The Doc Talk × The Pitt Recap: Episodes 6 & 7

The Doc Talk Podcast

These two powerful episodes of The Pitt take us into the heart of moral distress in medicine, from abortion care and teen consent to burnout, privatization, and the emotional cost of caring deeply in a strained system. We break down the ethical dilemmas, procedural details, and the moments of humanity that keep healthcare real. We break down the key themes, our favourite cases and discuss what's accurate and what really hit home for us. And stay tuned to the end for our personal MVPs and teaching corners for patients and healthcare workers.

We also talk about burnout in medicine, and the reality that so many healthcare workers are struggling. Please reach out for help if you are. You’re not alone.

Health Resources for Canadian Healthcare Providers

For All Frontline Providers (Free & Confidential):

• 988 Suicide and Mental Health Helpline: Call or text 988 anytime (bilingual, nationwide).

For Physicians, Residents & Medical Learners:

• Provincial Physician Health Programs: Confidential counselling and peer support.
• Canadian Medical Association: Mental health hub: https://www.cma.ca/physician-wellness-support-services

For Nurses & Allied Health Professionals:

• Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions: nursesunions.ca — “Mental Health at Work” campaign and crisis text line (text FRONTLINE to 741741).
• RNAO Mental Health & Substance Use Program: rnao.ca — Toolkits, webinars, and practice supports.

For Paramedics, Fire, Police & First Responders:

• Wounded Warriors Canada: woundedwarriors.ca — Trauma-informed counselling and family programs.

For Dentists & Dental Teams:

• Canadian Dental Association Wellness Support Line: cda-adc.ca — 24/7 confidential counselling for dentists, students, and staff.

For All Healthcare Workers:

• Mental Health Commission of Canada – Care for Health-Care Workers: mentalhealthcommission.ca — Practical workplace-wellness resources.
• Healthcare Excellence Canada – LTC+ Resiliency Hub: healthcareexcellence.ca — Mental-health and resiliency resources for care teams and leaders.