The Student Dose

Getting the Balance

Charlie Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney

There is no getting around the fact the medicine is an intense course. Not only do you have to put in long hours, study a vast amount of content but, it can also be emotionally challenging. We have all heard of the phrase work-life balance, but why is it important and how can we achieve it? In this episode the hosts discuss what makes us more than medical students, how best we can strike that balance between studying and maintaining our own well-being and the consequences we may face if we don’t get it right. We need to remember if we are to be health advocates then we need to start by looking after ourselves. Getting the balance right at medical school puts you in good standing for when you start working as a doctor.

Podcast hosts: Charlie Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney

Production/Edit: Claire McGinniss

Find out more about our sponsor Pastest here.

It is worth noting that this is a conversational piece and the opinions and views aired are of those in this discussion in its own context at the time of recording. As mentioned, the hosts are ambassadors of the ‘You Okay, Doc?’ charity, which is focussed on the mental health and wellbeing of doctors. As a result, we discuss issues affecting physical, emotional and mental wellbeing that some listeners may at times find upsetting. If you fin yourself significantly affected by the discussion, please consider seeking professional help. Recording for season two took place July-September 2023.

As a charity, we need your help to keep going. Please check out our website and our Instagram page @youokaydoc to find out more and stay up-to-date. If you would like, you can also text donate to support the You Okay, Doc? charity by texting. To donate £3 text ‘DOCTOR’ to 70970.

Disability as a Medical Student

Florence Ashaye, Charlie Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney.

In this episode we will cover having a disability as a medical student, but more specifically neurodivergence and specific learning disabilities. We are aware that disability extends further than this and we hope to explore this further in future episodes.

Disability results in some unique challenges both in everyday life but also medical school. In this episode the Claire interviews Florence Ashaye, a third year medical student at the University of Southampton. Florence has lived experience of multiple disabilities, accompanied with mental health challenges, which she talks openly about on her Instagram and YouTube challenge as well as on this podcast. Together, Florence and Claire discuss what it is like to navigate medical school, what help there is out there and how Florence has made the most of opportunities that have arisen. They also touch on the helpful reminder that everyone can shine in different areas, don’t let medical school define you.

You can find out more about Florence on her Instagram @floshaye Or on her YouTube channel.

Guests: Florence Ashaye

Podcast hosts: Charlie Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney

Production/Edit: Claire McGinniss

Find out more about our sponsor Pastest here.

It is worth noting that this is a conversational piece and the opinions and views aired are of those in this discussion in its own context at the time of recording. As mentioned, the hosts are ambassadors of the ‘You Okay, Doc?’ charity, which is focussed on the mental health and wellbeing of doctors. As a result, we discuss issues affecting physical, emotional and mental wellbeing that some listeners may at times find upsetting. If you fin yourself significantly affected by the discussion, please consider seeking professional help. Recording for season two took place July-September 2023.

As a charity, we need your help to keep going. Please check out our website and our Instagram page @youokaydoc to find out more and stay up-to-date. If you would like, you can also text donate to support the You Okay, Doc? charity by texting. To donate £3 text ‘DOCTOR’ to 70970.

Tackling Sexism

Dr Becky Cox and Dr Chelcie Jewitt

TW: This episode discusses themes that some listeners may find challenging. This includes mention of sexism, sexual assault and rape. Please consider whether you may find this difficult or upsetting before listening.

Sexism, unfortunately, is a common problem within healthcare at the level of both medical student and doctor meaning we may see or experience it during our careers.

In this episode our hosts are joined by Dr Becky Cox and Dr Chelcie Jewitt, founders of the campaign ‘Surviving in Scrubs’. This is a campaign trying to put an end to sexism in healthcare. They advocate for victims, campaign to the GMC, provide active bystander training and much more. They are giving a voice to survivors and raising awareness. Listen in to hear them discussing some shocking statistics, talk about what exciting things they have managed so far and what they hope to achieve in the future. They give us a sad reminder that if you have experienced this you are not alone and give some useful tips as to what you can do if you see or experience sexism within the work place.

Find out more about Surviving in Scrubs from their Instagram page @scrubsurvivors or on their website www.survivinginscrubs.co.uk.
We mention a BMJ article that you can find here.

Guests: Dr Becky Cox and Dr Chelcie Jewitt, Surviving in Scrubs

Podcast hosts: Charlie Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney

Production/Edit: Claire McGinniss

Find out more about our sponsor Pastest here .

It is worth noting that this is a conversational piece and the opinions and views aired are of those in this discussion in its own context at the time of recording. As mentioned, the hosts are ambassadors of the ‘You Okay, Doc?’ charity, which is focussed on the mental health and wellbeing of doctors. As a result, we discuss issues affecting physical, emotional and mental wellbeing that some listeners may at times find upsetting. If you fin yourself significantly affected by the discussion, please consider seeking professional help. Recording for season two took place July-September 2023.

As a charity, we need your help to keep going. Please check out our website and our Instagram page @youokaydoc to find out more and stay up-to-date. If you would like, you can also text donate to support the You Okay, Doc? charity by texting. To donate £3 text ‘DOCTOR’ to 70970.

Rethinking Failure

Charlie Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney.

For many people, medical school will be the first time they encounter a form of failure. Whether this be not hitting personal targets, failing an exam, or not getting the job that you wanted for your foundation years. No matter what the ‘failure’ may be, it can be a really challenging time but just remember: you are not the first, you won’t be the last and you are not alone in failure. It does not define you.

In this episode the hosts reflect over some of their own personal failures and how to reprogram your attitude and refocus afterwards in order to learn and grow from them. They discuss the taboo surrounding failure at medical school and how this needs to change and how being open and honest with failure allows you to celebrate the hard work and effort that has gone into medical school. Failure doesn’t take you back to the beginning, you have still taken a step forward, it just might not be as big of a step as you had hoped.

Podcast hosts: Charlie Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney

Production/Edit: Claire McGinniss

Find out more about our sponsor Pastest .

Like what you hear? Find details/links to those external resources we mentioned throughout, below.

The F Word – talking about failure in medicine from the BMJ Opinion
How to Failre Podcast – available on your usual podcast platform.
The Overlap Podcast
3 Ways to Overcome Exan Failure…From Personal Experience

It is worth noting that this is a conversational piece and the opinions and views aired are of those in this discussion in its own context at the time of recording. As mentioned, the hosts are ambassadors of the ‘You Okay, Doc?’ charity, which is focussed on the mental health and wellbeing of doctors. As a result, we discuss issues affecting physical, emotional and mental wellbeing that some listeners may at times find upsetting. If you fin yourself significantly affected by the discussion, please consider seeking professional help. Recording for season two took place July-September 2023.

As a charity, we need your help to keep going. Please check out our website and our Instagram page @youokaydoc to find out more and stay up-to-date. If you would like, you can also text donate to support the You Okay, Doc? charity by texting. To donate £3 text ‘DOCTOR’ to 70970.

The Follow-up

Marianne Gazet, Charles Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney

Guest: Marianne Gazet. You can find Marianne on Instagram @Mariannedoesmedicine or on her own podcast @morethanmedicalstudents

Podcast hosts: Charlie Carey, Claire McGinniss, Katie Rooney

Production/Edit: Claire McGinniss

Find out more about our sponsor Pastest .

It is worth noting that this is a conversational piece and the opinions and views aired are of those in this discussion in its own context at the time of recording. As mentioned, the hosts are ambassadors of the ‘You Okay, Doc?’ charity, which is focussed on the mental health and wellbeing of doctors. As a result, we discuss issues affecting physical, emotional and mental wellbeing that some listeners may at times find upsetting. If you fin yourself significantly affected by the discussion, please consider seeking professional help. Recording for season two took place July-September 2023.

As a charity, we need your help to keep going. Please check out our website and our Instagram page @youokaydoc to find out more and stay up-to-date. If you would like, you can also text donate to support the You Okay, Doc? charity by texting. To donate £3 text ‘DOCTOR’ to 70970.