In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Zakia Dimassi, a leader in medical education at Khalifa University, to explore an often overlooked issue in simulation-based training: fatigue in standardized patients (SPs).

Drawing from her recent publication in Clinical Simulation in Nursing, Dr. Dimassi sheds light on how physical, cognitive, and most importantly emotional fatigue impacts SP performance, assessment accuracy, and ultimately the quality of medical education.

Together, we discuss:

Why fatigue can begin as early as 30 minutes into sessions How emotional roles (e.g., breaking bad news) take the greatest toll

The implications for OSCE reliability and high-stakes exams Real-world observations of performance lapses and scoring variability

Practical solutions: better scheduling, breaks, SP-centered design, and de-rolling techniques

The future role of AI and hybrid simulation models in reducing fatigue

💡 This conversation challenges educators to rethink how simulation programs are designed and emphasizes the need to co-create systems with standardized patients at the center. Whether you're a clinician, educator, or trainee, this episode offers critical insights into improving both training quality and learner assessment.

⏱️ Key Takeaway: Fatigue in standardized patients isn’t just a comfort issue—it’s a validity issue that can impact how future clinicians are trained and evaluated.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to support the podcast!

#MedicalEducation #Simulation #StandardizedPatients #OSCE #HealthcareEducation #MedicalTraining #ClinicalSimulation #AIinHealthcare #PhysicianLife #LebanesePhysiciansPodcast #MedEd #MedicalStudents #Residency #subscribe

@thelebanesephysicianspodcast @zakia484

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On April 8, 2026, intense Israeli airstrikes on the middle of day in Beirut led to around 250 dead people and more than 1100 wounded with a lot of people still missing under the rubble.

In this powerful episode of the Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we take you inside the devastating events of April 8, 2026.

With dozens reported dead and hundreds injured, hospitals across the city rapidly activated emergency protocols to manage the overwhelming surge of trauma patients.

I was joined by frontline leaders Dr. Toufic Chaaban (ICU physician and Program Director of Internal Medicine at Lebanese American University Medical Center) and Dr. Cynthia Abi Khalil Jammal (Head of Nursing) at The Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui. They shared firsthand accounts of what it means to respond under extreme pressure.

This episode explores:

- How hospitals mobilized within minutes for a mass casualty response

- Real-time ICU and ER decision-making during crisis

- Lessons learned since the Beirut Port Explosion

- The emotional toll on physicians, nurses, and trainees

- The resilience and unwavering commitment of Lebanese healthcare workers Beyond protocols and preparedness, this is a deeply human story of courage, sacrifice, and the extraordinary strength of a healthcare system repeatedly tested, yet still standing.

A must-listen for clinicians, healthcare leaders, and anyone seeking to understand medicine under crisis.

#Lebanon #Beirut #Healthcare #MassCasualty #EmergencyMedicine #CriticalCare #MedicalPodcast #Resilience #GlobalHealth #LebanesePhysiciansPodcast #subscribe

On YouTube @thelebanesephysicianspodcast , on all podcasts apps Website: https://thelebanesephysicianspodcast.podbean.com

In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Christophe Zoghby, founder of ZAKA AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is moving beyond hype and into real-world impact across the MENA region.

From launching in the Beirut AI community to building one of the region’s leading AI education and implementation platforms, Christophe shares his journey of turning passion into purpose, bridging the gap between AI awareness and practical adoption.

We dive into:

🚀 How AI is transforming careers and creating new opportunities in MENA 🧠 The concept of “democratizing AI” and why it matters

🏥 Real-world applications of AI in healthcare and beyond

🌍 How talent in Lebanon and the region can compete globally

⚡ Why upskilling not fear is the key to thriving in the AI era

This conversation is a must-listen for clinicians, entrepreneurs, students, and anyone curious about how AI is reshaping the future of work, innovation, and healthcare.

💡 Key takeaway: AI isn’t replacing you it’s amplifying you. Learn it, leverage it, and lead with it.

👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more conversations at the intersection of medicine, innovation, and global impact.

🔥 Hashtags

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #MENA #HealthcareInnovation #FutureOfWork #MedicalPodcast #LebanesePhysicians #DigitalHealth #AIinHealthcare #Entrepreneurship #TechInMedicine #Innovation #MiddleEast #CareerGrowth #Upskilling #subscribe

On YouTube: @thelebanesephysicianspodcast @ChristopheZoghbi

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In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we explore the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health—and ask a critical question: Can AI truly support emotional well-being safely and effectively?

I sit down with Srishti Srivastava, the founder of Healo, an innovative mental health AI based platform now active in over 165 countries, to discuss how AI is transforming access to care across both high-income and low-resource settings.

From personal struggle with anxiety to building a global AI mental health companion, this conversation dives into the real-world challenges of mental health access, affordability, and stigma, and how technology may help bridge these gaps.

💡 In this episode, we discuss:

• The origin story behind Healo and its mission
• How AI can act as a first step in mental health care
• The concept of an AI mental health companion
• Risks like AI hallucinations, AI psychosis, and safety concerns
• How platforms ensure privacy, HIPAA compliance, and ethical AI use
• Why AI should augment not replace therapists
• The future of mental health care in low- and middle-income countries
• Real-world impact: improving access, reducing wait times, and empowering patients

🌍 As mental health needs rise globally, this episode offers a powerful look at how technology, when used responsibly, can expand access and empower patients while keeping human care at the center.

👉 Whether you're a clinician, innovator, or simply curious about the future of healthcare, this episode is a must-watch.

#MentalHealth #AIinHealthcare #DigitalHealth #Psychiatry #HealthcareInnovation #GlobalHealth #MedicalPodcast #LebanesePhysiciansPodcast #FutureOfMedicine #AI #Telehealth #HealthTech #MindHealth #Doctors #Subscribe

Website: https://healo.infiheal.com/

The podcast is on YouTube @thelebanesephysicianspodcast and on all podcast apps

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In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Dr. Shereen Nabhani-Gebara, Professor of Oncology and Pharmacy at Kingston University and a leader in the EU-funded MULTIPULM project.

We discuss how digital health innovations have the potential to transform the care of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The conversation explores the challenges of delayed diagnosis, fragmented healthcare systems, and the rising burden of multimorbidity.

Dr. Nabhani-Gebara shares how integrated digital ecosystems, including AI-powered monitoring tools, remote care platforms, and patient-centered education, have the capacity to enable earlier detection, proactive management, and improved outcomes.

The episode also examines the role of global collaboration, the importance of adapting solutions to local contexts, and how these innovations could be applied in regions like the Middle East.

A must-listen for anyone interested in digital health, global medicine, and the future of patient-centered care.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to support the podcast!

#LebanesePhysiciansPodcast #Pulmonology #COPD #Asthma #DigitalHealth #AIinHealthcare #GlobalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #Telemedicine #MedicalEducation #ChronicDisease #PublicHealth #Subscribe #MULTIPULM

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YouTube: @thelebanesephysicianspodcast

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n this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. Aline Charabaty about her journey from Lebanon to becoming a leader in gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, and women’s leadership in medicine. She shares insights on building IBD programs, the mission of Scrubs & Heels, mentorship and sponsorship, social media in education, and how women physicians can thrive while leading with purpose, authenticity, and resilience.

#LebanesePhysiciansPodcast #AlineCharabaty #WomenInMedicine #WomenInGI #Gastroenterology #IBD #InflammatoryBowelDisease #LeadershipInMedicine #MedicalLeadership #ScrubsAndHeels #Mentorship #Sponsorship #PatientCenteredCare #MedicalEducation #MondayNightIBD #PhysicianLeadership #WomenLeaders #LebaneseDoctors #HealthcareLeadership #PhysicianWellness #WorkLifeIntegration #Subscribe

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On YouTube @thelebanesephysicianspodcast

In this powerful episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, we sit down with entrepreneur and consultant Zina Malas, Founder & CEO of Tawlé Consultancy, to discuss migration, identity, ambition, and the difficult choices many Lebanese professionals face.

⚠️ Important context: This conversation was recorded two weeks before the war began in Lebanon, which gives the discussion an even deeper meaning today. As we listen back, many of the themes belonging, uncertainty, resilience, and the idea of “home” feel even more powerful and relevant.

Zina shares her journey of leaving Lebanon for Canada during one of the country’s most difficult periods, building a life abroad, and then making the bold and controversial decision to return to Lebanon despite many people telling her she was making a mistake.

In this episode, we explore:

• The emotional realities of migration beyond logistics

• The myths vs. truths about building a life abroad

• How identity evolves when living outside your home country

• Why returning home can sometimes be the bravest decision

• The lessons she learned abroad that shaped her consulting philosophy

After returning to Lebanon, Zina founded Tawlé Consultancy, where she helps businesses rethink strategy, growth, and leadership in complex environments.

We also discuss questions that resonate with many in the Lebanese diaspora today: Who should leave—and who should stay?

What do people misunderstand about success abroad? Is belonging a place or a mindset?

And if Lebanon were stable tomorrow, would people return?

This is a thoughtful and honest conversation about risk, resilience, and redefining success in uncertain times.

🎙️ The Lebanese Physicians Podcast

#LebanesePhysiciansPodcast #ZinaMalas #LebanonDiaspora #MigrationStories #Lebanon #Entrepreneurship #LebaneseEntrepreneurs #IdentityAndBelonging #Leadership #Consulting #GlobalLebanese #CareerJourney #PodcastInterview #Resilience #Subscribe #subscribenow

On YouTube: ‪@thelebanesephysicianspodcast‬ ‪@tawleconsultancy‬ and on all podcast apps. Website: https://thelebanesephysicianspodcast.podbean.com/

Can something as simple as walking or running rival antidepressants?

In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Farid Talih, American board–certified psychiatrist, sleep medicine and addiction specialist, to explore the powerful science behind exercise as a treatment for depression and anxiety.

We dive into:

How exercise reshapes the brain through BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)

Why movement works differently than SSRIs and psychotherapy

The role of lactate, cortisol, endorphins, and the “runner’s high”

Exercise vs medication: when to use one, the other, or both

Group exercise, loneliness, and mental health

Practical, realistic ways to “prescribe” movement in real-world settings

Cultural, socioeconomic, and access barriers to exercise

Exercise in pregnancy, postpartum depression, aging, and addiction recovery

Why mental health care must stay individualized, humane, and holistic

This episode challenges the idea that mental health treatment is only about prescriptions and reminds us that movement, connection, and context matter.

🎙️ Whether you’re a physician, trainee, mental health professional, or someone looking for practical, evidence-based ways to improve mood and well-being, this conversation is for you.

#LebanesePhysiciansPodcast #MentalHealth #Psychiatry #ExerciseMedicine #Depression #Anxiety #BrainHealth #BDNF #LifestyleMedicine #SleepMedicine #AddictionMedicine #Neuroscience #Wellness #HealthcareInnovation #PhysicianPodcast #MindBodyConnection #PublicHealth #Subscribe #subscribenow

On YouTube: @thelebanesephysicianspodcast @faridtalih2071

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