Medconnect Europe is an agency comprised of students and Doctors who’ve graduated from Bulgaria that provides free, impartial and understandable advice to prospective students aiming to study Medicine or Dentistry in Europe. As a team, we understand that there are a plethora of agencies who are currently extorting students without actually guaranteeing them a place at the end of the application process, trust us we’ve been there! Luckily, with our service we intend to provide the best experience tailored to students by students who actually know what the application process is like. With that being said, we’d like to walk you through the typical application process, so you are aware of what to expect. Firstly, it is important for every applicant to have an idea about where they want to study. Are you thinking somewhere in Europe? We offer services for Universities in Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Ukraine, and a brief background of these countries can be found on our website. Secondly, all applicants should make a note of the entry requirements that have been set by each university, as some will be higher than others. There are also 4 year Graduate options available for applicants who have already completed an undergraduate degree in the UK, otherwise the course is typically 5/6 years. Now you have an idea, we’re ready to get started! APPLICATION Initially, all applicants are required to fill and submit an application form and a contract which will state clearly the terms and conditions of the service agreement that we will provide. The application form is a means for us to gather information about the applicant and to determine if they meet the requirements for their intended study. DOCUMENTATION Once the application form has been completed, we will require some documentation. This documentation includes a scanned copy of the passport and all necessary educational certificates for the applicant. Please note that throughout this process, our specialised team will always be in constant communication with applicant to ensure that the form is filled out correctly and to notify them of any amendments. ENTRANCE EXAM Whilst we are processing the documents, the applicant can commence their preparation for the entrance exam. A number of resources will be available to them via our online portal, which will be more than sufficient for them to pass. Next, all documentation must be legalised by a solicitor and translated into the language of which the applicant intends to study in, which is arranged by us on behalf of the applicant. Subsequently, the application form and documentations are submitted to the university. INTERVIEW Once the University is satisfied with all the documentation that has been provided, the applicant will be invited for either an entrance exam or interview in that country. We know that it can be daunting being in a foreign country for the first time. A member of our team will help the applicant to book flights and any other travel arrangements. Fortunately, a member of our team will be at hand to meet the applicant at the university so they to show them to their exam/interview. ADMISSION Finally, the applicant will receive an admission letter by the University confirming that they have been successful. In which case it's time to prepare to relocate abroad. Congratulations! PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING Before the applicant sets off, we host a pre departure meeting for all the students who are travelling to Europe. This provides a great opportunity for the applicant to meet a few people before venturing out into the unknown as well as gaining some vital information about the country, financial aid and study materials for the course. We empathise with every applicant who hasn’t gained admission to Med School in the UK let alone having to begin the hunt for other Medical Universities in Europe. We can appreciate how difficult this process can be, but that is why we are here to let you know; you are not alone. We hope that this article has eased your mind about studying abroad and more importantly given you an agency you can put your trust in. We will do all the hard work for you. We look forward to connecting with you somewhere in Europe.

The Melanin Medics Blog Series showcasing black Medical Professionals in various Medical Specialties. Sharing their journeys, challenges and life lessons. #RepresentationMatters. This week we're showcasing a career in Pharmaceutical Medicine! Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey so far My name is Dr. John FW Ndikum Medical Doctor | Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Class of 2010 MPH | Yale School of Public Health, Class of 2018 Like many Black children inspired by Dr. Ben Carson, I was determined to become a neurosurgeon and began actively working towards this goal from about the age of 13. After several years of discipline, focus and dedication, I was admitted to Barts and The London Medical School at the age of 18. This marked one of the greatest moments of my life, and the consummation of a dream I had harboured since the age of 3 following a visit to the hospital. By the time I had graduated from medical school however,  I felt very lost. It was tough - here I was at 23, unsure of what I should spend the rest of my life specialising in. I did eventually find my feet in General Medicine, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Working within the NHS was a blessing and a curse; I was blessed to be privy to the inner workings of Europe’s largest healthcare provider but frustrated by my inability to overcome the structural limitations that at times prevented the optimal delivery of care. This frustration eventually blossomed into a passion for Public Health, leading me to Yale where I graduated with a Master of Public Health degree in May 2018. Why did you choose this Specialty? During my time at Yale, I explored several options post-graduation and was attracted by the prospect of combining my interest in organisational management, medicine and public health. After some thorough research, it became obvious that Pharmaceutical Medicine fit the bill; I could improve the health of populations at both the downstream and upstream levels whilst being training to add ever-greater value and make a wider impact to the global village. What is Pharmaceutical Medicine? 'Pharmaceutical medicine is the medical scientific discipline concerned with the discovery, development, evaluation, registration, monitoring and medical aspects of marketing of medicines for the benefit of patients and the health of the community. At core of the discipline is the clinical testing of medicines, translation of pharmaceutical drug research into new medicines, safety and well-being of research participants in clinical trials, and understanding the safety profile of medicines and their benefit-risk balance.' - Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of the UK During your time in Medical School, did you enjoy this specialty? This actually wasn’t a speciality that was discussed during my time in medical school. It was my own exploration as well as discussion with colleagues that made me aware of it. What is your greatest achievement till date? The journey through which I passed, which I discuss in verse in my book of poetry book of poetry (Words of a Feather). That period was instrumental in helping me to find an inner strength that I was not aware I possessed and awakening me to the immense power and utility of harnessed resilience. What has been your biggest challenge working in this specialty so far? Learning to manage colleagues who are not medical professionals. Doctors have their own lingo and cultural mores which they assume everyone else understands. So learning to work outside the standard medical hierarchy has required much reflection but in hindsight, has served to refine and enhance my communication skills. What do you like to do outside of work? Gym - strength, power and endurance training. Dance! Read - primarily non-fiction on a variety of topics. Discuss random abstract topics (e.g. philosophy, the nature of society, the function of government)  with like-minded friends. What advice would you give to someone interested in this specialty? Reach out to people working in it and find out if it really is for you. I personally love being at the forefront of research and enjoy flexing my creative muscles. Some people don’t. So I suppose you’ve just got to spend the time finding out what fits with your temperament. 'Medical school is a means and not an end. Beyond its gates lie arduous hours and night shifts. There is no glamour. And the ‘oh he’s a doctor’ proclamations of enamoured family members soon wear off. Graduation from medical school marks the beginning of a very long road ahead – are you ready for it? As important as it is to acknowledge the underrepresentation of Black individuals in the medical profession, an undue focus on this can derail you. Focus instead on why and HOW exactly you want to be of service in this world, and the strength of your desire will obliterate obstacles in your way. Acknowledge reality, but do not deny your own inner greatness. Be of service first to yourself by dreaming of a bigger life, then create a vision that includes others. Things of significance are not achieved by focusing on why we cannot, but on why we can, and WILL. Remember this.' - Read more from Dr Ndikum's Blog Post - Strive On

There is far more in you than you know. Far more in all of us than we can even imagine. Transcending social categorisations of ethnicity, class and status exists a force within; it is sparked by self-belief and fuelled by a vision to be of service for a purpose bigger than ourselves. It is this inner power, combined with the help of innumerable individuals, that has allowed me to graduate from medical school in London, publish a book and more recently to graduate with a Masters degree (in Public Health) from Yale University in the United States. And the journey continues. Medical school is a means and not an end. Beyond its gates lie arduous hours and night shifts. There is no glamour. And the ‘oh he’s a doctor’ proclamations of enamoured family members soon wear off. Graduation from medical school marks the beginning of a very long road ahead – are you ready for it? As important as it is to acknowledge the underrepresentation of Black individuals in the medical profession, an undue focus on this can derail you. Focus instead on why and HOW exactly you want to be of service in this world, and the strength of your desire will obliterate all obstacles in your way. Acknowledge reality, but do not deny your own inner greatness. Be of service first to yourself by dreaming of a bigger life, then create a vision that includes others. Things of significance are not achieved by focusing on why we cannot, but on why we can, and WILL. Remember this. Some of you might be saying, ‘well yes that’s very nice, but what can I actually do’. In response to this valid question, the advice I would give to aspiring doctors is as follows: 1. HAVE A PLAN Nothing worthwhile is achieved without a blueprint and very few great things happen in life by chance. A couple of years before my book was published, I saw it in my mind’s eye until it was real to me. And then devised a plan to make that image a tangible reality. Executing that plan was much tougher than day-dreaming about publishing, but without it, the book would have remained a pipe-dream. 2. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF The great scientist Isaac Asimov mooted “Above all, never think you’re not good enough. Never think that. In life people will take you at your own reckoning.”. Self-doubt not only acts as a brake on the path towards accomplishing your objectives, but is palpable to others, who might otherwise have collaborated with you. Besides, there will times when no one will believe in your dreams. You need to be able to stand alone sometimes for what you believe in, regardless of whether the crowd joins you. As I wrote in one of my poems, ‘Immortal Deeds’: Immortal words are never writ By the souls of the o’er meek; Would Achilles’ name modern ears meet If he had been in spirit weak?” 3. KEEP MOVING FORWARD…STRATEGICALLY If life demands one thing of us, it is progress in all of its domains. Be your very own personal trainer, targeting areas of weakness and continually optimising strong areas. Everything that you will achieve in life will be a by-product of who you are. Strive therefore, to be the greatest version of yourself. And all else shall follow. 4. HAVE A REASON Without it, you might as well not begin. Life WILL throw curveballs, and unless your reason is bigger than providing for yourself alone, you will lack the resolve to follow through. To my thinking, life supplies you with the energy commensurate with your objective. Expanding the scope of your contribution therefore, will provide you with the fuel for when things get tough. 5. STEP BACK FROM TIME TO TIME TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE Ultimately, being a doctor on a ‘pale blue dot’ grain of sand isn’t that significant, when measured against cosmic proportions. There is more to life than professional success. Take a step back from time to time to remember this and to nourish the other parts of your mind and life. As my friend said in a conversation where he loosely quoting E.F Schumacher, “we are here to accumulate more than just financial capital…we must remember to gather social, spiritual and moral capital too.” 6. KNOW THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING AND NOT THE END Had I known this, I would probably have avoided the anti-climax that was the day I received the results that I had passed medical school. Life is a never-ending journey and the competencies you are required to become proficient in extend beyond just memorising semiabstract knowledge. Pace yourself. 7. STRIVE NOT ONLY TO ACCUMULATE, BUT TO LEAVE A LEGACY What you will leave behind on this Earth is more important that what you alone have accomplished. Leave a footprint. In fact, leave a ladder with an instruction manual by the side, so that others too can benefit from what you learned. — Ultimately, achieving your goals (one of which is to become a doctor) boils down to two things – right mindset (i.e. mental tenacity) and correct action (or your willingness and capability to get things done). Dreaming of being a doctor is not sufficient to achieve that goal, but aimless action and revising pointless topics will avail nothing. Right vision combined with correct action is what will crystallise those cherished ideals you hold into reality. And remember…strive always, to be the greatest version of you. Dr. John FW Ndikum Medical Doctor | Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Class of 2010 MPH | Yale School of Public Health, Class of 2018

Have a read of this great article, as a Psychiatry Registrar and member of our organisation, Dr Jermaine Bamfo discusses the challenges, rewards and realities of being a BAME medic in the UK on the The Doctors'​ Association UK blog. Here is an extract "Being a BAME (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) medic comes with its rewards and challenges. Having been raised in the cultural melting-pot of East London, my experiences of interacting with other ethnic minorities in my formative years provided me with a rich array of differing conduits through which I can form a rapport with a wide variety of patients. In saying this, there have also been challenges that I have personally faced in my medical journey, problems that my fellow BAME colleagues have experienced and many more systemic issues which have slowly become more apparent. And it is these challenges that I will be focusing on in this article…" Read Dr Jermaine Bamfo's full article here: https://lnkd.in/djz8Zxi ------------------------------------- DAUK is a non-profit organisation run by volunteer doctors: To find out more go to: https://www.dauk.org #medicine #bame #medic #doctor #nhs #healthcare #workplace #melaninmedics

The Melanin Medics Blog Series showcasing black Medical Professionals in various Medical Specialties. Sharing their journeys, challenges and life lessons. #RepresentationMatters. This week we're featuring an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist! Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey so far Miss Abisola Adeleye, BSc(Hons), MBBS, MRCOG. I'm currently an ST6 level specialist registrar, training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the East of England Deanery and a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Studied Medicine at Bart's and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, I also earned a first class honours BSc degree in Primary Health Care during an intercalated year at University College London. I won a runner-up award in the London Schools and the Black Child Academic Achievement Awards 2010. My passion for education has been realised through a medical workbook I co-authored and published with CRC Press - Making sense of Fluids and Electolytes: a hands-on guide. I also enjoy being a trustee for and participating in activities run by the charity Salaam Education Services. Why did you choose this Specialty? I get to do something different on most days at work - On-call for labour ward and delivering babies, simple and complex obstetric and gynaecology surgery, outpatient clinics, inpatient ward rounds, ultrasound scanning. Very varied activities and I get to work with different healthcare professionals such as midwives, nurses, theatre teams, sonographers, not just doctors. During your time in Medical School, did you enjoy this specialty? My medical school placement was in a DGH (District General Hospital) away from my medical school base. I had to stay in hospital accommodation which meant I preferred to spend more time in the hospital and immerse myself in the specialty rather than in the accommodation. I met enthusiastic consultants unlike any other specialty I experienced. They saw I that was keen and gave me more hands-on opportunities and mentorship. What is your greatest achievement till date? I was fortunate enough to publish my workbook on fluid and electrolyte management aimed at medical students: Making Sense of Fluids and Electrolytes: A hands-on guide. This was a very unexpected opportunity which started out as an entry into the RSM’s Young Authors competition. This event was held in a similar way to Dragon’s Den - I pitched my book idea along with my colleagues, to a panel of publishing house editors. The prize was supposed to be mentoring from one of the editors and signed copies of well-known clinical books. The editors liked our idea so much that we were offered a publishing contract. I found the publishing process quite enjoyable overall, especially when I was finally able to hold the book and thumb through it! The challenges were keeping the material up-to-date, working as a trio and finding editors ourselves, whom we could work well with and who shared our vision for the book . With regards to publishing more resources in the future, I currently have nothing in the pipeline yet but I won’t say no to another opportunity to publish something that can help others. What has been your biggest challenge working in this specialty so far? Work-life balance. Making the most of time off work by truly relaxing and not being tempted to allow work to extend into my time off. What do you like to do outside of work? Working out, weekends away, nice meals, exhibitions and shows with friends & family. I do enjoy teaching others, something I’ve done since I was a teenager coaching students for 11+ & GCSE exams. Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life. ~ Dolly Parton What advice would you give to someone interested in this specialty? Get a medical school placement, taster week, foundation year rotation or trust SHO job in the specialty to ensure that you know the realities of what to expect in the specialty, to help you work out if it’s right for you. By being here today, I am hoping to help you see how you can achieve your own success and overcome challenges you may face along the way.

The Melanin Medics Blog Series showcasing black Medical Professionals in various Medical Specialties. Sharing their journeys, challenges and life lessons. #RepresentationMatters. This week we're featuring a Gastroenterologist! Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey so far My name is Dr Yaa Danso and I am a Gastroenterology Registrar. I completed my medical training in Bart's and the London and graduated in 2013. I decided for a change in scenery and opted to complete my foundation training in the North West deanery. I moved to Manchester and worked in large DGH. During this time I got involved in teaching and introduced my own teaching programme within the trust. I continued in Manchester for my core medical training and it was these two years that really made my, what I would call, my "Doctor forming moments". It was also during this time that I had begun to focus on my desired speciality. After core medical training I took a year out where I took a few holiday breaks and also worked as a registrar in a few different specialities to get a feel for the next 5 years! I'm now working as a Gastroenterology ST3 in the North West, coincidentally in the same hospital I began as an FY1. More recently I am particularly proud to be involved in the organisation for Ghanian Doctors and Dentists Association UK @GDDAUK, who won a prestigious GUBA Award in 2018. Why did you choose this Specialty? When I first started as an FYI I was quite sure I wanted to do hospital medicine. Initially they all the specialities seemed very similar so I looked towards the Consultants/regs. I looked at if they seemed happy in they're job, were they stressed, are they approachable, did they enjoy their own speciality; this can be very eye opening. For Gastroenterology, I loved the mix of things to do- particularly learning how to do endoscopy (this is the best part of my week) and getting involved with emergencies. The needs for Gastroenterologists, female ones especially, are growing. Out of the 10 Gastroenterology seniors in my hospital (SpRs and Consultants) I am the only woman! Probably the most important for me was the work life balance. I knew working in hospital I would be expected to do out-of-hours work, but at the moment most Gastroenterologists are part of the Gastro Emergency rota and thus forgo all general medical on-calls...this clinched it for me 📷. Gastroenterology is a really great speciality, I love what I'm doing at the moment and I would encourage others to try a taster week at their own hospital or with the BSG (British society of Gastroenterology) to see if it's your fit. During your time in Medical School, did you enjoy this specialty? Interestingly, I was initially quite set on training in psychiatry. During medical school I would cater all my self directed modules towards psychiatry and even took my elective in a psychiatry unit in Barbados. But fairly soon after I turned up onto the wards as an FY1, I  was pretty certain I wanted to pursue hospital medicine and did just that. What is your greatest achievement till date? My greatest achievement came quite recently with me getting my registrar job, but it wasn't as easy as I had imagined. On my first application/interview I was so worried  about the process and how "better qualified" the other candidates were. I second guessed myself all the way through and this reflected in my result. My ranking was in the bottom 10% and wasn't anywhere close to getting a speciality training job within the UK, let alone the location I wanted. I was gutted. I cried. And seriously questioned if I was overstepping myself for thinking I was good enough for this job at all. But I thought I'd give it another go - just to make sure. I worked to get a few more lines on the CV and knowing the process with solid prep, gave me the confidence to let me feel more like myself in the interview. A few weeks later THE email popped up and I couldn't believe the result. With my new score I was now ranked *2nd* in the country! I almost cried then too......and then took a screenshot and sent it to the group chat! Needless to say I was offered my top choice job: the speciality I wanted, in the location I wanted. I am now Dr Yaa Danso Gastroenterology Specialist Registrar. Even as I write this, it still makes me smile. #StartedFromTheBotto....you know the rest. 📷 What has been your biggest challenge working in this specialty so far? As I have become more senior my responsibilities have naturally increased. Particularly on-call, I'm the go-to for so many questions; medical or otherwise. I find myself often having to make that phone call to the consultant for their opinion or researching up-to-date guidelines. This was something I rarely needed to do as an SHO and would simply ask my registrar if I was really stuck. But now that I AM the registrar It's simply not enough to just fumble along. I expected to be on quite a steep learning curve as a first year registrar but  being regularly hit with things I have never encountered is still daunting. What do you like to do outside of work? I have recently moved and I have really got into interiors and home decor whilst fashioning up my new place. Every now and again I post about something I bought, new decorating ideas and can be regularly found scouring the shelves of Homesense. I also love how Afrobeats is having such a big come back now! I head to an Afrobeat/Bashment dance class a couple times a week in Manchester. And when I'm at home there's nothing better than a Louis Theroux docu-series 📷🏿. What advice would you give to someone interested in this specialty? We all have that innate pull that brings us to medicine and some of our reasons is easier to verbalise than others. In general I think it's important to consider the following: Become a "yes" woman/man. Don't let your anxieties overcome what you want to be.  I remember during foundation and also as a core medical trainee, thinking....."How on earth am I ever gonna be a med reg!!?" "Am I good enough?" And  when you get there you may not feel ready, but you may just surprise yourself at how quickly you can adapt. Change is always good, it brings out the best in you. Learn to say yes to the things that scare you the most and watch your comfort zone grow. A friend once said to me "If it doesn’t scare you then it’s not worth doing. Close your eyes and jump. Everything you want is on the other side of fear" so say yes! Keep your goal in sight. Whether that be completing foundation training, finishing exams or having a plan to travel always remember what they are. There are some days I struggle when I'm at work, but it's great having that reminder that this pain is temporary! And in a few years I will get to enjoy my speciality just as I want to. Take your time. With the exams, on-calls and not to mention all the commotion that goes with requesting annual leave, I found core medical training pretty exhausting. Afterwards I took a year out and loved the change in pace! It gave me the time to really consider what I wanted to specialise in and gave me a renewed energy for when I started my registrar post.

The Melanin Medics Blog Series showcasing black Medical Professionals in various Medical Specialties. Sharing their journeys, challenges and life lessons. #RepresentationMatters. This week we're featuring a Dentist! Dr. Olurotimi Adesanya BDS , DRDP (UCL), DDHLM (FGDP-UK), FDS RCS (Ed.), FFGDP(UK) One of the founders of the African Caribbean Dental Association and Present Chairman of the association. I qualified in 1991 from School of dentistry University of Benin, Nigeria, since qualifying I have worked in several hospitals both in the United Kingdom and abroad, including Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Bedford General Hospital, Countess of Chester Hospital and Royal London Hospital. During my training in the hospitals, I reached the level of a Staff Surgeon in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and a Registrar in Paediatric Dentistry. I obtained a Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh in 2000 and A Postgraduate Diploma in Restorative Dental Practice from the Eastman Dental Institute (Universities College London) one of the world renowned Postgraduate Institution in 2009. In 2011 I was awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Dental Health Services Leadership and Management by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) The diploma provided me the educational experience that has advanced my knowledge and competence in the operational and strategic management of dental services, to ensure my dental team consistently provide a high quality of dental care. In 2013 , I was awarded the Fellowship of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) of the Royal College of Surgeons England in recognition of my excellence in primary dental care . I choose dentistry as a career because it is a caring profession and at time I applied it was believed that there was not enough dentists in globally and some patients did not have access to care In my career my greatest achievement so far being the owner of a dental practice caring for patients. My greatest challenge working in primary dental care is the business side of dentistry being able to strike a balance between providing the best possible care for the patients with the resources available. My advice Have a vision. I had a vision to be a dentist at the age of 13 after reading an health magazine which reported there was not enough dentists globally Work hard with a focus mind , purse excellence in whatever you do Speak to those already in the profession for guidance , Get a mentor Begin with the end in Mind Outside work I enjoy self-development, travelling, recording / listen to music and being in a position to help others reach their full potential

The Melanin Medics Blog Series showcasing black Medical Professionals in various Medical Specialties. Sharing their journeys, challenges and life lessons. #RepresentationMatters. This week we're featuring an Anaesthetist! Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey so far My name is Marilyn and I am an anaesthetic CT2 currently working in Lister Hospital, Stevenage. I trained at St George’s University of London, intercalated at Kings College London and graduated in 2014. After foundation training, I took a year and half F3 exploring a career in anaesthetics, travelling and volunteering in Africa. Why did you choose this Specialty? Physiology always interested me at medical school, and I was draw in by the acute applied physiology that is the basis of anaesthetics. Although many people tend to get a warped view of anaesthetists sitting around drinking coffee all day (we do some days!), it is a very varied and dynamic speciality. Anaesthetists are all over the hospital from theatres to intensive care, maternity to ED resus and even paediatrics. There are many possibilities with a career in anaesthetics depending on your interests. I have colleagues who do their 9-5 in the NHS and weekends retrieving patients from all over the world or part time with more free time to enjoy with their children. The possibilities are vast! During your time in Medical School, did you enjoy this specialty? I went to medical school with the intention of becoming a paediatrician. Although every encounter with a ‘cool’ doctor swayed my decision. In the space of 3 years I went from neurosurgery to cardiology to emergency medicine and back to paediatrics. I geared my CV towards paediatrics and chose to do a student selected component in the paediatric intensive care. The paediatric intensive care was my first real encounter with anaesthetists and from there my interest in anaesthesia grew.  I really enjoyed my anaesthesia and ITU rotation in final year. All the anaesthetists were really nice, seemed to genuinely enjoy their jobs and were just all-round cool people! What is your greatest achievement till date? Volunteering in Chad was one best things I have done to date. I’ve always wanted to use my medical skills in an area where they are desperately needed. It was a tough experience but definitely an experience of a lifetime. I am really passionate about developing world anaesthesia and it is something I look to do more of in the future. What has been your biggest challenge working in this specialty so far? One of the biggest challenges in anaesthesia is when things go wrong. Due to the nature of our work bad situations can escalate quickly and it is important for an anaesthetist to maintain an air of calm whilst trying to control the situation. What do you like to do outside of work I love to cook, it’s definitely my post work therapy. I like to travel as much as possible. I am a book worm, my last read was The Power by Naomi Alderman and I have recently taken up bouldering, so we will see how that goes! What advice would you give to someone interested in this specialty? Get yourself into your nearest anaesthetic room- we are always happy to give advice and explain more about what we do. If it is possible, do an ICU / anaesthetic job during your foundation training. You can even take time out of training to explore a career in anaesthesia before committing, as there are post F2 clinical fellow jobs available. Be prepared- the exams are hard, but it is a very rewarding career so don’t be put off. If I can do it so can you!

The Melanin Medics Blog Series showcasing black Medical Professionals in various Medical Specialties. Sharing their journeys, challenges and life lessons. #RepresentationMatters. This week we're featuring a Psychiatrist! My name is Dr Jermaine Bamfo and I am a core trainee in Psychiatry, currently completing my second year of specialty training. I am the first son of Ghanaian parents who had originally come to the UK in the mid-80s. I was born in Hackney and brought up in Shoreditch, when it was one of the most underprivileged areas in the whole of the UK and not the hipster-central we know it to be today; being brought up in that atmosphere came with its considerable challenges but I am grateful to God and my family for helping me thrive nonetheless. I left secondary school with 14 GCSEs A*-C. I applied for Medicine at A-level but unfortunately missed out on my conditional offers by the slimmest of margins. Fortunately, due to my performance at my medical interview at Liverpool I was offered a place to study Anatomy & Human Biology at the University of Liverpool, and eventually attained a First Class. I managed to get onto the highly-competitive graduate entry programme at Imperial College London, and completed the course in 2013. I did my foundation training in Northern Ireland, where I also attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatry and Mental Health from Queens Univeristy Belfast. I took an F3 year where I worked in medicine at Watford General Hospital and Medway Maritime Hospital before securing a specialty training number in Psychiatry in 2017. Why did you choose this Specialty? I ended up choosing to pursue Psychiatry because it was a specialty where I could marry my personal interests and my abilities and utilise them to be the best doctor I could possibly be. I have always been drawn to the stigmatised in society, and helping break down stigmas. Through my personal experiences and my work mentoring people in a variety of mediums, I have seen that mental health is a critical part of the human make-up. And with increasing societal awareness of mental health, there is an increasing demand on formal services. Not only that but I feel it is important to have greater Afro-Caribbean representation in the field in order to offset some of the well-known discriminatory issues that exist when it comes to mental health services in the UK. I wanted to play my part to effect real change, in a field that I would genuinely enjoy working in on a day by day basis. During your time in Medical School, did you enjoy this specialty? NO! Which is hilarious. And that’s why it’s important as medical students to always keep an open mind when it comes to specialties. Sometimes you can be drawn to the ‘sexier’ specialties but you have to keep at the forefront of your mind your ‘why’ (i.e. the reason *why* you’re pursuing medicine) and in my previous answer you can see how my *why* has led me into a career in Psychiatry. I suppose for me I hated Psych at medical school not necessarily because it may not have been the most respected of specialties but more that I had some bad experiences in a clinical placement on a Psychiatric ICU which I felt at the time were representative of what I would have to face in the specialty as a whole. It was my F2 placement which showed me the breadth of Psychiatry, the opportunities available, the work-life balance, the great attitude to educational opportunities etc. Working in that placement and seeing what was on offer, everything clicked. Unfortunately that click did not happen at medical school. What is your greatest achievement to date? In my medical journey I suppose it is completing graduate entry medicine at Imperial College. It was an intensive course, and it coincided with a very difficult period of my life where I was working out who I was as a person, what I wanted from life, questioning everything and everyone. It was a period of time which could have broken me easily, but I came out standing tall. What has been your biggest challenge working in this specialty so far? I think it can be very uncomfortable at times being on-call and being confronted by a medical emergency. In an inpatient mental health setting you most times don’t have the range of equipment you would have at your disposal in a typical medical setting, and the staff may not be as well-trained and proficient in dealing with physical health as you would like. So it can be challenging and disorienting dealing with such situations. It’s a greater test of your general medical knowledge in terms of reacting to things quickly, effectively, knowing what you can do with what you have and working out when a higher ceiling of care is required. What do you like to do outside of work? I love to spend time with my young family - my beautiful partner Sibyl and our perfect young baby girl Aivanna. Im a regular churchgoer, attending Powerland Chapel International at South Woodford where I’m involved with the media and also with the young adults group. Im also involved with the GUBA Foundation as a PR & Communications Executive; the GUBA Foundation is a charity which has a range of focuses including reducing infant mortality in Ghana and increasing autism awareness in the Afro-Caribbean communities. I enjoy travelling, and also enjoy exercising my creative abilities be it via drawing artwork or engaging in design. I’m an introvert and in the past few years I’ve found great comfort in understanding & accepting this, and revelling in having my own space & time to relax and recharge. What advice would you give to someone interested in this specialty? Pursue your interest! It’s a rich season for Psychiatry and mental health at the moment in that there seems to be an appetite in the wider world for increasing awareness. So keep your eye out for topical issues in the news and enhance your knowledge of the big issues that are out there. Seek out opportunities to shadow trainees or spend time in various settings. There is currently a big movement helmed by the Royal College of Psychiatrist themed ‘Choose Psychiatry’ - which is aiming to increase recruitment numbers, and there are a wide range of resources available to help answer your queries and dispel any myths about the specialty. Try and engage in as many things as you can which show off your genuine interest in mental health, as these will stand you in good stead when it comes to applying for specialty posts. If you’re interested in Psychiatry, go for it! Take the leap! I made the jump a couple of years ago and there’s never been a day that I’ve regretted it.

Summer is on the horizon! Is it too soon to be excited? After a challenging year, the summer season is what we can all look forward to. The great weather, ample time and new experiences are just a few of the highlights. It's so important that you utilise your summer efficiently; do the things you love, catch up with friends and family and focus on passion projects. This is your time to really rejuvenate! We've shared our top tips for making the most of your summer, even if you're a Medic or applicant, make sure that this summer is one to remember! 1. Reflect, relax, rest and recharge! The majority of us, if not all of us would have just completed several final exams or OSCE’S which challenged us mentally, physically and emotionally. Therefore, it is vital to give yourself a break to recover from these exams so take some time out for yourself whether it be binge watching all your favourite Netflix/Youtube /TV shows, retail therapy or sleeping for a week- whatever it is do something that makes you feel refreshed. Another useful tip after exam is to spend time reflecting on your exams- did anything not go according to plan, was your study techniques- did it work?, is there anything you could improve upon? Did you utilise your personal learning style to your advantage? 2. Re-introduce your regular activities or hobbies- e.g. gym, playing an instrument, etc which you may have significantly reduced or pushed aside during exam season. For me this is playing netball, baking cakes, going to fitness classes, early morning jogs with my mum and sister. 3. Reconnect with family and friends – For many of us we live away from home during the semesters at university so it is important to stay in contact with friends who you do not see or speak to often. A few ideas include: having a picnic in the park, bbq’s, catching up over coffee or doing something fun such as bowling. 4. Volunteer /complete work experience - there are many opportunities available such as summer school programmes or conferences which you can attend. Alternatively, you may choose to volunteer in your local hospital as part of your work experience or with charities such as Doctors without Borders, British Red Cross, and Human Relief Foundation etc. 5. Find ways to make an income- now that you are not studying for a few weeks/months and have more free time on your hands why not apply for healthcare related jobs such as HCA, care home assistant or if not a job in any field will be sufficient. If not, use your skills to your advantage and make into a business e.g. freelance hairdresser/photographer. However, this may be easier for some students if they have already managed to secure a job by working whilst studying medicine. 6. Do something new- learning a new skill is always fun for example learning a new sport at your local leisure centre or sewing. Not only will this allow you to make new friends but also provides a sense of accomplishment. 7. Travel- whether this is exploring your current city, a day trip to different city in the UK or a holiday abroad, there are plenty of things to do and discover. Who knows you may even find hidden gems in your local area. 8. Research medical opportunities e.g. internships or medical electives which can take place both in the UK and abroad. These may include: NSAMR, Work the World, Gap Medics or Projective abroad. Even if missed the deadline for this year summer placements or internships you can begin to plan and prepare for next year whilst taking note of the deadline. 9. Polish your personal statement/ CV or portfolio- it always important to constantly update your CV with any courses you have completed throughout the year and what skills you have gained from these experiences. This is useful as it allows you to keep a record that you can refer to in future interviews. 10. Get ahead of the new semester- speak to students who are in older years and ask them what you can do in order to become be prepared for the upcoming year. Start your reading list which will save you sleeplessness nights during the upcoming semester and avoid trying to cram everything in a short space of time. Written by Shona Manning

"Comparison is the thief of Joy" I've heard that quote repeatedly throughout my life but I would be lying if I said that I don't compare myself to others at times. Life happens in such a way that as soon as you see someone doing essentially more than you, you automatically feel that you are not doing enough. If there's anything I've learned from comparing myself to others, it's that comparison does more harm than good when allowed to. Now don't get me wrong, comparison could be that motivating factor that you needed to get yourself up and actively pursuing your goals but on the other hand when comparison progresses into unhealthy competition, that's when it becomes detrimental. I thought I'd share some home truths about comparison and ways to avoid comparing yourself to others below/ Focus on your lane and be confident I know where I am going and I know what I need to do to get there. If I allow comparison to distract me not only will it take me longer to reach my goal, it may also derail my journey and focus. Before you know it, your goal has changed to achieving the same things as someone else which may not classify as a mark of success in your own life. Understand that you are not the person you compare yourself to. Taking Inspiration or Copying? It is possible for you to learn from others and what they have done. Be Inspired! But taking inspiration should not mean copying. You cannot expect the same results from years of hard work that it has taken this person to reach great heights. It is possible for you to adopt the positive actions and behaviours you see and adapt it to yourself. It isn't one size fits all, there is scope for you to make it your own and unique to yourself. "Don't set sail using someone else's star" Become aware of, and avoid your triggers. I would describe social media to be a black hole of comparison. We spend hours scrolling through feeds showcasing the highlights of a persons life e.g. their numerous awards, holidays, relationships etc. without truly engaging one another. We don't know what another person is going through, we don't know their struggles or how they were able to achieve what they have. If you find that social media continuously triggers feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and frustration, then choose to take a break or unfollow certain pages. Make sure you control social media and not the other way around. Embrace the success of others Embracing the success of others does not make you any less successful. Good things can happen to other people and it doesn't mean that your life is any less important. By being happy for others, you'll learn to accept yourself and cultivate a more positive environment. Don't let fear guide your choices Don't make fear based decisions out of feelings of inadequacy. These decisions tend to be the ones you regret in the future. You may feel like you have to do certain things to achieve the same results as someone else but the truth is that there is no pressure. Move at your own pace and take your time to make sure your decisions are truly in order for you to grow and succeed in a way that is unique to you. "Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle" Accept where you are and know where you're going Recognise where you are and what you have achieved so far but also know that this isn't your endpoint. Where you are today doesn’t say anything about where you’ll be in the future. What matters isn’t where you are. What matters is your mindset, attitude, and where you’re going. Simply aim to be the best you can be! Compare yourself to yourself This is a more honest metric of success and will also boost your self-esteem.

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort” - Paul J. Meyer. Mastering self management is a pivotal habit which can help to alleviate the pressure of one’s mental health. According to a UK-wide stress survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, it found that almost three quarters of adults (74%) “have at some point over the past year (2018) felt so stressed they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope”. The causes of stress are multifactorial and may be a result of biological, psychological or social factors; this article will be setting a focus upon work-related stress and the different ways in which self-management strategies, based upon time management, are utilised to succumb this. How prevalent is work-related stress? According to the Labour Force Survey (HSE report), 44 percent of workers experience stress, depression or anxiety as a result of workload. Workload alludes to tight deadlines, too much responsibility or pressure. By occupation, professional public service industries (such as healthcare workers; teaching professionals and public service professionals) show higher levels of stress as compared to other industries. The prevalence rate for work related stress in 2017/18 was 1,800 per 100,000 workers. Relevance of a self-management strategy Self management is the driving force for setting up a successful day which facilitates continuous organization and execution. It is highly recommended that one should take the time to develop the self-management methodology which is best suited to their own lifestyle, in order to achieve better efficiency and fulfillment of targets. Methodology Number 1. Daily Goal. Notes and checklists of daily to-do duties. Some people adapt to a “one task per day principle” in order to spread out duties evenly. Methodology Number 2. Strict timing. Taking a step to orchestrate calendars and appointment times. A binary is made between the mandatory daily duties and the non-important activities. Allocating a suitable time block is then performed in order to fulfill the task. Methodology Number 3.Outcome-focused. Instead of scheduling to-do duties; predestined outcomes are planned and allocated throughout the week. These outcomes are then paired with a matched activity. This is a goal-oriented methodology. Methodology Number 4. Four Quadrants. The four quadrant rule is based upon the ability to make a distinction between important and urgent matters and their relevant importance. It is then highly advised to prioritise the activities in Quadrant 2 which aid towards long term development, setting a limitation upon Quadrant 1 to avoid burnout and avoiding Quadrant 3 and 4 which serve as distractions. Quadrant 1 Urgent/Important - Deadline projects. Crisis. Quadrant 2 Not Urgent/Important - Personal growth plan. Investment. Opportunities. Creativity. Quadrant 3 Urgent/Not Important - Interruptions. Matters based on the urgency and priority of others. Quadrant 4 Not Urgent/Not Important - Trivia. Time wasters. Busy work. Additional measures to strengthening your self-management is feeling less guilty for saying “no”, delegating tasks to your support system and developing a personal vision statement which helps to align all of your to-do duties into cohesion. Self management is a habit which needs to be exercised; thus it does not always feel fun during the initial steps but the long-term benefits regarding health and sociological benefits are essential. In addition; if you are experiencing high workload stress; it is essential to allocate rest periods for when they are necessary and additional help if required. On a final note, keep pushing! Written By Jade Okene Mental Health Foundation. (2019). Mental health statistics: stress. [online] Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-stress [Accessed 20 Apr. 2019]. Hse.gov.uk. (2019). [online] Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress.pdf [Accessed 20 Apr. 2019]. Covey, S. (n.d.). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.