In this episode, new host Zaynah Khan meets with Author, Poet, Creative Writing Lecturer, and Ex-Doctor Gita Ralleigh. They are joined by Khadijah, a medical student taught by Gita, and panellists Elgan and Maira who help explore the role of creativity within medicine and how writing can help enhance clinical practice.
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READING LIST
⁃ ‘Unheard: The Medical Practice of Silencing’ by Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan
⁃ ‘The Undying’ by Anne Boyer
⁃ Arthur Frank’s framing of patient narratives
⁃ ‘The Empathy Exams’ by Leslie Jamison
⁃ ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ by Paul Kalanithi
⁃ Patient made writing and art
⁃ John Clare’s poetry
⁃ ‘Time is a Mother’ by Ocean Vuong
⁃ ‘Giving Up the Ghost’ by Hilary Mantel
⁃ Phil Whitaker’s commentary
⁃ ‘The Story of a Heart’ by Rachel Clarke
⁃ ‘The Prison Doctor’ by Dr Amanda Brown
⁃ ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’ by Jean-Dominique Bauby
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Re-release: Reasons to be hopeful
In the final instalment from the Sharp Scratch archives, incoming Sharp Scratch host Zaynah Khan is rebroadcasting one of her favourite episodes- on hope. This episode was originally published on April 15, 2024.
With the rapid unfolding of recent events in medicine, it can be easy to lose hope for the future. From low pay and staffing crises to the rapid changes to postgraduate training, it can feel like things are getting worse. But is this really the case?
In this episode, the panel discusses what 'hope' really means and whether there's any hope for a better future in medicine (spoiler alert: there is!). They're joined by Anna Baverstock, a consultant pediatrician and well-being lead based in Somerset.
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Re-release: Anxiety
Incoming Sharpscratch host Zaynah Khan is rebroadcasting her favourite episodes, handpicked from the Sharpscratch archives. This episode on Anxiety was originally published in March, 2020. In our next episode, we'll bring you the third and final of Zaynah's vault selections.
Anxiety's a natural part of life - under certain circumstances. And we know that med students and junior docs are more likely than other groups to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. This week, the Sharp Scratch team talk about their anxieties, and hear from some expert guests on how we can manage anxiety day to day, and how to recognise when we might need a little extra help.
This week's expert guests and contributors:
Dr Stania Kamara is an ST6 Specialist Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, and current Medical Director's Clinical Fellow at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges with NHS England and NHS Improvement. She is passionate about trying to improve access to good quality mental health care across the globe and has worked to develop services and build the capacity of the mental health workforce in a number in number of low and middle income countries. In 2015 she was shortlisted for the Royal College of Psychiatrists Core Trainee of the Year award and awarded the Queen's medal for service during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Stephen Buckley is Head of Information at Mind, the mental health charity.
For the resources Stephen mentions, check out the Mind website.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/about-anxiety/
If you are struggling with anxiety, you can get help by contacting your GP, university services or local services.
If you need someone to talk to, one to one and confidentially, you can call the Samaritans for free at 116 123. Find more information on their website.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
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Re-release: Is there room for creativity in medicine?
New editorial scholar Zaynah Khan is sliding into the hosting seat for Sharpscratch. We've delved into the Sharpscratch vaults to retrieve three episodes for you to listen to over the next month as Zaynah settles in. They're some of her favourites - we hope you enjoy. Here's the first, originally broadcast in May, 2024.
Often, we think of medicine as a science. We think of doctors as scientists and scholars. We pride ourselves in being ‘in STEM,’ supporting evidence based medicine and learning the so-called ‘medical model.’ Our view of medicine, it’s teaching and its assessment is framed by medical science, and we may not think of ourselves as creatives.
In this episode, the panel discuss whether there is room for creativity in medicine, hear from some creatives in medicine, about how their art has contributed to their practice of medicine and their careers, and think a little about the creativity hidden within medicine.
With thanks to Roshni Beeharry, Megan Brown, Antonia Peilober-Richardson, Raymond Matthews and John Launer.
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How to get into medical school
In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel made up of Elgan, Anna and George get together to talk about medical school interviews. They are joined by expert guest, Paul Garrud who is chair of the Medical Schools Council Selection Alliance.
The episode covers topics including how you can best prepare for medical school interviews, what the different types of interviews you may encounter are, what interviewers are looking for, and tips to help you manage nerves and anxiety. The panellists chat about their own experiences of interviews as well as their advice. The episode goes on to emphasise the importance of fitting in time to practice before your interviews, ensuring that you reflect on your experiences, and how to find ways to show authenticity rather than rehearsing scripted answers. The episode also discusses misconceptions applicants may have about what interviewers are looking for and the widespread availability of free online resources for preparation.
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Brasil