Interview from the Front-line
TAMS Team caught up with Dr Elizabeth this week, a junior doctor working in the NHS. We wanted to provide our readers with some insight into life on the front-line and how it has impacted her passion for Medicine.
Q. What is your name?
My name is Elizabeth Dami Desalu
Q. What would you say is an interesting fact about you?
At some point in time, I have studied four or five languages [French, Portugues, English and British Sign Language].
Q. What is your current role in the NHS?
I am currently working as an F3 doctor*
Q.What speciality are you working in?
Well up until last week, I was working as a locum doctor** in Paediatrics. But due to the current pandemic, my skills have been required elsewhere. So I am now working in adult medicine.
Q. What would you say has been the worst aspect of working as a doctor during this pandemic?
Seeing death on such a frequent scale. There was a day that three patients died on the same day, which is not normal. As a result, you have to constantly break bad news to family members, which is hard because you often have to do it on the phone as they can't come in.
Q. How would you say you have personally coped with seeing death at such a frequent rate?
My faith and speaking with other doctors. My faith as a Christian has pushed me to spend more time with patients, praying for them as much as I can. I have also been encouraged by regularly communicating with other doctors and expressing how I am feeling. However, this is quite difficult as things have become really busy.
Q. What would you say are the best aspects of working as a doctor during this pandemic?
Free food! For example, the day Nando’s closed they donated an abundance of chicken to the Paediatric ward.
Q. How has this pandemic influenced your perception of a career in Medicine? If anything, it has solidified my desire to work in Paediatrics. The total number of deaths I have seen this week in adult medicine is significantly more than I have seen in Paeds. And sadly, doctors are understandably not taking the time out to discuss and process how these deaths may be affecting them.
Q. Finally, do you have any tips for our aspiring medics here at TAMS?
Go for it and don't let anyone put you off! Medicine is so vast and there is something for everyone!
Research! Research! Research! Find out the various opportunities that are available, such as Extended Degree Programmes. I didn’t get the A-levels I wanted, but I thankfully got onto the Extended programme at King’s which was truly helpful.
Speak to everyone you can! Have words with anyone who is remotely in the field to find out more about their experiences. However, do not allow people to discourage you with their words.
Dr Elizabeth Desalu, Junior Doctor
* F3 doctor is an informal label used to describe a junior doctor who has chosen not to transition into a further formal training programme immediately after the successful completion of the UK foundation programme.
** Locum doctor is an informal label used to describe a junior doctor who has chosen not to transition into a further formal training programme immediately after the successful completion of the UK foundation programme.