How To Become A Doctor

Are men better suited to be surgeons? Are women too 'weak' and 'emotional' to be a good surgeon? Do most surgeons come from privileged backgrounds? Does a career in surgery require massive personal sacrifice? Most importantly: how can we change this narrative? These are just a selection of questions posed to us by Year 9-13 students on a recent virtual work experience programme.  To answer these questions (aka bust some of these myths), Ciara and Lucy are joined by Ms Stella Vig and Ms Victoria Pegna, both council members at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and members of the Women In Surgery Forum. In today's episode, published on International Women's Day, we explore the current situation regarding women in surgery, bust perpetuated stereotypes surrounding a career in surgery and discuss what is to come in the future of surgery. Links: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtobecomeadr/?hl=en-gb Ms Stella Vig: @svig2 on Twitter  Ms Victoria Pegna: @VictoriaPegna on Twitter Ciara: @ciarai33 on Twitter

In this episode, Ciara and Lucy interview Dr Kishan Bodalia about life as a foundation doctor. Have you ever wondered what happens in the last year of medical school and how you make the transition from medical student to doctor? Learn all about this and more in this episode!

In this episode, Afrida and Ciara talk to Dr Rob Verrecchia about the role of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders) and field of global medicine. Listen to find out more about what life is like working as a doctor in conflict and disaster zones and how you can foster your interest in global health medicine!

In this episode, Ciara and Lucy interview Brigadier Tim Hodgetts and his experience working in military emergency medicine and treating the victims of conflict in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Learn all about the pathway to becoming a military doctor and how you can get involved in medical school and beyond!

In this episode, Ciara and Afrida interview Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to explore the role of the WHO and field of global medicine. 

In this episode, Ciara and Lucy interview Professor Neil Mortenson about his role as the president of the Royal College of Surgeons. Learn all about his career progression in colorectal surgery and within the RCS, and how the society can support you in your application to medical school.

In this episode, Ciara and Lucy discuss what it actually means to be professional as a medical student and doctor, especially on social media. Joined by Kim Tolley, the GMC Regional Liaison Adviser for South London, GMC, the episode breaks down the key guidance from the GMC to help you answer those tricky UCAT, SJT and interview questions!

In this second part, Ciara and Lucy continue to uncover the fundamental principles behind ethical scenarios with their two incredible guests - Kim (nurse and GMC regional advisor) and Lauren (doctor and clinical leadership fellow). Listen now to learn a step-by-step approach of how to tackle common ethical scenarios using evidence, a balanced argument and compassion. 

The General Medical Council (GMC) is a key organisation working to protect patient safety and support medical education and practice across the UK. In this episode, Ciara and Lucy talk to Kim Tolley (a Nurse and the GMC's Regional Liaison Adviser for South London) and Dr Lauren Wogan about the core documents underlying ethical decision making in clinical practice and how to use these principles in example scenarios from the UCAT, MMI interviews and SJT questions. Make sure to pause the video to have a go at answering them first yourself before we talk through the key points and give you the steps to answer them yourselves and ace your ethical decision making!

In this episode, Lucy and Ciara have a chat with Dr Alex George about more than just the journey through medicine, the many up and downs and the importance of mental health and well-being. Listen to find out how and why Dr Alex decided to pursue A&E and why you can too! This episode will leave you excited about a future as a healthcare professional and confident that there is nothing wrong with failures along the way or with deciding to do something new and different alongside being a doctor.