Real Life Stories

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Dr Andrew Magowan is a GP working in Northern Ireland...   

Question 1: How did you become a medical professional? (We’re you inspired by a family member? Childhood dream? Etc)

I'm honestly not certain, all I can remember from an early age is a burning desire to be a doctor so I guess you could say a childhood dream. I was fairly often in A&E as a child (accident prone, also prone to doing stupid things like jumping out of tall trees, with hind sight Im surprised social services were not involved) and I was always fascinated with the work Drs did. 

Question 2: What element of your role do you most enjoy?

As a GP locum its the sheer variety of pathology you encounter, and you get the occasional shining gem of a disease (ethical?) it amongst the humdrum day to day stuff. The social interaction is also a plus point about the job, and I find it fascinating about how different individuals view a GP. Most treat you with (some modicum of) respect, although there are those that see you as there to do their bidding. I enjoy the challenge of dealing with both groups, probably the former as its nice to find that people do appreciate your efforts. Saving people, sounds trite, but I think in primary care its more about doing this gradually. Its rare to have an acute emergency, and if so you end up referring them to those who actually have the facilities to deal with them. I enjoy the follow up of patients and the vindication that your diagnosis and initial treatment was correct.

Question 3: What element of your role do you least enjoy /or what element was a surprise to you?

One majorly frustrating element of the job is lack of NHS resources. This is most evident when you attempt to refer a patient, and the service you have requested takes an absolute eternity to arrange, leading to reattendance of the patient (generally to express concern that they haven’t heard word yet) and frustration of the part of health professional and patient alike. Another element that I least enjoy are those patients who regard you as little more than a servant there to do their bidding, and show no appreciation or thanks.  I also dislike those that you see EVERY week, and generally have very little wrong with them as they prevent genuinely ill patients getting access to services. 

Question 4: Knowing what you do now, if you could go back and start again would you still choose to work in the medical profession? (Please give a reason for your answer)

If I had to choose again, I can only answer yes, although this would probably be dependent on other factors. I am from a middle class background, and as such get little assistance with regard to fees and I am unsure whether it would be financially viable. Also the direction undergraduate medical is taking would influence me. With the increase of self directed learning, increase in medical student numbers and the loss of traditional components of medical training (here I cite the example of anatomy and dissection) I feel that the standard of training is deteriorating and I would have to choose a more traditionally taught medical course.

Question 5: If you could give your past self some words of wisdom, what would you say?

Dont buy a house four years ago, and avoid pharmacists named Naomi like the plague!

 

Question 1: How did you become a medical professional? (We’re you inspired by a family member? Childhood dream? Etc)

Inspired by father and grandfather (both surgeons), and Dr ‘Bones’ McCoy from ‘Star Trek’!

Question 2: What element of your role do you most enjoy?

The really acute stuff; I have a short attention span, so enjoy anything that produces instant gratification, for the patient. That might be ‘saving’ them, but more likely easing pain, etc. Clinically, I probably enjoy treating trauma cases the most, and non-clinically enjoy teaching.

Question 3: What element of your role do you least enjoy /or what element was a surprise to you?

The vast amount of management/organisational stuff that the job requires. I loathe it.

Question 4: Knowing what you do now, if you could go back and start again would you still choose to work in the medical profession? (Please give a reason for your answer)

Yes. This is the best job in the world, and I still enjoy coming to work, almost every day

Question 5: If you could give your past self some words of wisdom, what would you say?

Just to be aware that the job is always changing: what you see your Boss doing now, will not be what you’re doing when you make it to Boss level.