RACP — Kia ora, Dr Kim and welcome to RACP Specialists Week. Thanks so much for taking time out of your schedule to chat with us today. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Dr So Young Kim — Sure, I was born in South Korea then moved to Christchurch and went to high School there. After High School I moved to Sydney and studied Health Sciences at the University of New South Wales and also started my Rehab Medicine training in Sydney. I ended up moving to Auckland to finish my specialist training and now work as a specialist here.

What are challenges facing Rehab Medicine in NZ?

I guess that Rehab Medicine is not that well known, or recognised in NZ, and we only have a small number of Physicians and rehab units across the country. Whereas in Australia Rehab Medicine is well known and they have a much broader scope of medicine that they deliver. In NZ it is pretty much limited to TBI, spinal and stroke, but there is a real need to have more rehab specialists and services across the country.

Do you have much to do with AI or other tech applications?

Not personally so much, but some of my colleagues and registrars are trialing certain applications. I am using certain systems to assist with clinical letters and other things, but that is pretty much the extent of it. I am comfortable with where we are, but certainly think it is something we need to look into in the future.

What do you do to get away from medicine, or to maintain a work-life balance?

I believe you have to make your workplace enjoyable, as you spend a lot of time there. I work hard to build positive relationships with my colleagues, like to have team lunches etc. I do enjoy coming to work. I also love spending time with my son and enjoy socialising with friends and family. My son is really into basketball, and I actually coach his school basketball team, which is interesting and a lot of fun and very rewarding.

Do you think the principles of your rehab work influences your thoughts on work-life balance?

I think so, because you see patients improving every day, which is the nature of TBI and rehab work, so it provides a lot of positive elements to your daily life.

You have worked in both Australia and NZ, what are the big differences you see?

The big thing I notice is that in Australia it is so competitive with more expectations, right across the board from training through to practicing medicine. It is harder to get into the specialist training, and in my opinion, not as friendly as NZ.

What gets you excited in your day-to-day work?

Definitely looking at the progress of patients. Recently I had a patient who had a serious car accident and was in a coma. I was able to see his progress through rehab to the point where he retrained as a personal trainer and then went on to compete in bodybuilding competitions. Those success stories are so rewarding.