Is your “yes” advancing your career or just adding to your workload? In collaboration with the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU), this episode of BackTable Urology features timely professional advice from Dr. Anne Cameron (University of Michigan, former SWIU president) and Dr. Helen Bernie (Indiana University) on how to approach yes and no decisions with intention across different stages of your medical career.

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Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction
02:43 - How Yes Changes Over Time
11:34 - Power Dynamics For Trainees
16:11 - Housekeeping Work
18:46 - Kind Versus Nice
22:52 - Delegating And Mentoring
28:07 - Decision-Making Framework
36:21 - FOMO Versus Opportunity
40:30 - Mentorship
45:02 - Final Takeaways

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More about this episode

Early in training, saying yes is often driven by power dynamics, while later in a career, it’s competing priorities that make those decisions harder. According to Dr. Cameron, a clear, timely “no” is not only acceptable but often more professional than a delayed response, and leaders play a key role in reinforcing this by giving trainees the space to decline opportunities. This episode also highlights the disproportionate share of “housekeeping” work taken on by women and junior faculty, adding another layer to these decisions. To navigate these challenges, Dr. Cameron offers a practical framework that considers time, role expectations, energy, personal fulfillment, CV value, and long-term goals, while emphasizing the role of mentors and trusted colleagues in providing perspective.

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Resources

Society of Women in Urology (SWIU)
https://swiu.org/home.aspx

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Ep. 298 Saying Yes (and No): Strategic Career Decisions with Dr. Anne Cameron