In this episode of Surgical Crossroads, hosts Sesi Hotonu and Sadie Khwaja explore general surgery with guests Jane Macaskill, Kellie Bateman, Syed Zaidi, and fellow host Greg Ekatah. Jane, a breast surgeon in Tayside, shares how early inspiration and a passion for patient care led her to her specialty, including global health work in Palestine. Kellie, a registrar in Wales, highlights the supportive environment in general surgery and her involvement in leadership and training improvement. Foundation trainee Syed reflects on the rewarding transition from student to practitioner and encourages hands-on exploration of specialties. Greg offers insight into the training pathway and his enthusiasm for colorectal surgery and robotics.
The episode emphasizes proactivity, persistence, and embracing the diversity and opportunities within general surgery.
Hosted by Greg Ekatah, Sesi Hotonu and Sadie Khwaja produced and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd.
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Introducing the topic and guests for this episode.
[Sadie Khwaja – Jane Macaskill] Welcome, Jane. Let's explain where you are now and what you do and how you got there.
[SK – JM] So what’s a day in the life or week, shall we say in the life of Jane as a breast surgeon?
[SK - JM] How do you find a balance with life in your career?
[Sesi Hotonu – Kellie Bateman] Kellie, why don't you tell us a bit about your surgical journey? Why you chose general surgery and what it's like being a general surgical trainee in 2021?
[SH – KB] Is there any one thing that you feel was the most beneficial in getting that coveted core surgical training post, and, indeed, your higher specialty training post in general surgery?
[SH – KB] How competitive is it to get onto core surgical training when you went on? And how competitive was it when you went on to get your higher surgical training number?
[SK – KB] Kellie, are you planning to take some time out?
[SK – Syed Zaidi] So, I'm going to welcome Syed, nice to meet you just tell us a little bit about yourself.
[All] The importance of translational skills and experience of all the surgical specialties, whatever your chosen career path.
[SK – JM] I think experience, as we're talking about, [is valuable] wherever it comes from. Equally [experience] abroad is good as well. What's your experience of that journey?
[SK – SZ] Syed, what's your path at the moment, going forward?
[SK – KB] And Kellie, are you still convinced by [a career in surgery] as you carry on through your journey?
[SK – JM] So how would you entice somebody who's listening to this podcast, Jane, to come and join the world of general surgery?
[SK – SZ] Were you a member of a surgical society? Or did you have any input from that side of things?
[SK – Greg Ekatah] And so, what's it been like being a colorectal [surgeon]? Is it colorectal all the way through, or would you say you’re general at the beginning? How would you describe your training?
[SH – GE] So, what's next for you; a fellowship or consultancy straight off the bat? What are you doing?
[SK – GE] For our younger listeners starting out wanting to emulate Greg, what advice would you be giving them?
[SK – GE] Throughout the series one of the questions has always been: what's the downside? Looking from outside at general surgery, or colorectal [it seems to be] the on-call, I think we feel you're probably the most punished … Do you [agree]?
[SK – GE] I think the only other thing to ask is challenges, particularly regarding diversity and the challenges of female-to-male ratios in specialties and also ethnicities. What’s your experience of that?
[SK – GE] We should really end by asking Greg his favourite instrument as we always seem to ask other people. So, Greg, what is your favourite instrument?
