TMC Podcast: Interviews with Medical Specialists

Prof Michelle Leech is a rheumatology consultant and deputy dean at Monash University's Faculty of Medicine. It is hard to believe that she was once a self-described "shy" medical student that dreaded answering questions given her success as a doctor! Today, we walk to Prof Leech about how she evolved from timid medical student to academic pioneer and respected clinician. Michelle thoroughly enjoys the clinical side of her specialty. For her, it comes down to taing a "good history" in order to tackle the "diagnostic dilemmas" she faces on a daily basis. Her description of a typical day is truly reflective of her university's motto, "ancora imparo" (I am always learning). We learn lots about the perks of rheumatology, including the teams they interact with, and the cases encountered on the wards, which sound fascinating. Moreover, Michelle is able to delve into each in great detail with both the patient and their families. The constant opportunity to teach students and delve into research limits Prof Leech from getting "stuck in a rut". Yet as with any specialty, dealing with patients can bring an emotional toll, especially in rheumatology where it can seem a "world of pain". We talk at length about the "training bottleneck" troubling many specialties, its impact on rheumatology, and where the future of specialty training may lie (literally - and it's not in hospitals!). Other ideas, such as dual training and flexible working hours, are explained to us by our wonderful mentor. Michelle also gives us fantastic insight into her pathway to being an academic professor and researcher, and how this has helped her clinical work. Michelle's advice to use students is to simply "have a rest!". We debate the origin and future of the hypercompetitive state of medical school which she believes is up to us as a group to "dial up and down". Her opinion is that work and life exist on a "continuum", not as separate entities, and that we should pursue that which keeps us "energises, and causes [us] to energise others" rather than to fill out our CVs. Wise words! Work and life is a "continuum". She also implored young doctors to admit their vulnerability and ignorance, to lean on those around them for support, and share our stories with colleagues, to foster a supportive community that will stay with us through our junior years (and beyond). Lots of interaction with ortho, ID, haem, resp. If you have any other questions you'd like us to ask Dr Michelle Leech, fill out the form below or shoot us a message! Pathways into Rheumatology Medical School → Internship → Basic Physician’s Training (3 years full time equivalent) → Advanced Training in Rheumatology (3 years) → Consultant Source: Royal Australian College of Physicians Salary According to the Australian Government Taxation Data, in the 2013-14 income year we had: 50 female general medicine specialists earning an average of $169,409 85 male general medicine specialists earning an average of $256,933 Let us know how this has impacted you Fill out the Google form below to let us know how useful this episode was for you. We really appreciate your feedback, it's very important to us! Loading... If the form isn't loading, you can access it here. Once again, we really appreciate your feedback :)

Dr Alan Briedahl is a plastic surgery consultant working at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Today, we chat to him about his journey from GP-loving medical student to his lofty positions today! As an intern, Alan decided to specialise due to the vast breadth of knowledge required to stay up-to-date as a GP. He found his way into plastics, which suited his self-described "obsessiveness" and desire to use his hands. Listen in to find out why plastic surgeons are the only ones not "pressed for time" and the "creative" ways solutions they find to complex problems. Dr Briedahl splits his time between public and private work in his theatres and clinic. Both of these involve waking up fairly early and working long hours, with additional on-call work in the public system. This aspect grants him access to some of the more exciting presentations - involving hand, craniofacial and skin trauma - albeit in the middle of the night. For the most part, plastic surgeons deal with skin lesion excisions and cosmetic surgery, and we were surprised to learn which of the two are more grateful for the work done on them! His work has taken him overseas, where he has honed his skills with basic equipment and helped improve the lives of countless patients. This involves his work as a missionary and board member of Operation Smile. Alan is excited about the future of plastics, especially with the prospect of facial transplants on the horizon. He sees the workload increasing, due to the increase in trauma and skin cancer. Most surgeons tend to subspecialise, but Alan enjoys the variety that general plastics offers. He mixes things up by teaching and making time for his hobbies of sailing and golf - we were amazed how he does it!   As always, we finish with some insider tips as to how to make your resume glean and how to make the most of our intern year. Alan's key message to everyone, regardless of their predisposition, is to "enjoy the journey". We hope you guys enjoy this podcast! Feel free to send through any questions you may have for Dr Alan Briedahl, and give us feedback on this week's episode by filling out the survey. Pathway into Plastic sugery Medical School →  Internship → Surgical Education and Training program (3 years) → Advanced Surgical Training in Plastic surgery (4 years) → Consultant Source: FRACS Salary According to the Australian Government Taxation Data, in the 2013-14 income year we had approximately: 56 female plastic surgeons earning an average of $281,608 237 male plastic surgeons earning an average of $448,530 Let us know how this has impacted you Fill out the Google form below to let us know how useful this episode was for you. We really appreciate your feedback, it's very important to us! Loading... If the form isn't loading, you can access it here. Once again, we really appreciate your feedback :)

Dr Heidi McAlpine is a neurosurgery registrar at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Today, she gives us fantastic insight into what it's like being the only female registrar currently on the program! While occasionally being mistaken for another, more junior member of the team on ward rounds, Heidi thoroughly enjoys her work. She initially wanted to be a neurologist but loved surgery, eventually finding a field that combined her two passions. Nowadays, her typical day lasts from 7-5 (eek), and involves a mix between clinic and theatre. Listen in to hear some of the awe-inspiring cases she has led or been part of. This high-risk, high-reward specialty lends itself to immense reward from managing the "unexpected" and the adrenaline rush it provides. It provides fantastic vaiety. Nevertheles, she has had to address many uncomfortable and heartbreaking situations, such as breaking the news to family that the team cann't resuscitate their loved one. It is also difficult "when things don't go to plan", as the slightest deviation can have devestating consequences,  making it a "considered" decision to undergo surgery. From Dr McAlpine's perspective, neurosurgery constitutes a significant time commitment, but not one that should get in the way of pursuing one's own life outside of medicine, including starting a family. She encourages all female medical students (including you guys!) to enter the program to show that it's doable, as doctors will change the system by "pushing those boundaries" and "highlighting and addressing" issues within the program. To everyone else, she urges us to "experience everything that we can", especially "hands on" activities, "look after each other", and do what we enjoy. We hope you guys enjoy this podcast! Feel free to send through any questions you may have for Dr Heidi McAlpine, and give us feedback on this week's episode by filling out the survey. Pathway into Neurosurgery Medical School →  Internship → Surgical Education and Training program (3 years) → Advanced Surgical Training in Neurosurgery (4 years) → Consultant Source: FRACS Salary According to the Australian Government Taxation Data, in the 2013-14 income year we had approximately: 26 female neurosurgeons earning an average of $323,682 142 male neurosurgeons earning an average of $577,674 Let us know how this has impacted you Fill out the Google form below to let us know how useful this episode was for you. We really appreciate your feedback, it's very important to us! Loading... If the form isn't loading, you can access it here. Once again, we really appreciate your feedback :)

Dr Ranjana Srivastava is a well-decorated oncologist that also holds numerous accolades, including the Westpac Women of Influence Award, recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to medicine in the field of doctor-patient communication, and award-winning author for The Guardian. As a medical student, she enjoyed most fields, but ruled out obstetrics when she "almost dropped a baby", and surgery when she fainted in theatre! It was a rural rotation in oncology where she saw the calming influence her consultants had on patients that she decided to pursue this field. She has also kept up her writing and journaling which she began at age 5, which has led to her writing for the Lancet (as a medical student no less!), Penguin, The Age and now The Guardian. Her focuses include society and ethics, especially on issues she thinks it is "important for the public to know" about. Dr Srivastava encourages students and doctors alike to read medical journalism exposes. These include JAMA's "A Piece of my mind", NEJM's "Perspective", and the Annals of Internal Medicine's "On Being A Doctor", writing to inform patients and/or doctors. Her typical week involves a mixture between clinical work and authoring. Listen in to discover how she deals with the emotional burden of discussing prognoses, terminal illnesses and chemotherapy on a daily basis to patients and families. While she finds it incredibly rewarding to help patients, managing their expectations and breaking harsh truths to them can be tough. Moreover, the specialty is "bounding along at an unprecendented pace". This makes keeping up to date inrcredibly difficult, especially with patients consulting the internet for novel regiment. In future, she sees treatments being targeted to patients. There is no "magic solution" to maintaining a work-life balance, but Ranjana gives us some aspects we should prioritise. Increasingly, clinicians can choose their own hours and draw boundaries from an early age. She encourages students to spend extended periods of time following consultants to learn what each specialty is like. The initial "glitter and glamour" can fade away unless one truly enjoys what they are doing. At the end of the day, Ranjana stresses the importance of being "present" in each consultation, since we "may never see that patient again". If you have any other questions you'd like us to ask Dr Ranjana Srivastava, fill out the form below or shoot us a message! Pathways into Oncology Medical School → Internship → HMO → Basic Physicians Training (3 years full-time equivalent) → Advance Physicians Training in Oncology (3 years full-time equivalent) Source: Royal Australian College of Physicians Salary According to the Australian Government Taxation Data, in the 2013-14 income year we had approximately: 145 female oncologists earning an average of $208,612 200 male oncologists earning an average of $322,178 Let us know how this has impacted you Fill out the Google form below to let us know how useful this episode was for you. We really appreciate your feedback, it's very important to us! Loading... If the form isn't loading, you can access it here. Once again, we really appreciate your feedback :)

Dr Shavi Fernando is an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant working in metropolitan Melbourne. As a medical student, he gravitated towards O&G and paediatrics, deciding on the former after a BMedSci, an initiative he encourages us all to take. He is currently completing his PhD, moreso out of interest than requirement, although we do discuss the growing competition within the field. Dr Fernando was drawn to O&G because of the "high acuity" of problems facing young, mostly healthy patients. In this way, he sees his work as adding great benefit, and always appreciates the thanks he receives from patients. While he found some barriers as a male medical student, his success demonstrates the (mostly) level playing field O&G offers to both genders, aside from a few hiccups. Shavi's current practice involves a mix between obstetrics and gynaecology, in both public and private settings. He offers insight into why some doctors choose one over the other, as well as why O&Gs get sued so much and what prospective ones can do to protect themselves (hint: honesty is key)!. In future, he sees a further split between the field's two branches, as well as a greater focus on the growing obesity rate and its complications on pregnancy and delivery. We also discuss the training program's requirements, including the emphasis on research, rural work and clinical time. One of the main drawbacks of O&G seems to be the "unpredictable" working hours (even more so than Dr Fernando had expected!). Shavi described a typical week and how he functions being on call practically 24/7 at each of the 3 hospitals he works at! He also walks us through the minefield that is taking time off, and tells all our interns to "buy a house early" and follow their passion, both of which seem to be a major focus in the 21st century. If you have any other questions you'd like us to ask Dr Shavi Fernando, fill out the form below or shoot us a message! Pathways into Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Medical School → Internship → HMO (1 year minimum) → Core Training Program (4 years) → Advanced Training Program (2 years)→ Consultant Source: RANZCOG Salary According to the Australian Government Taxation Data, in the 2013-14 income year we had: 570 female obstetricians and gynaecologists earning an average of $264,628 641 male obstetricians and gynaecologists earning an average of $446,507 Let us know how this has impacted you Fill out the Google form below to let us know how useful this episode was for you. We really appreciate your feedback, it's very important to us! Loading... If the form isn't loading, you can access it here. Once again, we really appreciate your feedback :)

Associate Professor Andrew MacIsaac is the Director of Cardiology at St. Vincent’s Hospital. He also holds a role as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and is responsible for all junior medical staff at the hospital. This podcast focuses on the cardiology specialty – what it involves on a day-to-day basis as well as how the specialty has evolved during his time in the field. We also discuss work-life balance and how this changes as you progress from a junior doctor to a consultant in cardiology. A/Prof. MacIsaac provides his thoughts on the personalities that would thrive in cardiology and as someone who is very involved in intern selection and taking care of junior medical staff, he gives great tips on what to prioritise when preparing for intern applications. We also discuss how to choose what hospital to apply for in your internship, how to make a good impression in your work as a junior doctor and the role of technology and robotics in future interventional cardiology. We hope you guys enjoy this podcast – it’s a great interview with lots of insight into being a well-rounded junior doctor and contains several pearls of wisdom! Being that this is our first podcast which is released, we'd love to get some feedback on the show! Whether it's to do with the content, the format or the technicalities, please send us a message. You can contact us through our website or through social (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). If you have any other questions you'd like us to ask A/Prof MacIsaac, fill out the form below or shoot us a message! Pathways into Cardiology Medical School → Internship → Basic Physicians Training (3 years Full Time Equivalent) → Advanced Physicians Training in Cardiology (3 years Full Time Equivalent) Advanced Physician Training can be undertaken in Adult Medicine, Paediatrics or Child Health Source: Royal Australian College of Physicians Salary According to the Australian Government Taxation Data, in the 2013-14 income year we had: 151 female cardiologists earning an average of $215,920 651 male cardiologists earning an average of $453,253 Let us know how this has impacted you Fill out the Google form below to let us know how useful this episode was for you. We really appreciate your feedback, it's very important to us! Loading... If the form isn't loading, you can access it here. Once again, we really appreciate your feedback :)

  Hey everyone! We are really excited to bring you this project, and we hope you benefit in some way from listening to our show. You can vote for the first episode here on our blog. Choose wisely! We have spent many months in the lead up to our release working on this project and we would be so happy to get your feedback on it! We would also love you to follow us on our journey, so make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Our pages are at @themedcollab for all platforms. We're working on getting ourselves on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and your other favourite podcasting databases, so stay tuned for updates regarding the process! If you have any questions, send us a message via social or via our website :) See you guys in episode 1! TMC000