Sharp Scratch
Sharp Scratch is a podcast from The BMJ that brings together medical students, new doctors, and expert guests to discuss essential topics for becoming a good doctor.
Episodes
Is medicine a career worth staying in?
What happens when the career you spent your life chasing no longer feels like the right fit?
We are currently witnessing a massive cultural shift in medical schools and in training. More and more students and FYs are looking at "portfolio careers," eyeing the exit door, and searching for opportunities completely outside of clinical practice. But actually choosing to leave is difficult…
In this epi
The F Word - Failure in Medical School
Why is academic failure surrounded by shame and guilt? Find out what support is available for students, and why failing may make you a better doctor in the long term.
Zaynah and George reflect on failure in medical school - taboo, support, impact on identity- in this new introduction. Followed by Nikki's episode 'The F Word' from 2021.
This week the panel are joined by Rakesh Patel, Clinical
Mentoring in medicine - Is it really "who you know" that shapes your career?
Does who you know determine the doctor you become? Do you need a mentor to be a good doctor? How do you form a successful mentoring relationship in medicine?
In this episode, Zaynah sits down with Professor Katherine Woolf, and panellists Judy and Sarah, to discuss the role that mentoring has to play in medicine. They discuss structured mentoring opportunities in medical education and training a
"Is it my job to teach you?" - Race education in medicine
Is it the job of minority students to teach their peers, or even staff, about race in medicine? If not, then who is the right person to teach us?
In this episode, Zaynah Khan sits down with expert guests and doctors Mehrunisha Suleman and Zeshan Qureshi, along with panellist and medical student Judy, to discuss how race is taught in medical education.
They discuss the informal responsibility
“I’m Not Like Other Medics” - Deconstructing the medical student stereotype
Are you a "medic-ey medic," or do you feel like a bit of an outsider?
Medical school often comes with a heavy set of unspoken expectations. From how you spend your free time to what you’re "supposed" to be good at, the pressure to fit a specific mold can be exhausting. But what happens when you don't - or won't - conform?
In this episode, Zaynah Khan sits down with panelist George and expert guest
This isn't what I signed up for - Moral injury in medicine
Why Medicine?
We’re all familiar with the interview Q on our motivations for entering the field. But what happens when the expectations we had of a medical career melt away into the shocking reality? Is this really what you signed up for?
In this episode, Zaynah Khan sits down with Dr Seema Haider, GP and trainer, to discuss issues of moral distress and moral injury in medicine. They are joined
Bringing back joy and whimsy in medical school - Medics Comedy Revues
Medical school isn't all anatomical dissections and high-stakes exams - sometimes, it’s about satirical sketches, questionable choreography, and finding the "joy and whimsy" in the chaos of clinical training.
In this episode, host Zaynah Khan dives into the long-standing, slightly eccentric tradition of the Medics’ Comedy Revue. Joined by the BMJ’s own Steph and Helen M who share their own experti
The £100k Question: Is Medical School Still Worth It?
Is medical school really worth the price?
From juggling part-time jobs to the "funding cliff-edge" in clinical years, we’re asking the big questions: How are students actually surviving right now? Host Zaynah Khan explores the true cost of the medical degree alongside panellists Judy, Maz, and Elgan (co-chair of the BMA Medical Students Committee).
We’re also joined by Dr. Callum Parr, deputy chai
Is the spectre of the GMC silencing the next generation of medics?
Medical student protest is nothing new, yet the spectre of the GMC often leaves the next generation asking: How will my actions today affect my career tomorrow?
In this episode, Zaynah Khan is joined by Fiona Godlee, former Editor-in-Chief of the BMJ, to discuss her intentional arrest at a ‘Defend Our Juries’ protest. Fiona has also been involved in protests for the environment, throughout the
Is there a universal medical school experience? - 150th Episode!
In honour of the 150th episode of the Sharp Scratch podcast, Zaynah Khan invites previous student editors to explore experiences of medical school during different times – from 20, 15, and 5 years ago to discuss whether or not medicine has changed for students. What is it that medical students care about while at uni? Are there new or different challenges? Have new opportunities opened up? Is ther
Do you take medicine home with you?
In this Second episode, Zaynah Khan - the host, Matt Morgan - an NHS Intensive Care Consultant and Writer, and panel member Nikki Nabavi - who is an FY2 Doctor, explore how medicine seeps into their personal lives, through the example of language. Together they discuss examples of medical jargon and work terminology that become inside jokes or are used completely out of context in their personal
How do we describe medical experiences to others? - Christmas Episode
In today’s Holiday Special, host Zaynah Khan is joined by Matt Morgan, an NHS Intensive Care Consultant and Writer, and panel member Nikki Nabavi, who is an FY2 Doctor. Together, they explore the unique sensory and emotional experiences that healthcare workers go through, and the limits in medical language being able to encapsulate those to others outside of healthcare. Matt discusses starting the
Navigating medicine when you're deaf or hard of hearing
In this episode, host Zaynah Khan is joined by Resident Doctor, Benedict Richards and panel members George Webster and Anna de Beer. Both Benedict and George are hard of hearing, and share their lived experiences of navigating medical school and clinical practice. Together, they also discuss ways of supporting a colleague who may be deaf/hard of hearing.
Videos played in the episode:
Examples o
How to avoid the 'Surgical Scaries'
In this Surgical themed episode, host Zaynah Khan sits down with Ms Samantha Tross, the first black female Orthopedic Surgeon in the UK. They are also joined by previous editorial scholars on the panel - George Webster, Éabha Lynn, and Laura Hope Nunez-Mulder. Together they discuss first or memorable experiences of surgery in medical school / as a doctor, and Samantha shares advice on navigating s
Dissection Horror Stories - Halloween Episode
In this Halloween episode, host Zaynah Khan sits down with expert guest Dr. Jennifer Wallis, a Senior Teaching Fellow and Lecturer in History of Science and Medicine at Imperial, and medical student Anna de Beer. They'll be sharing real-life dissection horror stories and experiences from current times, while also exploring the dark side of medical history and past influences of cadaveric dissectio
Practicing creative writing to be a better doctor
In this episode, new host Zaynah Khan meets with Author, Poet, Creative Writing Lecturer, and Ex-Doctor Gita Ralleigh. They are joined by Khadijah, a medical student taught by Gita, and panellists Elgan and Maira who help explore the role of creativity within medicine and how writing can help enhance clinical practice.
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Re-release: Reasons to be hopeful
In the final instalment from the Sharp Scratch archives, incoming Sharp Scratch host Zaynah Khan is rebroadcasting one of her favourite episodes- on hope. This episode was originally published on April 15, 2024.
With the rapid unfolding of recent events in medicine, it can be easy to lose hope for the future. From low pay and staffing crises to the rapid changes to postgraduate training, it can fe
Re-release: Anxiety
Incoming Sharpscratch host Zaynah Khan is rebroadcasting her favourite episodes, handpicked from the Sharpscratch archives. This episode on Anxiety was originally published in March, 2020. In our next episode, we'll bring you the third and final of Zaynah's vault selections.
Anxiety's a natural part of life - under certain circumstances. And we know that med students and junior docs are more lik
Re-release: Is there room for creativity in medicine?
New editorial scholar Zaynah Khan is sliding into the hosting seat for Sharpscratch. We've delved into the Sharpscratch vaults to retrieve three episodes for you to listen to over the next month as Zaynah settles in. They're some of her favourites - we hope you enjoy. Here's the first, originally broadcast in May, 2024.
Often, we think of medicine as a science. We think of doctors as scientists
How to get into medical school
In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel made up of Elgan, Anna and George get together to talk about medical school interviews. They are joined by expert guest, Paul Garrud who is chair of the Medical Schools Council Selection Alliance.
The episode covers topics including how you can best prepare for medical school interviews, what the different types of interviews you may encounter are, what
Implicit and explicit bias in medical school
In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel made up of Judy, Elisabeth and George get together to chat about bias that exists in medical education. They are joined by expert guest Dr Laetitia Zeeman, lecturer in Public Health and researcher in the field of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, whose work focuses on addressing the health needs of minority groups.
The episode discusses the importance o
How do doctors cope with death? Part 2
In part 2 of this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel, made up of Mary, Éabha and George, get together to discuss palliative medicine with Dr Mary Miller, a consultant in palliative medicine with an interest in medical education.
In the second half of the discussion, the panel discusses the challenges medical students and doctors face when dealing with end-of-life conversations and palliative med
How do doctors cope with death? Part 1
In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel, made up of Mary, Éabha and George, get together to discuss palliative medicine with Dr Mary Miller, a consultant in palliative medicine with an interest in medical education.
During the episode, Dr Miller talks about her career journey, what drew her to working in palliative medicine as well as how to open up conversations as medical professionals abou
PassMed or perish
Can you really pass medical school by only doing online question banks and never attending lectures?
In this episode, George and panellist Judy meet with Professor Andy McKeown, Director of Undergraduate Medicine at Keele University, to discuss the different study habits of medical students and whether some techniques are better than others.
Whether you prefer OnExamination, PassMedicine or Anki,
From scrubs to the stage: indie rock and medicine - with GULZ
In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel made up of Inez and George get together with the band GULZ to chat about balancing a musical career alongside working as doctors.
GULZ talk about their experiences as musicians and forming a band while at medical school, as well as how they are able to balance rehearsals and gigs alongside studying medicine and working as doctors.
The episode touches on
Yes, medical school is still racist and misogynistic - with Annabel Sowemimo
In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel talks about why misogyny and racism exists in medicine and how students and resident doctors can educate themselves to tackle bias in healthcare.
The panellists for the episode, made up of Sarah, Anna and George chat with expert guest Annabel Sowemimo a community sexual and reproductive health doctor, activist and author of Divided: Racism, Medicine and
Medical school and widening participation
In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel gets together to talk about widening participation in medical school.
The panellists, made up of medical students Maira and George, chat with guest Clare Owen, director of policy at the Medical Schools Council.
Together they discuss what is meant by widening participation, the importance of schemes that have been implemented to widen participation in m
Let's talk about sex: how to take a good sexual history - with Naomi Sutton
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 c
The cult of medicine - with Sam Jahara
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
What they won't teach you at medical - with Maddy Lucy Dann
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 car
What is professionalism?
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 t
We all make mistakes
Fears around making mistakes seem to be common amongst medical students and resident doctors, so why are many of us afraid to talk about these fears?
In this episode, the panel made up of Anna, Inez and George, get together with Dr Vicky Price, president-elect of the Society for Acute Medicine. Together, they discuss why we are afraid of making mistakes, what to do when we do make a mistake, and,
Doctors' dating dilemmas
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 stu
”It’s giving...CAP”
Were you born to write "It's giving CAP", but forced to write "patchy lower lobe consolidation, suggestive of a community acquired pneumonia"?
In this episode, the panel learn about the history of popular gen-z slang, how social media, including TikTok trends influence the language we use, and how it may have made it's way into medicine.
This week, George, Nikki, Stan and William are joined by
How do we cope when a family member is unwell?
Medical school is tough for students, with high workloads, exam pressure and uncertainty around placement rotations. So what is the impact on us when a family member or loved one becomes unwell? How do medics cope with this, and how do they find the balance between being both a medic and a loved one?
In this episode, the Sharp Scratch panel explore what it is like when a family member or loved on
The OSCE Horror Show
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.
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Taking time out of medicine
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
If you can see it, you can be it
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, wit
Religion at Medical School
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,
Re-release: The dating life of new doctors
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 har
Can we debrief?
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 de
Inbound medical students
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
Spark trans joy, not discomfort
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 t
Agency and autonomy at medical school
Studying medicine can make us feel like we’re being shaped to become anonymous cogs in a health-delivering machine. To be effective, it can seem that we need to fit ourselves into a universal mold, unable to make decisions or express individuality. Many students have expressed outrage towards the recent changes made in the UKFPO allocation programme that removes the ability of graduating students
Is there room for creativity in medicine?
Often, we think of medicine as a science. We think of doctors as scientists and scholars. We pride ourselves in being ‘in STEM,’ supporting evidence based medicine and learning the so-called ‘medical model.’ Our view of medicine, it’s teaching and its assessment is framed by medical science, and we may not think of ourselves as creatives.
In this episode, the panel discuss whether there is room f
Navigating grief
Medics, throughout our careers and lives, are surrounded by grief. We grieve in our own lives, we grieve for our patients, we grieve with our patients. In this week's episode, we talk a little about grief in all of its forms.
While an early episode of sharp scratch explored coping with death, I think it is fair to say that since the pandemic, the experiences of medical students with regards to l
Rewind: Behind the scenes at The BMJ
Maybe you've been following BMJ Student for a really long time, or maybe you're new to following us. Perhaps you only know about Sharp Scratch, or you've written and worked with us before. However much you know about BMJ Student, we hope this episode from our archives will be a look behind the scenes at what it means to work at The BMJ.
This episode from 2023 brings together four former editori
Reasons to be hopeful
With the rapid unfolding of recent events in medicine, from low pay to staffing crisis’ to the rapid changes to the face of our postgraduate training, it can be easy to lose all hope for the future - but is this really the case? A recent BMJ research paper found that cancer survival has doubled in the last fifty years, and that's one reason to be hopeful.
In this episode, the panel talk all abou
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is medicine’s favourite flaw. It seems that all too often, the very traits that we entered this profession for; wanting to be the best, wanting to do the best by our patients and colleagues, can often lead to burnout, to loneliness, to all those negative consequences we have discussed in previous episodes. In this episode we look a little more at perfectionism; what it is, why we med
The lonely medics club
We spend a lot of time in medical school working as a part of a team, either in class time, or in clinical teams like the MDT. Yet, medical school can be a very lonely place. We get taught a lot about loneliness and how dangerous it can be for patients and as we age, but lots of us are impacted by loneliness, at every age.
In this episode, we could talk about some of the drivers of loneliness at m
Meet the multidisciplinary team
This week, the panel explore the dynamics of the multidisciplinary teams that come together to look after patients in hospitals and in the community.
Building on previous episodes which have explored the idea of teamwork and multidisciplinary teams from the perspective of medical and nursing students, this episode broadens our horizons and tries to understand a little more about multidisciplinary
Why I (still) love medicine
Morale has been low in medicine recently. With ongoing industrial action and the recent AIMS study finding that almost ⅓ of us students plan to leave the NHS within two years of graduating, it can sometimes be difficult to remain optimistic about the future in medicine.
But it is a brand new year, and so in this week's episode we start the year reflecting on the things we love about medicine. F
Christmas on the wards
The festive season is officially here! This time of year is all about spreading peace and goodwill, and if you’re looking for good will, one place you’re almost certain to find it is the NHS.
While working throughout the Christmas period is often an intimidating prospect for new doctors, and often we would rather *not* spend our holidays at the hospital. Yet, the wards are a pretty unique place
How to study for medical school exams
Starting medical school can be a shock to the system. From day 1, there is so much to learn, there’s exams to pass and all these new practical skills to get your head around. This podcast is all about how you can learn best and boss those exams without letting them take over your whole life.
In this episode, we talk all about how to do the best you can do in exams, about learning and the study
The social life of medics (with Christina Aaliyah)
They say nobody parties harder than medical students, but is that really true? What do our panellists think? Long-time listeners of sharp scratch may remember the fresher’s firsts: socialising episode recorded in the middle of the pandemic, so we are happy to be revisiting this topic now that medical school, and University, feels a little more normal.
In this episode, the panel talk all about s
The medical school scaries
Spooky season is here, and sometimes there is nothing scarier than a medical degree. From broken bones, to early morning buses, we medics are fond of a horror story.
This episode, to celebrate halloween, we are sharing some of our spookiest medical school scaries - the good, the bad and the funny. We talk about some of the things we find scary about medical school, and why we find these things s
Replay: How not to bomb your OSCEs
Here at sharp scratch, we are taking a short break, so in the meantime we'd like to highlight some of our favourite episodes from the archive. I thought these episodes might be particularly helpful for those of us starting out at medical school, and I hope you enjoy them.
In this episode, the panel were joined by medical school expert David Brill, as they discuss how to approach practical exams a
Replay: The first generation medical students
Here at Sharp Scratch, we’re taking a short summer break, so in the meantime we’d like to highlight some of our favourite episodes from our archive. I thought these episodes might be particularly helpful for those of us starting out at medical school, and I hope you enjoy them.
Starting university or medical school can be a daunting experience for anyone, but when you're the first person in your f
Replay: Academic first times
We are taking a short summer break from Sharp Scratch, so in the meantime we’d like to highlight some of our favourite episodes from our archive. I thought these episodes might be particularly helpful for those of us starting out at medical school, and I hope you enjoy them.
In this episode, the panel were joined by Richie Oparka, consultant pathologist and head of first year at Dundee medical sc
Replay: Starting University
Here at Sharp Scratch, we’re taking a short summer break, so in the meantime we’d like to highlight some of our favourite episodes from our archive. I thought these episodes might be particularly helpful for those of us starting out at medical school, and I hope you enjoy them.
Starting university can be a really exciting and really nerve-wracking time. There are so many questions you might have
The 100th episode
Join all of the previous hosts as we celebrate 100 episodes of Sharp Scratch!
Check us out on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BMJStudent
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BMJStudent/
This podcast is produced and edited by Dom Byrne and Duncan Jarvies.
A problem shared is a problem halved
Medicine can be challenging sometimes, and while there are often formal support structures in place such as welfare teams or occupational health to deal with acute events, or ongoing struggles, what about all the day to day parts of medicine?
Today we’re going to be talking about the support systems available in medical schools and the impacts of having, or not having, these structures in place
Medical milestones
Milestones in medicine are often thought of as getting over the next professional hurdle - we’re always thinking about passing our next exam, advancing to our next year of medical school or training, or finally becoming a consultant. But in reality, are these the moments that truly feel like significant milestones?
Instead, what if we shifted our mindset to thinking about all of the things that fe
The first generation medical students
Starting university or medical school can be a daunting experience for anyone, but when you’re the first person in your family to study medicine, it can feel even scarier.
In today’s episode, we’re going to be talking all about what it’s like to be a first-generation medical student. We’ll start from the very beginning and talk about when we first realised we wanted to study medicine and what it
How good is a good enough doctor?
When we think of being a ‘good enough’ medical student, our thoughts might go straight to exams. Have we passed them all? What about merits, or even distinctions? It’s easy to prioritise exam scores above all else as it is one of the only times we get clear, concrete feedback - or a number that tells us how ‘good’ we really are.
But can exam results capture everything or is something missing her
Is the grass greener elsewhere?
Given the current working conditions in the UK, we’re hearing more and more stories of doctors moving abroad to practise medicine. However, this isn’t necessarily unusual. Doctors and other healthcare professionals from many different countries do often decide to get a taste for healthcare systems elsewhere either through short, temporary placements, or through a more permanent move!
In today’s
How do I choose a specialty?
From the moment you start medical school, you’re asked the same question - ‘what kind of doctor are you going to be?’. Whilst some know from the very beginning that they’re going to be a surgeon or a paediatrician or a GP, others have no idea.
The reality of choosing a specialty can be really difficult. In this episode, we talk about the common worries that medical students or junior doctors mig
Baptism of fire: starting in the NHS
From the lingering effects of the pandemic to ongoing industrial action, it is a turbulent time to be working in healthcare. As medical students about to start working in this profession, it can feel really overwhelming and daunting to think about our future careers in the NHS.
Today we’re going to be talking about all the things we’re worried about when it comes to the current NHS crisis. Our e
Behind the scenes at The BMJ
Maybe you’ve been following BMJ Student for a really long time, or maybe you’re new to following us. Perhaps you only know about Sharp Scratch, or you’ve written and worked with us before. However much you know about BMJ Student, we hope today’s episode will be a look behind the scenes at what it means to work at The BMJ.
Today we’ve got four current/former Editorial Scholars ready to talk all ab
Sharing is caring
We’ve talked before about how one's own experience of illness can affect their practice, but does it also influence how much you share with your patients?
In today’s episode we’re going to be talking all about physician self-disclosure - that is, all the things we, as future doctors, might share with our patients. We’ll be asking how appropriate it is to share your own stories with a patient and
What’s in a name?
Some supervisors say "call me Bob'' but others insist on "Doctor Jones". In this episode we're reflecting on what types of supervisors fall into each camp and why sometimes using professional titles feels like honouring someone's hard work, but other times it feels like a way of putting you in your place.
In today’s episode, we’re thinking all about the title “doctor”. We’ll talk about when and h
Nothing like Grey’s Anatomy
From Casualty, Holby City, and Cardiac Arrest to Grey’s Anatomy, Scrubs and House, medical TV dramas are part of the fabric of growing up interested in a career in medicine. So today we’re discussing all things medical TV dramas and talking about whether these shows prepared us for medical school and life as a doctor!
Join us for this episode as we play some of our favourite clips from popular me
It’s not just you, medicine is weird
Medicine is a career unlike almost any other. As medical students and junior doctors, we’ve had a lot of experience with strange, surreal moments. The first time you ask a super invasive question to someone you’ve known for all of five minutes, the first time you make an incision in surgery, the first time you do an intimate examination - all of these things can be really strange as they go agains
I’m a (Phobic) Medical Student… Get Me Out of Here!
Medicine is occasionally like the reality TV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in that some of the things we have to do are just unpleasant, whereas other parts may be phobia-inducing. But how might having a phobia as a medical student affect the ways you are able to work on placement?
In today’s episode, we’re going to be talking all about phobias. We’ll discuss what happens when you hav
Everyone has an accent
Accents and dialects are influenced by so many different things including race, gender, and class. They change frequently depending on where we are, who we are with, and even what we are trying to get out of any given interaction. But why does this happen? Do we gravitate towards a certain accent in order to fit in?
In this episode, we'll find out what an accent actually is, we'll discuss how our
Compassionate medical schools
Any medical student knows that medical school can be tough. The hours are long, the work is hard, and stress can build quickly. Throughout all of this, we’re taught about compassion - how to be a compassionate medical student, and eventually a compassionate doctor. But do our own medical schools show compassion towards us?
In this episode, the Sharp Scratch team talks about compassionate organis
Students, sex work, and stigma
The relationship between our personal and professional identity has always been an important part of the conversations we have here on Sharp Scratch. What doctors and medical students do in their own personal lives is often brought into debates on professionalism.
The Student Sex Work Project (2015) reported that around 5% of students have, at some point, been involved in the sex industry. In th
Being out of your depth
A career in medicine can sometimes mean stepping outside of your comfort zone. No matter what stage of your career you are in, it is likely that you will have to manage uncertainty, and will occasionally feel out of your depth.
In this episode, the Sharp Scratch panel talks about the reality of never being able to know everything in medicine, and the benefits of acknowledging your strengths and
Starting university
Starting university can be a really exciting and really nerve-wracking time. There are so many questions you might have before you start. How do you know what to pack? How do you make friends? How do you study? Is it really going to be the best time of your life?!
You might be just about to start university in the next week or two, or simply feel like indulging in the nostalgia of those first few
Concerns about a colleague
Medicine is a team sport. We work with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver patient care. However, there may be times when you will work with a colleague who worries you professionally. You may find it difficult to address this unprofessional behaviour, especially as a junior member of the team. In this episode, we’ll be talking about when this becomes enough to act and what you can do about it.
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