In this podcast, we hear about an experience in psychiatric practice which has such an impact on the clinician that it leads to adopting a radical and enduring change in his subsequent clinical, teaching, and research activities. Emeritus Professor Sidney Bloch shares such an experience with Professor Shuichi Suetani which occurred in the early phase of his training. The experience proved so pivotal that it transformed key aspects of his professional work, especially his outlook on the ethical dimension of the clinician’s role. In a sensitive dialogue, Professors Suetani and Bloch discuss the ramifications of such a situation, especially the options available to identify in what way it is transformative and how to adopt the related change in one’s professional perspective.

Professor Sidney Bloch, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Academy of Social Sciences of Australia (FASSA). He was awarded a Citation by the RANZCP for his academic contribution to psychiatry. He spent three years at Stanford University on a Harkness Fellowship and has been a visiting Professor in the Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong, Hebrew University, and Columbia University.

He has published 16 books, several of which have been brought out in new editions and/or translated. Russia’s Political Hospitals won the prestigious Guttmacher Award of the American Psychiatric Association, Understanding Troubled Minds the SANE award for the best book on mental health in 2012, and an award for An Anthology of Psychiatric Ethics from the British Medical Association.

Professor Shuichi Suetani is a community psychiatrist in Queensland. Alongside his psychiatry training, Shuichi completed a PhD exploring the epidemiological relationships between physical activity and mental disorders. He has also obtained the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine Fellowship. Shuichi has numerous publications in high impact journals and sits on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Psychiatry. He was elected to the RANZCP Board in May 2026.

References:

• Baldwin, J. Giovanni’s room, Penguin, 2007.
  • David, a young American, grapples with the nature of love, sexuality and masculinity. A classic on the clash between sexual and moral identity.
• Bancroft, John. Aversion therapy of homosexuality. A pilot study of 10 cases. British Journal of Psychiatry, 1969, 115, 1417-31.
• Isherwood, C. A single man. Vintage Classic, 2010.
  • A day in the life of a middle -aged academic who has lost a long-term male partner, is wrestling with his intense grief, and embarks on an encounter with Kenny, one of his students. 
• Stoller, R., et al. A symposium: Should homosexuality be in the American Psychiatric Nomenclature? American Journal of Psychiatry, 1973, 130, 1207-1216.

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Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.