The Geeky Medics Podcast aims to inspire and inform through discussions with some of the most fascinating individuals in the world of healthcare and education.
Host: Joshua Chambers
Producers: Emma Harvey & Lewis Potter
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In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Megan Hodgson, a fifth-year medical student, about the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA). This is a new two-part structure for exams sat by medical students, rolled out for the 2024-2025 cohort of graduates. It comprises the applied knowledge test (AKT) and a clinical and professional skills assessment (CPSA). We discuss the structure of the exams, how to approach preparation and some tips which we hope are useful for students. This episode mostly ...
Dr. Lewis Potter shares his journey of working as a doctor in Australia, detailing his motivations to leave the UK's NHS due to burnout and discontent. He describes the unique clinical challenges and patient presentations in tropical Cairns, contrasts the healthcare system with the UK, highlighting better pay, staffing, and benefits like a "relief rota" system and study budgets. Lewis also explains his reasons for returning, including training opportunities and personal factors, and offers invaluable advice for junior doctors considering working abroad, emphasizing the importance of taking such career-enriching opportunities and navigating licensing logistics.
In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Emily Mounsey, a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon. She takes us through her early career and interest in orthopaedics, training routes into her specialty, and a typical day at work. We also discuss work-life balance, working as a woman in surgery, and sexism in the workplace. This is a really fascinating discussion which provides some food for thought on the progress in shifting workplace dynamics. Thank you very much to Miss Mounsey for coming on the p...
In this episode of the podcast, we speak to three final-year medical students - Milena, Jaisila, and Arthur - about their experiences planning and undertaking a medical elective placement. We understand this can be quite a daunting prospect. So, we hope that this offers helpful advice for any medical students preparing for their elective placement, regardless of its location or length. Discussion points include how and when students started planning, tips for staying organised with paperwork, pr...
For this special episode, we spoke with Hippolyte Fraser, a pharmacist who has lots of experience working in a secondary care Frailty team. We unpicked some of the key issues surrounding polypharmacy, medication linked to increased confusion and falls risk, and deprescribing. Hip also shared her top tips for completing drug charts. This is a really informative episode for any qualified healthcare professionals (or students!), particularly those working in acute or care of the elderly settings....
In this episode, Advanced Nurse Practitioner Ren Lawlor details her journey from secondary to primary care, highlighting the autonomy and patient longevity found in the latter. She critically examines the diagnosis and management of asthma, emphasizing the dangers of salbutamol overuse and the shift towards combination therapies. Ren also discusses the complexities of COPD care, advocating for early diagnosis, systemic management, and vigilance for conditions like lung cancer, underscoring the vital role of nurses in primary care.
This episode features Dr. Fiona Mosgrove, a GP with a special interest in respiratory medicine, who shares insights into her rewarding and tailored career path, moving beyond traditional partnership to pursue specialized knowledge. She emphasizes the crucial role of detailed history taking in respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis, and delves into the nuanced management of COPD exacerbations. Dr. Mosgrove also discusses the delicate balance between environmental concerns and patient-centric care when prescribing inhalers, highlighting the importance of individual patient needs.
In this episode of the podcast, we talk with Dr Palmer about his experiences working in sexual health and HIV. In addition to his reflections on the speciality and its overlap with public health, he also provides food for thought on destigmatising sexual health issues and the value of raising awareness of HIV through shows like It's a Sin.
In this special episode, we sit down with two current medical students to explore their experiences of medical school so far and share their advice for incoming students this September. We discuss what it's like on the first day of medical school, the importance of work/life balance, preparing for placement, and the very common feelings of imposter syndrome. We hope that this episode is helpful for anyone starting their studies or coming back for the new year - good luck to you all!
In this episode of the podcast, we explore the exciting and multi-faceted career of Professor Cowie, a cardiologist with a particular interest in heart failure. Our guest provides us with insight into the progression of cardiology as a specialty, research and the development of therapeutics, and his work with NICE. Host: Joshua Chambers Producer: Emma Harvey
In this episode, Dr Micheal Malley gives us a very interesting perspective on global health issues, child health, and working with MSF. This episode is great for anyone - medical or non-medical - interested in global health and humanitarian work.
In this special episode, our podcast host sits down with our producer, Emma, and the Founder of Geeky Medics, Lewis, to discuss our top tips and tricks for OSCEs and written exams. This episode is for anyone preparing for exams, particularly those who have missed in-person OSCEs due to the pandemic. We hope that this discussion provides helpful and practical advice - including information on the new Geeky Medics collection of 500+ OSCE Stations - as well as easing some of your worries with gener...
In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the field of clinical toxicology with Professor Michael Eddleston. We chat about his journey through medical school - interspersed with work abroad and a PhD - as well as his academic career and research interest in pesticide poisoning in rural Asia. This is a really interesting episode for anyone who hopes to pursue an academic career alongside their clinical work.
In this episode, we are joined by Dr Fiona Donald, a consultant in anaesthetics and the president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. We explore elements of anaesthetics including an understanding of physiology, its fast-paced nature, and the importance of patient communication skills. We also discuss her work with the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the career resources available for medical students and doctors interested in anaesthetics.
Dr. Dan Magnus, a Paediatric Emergency Consultant, details his journey into medicine, revealing how serendipity led him to a career he initially resisted. He offers insights into the daily life of a PEM consultant, highlighting the supportive environment of pediatrics and the profound rewards despite inherent challenges, including a deeply personal story. The discussion also covers his extensive global health work, the evolving ethics of international medical engagement, and practical advice for navigating training and finding fulfillment in a medical career amidst current pressures.
In this episode, we chat with Dr Emma Torbe about her career as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. We discuss combining medicine and surgery, the variation of the speciality, and the best and hardest parts of her work. She also shares some useful advice for those considering working part-time. This episode is sure to get you thinking about a career in obstetrics and gynaecology if you haven't been already!
In this episode of the podcast, we chat with Dr Siwan Roberts about her career as a clinical psychologist. She outlines her work in children's mental health in particular and discusses childhood adverse experiences can affect both mental and physical health. We hope that this episode is interesting and helpful for those looking into Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, but also all healthcare professionals. If any of the sensitive issues raised in this episode have affected you, please speak to s...
Join Rahab Hashim, a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, as she discusses her multifaceted role from A&E to outpatient clinics. She shares insights into career development, the rewarding aspects of patient empowerment, and the often-overlooked psychological burden of diabetes. The episode also provides critical guidance on avoiding common insulin prescribing mistakes, managing hyperglycemia, and best practices for DKA, offering valuable tips for medical professionals.
In the first part of a special on diabetes, Ashwin Bali provides a candid, firsthand account of living with Type 1 diabetes. He recounts the progression of symptoms that led to his diagnosis at university, the initial shock, and the steep learning curve of managing the condition daily. The discussion delves into the complexities of carb counting, choosing between insulin pens and pumps, the impact of exercise, and the critical role of supportive healthcare professionals, while also highlighting the significant lack of mental health support for individuals with diabetes.
In this episode, we chat with Dr Michael Gooseman, a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust. We discuss his interest in cardiothoracics since medical school, experience in the academic foundation programme, and his work now as a thoracic surgeon. We explore what the day-to-day life of a cardiothoracic surgeon is like and how rewarding surgical intervention can be.
In this episode, we chat with Mr Colin Brewster, a Plastic Surgery Specialist Registrar. We discuss what drove his career choice, what it's like to be a surgical trainee, and bust some of the myths of the day-to-day life of a plastic surgeon.
In this episode, we chat with Paul Gates a Consultant Paramedic and Deputy Clinical Director at the East of England Ambulance Service. We discuss the history of the paramedic profession and how the role has developed over time.
In this episode, we chat with Dr Alison Armitage, a Consultant Nephrologist at Southmead Hospital who specialises in general and transplant nephrology and the care of pregnant women with renal disease. We explore what nephrology is like as a career including the day to day work of a nephrologist.
In this episode, we chat with Dr Peter Feldschreiber, a dual-qualified barrister and physician. He takes us through his incredibly diverse career journey which has included research, medical school, anaesthetic training, general practice, big pharma, regulation and medical law. We discuss how medical education has changed, the transferable skills medics possess and how the underlying ethics of law differ from medicine. Host: Joshua Chambers Producers: Alice Appleton & Lewis Potter
In this episode, we chat with Dr Ahmed Hankir, an Academic Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry at King's College London. We discuss what the day to day job of a psychiatrist involves and the importance of self-care. Dr Hankir also shares his personal experience of mental health issues and how this has motivated him to pursue the speciality and his work as the Wounded Healer (https://twitter.com/ahmedhankir), harnessing the power of the performing arts to challenge stigma. Host: Joshua Chambers Produce...
In this episode, four FY1 doctors share their valuable experiences, including the reality of the day to day job and some top tips for those of you beginning FY1 a little earlier than expected. Guests: Dr Jessica Wise, Dr Edwin Li Ping, Dr Elgan Jones and Dr Catherine Acton Host: Joshua Chambers Producers: Alice Appleton & Lewis Potter
In this episode, we chat with Professor Tony Young, National Clinical Lead for Innovation at NHS England and Consultant Urologist. We explore Professor Young's various roles within the NHS and some current examples of cutting edge innovation. Professor Young also discusses how the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is helping to empower NHS staff to develop their own innovative solutions alongside their clinical work. If you're considering applying to the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Program, you ...
In this episode, we chat with Dr Philip Wilkins, a Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Honorary Senior Lecturer at UEA Medical School. We discuss the changing public perspective of palliative care, pathways to a career in the specialty and what the day to day job actually involves.
This episode features Dr. Simon Laing, an Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Care Consultant, who discusses his unique portfolio career including his work at Bristol Royal Infirmary and the Devon Air Ambulance. He shares what led him to choose emergency medicine, his favorite aspects of the job, and the future outlook for the specialty. Additionally, Dr. Laing offers valuable advice for medical students and junior doctors, and reveals the origins and importance of his highly regarded medical education podcast, The Resus Room, highlighting his passion for teaching and evidence-based learning.
In this episode, we talk to the founder of Geeky Medics, Dr Lewis Potter. We discuss how he went from sharing his notes with fellow Newcastle medical students to creating an international medical education platform used by millions. Dr Potter also shares some great tips for any other students and doctors hoping to start projects themselves.
