5. Being a GP, with Dr Swain

Destination Unknown

Episode 5 here and this week we talk to a doctor in the NHS.

Our guest is Dr Matthew Swain who also happens to be my husband. It’s really difficult to interview your husband! I know so much about him and his journey and in many ways we’ve been along a lot of it together. As we enter another Christmas in which we’re all scared of another snap lockdown and not spending the time with our loved ones, this conversation really doesn’t focus on the pandemic at all. While it will continue to change our lives, and certainly the lives of doctors, ultimately the role of a doctor will not waiver from the need to diagnose and treat. So, instead of covid we spend a lot of time talking about the process of actually applying; it is long, arduous and all consuming. And we also talk about what it takes to be a good doctor, what drives Matt, and what could make the profession better.

Matt is a man of few words normally; we don’t talk about work because - as you’ll hear - he strongly compartmentalises. I think you can hear that speaking at length about himself isn’t his comfort zone, he takes his time to find the right words and to be considered. With that, I’m enormously grateful that he shared this experience and I hope for those of you planning your future in medicine that you take this in the spirit it is intended; to help you go into it with two eyes open.

Something I find particularly impressive is that Matt was the first in his family to go to university, his parents had no experience, knowledge or real understanding about what was needed and yet Matt worked it out, constantly went the extra mile and used the support around himself to make it happen.

More and more people are going to university, 38% of 18 year olds this year are going straight into university, so of course there are a lot of people who, like Matt, don't have that kind of support. If that's you, I hope this is helpful, and if you have more questions reach out on Instagram, @destinationunknownpod