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Life After The Letters
S2 E11: Dr Joanna Poole on The Petty Tortures of Junior Doctors
Season 2, Ep. 11
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Many of you will remember the article that went viral earlier this year detailing the everyday 'petty tortures' inflicted on NHS doctors. Dr Jo Poole, an anaesthetic trainee, recounted her experiences of being treated poorly in a blogpost that went gained traction and then went on to form that article. After she shared her blog, she received hundreds of stories from junior doctors with a wide variety of horrific experiences.
These included not being able to visit dying relatives, having to work after receiving cancer diagnoses during work & not being able to guarantee time off for your own wedding. She put these case studies together in a shocking (but relatable) dossier & has since worked with NHS stakeholders to improve the wellbeing of doctors.
Listen to Dr Amile & Dr Suba sit with Jo as they discuss her story and the direction we need to go in to supporting our nations young doctors.
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S1: Trailer
04:10Amile & Suba met whilst working their first ever doctor jobs in a hospital just outside of London. They have since lived together, become friends & supported each other through the highs and lows of working life. Listen as they chat through the stories and challenges that face junior doctors every single day.
S1E1: The Case of Dr Bawa-Garba
35:02This week, Amile & Suba sit down to discuss the case that is on everyone's lips. Yes, that's right. The case of Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba, a doctor convicted of manslaughter here in the UK. They look at the Swiss Cheese model, the struggle of working within an imperfect NHS and how the duty of candour is being threatened.
S1E2: It's About Time
51:42Should hospitals take more responsibility for delays in treatment? Is the NHS set up to treat people with mental health problems in an appropriate timeframe? Do doctors withold information from patients in a bid to provide false reassurance and lessen anxiety? With conversations usually focussed on delayed presentations & patients seeking help too late, these two turn the magnifying glass on themselves. They discuss the concept of using SMART goals to set expectations & look at areas within healthcare that have transformed the health outcomes for patients.
S1E3: The Aftermath of Grenfell
43:292017 was a memorable year. For the UK, it was the year that we witnessed many lives lost in ways which felt senseless. There were terrorist attacks in both London and Manchester. There was a blaze that engulfed Grenfell Tower, killing several of its residents in the process. The images and stories from all these major incidents have stuck in the mind of the public. Amile & Suba sit down to discuss how the healing is far from over. They discuss the implications of these events on healthcare workers, the survivors and the wider NHS.
S1E4: The Opioid Crisis
54:45At medical school graduations all over the world, prospective doctors stand up and recite the famous words of the Hippocratic oath..."First, do no harm."Today, Amile & Suba discuss opioid addiction, an epidemic that was both perpetuated and prescribed by doctors. Opioid misuse has ravaged large pockets of America, high profile celebrities & is well on its way to destroying the lives of individuals who leave our NHS hospitals. They talk Louis Theroux, adjuncts to pain relief and the actions doctors must take to rethink their own prescribing practices.
S1E5: Doctors Have Anxiety Too
57:05Dr Muna shares her experiences with performance anxiety and depression whilst working as a doctor. Candid conversation, reflection and laughs!
S1E6: Is burnout inescapable?
56:56Burnout is the experience of feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. In the second look at the crossover between mental health and the medical profession, Amile & Suba discuss this phenomenon. They look at why doctors are getting burnout & how we can cultivate a kinder culture at work.
S1E7: Abortion, The Irish Referendum & Conscientious Objections
45:30Amile & Suba discuss the history leading up to the Irish Abortion Referendum of 2018. They look at the landmark cases that shaped the law & examine their own beliefs. *Trigger Warning- we talk graphically about the nature of a medical and surgical abortion*
S1E8: Dear Baby Doctor.
01:03:26This episode is one of our favourites to have recorded! Having completed our foundation training, we sit down to reflect on the past two years & answer the questions YOU sent in. Suba remembers that one time when she was the laughing stock of the hospital. Amile talks about the moments of loneliness she felt during her first year of work. They share tips for the new F1 doctors, how to self-care, how to approach night shifts and many more...