How To Become A Doctor

Follow How To Become A Doctor
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A podcast by two medical students, all about what life as a medical student is really like. We'll talk about the day to day activities medical students get up to, as well as offering insight into frequently forgotten aspects of becoming a doctor. Expect to hear discussions of current affairs, personal anecdotes and top tips along the way! Let us know what you think, tweet us at @MedicMentor1 using the hashtag #becomingadoctor.

Becoming A Doctor


    • Sep 11, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 119 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from How To Become A Doctor with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from How To Become A Doctor

    118. Public and Global Health Sciences MSci: Maeve Mulchrone (Birmingham)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 41:37


    New episode alert! Tune in as we sit down with the brilliant Maeve Mulchrone alongside Krish. Maeve shares her insights into completing MSci Public and Global Health Sciences. We delve into her unique experiences navigating medical school, the transition to an intercalation, and tips for medical students thinking about intercalating. Get inspired by her insights and practical tips!

    public birmingham msci krish global health sciences
    117. OpenPod: University of Aberdeen with Shreeja and Alice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 72:06


    Get ready for an exciting episode! Join us as Afrida chats with the brilliant Shreeja and Alice about being a Medical Student in Aberdeen. From tips to acing the application process to learning about what student life is really like, we delve into everything in this jam-packed episode!

    116. Novel Emerging Medical Technology Evaluation and Development MSci: Ben Hammond (Birmingham)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 40:07


    Prepare to be inspired! In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Krish and the incredible Ben Hammond to unravel his journey – from intercalating in MSci Novel Emerging Medical Technology Evaluation and Development to diving into the world of his PhD. Join us as Ben shares the thrilling chapters of his academic adventure, exploring the intersection of innovation and healthcare.

    115. Foundation Programme - Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire with Dr Sylvia

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 67:37


    The Foundation Programme series is back with the latest episode, featuring Medic Mentor superstar Dr Sylvia Manimaran, UCL Alumnus and current FY1 Doctor in the Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire (EBH) Deanery (a.k.a. East of England). Tune in for top tips about how to rank hospital rotations, whether surgical jobs are worth the 'extra' pounds on payday and the magical sleeping pods that are found in some doctor's mess rooms...

    114. Medical Education iMSc: Cam McIntosh (Nottingham)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2024 28:35


    Our intercalation series is back with another episode! Join Hannah as she talks to Cam McIntosh about what it's like to intercalate in Medical Education at Nottingham! This episode delves deep into Cam's very own experience with transitioning from Medicine at Bristol to Medical Education at Nottingham. Learn more about the course, the application process and top tips to make the most out of an intercalation. Whether you are thinking about intercalating as part of a medicine degree, already on your intercalation journey or just interested in what this pathway into a medical career holds. This episode is definitely worth a listen!

    113. Foundation Programme- London: Dr Gazet

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2024 22:13


    Welcome back to our foundation series! Join us as we welcome Dr Gazet back to the podcast to talk about all things London. If you're wondering what it is like to work in one of the most competitive deaneries in the UK then this is an episode for you. Join us as we talk about commuting, flat hunting and all things London. We hope you enjoy the episode and make sure you follow @MarianneDoesMedicine on Instagram!

    112. Biomed Engineering iBSc- Elisha Koonjul (Barts)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 32:54


    Join Hannah and Mez (for the first time) as they have a chat with Elisha about what it's like to study Biomed Engineering. This is a really exciting episode as we get to explore the world of medical technology and what it's like to take a step away from medicine. Elisha also talks about some exciting opportunities in the course such as presenting at national conferences and how to make the most of some time away from medicine. Hope you all enjoy the episode and don't miss Afrida too much :)

    111. Foundation Programme: Top tips for new FY1 doctors

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2023 36:51


    Not to be missed! In this episode Dr. Gazet talks about her FY1 experiences and shares valuable advice and resources for new FY1 doctors starting soon in August. An extremely useful episode for those about to start the foundation programme or anyone curious about what it's like to work as a foundation doctor. You can find her on instagram (@mariannedoesmedicine) for more resources and excellent content!

    110. Infectious Diseases iMSc - Cathy Dominic (Barts/LSHTM)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2023 27:00


    Welcome back to our intercalation series! Join Afrida as she talks to Cathy Dominic, a finalist at Barts & the London and an incoming AFP doctor about what it's like to externally intercalate at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Learn more about the application process for an intercalated masters degree in Infectious Diseases here! Find out about dissertation topics, publishing research and lab work as well as top tips from any aspiring applicants.

    109. Foundation Programme- Peninsula Deanery: Dr Logan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2023 31:46


    We are back! In this episode Dr Logan will be talking about his experiences as a foundation doctor working in the Peninsula Deanery and what he has done since the foundation programme.

    108. Neuroscience iBSc - Dr Cherry Jain (Barts)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 21:03


    Welcome back to our intercalation series! Join Afrida as she talks to Dr Cherry Jain about what it's like to study Neuroscience at Barts and learn more about the application process for this intercalation! Find out about dissertation topics, publishing primary research and lab work as well as top tips from an FY1 doctor & Barts graduate.

    107. Foundation Programme- Scotland Deanery (South East): Dr Nicholl-Pierson and Dr Baldwin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 23:54


    Listen in to this episode as Dr Nicholl-Pierson and Dr Baldwin share their experiences of working as junior doctors in Scotland. Enjoy and stay tuned for further episodes about the foundation programme!

    106. Cardiovascular Sciences iBSc: Marsioleda Kemberi (Imperial)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2023 44:46


    Welcome back to our intercalation series! Join Afrida as she talks to Marsioleda about what it's like to study cardiovascular sciences at Imperial as an external student and learn more about the application process intercalating at Imperial as an external student. Find out more about lab-based research and what it's like learning to work in a non-clinical environment. Marsioleda discusses her experience working in a lab as well as her top tips for group projects, dissertations and starting at a new university.

    imperial ibs c cardiovascular sciences
    105. Foundation Programme- Yorkshire and Humber Deanery (West Yorkshire): Dr Hayley Boal

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 31:13


    In this episode Dr Boal shares her experiences of working as a junior doctor within West Yorkshire. She also talks about life after the foundation years, future career options and what you can do during F3/F4 years. Enjoy and stay tuned for further episodes about the foundation programme !

    104. Laparoscopic Surgery iMSc: Sid Singh (Barts)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 29:40


    Join Afrida as she talks to Sid about his experience intercalating at Barts in laparoscopic surgery. This is a great episode if you're interested in any kind of surgical intercalation as Sid talks about his experience with the course as Barts including managing theory and practical work including training in some surgical skills. He also talks about his experience applying for similar courses at different universities and how he found learning to work independently with some dissertation tips.

    103. Foundation Programme- Wales Deanery and SFP experience: Dr Dion Manning

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 29:48


    We are very excited to be launching our first Foundation Programme series episode. In this episode Dr. Dion Manning shares her valuable insight into life as a junior doctor in Cardiff and also explains the differences between the normal foundation programme application and the SFP application processes. Look out for upcoming episodes with interviews from doctors who are working or have worked as junior doctors in different parts of the UK.

    102. Gastroenterology: Dr Elizabeth Ratcliffe

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2022 31:14


    Ever considered a career gastroenterology or just want to find out more? Then this is the episode for you, join Lucy as she speaks to Dr Ratcliffe- previous chair of the British Society of Gastroenterology Trainees committee about her experiences of working as a gastroenterologist and clinical research fellow looking into Barrett's Oeseophagus.

    101. Critical Care iMSc: Wahaj Munir (Barts & the London)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 20:18


    Our very first intercalated masters episode! Tune in to hear Wahaj, a fourth-year medical student at Barts talk all about his iMSc (distinction) in Critical Care and share some great tips on how to make the most of a year away from medical school. Wahaj is interested in cardiothoracic surgery, and has published a book chapter as well as over 10 peer-reviewed articles in various cardiovascular journals. He has also presented his work at multiple national conferences. Wahaj is the regional lead for London, for the British Undergraduate Cardiovascular Association.

    100. Clinical Genetics: Dr Lara Menzies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 32:24


    Join Ciara and Vickey as they speak with GOSH registrar Dr Menzies about her journey and experiences of working as a clinical geneticist.

    99. Remote Medicine iBSc: Jasmine Yap KCL

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 26:36


    Recently introduced, the Remote Medicine iBSc explores the challenges of providing medical care in remote environments and unique challenges in supporting medical space exploration! Listen to Afrida in conversation with KCL medical student Jasmine to learn about what an iBSc in this area entails and whether it's all you've been looking for!

    kcl ibs c remote medicine
    98. Emergency Medicine: Dr Adrian Boyle

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 20:48


    Join Ciara as she speaks with emergency medicine consultant and Vice President of the RCEM, Dr Boyle about the inner workings of life in A&E.

    97. Paediatrics & Child Health iBSc: Mithila Sharmin, 5th Year UCL Medical Student

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 26:05


    Paediatrics is a specialty I hear medical students wanting to pursue all the time. This was me until I realised kids and unwell kids are two completely different stories so now I'm not too sure! Listen to Afrida in conversation with UCL medical student Mithila to learn about what an iBSc in this area entails and whether it's all you've been looking for!

    96. Paediatric Anaesthesiology: Dr Reema Nandi

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 20:47


    Join Lucy as she speaks with GOSH consultant Dr Reema Nandi about the ups and downs of working as a paediatric anaesthetic!

    95. Forensic Toxicology SSC: Rebecca Glendell, 3rd Year Glasgow Medical Student

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 14:31


    Do you know what a SSC is? Join Lucy as she speaks with Rebecca about her choice of SSC - incredibly interesting and definitely an unconventional one from what I've seen!

    glasgow medical students ssc forensic toxicology
    94. Cardiothoracic Surgery: Mr Ishtiaq Ahmed

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2022 27:38


    Join Lucy as she speaks with Mr Ishtiaq Ahmed about about his experiences and insight as a cardiothoracic surgeon!

    93. Psychology iBSc: Alex Zmuda, 5th Year UCL Medical Student

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 29:56


    Why psychology? Why not psychology? Join Afrida as she speaks with Alex about the ins and outs of intercalating in psychology at UCL. Is it really as cool as it seems from the outside? Spoiler alert: yes! What more could you want?

    92. Paediatric Neuroradiology: Dr Felice D'Arco

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2022 13:33


    Join Lucy as she speaks with GOSH paediatric neuroradiologist Dr D'Arco about his experiences in this specialty!

    91. Emergency Pre-Hospital & Immediate Care iBSc: Zoe Hinchcliffe, 5th Year Cardiff Medical Student

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 30:45


    Join Afrida as she speaks with final year Cardiff medical student, Zoe Hinchcliffe, all about her last year intercalating in EPIC.

    90. Paediatric Neurosurgery: Mr Dominic Thompson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 23:22


    What happens when paediatrics and neurosurgery come together to form one of the hundreds of subspecialties in medicine? Join Afrida & Lucy as they speak with Mr Dominic Thompson, your port of call for all things paediatric neurosurgery!

    89. Clinical Sciences iBSc: Sylvia Manimaran, 5th Year UCL Medical Student

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 19:17


    So you've heard the word ‘intercalation' floating around and want to know more about how it works at medical school. Join Afrida as she launches our Insights into Intercalation series, and speaks with Sylvia all about the what, how, and why of her chosen intercalation. Let's get clinical!

    88. Health Inequalities

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 28:35


    Ethics is a huge topic in medicine but can often overshadow the social context and determinants of health. In this episode, Afrida talks to Dr Carol Brayne about how inequalities in society can perpetuate inequalities in health.

    87. GP and Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 42:29


    In this episode, Ciara and Lucy talk to Lauren and Emma about life as a GP trainee and their work as healthcare leadership fellows.

    86: ENT (Ears, Nose & Throat)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2021 25:46


    Have you ever thought about what ENT actually entails? Join Ruqayyah as she chats with Dr Arun all about his career and experience in the specialty.

    85. Family and Medicine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 29:34


    Family and medicine - are the two mutually exclusive? Can you ever really have both without sacrificing parts of the other? Listen now to find out how Dr Lauren-Jane has balanced life as a junior doctor and aspiring surgeon with being a mum! 

    84. Surgery, Lecturing & Content Creation: Dr Karan Rajan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 25:07


    Join Afrida and Ruqayyah as they chat with Dr Rajan, the infamous TikTok doctor you are bound to have seen on your feed, all about his journey and experience as a surgeon and content creator!

    83. Paediatrics and Inequalities in Child Health

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2021 34:50


    Interested in working with children? Listen now to find out all about the specialty of paediatrics from Dr Kiran Rahim, or themunchingmedic on Instagram! 

    82. Geriatrics

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2021 46:52


    Join Ciara and Lucy as they interview Dr Lucy Pollock, a geriatrician and author of "The Book about Getting Older" - a must read for all aspiring medical students! Listen now to find out all about the care of the elderly in an ageing population and what makes this specialty stand out! 

    81. Dermatology

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2021 41:35


    The skin is the largest organ in the body so it makes sense there is an entire specialty devoted to its care, right? But did you think it would be one of the most competitive? Find out more about dermatology with Dr Beibei Du-Harper, a dermatologist who is taking instagram by storm with her incredible insight into all things dermatology!

    80. Medicolegal Medicine with the MDU

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2021 32:33


    Join Lucy and Ciara as they interview Caroline Fryar about the field of medicolegal medicine! Medico-legal work is an attractive option for doctors either seeking to diversify their practice, take a career break or leave clinical medicine altogether. With the number of legal processes involving the NHS increasing every year, it is a rapidly evolving and exciting area to work in. Listen now to find out more!

    79. Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCOA)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 31:40


    Are you interested in a career in anaesthetics? Do you think anaesthetics is only about surgery? Well, think again! Make sure to listen to this episode to find out more about anaesthetics and intensive care from the President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCOA), Professor Ravi Mahajan.

    78. #Choosetochallenge: The Future of Surgery

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 50:19


    Are men better suited to be surgeons? Are women too 'weak' and 'emotional' to be a good surgeon? Do most surgeons come from privileged backgrounds? Does a career in surgery require massive personal sacrifice? Most importantly: how can we change this narrative? These are just a selection of questions posed to us by Year 9-13 students on a recent virtual work experience programme.  To answer these questions (aka bust some of these myths), Ciara and Lucy are joined by Ms Stella Vig and Ms Victoria Pegna, both council members at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and members of the Women In Surgery Forum. In today's episode, published on International Women's Day, we explore the current situation regarding women in surgery, bust perpetuated stereotypes surrounding a career in surgery and discuss what is to come in the future of surgery. Links: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howtobecomeadr/?hl=en-gb Ms Stella Vig: @svig2 on Twitter  Ms Victoria Pegna: @VictoriaPegna on Twitter Ciara: @ciarai33 on Twitter

    77. Life as a Foundation Doctor in the UK

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 33:32


    In this episode, Ciara and Lucy interview Dr Kishan Bodalia about life as a foundation doctor. Have you ever wondered what happens in the last year of medical school and how you make the transition from medical student to doctor? Learn all about this and more in this episode! 

    76. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2021 31:38


    In this episode, Afrida and Ciara talk to Dr Rob Verrecchia about the role of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders) and field of global medicine. Listen to find out more about what life is like working as a doctor in conflict and disaster zones and how you can foster your interest in global health medicine!

    75. Military Medicine

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 43:23


    In this episode, Ciara and Lucy interview Brigadier Tim Hodgetts and his experience working in military emergency medicine and treating the victims of conflict in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Learn all about the pathway to becoming a military doctor and how you can get involved in medical school and beyond!

    74. World Health Organisation (WHO)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 19:43


    In this episode, Ciara and Afrida interview Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to explore the role of the WHO and field of global medicine.

    73. Royal College of Surgeons

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2021 30:19


    In this episode, Ciara and Lucy interview Professor Neil Mortenson about his role as the president of the Royal College of Surgeons. Learn all about his career progression in colorectal surgery and within the RCS, and how the society can support you in your application to medical school.

    72. Social Media and Professionalism with the GMC

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 57:14


    In this episode, Ciara and Lucy discuss what it actually means to be professional as a medical student and doctor, especially on social media. Joined by Kim Tolley, the GMC Regional Liaison Adviser for South London, GMC, the episode breaks down the key guidance from the GMC to help you answer those tricky UCAT, SJT and interview questions!

    71. Ethical Decision Making with the GMC (Part 2) - for UCAT, SJT and Interviews

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2021 56:39


    In this second part, Ciara and Lucy continue to uncover the fundamental principles behind ethical scenarios with their two incredible guests - Kim (nurse and GMC regional advisor) and Lauren (doctor and clinical leadership fellow). Listen now to learn a step-by-step approach of how to tackle common ethical scenarios using evidence, a balanced argument and compassion.

    70. Ethical Decision Making with the GMC (Part 1) - for UCAT, SJT and Interviews

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2021 58:21


    The General Medical Council (GMC) is a key organisation working to protect patient safety and support medical education and practice across the UK. In this episode, Ciara and Lucy talk to Kim Tolley (a Nurse and the GMC's Regional Liaison Adviser for South London) and Dr Lauren Wogan about the core documents underlying ethical decision making in clinical practice and how to use these principles in example scenarios from the UCAT, MMI interviews and SJT questions. Make sure to pause the video to have a go at answering them first yourself before we talk through the key points and give you the steps to answer them yourselves and ace your ethical decision making!

    69. A&E: Dr Alex George

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 49:52


    In this episode, Lucy and Ciara have a chat with Dr Alex George about more than just the journey through medicine, the many up and downs and the importance of mental health and well-being. Listen to find out how and why Dr Alex decided to pursue A&E and why you can too! This episode will leave you excited about a future as a healthcare professional and confident that there is nothing wrong with failures along the way or with deciding to do something new and different alongside being a doctor.

    68. Media Medicine & General Practice: Dr Sara Kayat

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 31:45


    In this episode, Lucy and Ciara chat with Dr Sara Kayat to discuss the many hats she wears as a GP, This Morning's resident doctor and new mum. You'll be sure to finish this episode feeling inspired as Dr Kayat shares what she loves about being a doctor. Listen to find out how Dr Kayat juggles her many roles and how she got into General Practice and TV 'doctoring' as we call it in the episode (and what that actually entails)! Make sure to leave any comments for Dr Kayat on the post for this episode on Instagram @howtobecomeadr.

    Claim How To Become A Doctor

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel