Episode 54: Dr. Lynn Ashdown

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lynn Ashdown, a patient experience expert who advocates for the inclusion of patients in all levels of healthcare. Dr. Ashdown obtained her medical degree from The University of Ottawa and began her residency in family medicine before experiencing an accident near the end of her training that exposed her to the experience of being a full-time patient. In this episode, Dr. Meeks and Dr. Ashdown discuss how Dr. Ashdown's perspectives on healthcare changed after gaining a patient perspective and how Dr. Ashdown is using her medical training and her experiences as a person with multiple disabilities to promote cultural change and improve curricula within medical education.

Key Words: TBI, SCI, Depression, Medical Education, Patient Advocate, Family Medicine

Bio: 

Lynn Ashdown is a patient experience expert who advocates for patient’s to be included in all levels of healthcare. She has a medical degree from The University of Ottawa, and was close to finishing her residency in family medicine when she began, and continues to navigate, a complex journey as a full-time patient. She has gained a unique insight into the system from lived experience as both a provider and receiver of healthcare. She gives numerous presentations, participates in research, and is a senior patient partner where she consults with various organizations such as the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. She’s also involved in curriculum renewal at The University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, where she focuses on including patient partnerships in undergraduate medical education. She recently completed her masters in medical education, with her dissertation focusing on the value of including patient partnerships in medical education. Lynn is a disability advocate, drawing from her experiences as a patient and person living with multiple disabilities. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Physicians with Disabilities, and the Equity in Health Systems Lab.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OEY2hiFXnoBqtLawyiBOvsKYk-Gh5wLlasZNCiqPefo/edit?usp=sharing