Working in healthcare in remote and rural areas is often sold to doctors as a chance to live and practise in beautiful surroundings with plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities. But it’s about much more than that.

This episode of The Doctor podcast, brought to you by the British Medical Association, builds on the feature Special job, special people – now they need specialty status by Jennifer Trueland.

Dr Pauline Wilson, a consultant physician in Shetland, and Dr Neil Shepherd, a GP in Orkney and a rural emergency physician in Caithness General Hospital in Wick discuss the challenges and the joys of working in remote and rural areas – and the qualities that make a good rural doctor.

They also talk about a new credential that perhaps is a baby step on the way to rural and remote medicine becoming a specialty in its own right.

For more stories from The Doctor, follow @TheDrMagazine on X/Twitter, or visit thedoctor.bma.org.uk

Read the full episode transcript at https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A medical environment can be overwhelming for any patient, but to those who are neurodivergent, the sensory challenges involved can be enough to put them off obtaining the healthcare they need.

In recognition of the barriers to care faced by these patients, some doctors are attempting to change the way medical treatment in their workplaces are delivered in an effort to become more inclusive and effective.

Welcome to the sixth episode of The Doctor podcast, brought to you by the British Medical Association.

In this episode, Dr. Giles Armstrong and Dr. Sarah Davies discuss their efforts to make the NHS more accessible for autistic patients.

They share personal experiences, insights, and practical steps they have taken to improve healthcare, including enrolling their workplaces in a specialised award scheme provided by the National Autistic Society.

This episode builds on the feature article ‘Sensory overload – making the NHS more accessible for autistic patients', by Tim Tonkin.

You don’t need to have read the article to enjoy this episode but if you’d like to do so you can find it at: https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/sensory-overload-making-the-nhs-more-accessible-for-autistic-patients/

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also be interested in the following articles, on related topics:

• https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/life-at-work/more-than-able/
• https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/the-other-lesser-health-service/

For more information on the organisations mentioned in this episode see below

• National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk
• Oliver McGowan Training: https://www.olivermcgowan.org.uk

For more stories from The Doctor, follow @TheDrMagazine on X/Twitter, or visit thedoctor.bma.org.uk

Read the full episode transcript at https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When emergency medicine consultant Jonny Acheson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease nine years ago, it came as a huge shock.

As for many NHS professionals living with the condition, a stressful job meant that he hadn’t recognised in himself symptoms he’d seen in patients with Parkinson’s.

In this episode Dr Acheson is joined by retired old-age psychiatrist Richard Prettyman to discuss what it’s like to live and work with the condition.

They talk openly about their frustrations and feelings, about some common misconceptions around Parkinson’s – and about their determination to live well. They want to help others do the same, including through a support group for health workers living with the disease.

Find out more about the Parkinson’s support group for health professionals by emailing nhsppdg@gmail.com or via @jonny_acheson on X.

The Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network helps health and social care professionals provide better support for people with Parkinson's.

To find out more about Johnny Acheson’s book visit jonnyacheson.com or visit his YouTube channel

Listen to this episode using the audio player below on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode builds on the feature article ‘No one knows about tomorrow', by Seren Boyd.

Read a transcript of the podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“How can you treat a person and ignore the climate?”

Retired GPs Dr Diana Warner and Dr Sarah Benn see their climate activism as inextricable from their duty as doctors to safeguard human life.

Both have been convicted and imprisoned for their climate activism. Their convictions led to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service suspending them from the medical register.

Dr Warner and Dr Benn come together in this episode to discuss why they feel direct action is necessary, and how doctors and institutions can do their part.

Welcome to the fourth episode of The Doctor podcast, brought to you by the British Medical Association.

This episode builds on reporting by Ben Ireland on doctors participating in direct climate action:

https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/moral-duty/

https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/2-000-signature-petition-calls-for-gmc-to-reverse-suspensions-of-climate-activist-doctors/

https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/environmental-activist-gp-has-licence-suspended-after-blocking-traffic-on-m25/

You can find a transcript of this episode at thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast

Additional resources:

Heading for Extinction and What to do About it | Extinction Rebellion

Health for Extinction Rebellion

Global Warming Has Accelerated: Are the United Nations and the Public Well-Informed?

Lancet Countdown 2024 report

Lancet Commission report on how to keep within planetary boundaries

Resources on citizens assemblies

For more stories from The Doctor, follow @TheDrMagazine on X/Twitter, or visit thedoctor.bma.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Throughout its history the NHS has depended on overseas staff, including international medical graduates (IMG doctors), who come from all over the world to care for patients. In this episode, Dr Somto Ogbuagu, Dr Lisa Rampersad, and Dr Marvee Zakaria discuss their experiences, insights, and their advice for other IMGs - from the difficulties of being far from family during the Covid-19 pandemic, to the difference in workplace culture, and the shock of the British weather.

Welcome to the third episode of The Doctor podcast, brought to you by the British Medical Association. Each month, we bring you conversations inspired by stories featured in The Doctor magazine.

This episode is a conversation between three international medical graduates and will be accompanied by a feature article in The Doctor magazine about Overseas NHS Workers' Day. Once published, you can find a link at thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast, where you can also find a transcript of this episode.

On 7 March 2025, for Overseas NHS Workers Day, the BMA will share further stories and experiences from international doctors, along with tips, advice, and resources to support IMG doctors in the workplace – including how a BMA membership can help. Keep an eye out for communications on Friday 7 March.

If you are an IMG doctor interested in a BMA membership, you can find further information on the BMA website:

• https://www.bma.org.uk/join/join-img-doctors
• https://www.bma.org.uk/member-benefits/member-benefits-for-international-medical-graduates

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also be interested in the following articles, on related topics:

• https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/pay-contracts/enough-is-enough-imgs-must-be-involved-in-pay-restoration-campaign/
• https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/life-at-work/language-barrier/
• https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/life-at-work/here-to-help-refugee-doctors/

For more stories from The Doctor, follow @TheDrMagazine on X/Twitter, or visit thedoctor.bma.org.uk

The British Medical Association is a professional association and trade union for doctors and medical students in the UK. For more information on the BMA, our services and how we can help you as a doctor, please visit www.bma.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Art is one of the many tools that doctors can use to help heal and treat patients. Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Sabina Dosani has experienced this, on both sides of the stethoscope. Art psychotherapist and clinical research fellow Megan Tjasink has been studying how art therapy can help healthcare professionals suffering with burnout, with promising findings. They bring together their perspectives in this conversation.

Welcome to the second episode of The Doctor podcast, brought to you by the British Medical Association. Each month, we bring you conversations inspired by stories featured in The Doctor magazine. This episode builds on the feature article ‘Life in Colour’, by Tim Tonkin.

You don’t need to have read the article to enjoy this episode but if you’d like to do so you can find it at: https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/life-in-colour/

You can find a transcript of this episode at thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also be interested in the following articles, on related topics:

• https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/in-it-together-preventive-healthcare-initiatives/
• https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/doctors-wellbeing/from-rescuer-to-coach/
• https://thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/doctors-wellbeing/be-resilient-what-do-you-think-im-doing/

If you are a doctor who needs support, you can find services and information to help support you on the BMA website, at https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/your-wellbeing

This webpage also includes our risk of burnout questionnaire.

For more stories from The Doctor, follow @TheDrMagazine on X/Twitter, or visit thedoctor.bma.org.uk

The British Medical Association is a professional association and trade union for doctors and medical students in the UK. For more information on the BMA, our services and how we can help you as a doctor, please visit www.bma.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ways that patients and doctors can feel silenced or dismissed in medicine – and how we can change this – is the focus of Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan’s book Unheard: the medical practice of silencing.

'I'm a doctor and I don't always listen well,' Dr Dhairyawan says. 'I really want to and I want to be a good listener, but I don't always do so. I really wanted to understand what made it hard for us as doctors to listen better.'

Welcome to the first episode of The Doctor podcast, brought to you by the British Medical Association. Each month, we bring you conversations inspired by stories featured in The Doctor magazine. This episode builds on the feature article ‘The lost art of listening’ by Seren Boyd.

You don’t need to have read the article to enjoy this episode but if you’d like to do so you can find it at: thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/the-lost-art-of-listening/

You can find a transcript of this episode at thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, you may also be interested in the following articles, on related topics:

• thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/you-re-welcome/
• thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/health-society/the-old-ways/
• thedoctor.bma.org.uk/articles/life-at-work/hear-my-concerns/

For more stories from The Doctor, follow @TheDrMagazine on X/Twitter, or visit thedoctor.bma.org.uk

And you can find out more about Dr Dhairyawan and her work at www.drrageshri.com

The British Medical Association is a professional association and trade union for doctors and medical students in the UK. For more information on the BMA, our services and how we can help you as a doctor, please visit www.bma.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Doctor podcast, where you will hear the voices of doctors, for doctors, brought to you by the British Medical Association.

Each month, we bring you conversations inspired by stories featured in The Doctor magazine, written by our multiple award-winning team. We bring you voices from the medical profession and discuss the issues that matter to doctors and medical students.

New episodes come out on the second Tuesday of every month, so follow us on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, to be the first to hear them.

For more stories from The Doctor magazine, follow @TheDrMagazine on X (formerly Twitter), or visit thedoctor.bma.org.uk

You can find transcripts of our episodes and more information at thedoctor.bma.org.uk/podcast

The British Medical Association is a professional association and trade union for doctors and medical students in the UK. For more information on the BMA, our services and how we can help you as a doctor, please visit www.bma.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.