We’re delighted to share the experience of Dr. Michael R Brunner from our partner organization, Baptist Memorial Hospital, a healthcare system serving residents in the mid-south region of the United States. Dr. Brunner shares the valuable skills he has learned and been able to implement from working with Practicing Excellence, and how it has helped him as a clinician.

Michael R. Brunner, MD
Resident Physician with Baptist Memorial Hospital and Mid-South Imaging

How long have you been in medicine, and what are your favorite parts about it?

I started medical school in 2017 and I have been a resident since 2021. So I’ve been in medicine for nearly 8 years with 2 years left to go!

My favorite parts of medicine are the things that drew me to radiology. A major one is that I love being able to influence the medical care of a large number of people. On my busier shifts, such as night call or weekend shifts, I am frequently reading studies for over 100 different people. So it is amazing to help take care of people on a ‘macro’ level, but I also enjoy being able to do things on a ‘micro’ level as well with procedures like lumbar punctures and arthrograms, where I am able to help individual people in a more targeted fashion.

Can you tell us one of your favorite patient stories from working in medicine?

One of my favorite patient stories is from recently in my residency where I performed bilateral hip steroid injections using fluoroscopy. As I prepared my setup for the injection, the patient discussed her pain levels and how this procedure would help. She excitedly told me that her grandchildren were coming into town the next day and that she could not wait to visit the zoo and go out to eat with them since her pain when walking was manageable with the steroid shots. Afterward, she also thanked me saying the procedure was one of the least painful she’s ever had. It is powerful moments like these where I feel like I’m making an impactful difference in my patient’s lives that really draw out the meaning in my training.  

How has PE helped you as a clinician?

Practicing Excellence has helped me as a clinician by providing bite-sized learning opportunities and tricks to optimize being the best physician I can be. One of my favorite tips that is discussed early in our residency curriculum is the Power of Humor. It was nice to have a quick session that quickly reviews how our published data demonstrates that utilizing humor not only helps to develop the physician-patient relationship, but can also strengthen work relationships, such as physician-technologist and physician-physician.  Because laughter truly can be the best medicine!

Could you tell us about a time that a tip you learned came in handy, with a patient or colleague, for example?

I frequently utilize appreciative leadership. Many clinicians face burnout and a feeling that their work goes unnoticed or under appreciated. Taking the time to recognize and articulate the work you see can help renew their energy and enthusiasm for their work

What new skills are you looking forward to developing?

I’m looking forward to modules discussing physician leadership, especially regarding how to build successful multidisciplinary team structures, which is essential in modern medicine.

What do you look forward to most after each week’s new tip?

I look forward to seeing how I can incorporate each tip weekly to being a better physician. This can manifest in numerous ways: the patients I work with, the teams of technologists and radiologists I work alongside, and the physicians and other providers in the medical community around me! 

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Now, more than ever, skill-building in healthcare is crucial. If you’re seeking support to kickstart your organization’s continuous improvement journey, get in touch with us now.