Coffee and a Gas

In this episode of our ‘stages’ series we discuss the challenges faced by the mid-career anaesthetist. It’s an often forgotten about stage of life and a career, where direction and purpose can be unclear. We are joined in this podcast by Dr Lois Brand an emergency medicine consultant and specialised coach who runs popular career pit stop sessions and Dr Robert Self VP of the Association of Anaesthetists.

Links

https://careerpitstop.co.uk

In this deeply honest episode, Lucy reflects on a traumatic experience from early in her medical training and how its psychological impact followed her into clinical practice. We explore PTSD, imposter syndrome, and the hidden emotional burden of working in high-pressure specialties like anaesthetics.

This conversation shines a light on the gap between outward competence and inner struggle, the culture of silence around trauma in medicine, and why acknowledging our humanity matters for long-term wellbeing.

We also signpost to support available for anaesthetists through the Association of Anaesthetists:

Wellbeing & support hub
https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support

Mental wellbeing guidance
https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support/Mental-wellbeing

Emergency contacts & support services
https://anaesthetists.org/Wellbeing/Emergency-contacts

Wellbeing leads & career support
https://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support/Career-support/Wellbeing-Leads

Dr Joe Pick is joined by Dr Rachel Clarke (palliative care doctor, author and former tv journalist) discussing the importance of storytelling in medicine and how you can make it part of your day-to-day practice.

In this Black History Month episode, we sit down with Dr Sethina Watson, Consultant Anaesthetist, and Mr Russell Ampofo, Director of Education, Training and Examinations at the RCoA. We celebrate the contributions of black anaesthetists and explore representation, allyship and advancing equity and inclusion in anaesthesia.

Joe Pick and Claire-Marie Agius are joined by Kim Thomas. Kim is CEO of the Birth Trauma Association, a charity that supports parents experiencing psychological symptoms such as PTSD after traumatic birth. She was also the secretariat for the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) inquiry into birth trauma, and wrote the inquiry report, published in May 2024.

We discuss the idea of birth trauma and how as anaesthetists we may be able to help those going through traumatic situations.