The Doc Talk Podcast

In this episode, we’re tackling a question that feels increasingly common and increasingly urgent: If you don’t have a family doctor and you’re getting your health advice online, how do you know who to trust?
With nearly nine in ten Canadians turning to the internet for health information, this isn’t surprising. Access to care is limited for many, and people are looking for answers wherever they can find them. But what we’re seeing in clinic and in the ER is that misinformation is no longer harmless. It’s changing decisions and, in some cases, causing real harm.
We walk through some of the myths we’re actually hearing from patients right now, from vaginal steaming and detoxes to high-dose vitamin D, “natural” cancer cures, and ongoing fears around vaccines and fertility. These conversations aren’t theoretical. They’re showing up in delayed diagnoses, complications from supplements, and patients stopping medications that were protecting them from serious outcomes.
This episode isn’t about shaming people for going online. It’s about understanding why they’re there in the first place, and giving you practical tools to navigate that space more safely. We talk about the red flags to watch for, what credible information actually looks like, and why confidence and popularity don’t equal accuracy.
At its core, this is bigger than individual choices. Health misinformation is a public health issue. It affects trust, access, and outcomes, especially for communities already facing barriers to care.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what to believe, this episode is for you. 
Disclaimer
A reminder that The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs. 
Follow us on social media @thedoctalkpod and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this special episode, we take a deeper look at the Season 2 finale of The Pitt. Rather than a full recap, we focus on the major medical storyline and the bigger themes the episode tries to tackle, including what it gets right, what it doesn’t, and what it reflects about real-life medicine.
We break down the case of preeclampsia progressing to eclampsia, discuss the realities of neonatal resuscitation, and explore the portrayal of burnout in healthcare, and why it deserves a more direct conversation.
We also reflect on key character arcs and what they reveal about the emotional cost of working in emergency medicine.
In this episode, we discuss:
Preeclampsia and eclampsia: recognition, escalation, and management
HELLP syndrome and maternal risk
Resuscitative hysterotomy (perimortem C-section): when and why it’s done
Neonatal resuscitation (NRP): key steps and where the show missed the mark
Physician health: Dr. Al’s seizure disorder and implications for practice
Burnout in healthcare: what it actually looks like and why it’s more than “just being tired”
Character reflections: Robby, Whittaker, Mohan, Javadi, and Mel & Santos
A note on burnout and mental health in healthcare
Burnout, moral injury, and mental health struggles are common in medicine, particularly in high-intensity environments like emergency departments. These experiences are not a personal failure; they are often the result of systemic pressures combined with emotionally demanding work.
If you are a healthcare worker and you are struggling, you are not alone - and support is available.
Mental Health & Suicide Support Resources (Healthcare Workers)
Canada
Talk Suicide Canada
Call or text 988 (24/7, free, confidential)
Canadian Medical Association Physician Wellness Hub
Resources for physicians and learners, including mental health supports and crisis tools
Canadian Nurses Association Wellness Resources
Mental health and resilience resources for nurses and healthcare teams
Provincial Physician Health Programs (PHPs)
Confidential support services available in every province (e.g., Alberta Physician & Family Support Program)
United States
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 (24/7)
Physician Support Line
1-888-409-0141 (free, confidential peer support by physicians, daily)
Global 
International Academy of Physician Associate Educators Wellness Resources
Many hospitals and health systems offer confidential Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
If you’re in immediate distress
Please contact your local emergency services or a crisis line in your region.
Follow us on social media at @thedoctalkpod and let us know your thoughts on this episode.

HPV is common. Cancer is not inevitable. 
In this episode, we break down Human Papillomavirus (HPV), what it actually means if your test is positive, and how vaccination and screening can prevent most HPV-related cancers.

About 75–80% of sexually active people will be exposed to HPV at some point. Most infections clear on their own. But certain high-risk strains can persist and increase cancer risk over time.

In Canada, approximately 1,550 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and about 400 die annually (Canadian Cancer Society). Almost all cases are linked to HPV and are largely preventable.

In this episode, we cover:
What HPV is (and isn’t)
What happens after a positive test
Who should get the vaccine and whether it’s ever too late
Changes to cervical cancer screening in Canada
We also clear up common myths and explain how to move from panic to prevention.

If you’ve ever received an HPV-positive result and worried, this one’s for you. 
Thank you to our sponsor, FIGS.
If you work in health care (or love someone who does), you know how important comfort and function are. Use code FIGSDOCTALK for 20% off your first order at wearfigs.com. 
Disclaimer
A reminder that The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs. 
Follow us on social media @thedoctalkpod and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Feeding kids has become one of the most overwhelming parts of parenting. In this episode, we cut through the noise on starting solids, picky eating, supplements, and the growing confusion around sugar and ultra-processed foods. 
We’re joined by Registered Dietitian Nita Sharda (Happy Healthy Eaters) to break down what the evidence actually says and how to apply it in real life.
What we cover:
Baby-led weaning vs spoon-feeding
What it is, what the evidence shows, and how to approach it safely
Starting solids
Nutritional priorities in early feeding and practical first food guidance
Safe introduction of common allergens including peanut, egg and dairy
Iron and vitamin D
When supplementation is needed vs food-based approaches
Signs kids may not be meeting requirements
Picky eating
What’s developmentally normal vs concerning
Strategies to reduce mealtime stress and support variety
How to think about “enough” intake and growth
Nutrition misinformation
Common myths circulating online and how to identify credible sources
Added sugar
What the evidence says about timing and amounts in childhood
Ultra-processed foods
What they are, why they matter and how to approach them realistically
Guest:
Nita Sharda, Registered Dietitian and co-founder of Happy Healthy Eaters, shares practical, evidence-based strategies to support family nutrition.
Connect with Nita:
Instagram: @nita_sharda
Instagram: @happyhealthyeaters
Thank you to our sponsor, FIGS.
If you work in health care (or love someone who does), you know how important comfort and function are. Use code FIGSDOCTALK for 20% off your first order at wearfigs.com. 
Disclaimer
A reminder that The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs. 
Follow us on social media @thedoctalkpod and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts.

For International Women’s Day, we’re tackling a difficult but important question: are women’s symptoms being dismissed in healthcare?
Research shows that women experience higher rates of missed and delayed diagnoses for several major conditions. Women under 55 are more likely than men to be misdiagnosed during a heart attack. Endometriosis takes an average of 7–10 years to diagnose. And women account for roughly 75–80% of autoimmune disease cases, often after years of unexplained symptoms.
So what’s going on?
In this episode, we break down the data behind women’s health inequities, why these patterns occur and how system pressures, research gaps and cognitive bias can contribute to women feeling unheard in medical settings.
We also talk about the broader consequences of this trust gap, why it matters for the future of Canadian healthcare and how clinicians, patients and policymakers can help move the system forward.
This episode is not about blaming individual doctors. It’s about understanding patterns, rebuilding trust and asking what needs to change so women’s symptoms are taken seriously.
In this episode we discuss:
• Why cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women
• The long road to diagnosis for conditions like endometriosis and autoimmune disease
• How research history has shaped modern medicine
• System pressures in Canadian healthcare that affect complex diagnoses
• The role of cognitive bias in clinical decision-making
• Why women may feel dismissed in medical encounters
• Practical ways patients can advocate for themselves
• What clinicians and health systems can do to improve trust and outcomes
Thank you to our sponsor, FIGS.
If you work in health care (or love someone who does), you know how important comfort and function are. Use code FIGSDOCTALK for 20% off your first order at wearfigs.com. 
Disclaimer
A reminder that The Doc Talk is for general information purposes only. This podcast is not intended to replace medical advice from your doctor. While we are doctors, we are not your doctor. Always speak to your own healthcare provider for questions related to your personal health needs. 
Follow us on social media @thedoctalkpod and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts.