For true happiness in work or life, we need to feel that we are contributing towards a worthy goal; that our work matters. From this perspective, the challenges become part of the process,

An interview with Dr Paquita De ZuluetaDr Paquita De Zulueta is a GP from London who has volunteered for Doctors of the World, lectured at Imperial College London and completed a Masters in

During your medical degree, as you cycle through different rotations, you will meet some inspirational doctors. They may teach you things that stick with you for life. There are many things you can

by James HartleyDespite one’s best efforts to learn everything for understanding, there can be times where you are presented with a list of names (the branches of the external carotid artery, for

Elements of medicine are fantastic but others can be upsetting or frustrating. At any point during your medical career, you may ask whether medicine is really the right career for you. You would

To prepare for medical final OSCEs, I prepared answers based on the most likely examination findings and the most common questions asked. For each, I thought of a logical structure for an answer

For an explanation of the Pomodoro Method, watch this video. Here are some points that I found maximised the benefit I got from it:Having a fixed timer which does it for you

The Feynman method is a useful way to identify any gaps in understanding of a concept and how to solve them:Select a concept.See if you can explain it in a way

I left the ward without telling anyone and headed back to my room. I slumped down on my bed, put on some music and stared at the ceiling.It was the fifth week

Medical school can be tough but it can also provide some of the best times of our lives. Our approach to medical school can determine the projection that the rest of our medical

See Chapter 6 Part 1 here.Learning to write wellSome people find writing comes more naturally than others. However, writing ability is something that can be learnt. Doing so also increases clarity of

“The scan showed it is something sinister”, the consultant explained. “We think probably the best is to let you be.”The lack of comprehension was evident on the elderly gentleman’s face.“Alright.

See Part 1 here.The supervisorAs a student, you will need a supervisor on board for the project. They will be able to provide you feedback throughout the project, know-how about the publication

I turned off my computer, flicked the light switch and climbed into bed. I was bored and exhausted.I’d used up all my motivational reserves over the last three hours, trudging through

See Part 1 here.Self-Education: the 21st Century Super-PowerSelf-education enables us to develop the understanding required for insight into our enjoyment of a particular area. Recent technological advances, such as the internet and

“…  And that’s why my friend quit medicine and became a banker.”It wasn’t the conclusion I expected from a talk entitled ‘How doctors can do more good’, but I was intrigued.

See Part 1 here.Deconstructing clinical skillsAny complex skill or activity can be broken down into parts. With more practice and experience, you become less conscious of the smaller parts and start to

“What do you think is wrong?”, the consultant asked.I had no idea.I looked back at the patient that I had just examined, lying on the bed in front of me, hoping

For Part 1, click here.Create conditions for deep workSome argue that the ability to maintain deep focus is one of the most valuable skills in the modern day. Yet in an age

Let me tell you about Balraj.He was a student in my year at university who absolutely loved medicine. He went to all the lectures and spent many late nights in the library

Welcome to medicine, a fascinating field with endless amounts of knowledge that can be obtained. Someone could, and many do, spend an entire life striving to learn as much medical knowledge as possible

“I’ll be there in five minutes”, I said. I hung-up the phone and my heart skipped a beat.Around me, it was just another day. A group of people were waiting at