A medical doctor taking a break from full-time clinical work in order to develop other domains of my life and both develop and pursue other passions.
I am a GMC registered medical doctor based in the UK, with the bulk of my clinical practice being internal medicine and emergency medicine. My passion for medicine, biology and writing was recognised early on, in the form of several research-related undergraduate awards.
I've hit the road on a personal journey of self-realisation (a.k.a. midlife crisis) which means that I am temporarily not engaged in full-time clinical work. I now have the opportunity to explore exercising my penchant for medicine, teaching and written communication in new ways.
I am of a flexible disposition with a broad range of interests and reading beyond medicine and biology; I have a deep personal interest in psychology and mental health. I am a good listener with a passion for helping others and adding value to the lives of those whose paths I cross.
As much as I am fuelled by my sense of achievement that arises from the problem solving and intellectual nature of my clinical work, this thrill has always been trumped by my love for and sense of duty to my patients. That is what has driven me to go beyond what is required of me by contract - be it unpaid overtime or personal discussions about life and mental health during my breaks. Those interactions predominate my fondest memories and I am sure, for many of my patients, it may have actually meant as much to them as the technical aspects of my care.
I may not be a licensed therapist, but a good doctor is like a compassionate, wise friend with boundaries. I have played that role in the lives of many whose paths I have crossed in my personal and professional worlds. As such, for anyone confused and struggling with life on a personal level, I am happy to lend an ear and offer honest advice and insight. That is a part of my interaction with patients that I very much miss, so I would be happy to discuss offering that service too.