Following the successful completion of your Apprentice Doctor Course, you might be wondering what your next step will be. For many of you, the obvious answer is joining a volunteer medical program at a nearby hospital. Doing volunteer services in the USA, UK or Europe is often a bland experience with students looking at medical procedures at … Read more
This is a true story. Only people’s names have been changed Mr Brown’s Story Mr. Brown – let’s call him Jack – was lying on his back in my reception area on a bench, his wife on another chair, and I was unsure if he was quite compus mentis (mentally normal). He stood … Read more
It was spring, a lovely warm spring morning like any other with the sun’s rays shining brightly through the bathroom window, but all was not well. Henry stood in front of the bathroom mirror, “Oh no, not again!” He exclaimed. Like a lot of teenagers, Henry has been suffering with acne. At first it was … Read more
A severe infection with aggressive flesh eating bacteria The video clip below documents an interesting case of an uncontrolled diabetic patient. He had a severe infection with aggressive flesh eating bacteria causing serious tissue damage and sepsis with an abscess forming. Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of infection as well as slower wound … Read more
I often get questions from students on how long it takes to become a doctor or an anesthetist or a surgeon – and the answer is: Forever! Let me explain? When you commit towards a career in medicine, you will have to study a certain number of years in medical school before you are qualified. … Read more
On rare occasion I have had the unpleasant task to go to family members waiting in front of the operation theatre and inform them that a loved one has passed away on the operating table. To witness the shock, pain, suffering and sorrow of the wife and children who have just heard that they have … Read more
Would you like to become an anesthetist? Or would you like to become a surgeon? Or how about becoming an oncologist, pathologist or registered professional nurse? Then pay close attention to this letter. This was my last patient on the operating list today: a 39 year old AIDS patient with a large cancerous growth on … Read more
One of the most difficult things about becoming and being a doctor is the demands on your time. As a surgeon, sometimes you have to get up in the middle of the night to go sort out an emergency. That has happened many many times in my career, but I’ll never forget a case I … Read more
Become a Paramedic Emergency medicine is a specialty of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries that require immediate medical attention. Accidents occur uninvited – that is why we call them accidents. Do you think you would thrive on the adrenaline and the fulfillment that comes from assisting injured … Read more
Hi there Apprentice Doctor! As a Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon, I do perform quite a number of jaw reconstructions. We use Titanium dental implants. About 30 years ago if a patient lost all their teeth, they only had one option, and that was to wear full dentures (false teeth) for the rest of their lives. … Read more