Today I opened my mail to a surprise. You see, I'd forgotten about the interview I had done a few months back about my time volunteering with Mercy Ships. Now that I am back in Australia and have returned to my locum life, it's been a while since I reflected on how my time on … Continue reading Silver lining
Living the dream
I've been a locum GP and rural generalist for the last six years. That's a really long time in locum years. So why do I choose to have no fixed workplace, and travel varying distances to practice medicine in locations I've often not been before, giving up the stability of a personal and professional life … Continue reading Living the dream
A love affair with that life-changing continent
"Africa - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller". Anon I have somewhat of a love-affair with Africa. We were first introduced in the pages of Jungle Book and later through the eyes of Sir David Attenborough and the BBC's extraordinary cinematography. Innumerable zebra on the endless plains, wildebeest crashing through the … Continue reading A love affair with that life-changing continent
A whole new language
It first happened on my third day in the hospital onboard the M/V Africa Mercy. It was the answer to a seemingly straightforward question: "Yes, I rounded with Dr Venter this morning." Even as the words left my mouth I couldn't quite come to terms with it. Rounded. ROUNDED. Argh. 'I did ward rounds with' … Continue reading A whole new language
Unconventional therapy
I descended the outdoor stairs to deck seven. It has been a pleasant evening chatting with friends in the cool breeze on top of the ship. A few minutes before I had heard singing, something I have become accustomed to in unexpected places and times on the Africa Mercy ship. Often the sound of voices … Continue reading Unconventional therapy
Finding my feet – the new crew physician
I’ve been here in my new home in the port city of Douala, Cameroon, for just over a week now. Life on board the vessel, Africa Mercy, has been seven days of learning, handover and newness. Here is an overview of my work life. Hospitalist My title of Crew Physician is somewhat of a misnomer. … Continue reading Finding my feet – the new crew physician
Off to Africa!
Location: currently 32000 feet, somewhere over Somalia Purpose: on my way to my next work adventure Destination: Cameroon, Central Africa Duration: three months Organisation: Mercy Ships Position: Crew Physician Feeling: excited, tired, with a touch of trepidation Earlier last year, whilst having an enforced extended period off work due to an injury, I applied for … Continue reading Off to Africa!
The tropics, medicine, poverty and our own backyard
Three years ago, I left my locum life in Australia to study in East Africa. Perhaps not the standard direction someone heads for a post-graduate medical education, but I wanted to gain the best first-hand experience whilst completing a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene. Africa seemed like the perfect place to do so, and … Continue reading The tropics, medicine, poverty and our own backyard
Six years #withSyria
Credit: Amnesty International UK This month marks the sixth anniversary of the start of the worst and most horrific civil war in recent memory. Young people, inspired by the Arab Spring in Egypt and Tunisia painted slogans on their school walls in the southern city of Daraa leading to protests and demonstrations in Damascus and … Continue reading Six years #withSyria
A tribute to those closing the gap
This Closing the Gap Day I want to send out a tribute to some pretty understated heros. Too strong an accolade? You be the decider. To my Aboriginal colleagues and friends – my life is so much richer for interacting with you. From challenging my perceptions about many issues, to advocating for your patients, … Continue reading A tribute to those closing the gap
This GP Life 