Episode 137: Transforming Medicine from the Inside Out: Leadership, Wellness, and Change

Welcome to another episode of the Sustainable Clinical Medicine Podcast!

This week, Dr. Sarah Smith sits down with Dr. Diane Sliwka, Chief Physician Experience Officer at UCSF, to explore what it really takes to create a sustainable and fulfilling career in medicine.

Dr. Sliwka shares her personal journey through hospital medicine, the challenges of burnout, and how systemic change and leadership can make a real difference for clinicians. Together, they discuss practical strategies for improving work-life balance, the power of advocacy, and the importance of open communication in healthcare organizations.

Whether you’re a physician, healthcare leader, or anyone interested in the future of clinical practice, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration to help you thrive in your career and support a healthier medical community.

Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:

1. Systemic Change Is Essential for Combating Burnout: Dr. Sliwka’s experience highlights that physician burnout is often rooted in systemic issues—such as long hours, inflexible schedules, and excessive documentation. Addressing these challenges requires organizational change, not just individual resilience.
2. Leadership and Advocacy Make a Difference: Taking on leadership roles and advocating for change within the system can lead to meaningful improvements. Dr. Sliwka’s journey shows that when clinicians step into leadership and use data to drive decisions, they can influence policies that support well-being, such as improved scheduling, documentation support, and wellness initiatives.
3. Continuous Improvement and Open Communication Are Key: Sustainable clinical practice depends on ongoing feedback, open communication between frontline staff and leadership, and a willingness to adapt. Initiatives like anonymous surveys, regular check-ins, and a culture that values listening to clinicians’ needs are crucial for creating a healthier, more supportive work environment.

Meet Dr. Diane Sliwka:

Diane Sliwka, MD is a Hospitalist and Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hospital Medicine at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. In her role as Chief Physician Experience Officer at UCSF Health, she has led provider experience efforts organizationally since 2014. Diane co-designed and facilitated UCSF’s well-being centered leadership development program for physicians. She also leads UCSF Health’s Center for Enhancement of Communication in Healthcare which provides relationship centered communication skills training for providers. She hosts “The Expansive Life Project” on Instagram, providing personal well-being resources and tips focused on mid-career working professionals.

You can find Dr. Sliwka on:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexpansivelifeproject/
• Linked In: linkedin.com/in/diane-sliwka-md-59122413b
• UCSF Web Bio: https://hospitalmedicine.ucsf.edu/people/diane-sliwka

--------------

Would you like to view a transcript of this episode?  Click Here

**** Charting Champions is a premiere, lifetime access Physician only program that is helping Physicians get home with today's work done. All the proven tools, support and community you need to create time for your life outside of medicine.

Learn more at https://www.chartingcoach.ca

**** Enjoying this podcast? Please share it with someone who would benefit. Also, don’t forget to hit “follow” so you get all the new episodes as soon as they are released.

**** Come hang out with me on Facebook or Instagram. Follow me @chartingcoach to get more practical tools to help you create sustainable clinical medicine in your life.
 
**** Questions? Comments? Want to share how this podcast has helped you? Shoot me an email at [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.