Sharp Scratch

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.

Hilary Williams, a consultant medical oncologist and Vice President for the Royal College of Physicians, joins the discussion on coping with a loved one's illness. She shares insights on managing the emotional strain on medical students balancing personal and professional roles. The conversation covers the complexities of advocating for family members in healthcare settings, the challenges of navigating chaotic healthcare systems, and how personal experiences with illness shape future healthcare careers. Empathy and communication emerge as crucial themes.

We are embracing spooky season here at Sharp Scratch! In this weeks special Halloween episode, the panel get together to hear listeners  embarrassing OSCE stories, and why these exams can sometimes feel so scary to medical students.  Find BMJ Student on social media   Twitter/ X https://x.com/BMJStudent   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/

Have you ever considered taking time out of medical school? Whether it is during medical school, or once we have began working as a doctor, there are times when many of us are faced with needing to take a break. This could be for a number of reasons, including health reasons, financial reasons, exploring different areas of our career or maybe when starting a family.   In this episode, George is joined by panel Éabha and Nat, along with expert guest Kate Owen to discuss reasons for taking time out of medical school, burnout, and, why taking time out can be beneficial.    Find BMJ Student on social media   Twitter/ X https://x.com/BMJStudent   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/

Have you had a great mentor while at medical school? Mentors, both formal and informal, are an integral part of medical training, but what makes a good mentor? And how do we find one? Whether through official mentorship schemes, medic families, or someone you bonded over a book with, mentors have the ability to shape our time at medical school.    This week, Éabha is joined by Anna and George, with expert guest Menaka Paranathala. Menaka has just completed neurosurgery specialty training, and is currently a clinical editor with the BMJ, as well as undertaking research at the National Neurology and Neurosurgery Hospital Queens Square. She has previously completed a masters in medical education, and her project was on mentorship within neurosurgery.    Find BMJ Student on social media   Twitter/ X https://x.com/BMJStudent   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/    

Medical students do not live in a bubble, we bring with us our own culture, traditions, and often our religion. In this episode we discuss how being a religious medic can influence how you navigate your practice and how thinking about spirituality can be helpful in developing your holistic understanding of patients. This week, Éabha is joined by Judy and Elisabeth, and expert guest Charlie Bell, a forensic psychiatry trainee, a priest in the Church of England, and director of studies in Medicine at Girton College, Cambridge.  Find BMJ Student on social media Twitter/X: https://x.com/BMJStudent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/?hl=en-gb

Who’s off limits when it comes to dating, how renal physiology can ruin your chance of romance, and whether you should put that you’re a doctor on your tindr profile. Dating as a newly qualified doctor brings some challenges that we don’t face as med students: unpredictable hours, exhaustion from night shifts, and professional boundaries with colleagues. Are some lines we should not cross? How hard is it to find romance while adjusting to life as a doctor? Join medical students Laura and Declan and new doctor Divolka as we discuss how new doctors can join in the fun part of life that is dating. Featuring three doctors - Alyssa, Dipesh, and Amy - who share their awkward moments from their dating lives. Plus, Rob from Medical Protection gives advice on who’s off limits, and our Sharp Scratch regular Ryhan calls in to tell us how his medical elective is going. Tell us what you think about the episode and your ideas for topics to cover later in the series by leaving a review or by using #SharpScratch on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. For more on the podcast, including how to follow Laura, Declan, Ryhan, Alyssa, Dipesh, and Rob on social media, visit www.bmj.com/sharpscratch.

Have you ever had a really bad day at placement? Perhaps something really awful has happened, or something has upset you, or another member of the team, or maybe you’ve made a mistake. This year, many episodes of sharp scratch have touched on the idea of debriefing after events like these, but in this episode, we talk a little more about debriefing. What is it? When is it useful? And who can we debrief with?    This week, Éabha is joined by Nikki and Inez, and expert guest Jo Flowers, a senior resuscitation officer in the north of England.    Find BMJ Student on social media Twitter/X: https://x.com/BMJStudent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/?hl=en-gb         

Transitioning from school to university is challenging for everyone, but is perhaps even more so when that transition involves moving to a whole new country. International medical students are those of us in medical training who undertake their studies in a different country to the one they call home. Whether that’s a short hop across borders or moving to the other side of the world, studying in a new country comes with a unique of challenges.   In this episode, the sharp scratch panel explore the journey of an international medical student. What is it like to get into, and get through medical school in a different country to the one you grew up in? How can you adjust to a new country and a new healthcare system? How does that impact students? Is there anything students studying closer to home can do to support their international friends and colleagues. The panel is joined by expert guest Nitin Shroti, a consultant urologist and BMA council member. Nitin has written extensively and campaigned for better support of ethnic minorities in UK health institutions. With 30 years of experience in the NHS as an international medical graduate, he brings both personal and professional insights into the systemic issues faced by medics coming from overseas.   Find us on social media: Twitter/X https://x.com/BMJStudent Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/?hl=en-gb   You can now receive the BMJ Student monthly roundup via email, sign up now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9djp8xBRKKenGqn-0RbNSl4qUx0Erg7hJ4jdP1vC8sRfrQA/viewform?usp=sf_lin

Trans people experience disproportionately poor health outcomes, with a recent study funded from the NIHR finding that trans and non binary patients are more likely to experience long term health conditions, including dementia, learning disabilities, and mental health problems. In this episode, we talk about how current and future doctors can be equipped with some of the tools we need to support the delivery of healthcare to trans patients.    Whilst this is a super broad and complex topic, this episode focuses on some common misconceptions and challenge ideas in regards to gender and transness, and helps us to learn a little more about how we can best support these patients.    We are joined by Duncan Shrewsbury, a queer academic GP based in Brighton. Duncan is a Reader in Clinical Education & Primary Care at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, they are the Deputy Lead for Curriculum Development, the research lead for the Department of Medical Education, and the lead the Academic GP training. They also work clinically, delivering both primary and gender affirming healthcare.    Find BMJ Student on social media: X: https://x.com/BMJStudent  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/?hl=en-gb    Find Transgender Health by Ben Vincent here: https://uk.jkp.com/products/transgender-health