, navigating career decisions in medicine, and supporting mental health in the workplace. Permitted to Pause Mugs: Buy a Permitted to Pause mug here Permitted to Pause: Website: www.permittedtopause.co.uk Instagram: @permittedtopause Doctors in Distress: Website: www.doctors-in-distress.org.uk Instagram: @docs_in_distress Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! In this episode I revisit the topic of acne and relive the experience of taking Roaccutane (Isotretinoin). I discuss some myths around acne and the various treatment options. Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/1Xe20F_fK14 Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! This episode focuses on an important topic that is becoming more and more prevalent. An eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia is a severe psychological eating disorder where an individual restricts their food intake to lose weight or avoid weight gain. Recorded at The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image, I’m joined by Dr Bryony Bamford, Founder and Director and Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Christina de Beukelaar, The London Centre’s Lead Dietitian. We discuss a number of questions that surround eating disorders and the role of a clinical psychologist and dietician when treating such a difficult and debilitating illness. These include: Bios: Dr Bryony Bamford Dr Bryony Bamford is a specialist eating disorder psychologist treating children adolescents and adults with eating disorders, eating problems and low body esteem. She has been treating eating disorders throughout her 20-year career. She has worked with individuals with eating disorders across a number of different treatment settings, inpatient and outpatient, and within the NHS and privately. Early on in her career Dr Bamford worked in international research, developing psychological treatments for severe and enduring anorexia. In 2013 Dr Bamford founded The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image. Christina de Beukelaar Christina de Beukelaar is a specialist dietitian and has over 15 years clinical experience, her expertise spans all areas of Dietetics and Nutrition, specialising specifically in eating disorders. Christina’s practical and person-centred approach allows individuals to establish long term lifestyle changes. She works directly with clients and additionally provides education and training for their family members around food and meal times. Useful Links: The London CentreNHSBEAT Eating DisordersOther specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED) information Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! A look at how perfectionism can be a destructive personality trait and why it can leave me feeling superficial and guilty when working as a doctor. I discuss the difficult scenarios medics are often exposed to and how as healthcare professionals we become 'numb' to the emotion that should follow the horrific scenes we see everyday. I also discuss the recent NHS nurses strike in England and provide an insight into the reasons why they have made the decision to go on strike. Article referenced: “The Downsides of Perfection” BBC article by Amanda Ruggeri Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! **CONTAINS SPOILERS** In this episode I give my thoughts on the recent TV series based on the book "This is Going to Hurt" by Dr Adam Kay. In my opinion it was a masterpiece and will change the public perception of what a doctor does and has to go through. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! In this episode we look at studying medicine at an international university vs a traditional medical school. I'm joined by Dr Josh Ramjist a graduate from St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada to talk about these differences as well as offer advice to those looking to study or practice medicine abroad. We discuss: Working in the US As well as comparing and contrasting Josh's experience training and working in different countries and the advice he has for prospective medical students. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! For this episode we are joined by a medical colleague in the USA. Dr Philip Ovadia is a board-certified Cardiac Surgeon and founder of Ovadia Heart Health. Once a morbidly obese heart surgeon, struggling to lose weight Dr Ovadia learnt about the importance of metabolic health. This helped him lose over 100 pounds. Dr Ovadia has since been determined to help patients improve their metabolic health and ultimately teach them new habits which could save their lives. He has written a book about my metabolic health methods called Stay off My Operating Table: A Heart Surgeon’s Metabolic Health Guide to Lose Weight, Prevent Disease, and Feel Your Best Every Day. Stay Off My Operating Table shares the truth about metabolic health so people struggling with chronic disease, heart problems, and obesity can finally discover what’s been holding them back and keeping them sick. Together we discuss: Dr Ovadia's website: ovadiahearthealth.com Stay Off My Operating Table (Book by Dr Ovadia): USA UK Stay Off My Operating Table (Apple Podcasts): Click Here Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! We are joined once again with our friend Dr Haidar Al-Hakim for a candid discuss. We discuss the evolution of physician psychology within medicine, hierarchies, the importance of change within ourselves to help us become more balanced and content. Listen to Dr Haidar Al-Hakim's podcast: Surgical Spirit podcast click here Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! A discussion with our friends at Doctor’s in Distress; a charity which is dedicated to supporting healthcare workers suffering within the NHS and prevents suicide within the profession. With 3 guest speakers we discuss: Links: Doctors in Distress Permitted to Pause Bios: Dr Gavin McColl Gavin is a trustee of 'Doctors in Distress' a charity that supports healthcare workers and prevents suicide within the profession. He helped establish the 'Primary Care Gambling Service', an integrated counselling service for problem gamblers that also helps to improve recognition and competence in primary care of this emerging public health issue. He is the Clinical Lead for New Cross Health Centre and Sternhall Lane Surgery and is passionate about transforming the patient journey through health services in order to better address the complexity now seen in modern primary care. In 2010 he established the charity 'On Call Africa' with three colleagues and has developed a replicable model that addresses remote health care delivery in Zambia which works to strengthen and augment, rather than replace, the capacity of the existing health services. Miss Samantha Anthony Samantha is an Associate Specialist in Dermatology at West Herts NHS Trust, principally working as a skin cancer surgeon for the past 14 years and previously as a GP too. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and when reaching burnout in 2017, she created Permitted To Pause (www.permittedtopause.co.uk and instagram @permittedtopause), to reach out to doctors and healthcare professionals to encourage positive changes to their well-being, and share understanding of why self-care is so often a low priority in the profession, and to help us all to overcome our barriers to this. Samantha has met and collaborated with DiD since 2020, sharing ideas and fund raising, and continues to support all the excellent work that they do. Brenda Donnelly Brenda is a CD for South Southwark PCN serving a 145K population. She qualified as an RGN in Belfast in 1983 and has practiced in the UK, The Netherlands and Australia. She landed in primary care in 1994 as a GPN and happily found her niche, she completed a MSc in Primary Care development 2003 and a PGCE in Primary care in 2015. An ex-Nurse partner in South East London she currently enjoys a portfolio career she is particularly interested in community and practice development and working with families and children in deprived areas. She is passionate about growing and supporting multi professional primary care teams fit for providing future population health. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! In this episode I take a look at imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome leaves you feeling like you don’t deserve your success. You feel as if you have achieved everything through luck, easy obstacles and without merit. This can make you constantly afraid of being ‘found out as a fraud’, prevent you from applying for a better position and constantly belittling your own abilities. I also discuss the reasons as to why imposter syndrome is affecting more and more people progressing through their academic life as well as why I believe it affects a number of healthcare workers. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! I left surgery to pursue a career in anaesthetics or anaesthesiology for our friends in the USA. In this episode aimed at medical students and Foundation Year Doctors I talk about why I left surgery, my general experience when it comes to choosing a specialty and why I think it’s important to take lots of things into consideration before disregarding other specialties. For the general public, this episode definitely serves a purpose into providing an insight into the different choices a doctor has to make early in their career as well as some of the different roles an anaesthetist has and what they do during an operation. Linked episode: Professionalism and bullying - my experience https://www.buzzsprout.com/342848/2975830 Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! From amateur gym goer to winning a professional bodybuilding competition, all on top of being an intensive care nurse. With an inspiring story of how you really can achieve anything you put your mind to, Lauren shares her story as well as providing an insight to the hidden world behind the camera and how social media posts aren’t always what they seem. She also talks of the dangers and misconceptions regarding fad weight loss regimes, insecurities and learning to be comfortable in your own skin. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! Danny Hiles, received a liver transplant which saved his life. He was diagnosed with Wilson's disease which is a rare autoimmune disease. He shares his story about receiving his diagnosis and what it means to be an organ recipient. Danny's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7XGBd1JjV7U2ddoGeFooiQ Danny's Instagram: https://instagram.com/danny_hiles86?igshid=puzgnurvka08 Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! Join me, Dr Polyvios for an opinionated view on popular health topics and an insight into medical life. *Disclaimer* Please note that all opinions and the content of this Podcast represent those of the host and the show's guests. The content of this podcast is for informational and/or entertainment purposes only and should not replace the medical advice given to you by your own GP/doctor. Please ensure you seek medical advice from your own doctor or healthcare professional if you have any concerns regarding your health or have any medical questions. Under no circumstances shall the Podcast's host or guests be responsible for any damages arising from the use of the Podcast. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! How many times have you heard someone complain about a situation and then following with “I just have a hard time saying no.”? Insecurities and anxiety often result in unhappiness and depression, but do we actually recognise this as a reason for why we might be unhappy? In this episode I look at anxiety and more specifically ‘people-pleaser syndrome’ and how it may manifest in very subtle ways and why this may be the cause of depression as well as explain how many may not even realise they have it. Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! Mental health and wellbeing affects us all. Never has this been more true than over the last few months, especially for key workers and nurses on the front-line during the covid pandemic. Hollie Lawrence is a student nurse who has created a group called ProVent, a safe area where healthcare workers can discuss openly and confidentially matters that may be contributing to stress and burnout in the workplace including the ever increasing feeling of guilt that healthcare workers have felt when they themselves have had to self-isolate. She joins the show to discuss ProVent and share some of her experiences. The links: Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/ProVent Email for support: support@provnt.com ProVent Funding Page Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Website coming soon! : www.provnt.com Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios

If you have any comments or suggestions, send us a text message! A special episode. A roundtable discussion hosted by Dr Haidar Al-Hakim host of the Surgical Spirit podcast joined by Dr Shan Hussain host of Enduring Health podcast, Dr Suhail Hussain a portfolio GP and senior tutor and myself discussing a range of topics that are not usually talked about within the medicine including racism in the NHS, the sustainability of our health system and the flaws of protocol driven medicine. This is an entertaining yet highly charged and controversial discussion between friends searching for the answers. Dr Haidar Al-Hakim's website http://drhaidaralhakim.com/ Dr Haidar Al-Hakim's podcast - Surgical Spirit Dr Shan Hussain’s website https://thehealthstudio.net Dr Shan Hussain’s podcast - Enduring Health Thank you for listening! For more information please visit adoctorsview.uk email: adoctorsview@gmail.com instagram: @adoctorsview twitter: @DrPolyvios