Career Conversations

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

RCPE's Podcast Series 'Career Conversations' by the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC).

  1. Medical Specialties - Aerospace Medicine (4 Mar 2026)

    6D AGO

    Medical Specialties - Aerospace Medicine (4 Mar 2026)

    This is a co-release with our sister podcast, Clinical Conversations. In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi talks with Dr Manav Sharma about the specialty, Aerospace Medicine. They discuss the pathways which lead to the specialty and some interesting cases. Dr Manav Dutt Sharma is an aerospace medicine physician, former Indian Air Force flight surgeon and human factors specialist with over 23 years of experience at the intersection of aviation and healthcare. He has led an award‑winning primary healthcare centre in the Air Force, works on safety, service quality and systems improvement in hospitals, and has authored a forthcoming book, From Runways to Recovery Rooms, on what healthcare can learn from aviation. Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members & Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. Recording date: 12 December 2025 --Links-- JRCPTB Specialty - https://www.thefederation.uk/training/specialties/aviation-and-space-medicine Physician Higher Specialty Training Recruitment - https://www.phstrecruitment.org.uk/ -- Follow us -- https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees https://x.com/RCPEdinTrainees -- Upcoming RCPE events -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events -- Become an RCPE Member -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

    28 min
  2. IMT Application Process - 2025 Update (05 Nov 2025)

    11/05/2025

    IMT Application Process - 2025 Update (05 Nov 2025)

    In this updated episode of Career Conversations, Dr Gabrielle Woodward-Smith discusses their experience of applying for Internal Medicine Training (IMT) using the Oriel system with Dr Marilena Giannoudi, and Dr Emma Spencer highlights important changes in the application process. -- Useful Links -- https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web https://www.imtrecruitment.org.uk/ https://www.thefederation.uk/training/specialties Disclaimer: Please always refer to official recruitment websites for the latest guidance as application dates and processes may differ to those described in this episode. Update recording date: 28 October 2025 [original release: 10/2022] -- Follow us -- https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees https://x.com/RCPEdinTrainees -- Upcoming RCPE events -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events -- Become an RCPE Member -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

    17 min
  3. SAS Doctors (10 Oct 2025)

    10/10/2025

    SAS Doctors (10 Oct 2025)

    During SAS Week 2025, join us for a conversation about SAS doctors: an alternative to traditional training. Dr Marilena Giannoudi (RCPE T&MC Podcast Lead) is joined by Dr Libby Crawford, a SAS Doctor in Newcastle and RCPE's SAS Doctor Lead, and Dr Sue Pound (RCPE Vice President) who discuss the career option of being a SAS doctor and how RCPE can support you. You can contact Dr Crawford by emailing e.crawford@rcpe.ac.uk -- Links -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/sas-doctors https://www.thefederation.uk/training/training-certification/portfolio-pathway-formerly-known-cesr -- Follow us -- https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees https://x.com/RCPEdinTrainees -- Upcoming RCPE events -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events -- Become an RCPE Member -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk This podcast is from the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

    24 min
  4. Less Than Full-time Training, Barriers and Future Needs (9 Apr 2025)

    04/09/2025

    Less Than Full-time Training, Barriers and Future Needs (9 Apr 2025)

    In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi speaks with Dr Hannah Preston about their article on less than full time working as a trainee doctor. They discuss the results of the study as well as some of the barriers that still exist for trainees wishing to work less than full time. Dr Hannah Preston a Renal Registrar in South East Scotland, currently undertaking a clinical PhD in manganese enhanced MRI in kidney disease. She has been a member of the Trainees and Members' Committee (T&MC) since 2019 and is currently Co-chair after previous roles in education and development of the RCPE podcasts including Clinical Conversations, Career Conversations and PACES. Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members' Committee (T&MC), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. Recording date: 19 December 2024 -- Useful Links -- Preston H, Spencer E, Ker R, Guckian J, Giannoudi M. Less than full-time training, barriers and future needs. A UK-wide online survey of doctors in training. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 2024;54(3):204-211. doi:10.1177/14782715241273741 For information on the T&MC newsletter, please email trainees@rcpe.ac.uk. -- Follow us -- https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees https://twitter.com/RCPEdinTrainees -- Upcoming RCPE events -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events -- Become an RCPE Member -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

    17 min
  5. Medical Specialties - Diabetes & Endocrinology (12 Mar 2025)

    03/12/2025

    Medical Specialties - Diabetes & Endocrinology (12 Mar 2025)

    In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi talks with Dr Rebecca Sagar about a career in Diabetes and Endocrinology. Dr Sagar highlights the benefits of following this career path, discusses how she got into the specialty and provides advice for those who are interested in it. Dr Rebecca Sagar currently works as an NIHR Clinical Lecturer and SpR in Endocrinology at the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals. She has a sub-specialty interest in Adrenal and Metabolic Bone endocrinology. She holds national roles including acting as the current chair for Young Diabetologists and Endocrinologists Forum (YDEF). Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair and Co-Podcast Lead for the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. Recording date: 17 October 2024 -- Useful Links -- Young Diabetologists & Endocrinologists' Forum - https://www.youngdiabetologists.org.uk/ -- Follow us -- https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees https://twitter.com/RCPEdinTrainees -- Upcoming RCPE events -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events -- Become an RCPE Member -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

    19 min
  6. Becoming a Parent (12 Feb 2025)

    02/12/2025

    Becoming a Parent (12 Feb 2025)

    In this episode, Dr Kirsty Crowe and Dr Aoife Duignan delve into the challenges and rewards of becoming a parent while working in the medical field. They explore crucial topics such as navigating maternity and annual leave, breaking the news to your employer, and the logistics of returning to work. The discussion also covers the importance of keeping in touch days (KIT), understanding your rights in the workplace, and the resources available to support breastfeeding and arranging childcare. Dr Crowe and Dr Duignan share insights on managing antenatal leave, handling illness during external childcare, and calculating accrued annual leave, offering practical advice for balancing parenthood with a demanding medical career. Dr Kirsty Crowe is a specialty registrar in renal and internal medicine based in the West of Scotland. She is deeply committed to enhancing medical education, particularly in addressing barriers that hinder patient engagement with healthcare. Prior to commencing her higher specialty training, Dr Crowe completed a Clinical Teaching Fellowship, reflecting her dedication to effective medical education. Her interests extend to supporting the inclusivity and wellbeing of trainees, a focus she explored during her Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowship with the NHS Lothian Medical Education Directorate and the GMC. Dr Crowe is also actively involved in networks that support renal trainees in engaging with quality improvement and research activities. Dr Aoife Duignan is a specialist trainee in geriatric and general medicine in South East Scotland. With a strong commitment to representing her peers, she has previously served on local and regional trainee committees and held the position of Vice Chair for Representation on the Trainees and Members' Committee (TMC). Dr Duignan has a history of organizing Core Medical Trainee teaching and currently oversees the regional Geriatric Medicine training days. Her interests lie in enhancing the quality of internal medicine training, fostering near-peer support, and providing guidance for those planning maternity leave, returning to work, and undertaking Less Than Full Time (LTFT) training. Recording Date: 15 August 2024 Please note: this episode was recorded prior to the British Medical Association (BMA) and others replacing 'Junior Doctor' with 'Resident Doctor'. -- Useful Links -- BMA on Maternity, Paternity and Adoption - https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/maternity-paternity-and-adoption NHS Scotland Maternity Policy - https://workforce.nhs.scot/policies/maternity-policy-overview/maternity-policy/ Maternity Action - https://maternityaction.org.uk/advice/rights-for-parents-with-more-than-one-job/ Tax-free childcare information - https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare -- Follow us -- https://www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees https://www.twitter.com/RCPEdinTrainees -- Upcoming RCPE Events -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events -- Become an RCPE Member -- https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

    46 min
  7. Medical Specialties - Geriatric Medicine (4 Dec 2024)

    12/04/2024

    Medical Specialties - Geriatric Medicine (4 Dec 2024)

    This week, Dr Marilena Giannoudi focuses on the geriatric career path with Dr Kat Ralston. This episode covers the day-to-day as well as the advantages, challenges, and the pathway to this profession. Dr Ralston provides many resources to inform your journey into geriatric medicine and discusses a few interesting cases she has encountered. Dr Kat Ralston is a geriatric medicine registrar in Edinburgh. She is also the Education Co-Vice Chair and the joint Podcast Lead for the RCPE Trainee & Members' Committee (T&MC). Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. --Useful Links-- Physician Higher Specialty Training Recruitment - https://www.phstrecruitment.org.uk/specialties/geriatric-medicine British Geriatrics Society https://www.bgs.org.uk/ Clinical Frailty Scale - https://www.bgs.org.uk/sites/default/files/content/attachment/2018-07-05/rockwood_cfs.pdf REDMAP Framework https://www.spict.org.uk/red-map/ Think Delirium Toolkit https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/2442/rrheal/education-networks/rural-teams-education-network/think-delirium-improving-the-care-for-older-people-delirium-toolkit The Geriatric 5M’s https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.14979 Silver Book II Geriatric Syndromes (British Geriatrics Society) - https://www.bgs.org.uk/resources/silver-book-ii-geriatric-syndromes ACB Calculator https://www.acbcalc.com/ -- Related episodes -- A Fresh Look at the Geriatric Giants – Front Door and Beyond, Clinical Conversations Podcast https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/a-fresh-look-at-the-geriatric-giants-front-door-and-beyond-26-feb-2024 Frailty for the Non-Specialist, Clinical Conversations Podcast https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/frailty-for-the-non-specialist-11-mar-2024 Recording Date: 02 April 2024 Choose RCPE as your College of Entry for PACES -- We encourage you to sit PACES with our College. We have a friendly and experienced examinations team who expertly support candidates, and we deliver PACES at centres across the UK. Select RCPE as your College of Entry when applying online through your My MRCP(UK) online account. -- Follow us -- www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees twitter.com/RCPEdinTrainees -- Upcoming RCPE Events -- events.rcpe.ac.uk/ Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

    27 min
  8. Remote and Rural Medicine (18 Nov 2024)

    11/18/2024

    Remote and Rural Medicine (18 Nov 2024)

    This is a co-release with our sister podcast, Clinical Conversations. In this episode, Dr Marilena Giannoudi speaks with Dr Neil Shepherd about remote and rural medicine. Dr Shepherd highlights the benefits as well as the challenges of working in remote and rural areas and some of the professional support in place for this career path. Dr Neil Shepherd considers himself to be a rural generalist. He completed his GP training in 2014 and acute care rural GP fellowship in 2018. He currently works as a rural emergency physician in Caithness General Hospital, a Locum GP in Orkney and as training programme director for broad based training with NHS Education for Scotland. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Dr Marilena Giannoudi is a cardiology registrar based in Leeds. She is Co-Chair of the Trainees and Members’ Committee, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and is currently undertaking a PhD. Recording date: 5 November 2024 --Useful Links-- BASICS Scotland - https://basicsscotland.org.uk/ Broad Based Training Information - www.scotmt.scot.nhs.uk/recruitment/b…training.aspx Rural and Remote Health Credential - www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/news/rural-and-…nd-urgent-care/ GP Fellowships - https://www.scotlanddeanery.nhs.scot/your-development/gp-fellowships/ UCLan's National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine - www.uclan.ac.uk/centres/ncrrm -- Follow us -- www.instagram.com/rcpedintrainees twitter.com/RCPEdinTrainees -- Upcoming RCPE events -- events.rcpe.ac.uk/ Disclaimer: Please always refer to official recruitment websites for the latest guidance as application dates and processes may differ to those described in this episode. -- Become an RCPE Member -- www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

    26 min
See All (62)

About

RCPE's Podcast Series 'Career Conversations' by the Trainees & Members' Committee (T&MC).

Information

  • Creator
    Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
  • Show Website
    Career Conversations