Career Conversations

In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi speaks with Dr Hannah Preston about their article on less than full time working as a trainee doctor. They discuss the results of the study as well as some of the barriers that still exist for trainees wishing to work less than full time. 

Dr Hannah Preston a Renal Registrar in South East Scotland, currently undertaking a clinical PhD in manganese enhanced MRI in kidney disease. She has been a member of the Trainees and Members' Committee (T&MC) since 2019 and is currently Co-chair after previous roles in education and development of the RCPE podcasts including Clinical Conversations, Career Conversations and PACES. 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members' Committee (T&MC), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. 

Recording date: 19 December 2024 

Useful Links 

Preston H, Spencer E, Ker R, Guckian J, Giannoudi M. Less than full-time training, barriers and future needs. A UK-wide online survey of doctors in training. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 2024;54(3):204-211. doi:10.1177/14782715241273741 

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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi talks with Dr Rebecca Sagar about a career in Diabetes and Endocrinology. Dr Sagar highlights the benefits of following this career path, discusses how she got into the specialty and provides advice for those who are interested in it. 

Dr Rebecca Sagar currently works as an NIHR Clinical Lecturer and SpR in Endocrinology at the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals. She has a sub-specialty interest in Adrenal and Metabolic Bone endocrinology. She holds national roles including acting as the current chair for Young Diabetologists and Endocrinologists Forum (YDEF). 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair and Co-Podcast Lead for the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. 

Recording date: 17 October 2024 

Useful Links 

Young Diabetologists & Endocrinologists' Forum - https://www.youngdiabetologists.org.uk/ 

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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

In this episode, Dr Kirsty Crowe and Dr Aoife Duignan delve into the challenges and rewards of becoming a parent while working in the medical field. They explore crucial topics such as navigating maternity and annual leave, breaking the news to your employer, and the logistics of returning to work. The discussion also covers the importance of keeping in touch days (KIT), understanding your rights in the workplace, and the resources available to support breastfeeding and arranging childcare. Dr Crowe and Dr Duignan share insights on managing antenatal leave, handling illness during external childcare, and calculating accrued annual leave, offering practical advice for balancing parenthood with a demanding medical career. 

Dr Kirsty Crowe is a specialty registrar in renal and internal medicine based in the West of Scotland. She is deeply committed to enhancing medical education, particularly in addressing barriers that hinder patient engagement with healthcare. Prior to commencing her higher specialty training, Dr Crowe completed a Clinical Teaching Fellowship, reflecting her dedication to effective medical education. Her interests extend to supporting the inclusivity and wellbeing of trainees, a focus she explored during her Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowship with the NHS Lothian Medical Education Directorate and the GMC. Dr Crowe is also actively involved in networks that support renal trainees in engaging with quality improvement and research activities. 

Dr Aoife Duignan is a specialist trainee in geriatric and general medicine in South East Scotland. With a strong commitment to representing her peers, she has previously served on local and regional trainee committees and held the position of Vice Chair for Representation on the Trainees and Members' Committee (TMC). Dr Duignan has a history of organizing Core Medical Trainee teaching and currently oversees the regional Geriatric Medicine training days. Her interests lie in enhancing the quality of internal medicine training, fostering near-peer support, and providing guidance for those planning maternity leave, returning to work, and undertaking Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training. 

Recording Date: 15 August 2024 

Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the British Medical Association (BMA) and others replacing 'Junior Doctor' with 'Resident Doctor'. 

Useful Links

BMA on Maternity, Paternity and Adoption - https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/maternity-paternity-and-adoption 

NHS Scotland Maternity Policy - https://workforce.nhs.scot/policies/maternity-policy-overview/maternity-policy/ 

Maternity Action - https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/rights-for-parents-with-more-than-one-job/ 

Tax-free childcare information - https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare 

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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

This week, Dr Marilena Giannoudi focuses on the geriatric career path with Dr Kat Ralston. This episode covers the day-to-day as well as the advantages, challenges, and the pathway to this profession. Dr Ralston provides many resources to inform your journey into geriatric medicine and discusses a few interesting cases she has encountered. 

Dr Kat Ralston is a geriatric medicine registrar in Edinburgh. She is also the Education Co-Vice Chair and the joint Podcast Lead for the RCPE Trainee & Members' Committee (T&MC). 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. 

Recording Date: 02 April 2024 

Useful Links

Physician Higher Specialty Training Recruitment - https://www.phstrecruitment.org.uk/specialties/geriatric-medicine 

British Geriatrics Society - https://www.bgs.org.uk/ 

Clinical Frailty Scale - https://www.bgs.org.uk/sites/default/files/content/attachment/2018-07-05/rockwood_cfs.pdf 

REDMAP Framework - https://www.spict.org.uk/red-map/ 

Think Delirium Toolkit - https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/2442/rrheal/education-networks/rural-teams-education-network/think-delirium-improving-the-care-for-older-people-delirium-toolkit 

The Geriatric 5M’s - https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.14979 

Silver Book II Geriatric Syndromes (British Geriatrics Society) - https://www.bgs.org.uk/resources/silver-book-ii-geriatric-syndromes 

ACB Calculator - https://www.acbcalc.com/

Related episodes

A Fresh Look at the Geriatric Giants – Front Door and Beyond, Clinical Conversations Podcast https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/a-fresh-look-at-the-geriatric-giants-front-door-and-beyond-26-feb-2024 

Frailty for the Non-Specialist, Clinical Conversations Podcast https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/frailty-for-the-non-specialist-11-mar-2024 

Choose RCPE as your College of Entry for PACES 

We encourage you to sit PACES with our College. We have a friendly and experienced examinations team who expertly support candidates, and we deliver PACES at centres across the UK. Select RCPE as your College of Entry when applying online through your My MRCP(UK) online account. 

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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

This is a co-release with our sister podcast, Clinical Conversations. In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi speaks with Dr Neil Shepherd about remote and rural medicine. Dr Shepherd highlights the benefits as well as the challenges of working in remote and rural areas and some of the professional support in place for this career path. 

Dr Neil Shepherd considers himself to be a rural generalist. He completed his GP training in 2014 and acute care rural GP fellowship in 2018. He currently works as a rural emergency physician in Caithness General Hospital, a Locum GP in Orkney and as training programme director for broad based training with NHS Education for Scotland. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. 

Recording date: 5 November 2024 

Useful Links 

BASICS Scotland - https://basicsscotland.org.uk/ 

Broad Based Training Information - www.scotmt.scot.nhs.uk/recruitment/b…training.aspx 

Rural and Remote Health Credential - www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/news/rural-and-…nd-urgent-care/ 

GP Fellowships - https://www.scotlanddeanery.nhs.scot/your-development/gp-fellowships/ 

UCLan's National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine - www.uclan.ac.uk/centres/ncrrm 

Disclaimer: Please always refer to official recruitment websites for the latest guidance as application dates and processes may differ to those described in this episode. 

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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi discusses the career path in Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) with specialists Dr Sarah Schoeman and Dr Michael Ewens. This episode will give you insights on a typical week working in GUM, how to get into this field, what it takes to specialise in it and the many advantages of this rewarding profession. 

Dr Sarah Schoeman is a GUM Consultant in Leeds based at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. Sarah was appointed as a GUM consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust in 2010 and became Clinical Lead for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust HIV service in 2015. Sarah’s areas of special interest include education and training, HIV and genital dermatology. She is currently co-Chair of the GUM SAC alongside Dr Andy Williams and together they represent the GUM SAC on the BASHH board. In addition Sarah is a current clinical member of the HIV CRG, Clinical Lead for the West Yorkshire HIV Network, Clinical Lead for the Leeds Fast Tack Cities project, a BASHH Sexual Health Dermatology SIG member and BSSVD council member. 

Dr Michael Ewens is a Consultant Physician in Genitourinary (Sexual Health & HIV) and Internal Medicine. He specialises in the sexual healthcare of trans individuals, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, focusing on conditions such as proctitis and sexually transmitted enteric infections. Additionally, Dr Ewens is an expert in Combination HIV Prevention and HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), including investigative approaches to these areas. 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. 

Recording Date: 23 February 2024

Useful Links 

Physician Higher Specialty Training Recruitment - https://www.phstrecruitment.org.uk/specialties/genitourinary-medicine 

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV - https://www.bashh.org 

British HIV Association - https://www.bhiva.org/ 

HIV Trainee Association - https://hivta.org.uk/ 

JRCPTB Training Information - https://www.thefederation.uk/training/specialties/genitourinary-medicine 

Love GUM - https://lovegum.bashh.org/ 

Get Involved in GUM - https://padlet.com/stashh1/get-involved-in-gum-kz9569d4dbswatyz 

Relevant podcast episodes 

Living with HIV (18 Sep 2023), Clinical Conversations Podcast - https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/living-with-hiv-18-sep-2023/ 

GUM Clinic (21 Oct 2024), Clinical Conversations Podcast (2024) - https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/gum-clinic/ 

Choose RCPE as your College of Entry for PACES

We encourage you to sit PACES with our College. We have a friendly and experienced examinations team who expertly support candidates, and we deliver PACES at centres across the UK. Select RCPE as your College of Entry when applying online through your My MRCP(UK) online account. 

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Upcoming RCPE events: RCPE Events Calendar

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Feedback: [email protected] 

This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

This week, Dr Marilena Giannoudi discusses the field of gastroenterology with Dr Archie Coulter. Dr Coulter shares his personal journey into the specialty, his process for choosing gastroenterology and what his day-to-day life in the field entails. 

Dr Archibald Coulter is a gastroenterology registrar working in the South West of England and is also a member of the RCPE Trainees and Members’ Committee (T&MC). 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a clinical academic trainee in cardiology in the Yorkshire and Humber region. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is Co-Chair of the RCPE Trainees and Members’ Committee (T&MC). 

Recording Date: 09 February 2024 

Useful Links 

NHS Careers - https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/medicine/gastroenterology 

BMJ Careers - https://www.bmj.com/careers/article/the-complete-guide-to-becoming-a-gastroenterology-doctor 

British Society of Gastroenterology - https://www.bsg.org.uk/ 

NES Quality Improvement Zone - https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/741/quality-improvement-zone 

Research and Audit Core Knowledge Module - https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/research-audit-and-quality-improvement/ 

Physician Higher Speciality Training Recruitment - https://www.phstrecruitment.org.uk/specialties/gastroenterology 

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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi interviews cardiology registrar Dr Anda Bularga about a career path in cardiology. This discussion provides insights into a typical week in the field, the process of entering the profession, the requirements for specialisation and the numerous advantages of this rewarding career. 

Dr Anda Bularga is a Clinical Research Fellow at the BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, and a Cardiology Trainee based in Edinburgh. She serves as an Elected Member for Scotland on the Trainees and Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE). Dr Bularga's skills and expertise include myocardial infarction and acute myocardial infarction. 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. 

Recording Date: 20 November 2023 

Useful Links

For clinicians: European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Clinical Practice Guidelines: https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines

American College of Cardiology (ACC) Guidelines: www.acc.org/Guidelines 

Related listening 

Cardiometabolic Disease (15 Jul 2024), Clinical Conversations https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/cardiometabolic-disease-15-jul-2024/ 

Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Clinical Conversations https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/inherited-cardiac-conditions-3-june-2024/ 

Women in Cardiology [Re-release], Career Conversations https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/women-in-cardiology-22-aug-2022/ 

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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi interviews Dr Kirsty Crowe about her experience with the Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowship. The discussion centres on the increasingly popular leadership fellow posts. Dr Giannoudi explores Dr Crowe's motivations for pursuing the fellowship and delves into the diverse experiences it entailed. Dr Crowe highlights the varied nature of the role, emphasising that no two days were alike, and provides an insightful overview of the multifaceted responsibilities and opportunities involved in such a position. 

Dr Kirsty Crowe is a specialty registrar in renal and internal medicine based in the West of Scotland. She is passionate about effective medical education which overcomes barriers to patients interacting with healthcare and undertook a Clinical Teaching Fellowship prior to starting her higher specialty training. She is interested in supporting the inclusivity and wellbeing of trainees and explored this during her Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowship with the NHS Lothian Medical Education Directorate and the General Medical Council. Additionally she is involved with networks aimed at supporting renal trainees in engaging with quality improvement and research activity. 

Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. 

Recording date: 1 December 2023

Useful Links 

Leading to Change: https://leadingtochange.scot/ 

Gwella HEIW Leadership Portal for Wales: https://nhswalesleadershipportal.heiw.wales/ 

More on Regional Clinical Fellows programmes: NHS Leadership Academy: https://london.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/leadership-programmes/__trashed-3/ 

The NHS Regional Clinical Leadership Fellow Scheme: https://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/programmes/clinical-leadership-development/nhs-regional-clinical-leadership-fellow-scheme/ 

Dr Kirsty Crowe mentioned the book "Dare to Lead": Brown, Brené. Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations, Whole Hearts. New York, Random House, 2018. 

Related listening 

Out of Programme Opportunities [Re-release], Career Conversations https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/career-conversations/out-of-programme-opportunities-re-release-29-may-2024/ 

Trust Grade Jobs, Career Conversations https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/career-conversations/trust-grade-jobs-15-may-2024/ 

Medical Training in the US and UK, Career Conversations https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/career-conversations/medical-training-in-the-us-and-uk-re-release-1-may-2024/ 

Finances for Doctors with Medics Money, Career Conversations https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/career-conversations/finances-for-doctors-with-medics-money-22-nov-2023/ 

Disclaimer: Please always refer to official recruitment websites for the latest guidance as application dates and processes may differ to those described in this episode. Please note RCPE has not quality checked external courses or resources and does not endorse any mentioned in this episode. 

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This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

Dr Emma Spencer speaks with Drs Aparna Potluru, Yasmin Nikookam and Olugbenga Alabi about their recent experiences sitting PACES23. They discuss preparing for the exam and provide some advice for exam day and the emotions of results day. 

Dr Olugbenga Alabi is an aspiring Neurologist, currently IMT 2 in Belfast Trust. Hailing from Nigeria, he obtained his medical degree from Olabisi Onabanjo University. He is a Collegiate member of the RCPEdin and a member of RCPE's Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC). 

Dr Aparna Potluru is an IMT1 doctor with an interest in dermatology and a member of RCPE's Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC). She graduated from the University of Edinburgh then completed Foundation training in Glasgow. She is associate editor at the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology and is currently pursuing a PGCert in Medical Education. 

Dr Yasmin Nikookam is an IMT1 doctor in London interested in pursuing Dermatology and a member of the RCPE’s Trainees and Members’ Committee (T&MC). She graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2021 and intercalated in Barts and London during her medical degree before completing Foundation training in London. She is an associate editor at the Skin Health and Disease Journal and is involved with the British Society of Dermatological Surgery social media team as a digital communications member. 

Dr Emma Spencer is an IMT3 doctor in the South East of Scotland and a member of the RCPE's Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC). 

Recording date: 27 May 2024 

Disclaimers: Please always refer to the MRCP website for up-to-date information on the PACES exam. See: https://www.thefederation.uk/examinations/paces. 

Please note RCPE has not quality checked external courses or resources and does not endorse any mentioned in this episode. 

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Upcoming RCPE events: RCPE Events Calendar

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Feedback: [email protected] 

This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).