Clare Owen, Director of Policy at the Medical Schools Council, champions widening participation in medical education. She discusses the barriers underrepresented students face, especially from working-class backgrounds. The conversation highlights innovative strategies to enhance diversity and create equitable pathways into medicine. Clare emphasizes the importance of role models for marginalized groups and how a diverse NHS workforce benefits patient care. The discussion inspires action towards a more inclusive medical profession.

In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel gets together to discuss the gaps in the medical curriculum when it comes to teaching on sexual health.  The panellists, made up of Will, Elisabeth and George chat with sexual health doctor Naomi Sutton.  Together, they highlight how teaching at medical school often has a focus on sexually transmitted infections and contraception, and the importance of considering broader aspects of sexual health and wellbeing including sexual pleasure. The episode emphasises the importance of taking a holistic, non-judgemental approach in sexual history taking.The episode also addresses societal stigma in conversations around sex. Overall, the episode highlights the importance of advocating for a comprehensive and sex-positive approach to sexual healthcare.  Naomi Sutton is a consultant sexual health doctor, who you may recognise from E4 The Sex Clinic. Find us on social media: Twitter/X Instagram 

In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel, made up of George and Inez get together to talk about why people sometimes describe medicine as a cult. The episode discusses the perceived parallels between the medicine and cults, and explores the strong sense of identity and community that often develops from our time at medical school and into our working life as doctors. The panel is joined by Sam Jahara a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor and Tavistock certified Executive Coach with a private practice in Sussex.  Sam specialises in working with the psychological impact of high control groups and cults, offering psychotherapy, supervision, coaching and psychological consultancy to individuals, couples, groups and organisations. She was interviewed about her own experience of growing up in a cult on several podcasts such as ‘Indoctrination', 'Cult Vault', 'Talk Beliefs' and 'Cult Chat'. https://www.brightonandhovepsychotherapy.com   Find BMJ Student on social media: Twitter/X https://x.com/BMJStudent Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/    

In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel get together to chat with TikTok sensation and A&E doctor Maddy Lucy Dann. The panel, made up of George and previous Editorial Scholar Nikki,  ask Maddy questions about why she became a doctor, her career in A&E, as well as her best advice for starting your foundation years. The panel also touch on other topics, including what drew them to a career in medicine, the ways in which medical students can get the best out of their placements, as well as professionalism and social media use as a medic.    Find us on social media: Twitter/X https://x.com/BMJStudent Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/

In this episode, the panel get together to discuss the importance of listening to our patients. The panel are joined by expert guest Rageshri Dhairyawan to explore how medical students and doctors can improve their listening by increasing their awareness of biases that may lead to some patients being dismissed. They highlight the broader implications of not properly hearing patients, including the impact on health equity. The discussion also covers the challenges of dealing with uncertainty and acknowledging the social factors that can affect healthcare outcomes. The episode emphasises how becoming a better listener helps us to provide more compassionate care.   Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan is a Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV Medicine at Barts Health NHS Trust and Deputy Director of the SHARE Collaborative for Health Equity, Queen Mary University of London. She is author of Unheard: The Medical Practice of Silencing, published by Trapeze in 2024.

We talk about professionalism from day one of medical school, but what actually is professionalism? In this episode, we take a slightly more philosophical approach to this important question.  George is joined by previous editorial scholar Laura, as well as expert guest Sabena Jameel. Together, they talk about what professionalism in medicine means, including the ambiguity and evolving nature of the definition, the burden of apparent perfection and the importance of character. We explore ways in which we can learn to nurture our professional identity in the right environments.  Sabena is an inner city GP in Birmingham, she is also an Associate Clinical Professor in Medical Professionalism at Birmingham University Medical School. She has a PhD that looked at Practical Wisdom in Medicine.   Find us on social media: Twitter/X https://x.com/BMJStudent Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/

Join Dr. Vicky Price, a consultant in acute medicine from Liverpool and president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine, as she delves into the fears surrounding mistakes in the medical field. The discussion reveals how perfectionism stifles open conversations and the critical need to embrace errors as vital learning moments. Dr. Price emphasizes the importance of peer support and mentorship while navigating the emotional impact of mistakes. The episode advocates for a culture that encourages transparency and empowers voices in healthcare.

When it comes to dating, does being a medical student or new doctor make it more complicated? When is the best time to tell your Hinge date that you're a doctor? Are break ups during medical school inevitable? And, are doctors more likely to cheat on their partners?  In this episode, the panel, made up of Nikki, Sarah, Judy and George, get together to talk all about the dating lives of medical students and doctors, as well as discuss some common dating dilemmas.  Find us on social media: Twitter/X https://x.com/BMJStudent Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/  

Many medical students are aware that when it comes to foundation allocations, you may not get your first choice. In this episode, we talk about how to cope with the uncertainty surrounding this, the reasons that people may apply for pre-allocation, as well as the importance of social support and building a community in your foundation years. In this episode, the panel, made up of George, Sarah and Maz, discuss the uncertainty around UKFPO allocations and reflections on how to make the most out your foundation years if you do not get your first choice deanery or job allocation. The Sharp Scratch panel are joined by guest Helen Salisbury, a GP, writer and educator. 

Lisa Casey, host of the Lexis podcast on language and linguistics, joins a lively discussion on the influence of Gen Z slang in medicine. The panel explores how phrases like 'It's giving CAP' reflect broader trends from social media. They debate the balance between authenticity and professionalism, and the concept of a 'vibes assessment' adds a fresh perspective on understanding patients. The conversation delves into the evolution of language, cultural identities, and the need for relatable communication in healthcare, enhancing trust and connection.