Specialty Café

Are you a medical student or resident choosing your path in healthcare? Grab a coffee and settle in… this café is for you! Our hosts (med students & residents) chat with Royal College specialists and residents about their day to day lives, the reasons behind their specialty choices, the joys, the challenges, and more! Although conversations are full of specialty insights, you'll gain invaluable life advice about being a fulfilled and excellent clinician (and human being). Feedspot has voted Specialty Café as one of the 10 Best Canadian Medical Podcasts! https://blog.feedspot.com/canadian_medical_podcasts/ Transcripts are available on request.

Specialty Café is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Specialty Café, a education show with 100 episodes published.

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  Episode #10

  General Surgery: Community, Academic, Women, and More!

  Sep 22, 202628 minS11

  General Surgery in the community vs in academic centres: what's the true difference? Is one practice busier than the other? Being a women in General Surgery... are some of the myths true (for example, do you make less money?). Does being a General Surgeon mean you're in the OR five days a week? In this episode of Specialty Café, host Sharmin Zahin speaks with Priya Chopra, MD, FRCSC, about the realities of modern General Surgery. From community and academic practice to workload, compensation, operating room time, and common misconceptions about women in surgery, Dr. Chopra offers an lived-look at what the specialty is really like. Dr. Chopra's opinions are based on her personal experience. And she acknowledges that her lifestyle wouldn't be possible without her husband's support. Whether you're a medical student exploring specialties, a resident planning your future, or a physician interested in career pathways, this episode provides practical insights into one of medicine's most diverse surgical fields. If you're participating in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.

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  Episode #8

  Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Finding Fulfillment at the Edge!

  Aug 25, 202635 minS11

  "I'm a person who is always looking for the edge… and I sometimes dance a bit too close to the edge." For Dr. Katrina Hurley, FRCPC, a career in Pediatric Emergency Medicine has meant embracing the unexpected, evolving with each stage of life, and finding fulfillment both in and beyond the emergency department. Hosted by Sharmin Zahin, this episode explores Dr. Hurley's journey from being inspired by ER to discovering Pediatric Emergency Medicine during residency. She shares what a typical day looks like, how "fever, fever, fever!" is the bread and butter, and why every shift unfolds differently. She also talks about her appreciation for (and now providing) coaching, the myth of work-life balance, and the importance of being flexible as your career, life, and expectations evolve. Dr. Hurley reflects on what makes the work meaningful - from small (but hugely meaningful) moments of connection with children and families to navigating emotionally difficult situations (and how important your healthcare team is in these times). Her advice for future Pediatric Emergency physicians? Be comfortable with ambiguity, complexity, and not always having the answers. This speciality often has you looking for the needle in the haystack whilst learning when to investigate, when to wait, and when to simply be present. If you're participating in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.

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  Episode #7

  Public Health & Preventive Medicine: Rural Practice, Open Minds & Better Health

  Aug 11, 202620 minS11

  A quote (and the vibe) from today's guest: "Our operating room is the world." What if improving health meant looking beyond the patient in front of you? How do rural practice, community experiences, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected shape a physician's career and impact? In this episode of Specialty Café, host Dr. Mark Garabedian speaks with Dr. Douglas Manuel, FRCPC, about his journey from rural and northern medical practice to a career in Public Health & Preventive Medicine. Reflecting on experiences in communities across Canada, Dr. Manuel shares how stepping outside his comfort zone and remaining open to new opportunities helped shape his understanding of health, prevention, and the role physicians can play in creating change. Their conversation explores the importance of looking beyond the walls of the hospital and considering the broader factors that influence health. They touch on career flexibility, global health, reflective practice, and the value of engaging directly with communities. A particularly thought-provoking discussion contrasts the immediate satisfaction of "fixing a bone" with the population-level impact achieved through teamwork, prevention, and systems change, highlighting how meaningful improvements in health are rarely the work of a single person. Whether you're considering a career in Public Health & Preventive Medicine or truly interested in new ways of thinking about medicine, this episode offers a unique perspective on maintaining curiosity, embracing uncertainty, and finding opportunities to make a difference at both the individual and community level. If you're participating in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.

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  Episode #5

  Emergency Medicine Residency: The Reality Behind the Specialty

  Jul 14, 202629 minS11

  Is Emergency Medicine the right specialty for you? In this episode of Specialty Café, host Henry Tran, a medical student at the University of Alberta, sits down with Dr. Prince Asare-Agbo (PGY5) from the University of Ottawa for an fullsome conversation about the realities of Emergency Medicine residency. From managing diagnostic uncertainty and rapid task switching to navigating shift work and burnout, Dr. Asare-Agbo shares what medical students don't always see during their Emergency Medicine rotations, and why humility, resilience, and teamwork are essential to thriving in the specialty. Dr. Asare-Agbo shares not only his passion for EM, but equally values his strong realationships with his co-residents (now friends) and the amazing team he works with. A big takeaway: Remember to do what makes you happy and what makes you - YOU!... outside of medicine. Whether you're exploring Emergency Medicine, preparing for CaRMS or simply learning more about life as a resident, this episode offers practical advice, thoughtful career insights, and a 'lived experience' look at one of medicine's most dynamic specialties. Specialty Café is the Royal College's podcast for medical students, featuring candid conversations that help trainees explore specialties, prep for CaRMS, build meaningful careers in medicine, and so much more! If you're participating in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.

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  Episode #4

  Day 1 Residency #4: Every Patient Has a Backpack of Life

  Jun 30, 202625 minS11

  What if one of the most important lessons you'll learn in residency comes from a patient? As new residents begin their residency training, guest host Lesly Joyce Nkuindja sits down with patient advocate Jennifer Daly-Cyr for a conversation that every incoming PGY1 should hear. After living with an undiagnosed chronic pain condition for more than a decade, Jennifer shares how pain reshaped her career, relationships and sense of self... and what her experiences inside the healthcare system have taught her about compassionate care. Jennifer and Lesly Joyce explore the power of listening, the importance of curiosity and humility in medicine, and why every patient walks into an appointment carrying what Jennifer calls a "backpack of life." From building trust in brief encounters to recognizing the expertise that patients bring about their own bodies, this episode offers lived advice for new residents preparing for their first days on the wards. Actually - this episode can be for any healthcare team member. Whether you're starting residency, supporting a medical trainee, or simply interested in the human side of medicine, this conversation is a powerful reminder that medicine begins with seeing the person in front of you. Specialty Café is the podcast for medical trainees exploring the many paths in medicine... one conversation at a time. Check out Action on Pain podcast, co-hosted by our guest Jennifer Daly-Cyr. If you're participating in a Royal College accredited residency, don't forget to join as a Resident Affiliate. It's free, and you can start claiming MOC credits right away. Click here to learn more.

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