Finding and creating joy through exceptional patient care

Dr. Robert Ohle had no intention of moving to Canada after medical school. Plans changed for the Dublin-born physician when he met his future wife, who he describes as exceptional, Dr. Sarah McIsaac. He followed his heart––and Dr. McIsaac’s residency placement––to Canada and ultimately Sudbury, Ontario where he chose to build a life, family, and medical career.

At a recent Campfire Chat, medical students and residents had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Ohle, Assistant Professor at NOSM University, Director of Emergency Medicine Research & VP of Academics and Research Impact at Health Sciences North (HSN) and Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI). Dr. Ohle shared his experience, the unique story of how he came to live and work in Northern Ontario, and advice for prospective rural practitioners.

 Dr. Ohle says living and working in Northern Ontario has offered the best of all worlds—a clean and green environment, affordable housing, and a vibrant career. “Practising in Northern Ontario, outside of major urban centres, has meant having leadership opportunities and a chance to make a real impact in the areas I am passionate about: research and education.”

He quickly climbed the ladder of success, becoming the Director of Emergency Medicine Research at HSN and then, following his passion for research, he took on the leadership of research and academics at HSN and HSNRI. As a result, he has been able to help shape the landscape of both research and health care delivery in Northern Ontario, embracing opportunities he believes he would not have otherwise had.

Along with Dr. McIsaac, Dr. Ohle co-founded the Northern City of Heroes initiative, which aims to increase survival from out of hospital cardiac arrest through improved access to high-quality CPR training. The initiative has been a success and achieved significant, measurable results. “You have the power to change the system. It is up to you to determine how your individual skills are best used to positively impact the system —local, national, or international,” encouraged Dr. Ohle.

However, he offered the students the wise guidance to prioritize maintaining a healthy work/life balance. “The downside of having so much opportunity to affect change is the temptation to sacrifice your individual and family needs,” says Dr. Ohle. He advised developing a network of support––family, friends, and colleagues––who you can feel comfortable relying on.

Dr. Ohle also shared his secret to managing the daily stresses of practising medicine: creating moments of joy. Finding small moments of joy within each day, reflecting on and appreciating them, then sharing those joyous moments with others. Sharing these moments and asking them, “What has been the best part of your day?”, helps take people out of a stressful environment for a brief moment. One particular example of finding a moment of joy is taking the time to ask an elderly couple when they are being seen in ER, the story of how they met. “It brings such happiness for patients and families into a stressful encounter, and, helps centre my care on the person not the illness.”

“Time with patients is paramount,” says Dr. Ohle. “Any clinician can provide standard medical care. You can be an exceptional clinician by focusing on patients, their story and their care.” Dr. Newbury left us with some wise words: “The patient doesn’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

This NOSM University Campfire Chat was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Weaver Simmons.