Sharp Scratch

Is medicine a career worth staying in? 12.06.2026 41min

What happens when the career you spent your life chasing no longer feels like the right fit? We are currently witnessing a massive cultural shift in medical schools and in training. More and more students and FYs are looking at "portfolio careers," eyeing the exit door, and searching for opportunities completely outside of clinical practice. But actually choosing to leave is difficult… In this episode, Zaynah Khan and the Sharp Scratch panel dive into how a dysfunctional system can capitalize on young, high-achieving, validation-seeking students until they are completely exhausted. But it's not just a conversation about quitting. For those who want to stay, we look at real, practical strategies to cope and sustain a lifelong career without losing yourself. Discussing - what makes staying in medicine feel worth it? Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

The F Word - Failure in Medical School 28.05.2026 44min

Why is academic failure surrounded by shame and guilt? Find out what support is available for students, and why failing may make you a better doctor in the long term. Zaynah and George reflect on failure in medical school - taboo, support, impact on identity- in this new introduction. Followed by Nikki's episode 'The F Word' from 2021. This week the panel are joined by Rakesh Patel, Clinical Associate Professor in Medical Education, to talk about failing - and why medical students are so embarrassed to fail. Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod

Mentoring in medicine - Is it really "who you know" that shapes your career? 01.05.2026 41min

Does who you know determine the doctor you become? Do you need a mentor to be a good doctor? How do you form a successful mentoring relationship in medicine? In this episode, Zaynah sits down with Professor Katherine Woolf, and panellists Judy and Sarah, to discuss the role that mentoring has to play in medicine. They discuss structured mentoring opportunities in medical education and training and to what extent they’re useful. How factors like race, class, and gender shape your relationship with your mentor, and whether that impacts your career trajectory. Together they share their experiences of being mentored and mentoring others, and how to create these networks. Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

"Is it my job to teach you?" - Race education in medicine 17.04.2026 40min

Is it the job of minority students to teach their peers, or even staff, about race in medicine? If not, then who is the right person to teach us? In this episode, Zaynah Khan sits down with expert guests and doctors Mehrunisha Suleman and Zeshan Qureshi, along with panellist and medical student Judy, to discuss how race is taught in medical education. They discuss the informal responsibility often placed on people from minority groups to act as a "spokesperson" for their community and the impacts this can have. Together they explore anti-racism as an academic subject and how medical research should be taught in medical school curriculums. Anti-Racist Medicine (Upcoming Textbook/E-Book - June 2026) An Essential Guide to Advancing Equity in Medical Education, Research, Technology, Policy, and Practice https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Anti_Racist_Medicine_E_Book/Y1YmEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

“I’m Not Like Other Medics” - Deconstructing the medical student stereotype 03.04.2026 40min

Are you a "medic-ey medic," or do you feel like a bit of an outsider? Medical school often comes with a heavy set of unspoken expectations. From how you spend your free time to what you’re "supposed" to be good at, the pressure to fit a specific mold can be exhausting. But what happens when you don't - or won't - conform? In this episode, Zaynah Khan sits down with panelist George and expert guest Dr. Sabina Dosani, doctor/author/editor, to explore the bittersweet reality of being different in medicine. Together, they dive into: The Myth of the "Ideal Medic": Why the stereotypes we chase might not actually exist. Belonging Without Conformity: How to find your space in the profession while staying true to yourself. Professional Identity: The idea that being a doctor isn't a role you inherit, but something you create through your own unique actions and adaptations. Whether you’re a"traditional" student or someone who feels like they’re constantly resisting the status quo, this conversation is a reminder that there is no single way to be a doctor. Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

This isn't what I signed up for - Moral injury in medicine 20.03.2026 42min

Why Medicine? We’re all familiar with the interview Q on our motivations for entering the field. But what happens when the expectations we had of a medical career melt away into the shocking reality? Is this really what you signed up for? In this episode, Zaynah Khan sits down with Dr Seema Haider, GP and trainer, to discuss issues of moral distress and moral injury in medicine. They are joined by Steph and Andrew, both doctors too, and together they share clinical anecdotes and lessons, from things that chip away at you over time as a medical student or doctor. They also discuss ways to hold on to hope, and take care of yourself and each other, whilst working in a broken system. Read Seema’s article on moral injury here: https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/views/guest-opinion/drexit-moral-injury-is-destroying-the-foundation-of-our-nhs/ Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

Bringing back joy and whimsy in medical school - Medics Comedy Revues 06.03.2026 36min

Medical school isn't all anatomical dissections and high-stakes exams - sometimes, it’s about satirical sketches, questionable choreography, and finding the "joy and whimsy" in the chaos of clinical training. In this episode, host Zaynah Khan dives into the long-standing, slightly eccentric tradition of the Medics’ Comedy Revue. Joined by the BMJ’s own Steph and Helen M who share their own expertise and stories of getting involved in their medics’ revues and hear from medical societies who share their experiences too. Save the Date! Save the Date: The BMJ Revue 2026! Join us on Friday, 15 May 2026, for a night of comedy, talent, and medical whimsy - all for a great cause. Grab a friend and come along for the laughs! More details here: https://www.bmj.com/content/391/bmj.r2619 Want to get involved? While the official deadline has passed, we’re still open to brilliant scripts and sketches. If you have an idea you’re dying to see on stage, email Zaynah at zaynah.khan@bmj.com by Sunday, 15 March 2026. Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

The £100k Question: Is Medical School Still Worth It? 20.02.2026 41min

Is medical school really worth the price? From juggling part-time jobs to the "funding cliff-edge" in clinical years, we’re asking the big questions: How are students actually surviving right now? Host Zaynah Khan explores the true cost of the medical degree alongside panellists Judy, Maz, and Elgan (co-chair of the BMA Medical Students Committee). We’re also joined by Dr. Callum Parr, deputy chair of the BMA Resident Doctors Committee, to discuss the "Fix our Funding" campaign and why 40% of students have considered walking away due to costs. If you knew at 17 what you know now, would you still do it? Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

Is the spectre of the GMC silencing the next generation of medics? 06.02.2026 42min

Medical student protest is nothing new, yet the spectre of the GMC often leaves the next generation asking: How will my actions today affect my career tomorrow? In this episode, Zaynah Khan is joined by Fiona Godlee, former Editor-in-Chief of the BMJ, to discuss her intentional arrest at a ‘Defend Our Juries’ protest. Fiona has also been involved in protests for the environment, throughout the course of her career. Alongside medical students and panellists George Webster and Elgan Manton-Roseblade, they explore the tension between medical identity and global crisis. Together, they dive into the emotional weight of today’s political landscape and identify safe, comfortable pathways for medics to engage in activism without compromising their professional futures. Read Fiona Godlee’s BMJ Opinion article about getting arrested, here: https://www.bmj.com/content/390/bmj.r1994 Fiona’s book reccommendation: Sorry for the inconvenience but this is an emergency – the non-violent struggle for our planet’s future – Book Review by Dr Geraldine Swift – The official blog of BMJ Leader https://blogs.bmj.com/bmjleader/2024/07/15/sorry-for-the-inconvenience-but-this-is-an-emergency-the-non-violent-struggle-for-our-planets-future-book-review-by-dr-geraldine-swift/ Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

Is there a universal medical school experience? - 150th Episode! 23.01.2026 41min

In honour of the 150th episode of the Sharp Scratch podcast, Zaynah Khan invites previous student editors to explore experiences of medical school during different times – from 20, 15, and 5 years ago to discuss whether or not medicine has changed for students. What is it that medical students care about while at uni? Are there new or different challenges? Have new opportunities opened up? Is there a universal experience of medical school? Thank you to Laura Nunez-Mulder, Tiago Villanueva, and Neil Chanchlani for joining this episode! Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student: https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

Do you take medicine home with you? 09.01.2026 29min

In this Second episode, Zaynah Khan - the host, Matt Morgan - an NHS Intensive Care Consultant and Writer, and panel member Nikki Nabavi - who is an FY2 Doctor, explore how medicine seeps into their personal lives, through the example of language. Together they discuss examples of medical jargon and work terminology that become inside jokes or are used completely out of context in their personal lives. Part 2 following the last episode in December - be sure to listen to that if you haven’t, yet! Happy New Year :) Resources The Dictionary of Blood and Silence Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

How do we describe medical experiences to others? - Christmas Episode 12.12.2025 35min

In today’s Holiday Special, host Zaynah Khan is joined by Matt Morgan, an NHS Intensive Care Consultant and Writer, and panel member Nikki Nabavi, who is an FY2 Doctor. Together, they explore the unique sensory and emotional experiences that healthcare workers go through, and the limits in medical language being able to encapsulate those to others outside of healthcare. Matt discusses starting the Dictionary of Blood and Silence and the process of coining new words to articulate medical experiences. Part 1 of 2 - stay tuned for Part 2! Resources The Dictionary of Blood and Silence Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7

Navigating medicine when you're deaf or hard of hearing 28.11.2025 36min

In this episode, host Zaynah Khan is joined by Resident Doctor, Benedict Richards and panel members George Webster and Anna de Beer. Both Benedict and George are hard of hearing, and share their lived experiences of navigating medical school and clinical practice. Together, they also discuss ways of supporting a colleague who may be deaf/hard of hearing. Videos played in the episode: Examples of mild/moderate/severe/profound hearing loss: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbBZjT7nuoA Example of student using a hearing aid - with teacher speaking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l37lzLIgQU Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7 Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod

How to avoid the 'Surgical Scaries' 14.11.2025 44min

In this Surgical themed episode, host Zaynah Khan sits down with Ms Samantha Tross, the first black female Orthopedic Surgeon in the UK. They are also joined by previous editorial scholars on the panel - George Webster, Éabha Lynn, and Laura Hope Nunez-Mulder. Together they discuss first or memorable experiences of surgery in medical school / as a doctor, and Samantha shares advice on navigating surgery, especially as a woman of colour. Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7 Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod

Dissection Horror Stories - Halloween Episode 31.10.2025 33min

In this Halloween episode, host Zaynah Khan sits down with expert guest Dr. Jennifer Wallis, a Senior Teaching Fellow and Lecturer in History of Science and Medicine at Imperial, and medical student Anna de Beer. They'll be sharing real-life dissection horror stories and experiences from current times, while also exploring the dark side of medical history and past influences of cadaveric dissection. Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7 Follow us on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://bsky.app/profile/bmjstudent.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod

Practicing creative writing to be a better doctor 10.10.2025 42min

In this episode, new host Zaynah Khan meets with Author, Poet, Creative Writing Lecturer, and Ex-Doctor Gita Ralleigh. They are joined by Khadijah, a medical student taught by Gita, and panellists Elgan and Maira who help explore the role of creativity within medicine and how writing can help enhance clinical practice. Fill in our feedback survey to let us know your thoughts about Sharp Scratch and content from the BMJ and BMJ Student https://forms.gle/hr9BWNYx6DkVrBSP7 Follow us on Instagram, X and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod READING LIST ⁃ ‘Unheard: The Medical Practice of Silencing’ by Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan ⁃ ‘The Undying’ by Anne Boyer ⁃ Arthur Frank’s framing of patient narratives ⁃ ‘The Empathy Exams’ by Leslie Jamison ⁃ ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ by Paul Kalanithi ⁃ Patient made writing and art ⁃ John Clare’s poetry ⁃ ‘Time is a Mother’ by Ocean Vuong ⁃ ‘Giving Up the Ghost’ by Hilary Mantel ⁃ Phil Whitaker’s commentary ⁃ ‘The Story of a Heart’ by Rachel Clarke ⁃ ‘The Prison Doctor’ by Dr Amanda Brown ⁃ ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’ by Jean-Dominique Bauby

Re-release: Reasons to be hopeful 21.09.2025 44min

In the final instalment from the Sharp Scratch archives, incoming Sharp Scratch host Zaynah Khan is rebroadcasting one of her favourite episodes- on hope. This episode was originally published on April 15, 2024. With the rapid unfolding of recent events in medicine, it can be easy to lose hope for the future. From low pay and staffing crises to the rapid changes to postgraduate training, it can feel like things are getting worse. But is this really the case? In this episode, the panel discusses what 'hope' really means and whether there's any hope for a better future in medicine (spoiler alert: there is!). They're joined by Anna Baverstock, a consultant pediatrician and well-being lead based in Somerset. Follow BMJ Student on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ X: https://x.com/BMJStudent Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod

Re-release: Anxiety 05.09.2025 38min

Incoming Sharpscratch host Zaynah Khan is rebroadcasting her favourite episodes, handpicked from the Sharpscratch archives. This episode on Anxiety was originally published in March, 2020. In our next episode, we'll bring you the third and final of Zaynah's vault selections. Anxiety's a natural part of life - under certain circumstances. And we know that med students and junior docs are more likely than other groups to suffer from anxiety disorders and depression. This week, the Sharp Scratch team talk about their anxieties, and hear from some expert guests on how we can manage anxiety day to day, and how to recognise when we might need a little extra help.This week's expert guests and contributors:Dr Stania Kamara is an ST6 Specialist Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry, and current Medical Director's Clinical Fellow at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges with NHS England and NHS Improvement. She is passionate about trying to improve access to good quality mental health care across the globe and has worked to develop services and build the capacity of the mental health workforce in a number in number of low and middle income countries. In 2015 she was shortlisted for the Royal College of Psychiatrists Core Trainee of the Year award and awarded the Queen's medal for service during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.Stephen Buckley is Head of Information at Mind, the mental health charity.For the resources Stephen mentions, check out the Mind website.https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/about-anxiety/If you are struggling with anxiety, you can get help by contacting your GP, university services or local services.If you need someone to talk to, one to one and confidentially, you can call the Samaritans for free at 116 123. Find more information on their website.https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Follow BMJ Students on Instagram, X and TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod

Re-release: Is there room for creativity in medicine? 23.08.2025 48min

New editorial scholar Zaynah Khan is sliding into the hosting seat for Sharpscratch. We've delved into the Sharpscratch vaults to retrieve three episodes for you to listen to over the next month as Zaynah settles in. They're some of her favourites - we hope you enjoy. Here's the first, originally broadcast in May, 2024. Often, we think of medicine as a science. We think of doctors as scientists and scholars. We pride ourselves in being ‘in STEM,’ supporting evidence based medicine and learning the so-called ‘medical model.’ Our view of medicine, it’s teaching and its assessment is framed by medical science, and we may not think of ourselves as creatives. In this episode, the panel discuss whether there is room for creativity in medicine, hear from some creatives in medicine, about how their art has contributed to their practice of medicine and their careers, and think a little about the creativity hidden within medicine. With thanks to Roshni Beeharry, Megan Brown, Antonia Peilober-Richardson, Raymond Matthews and John Launer. Follow BMJ Students on Instagram, X and TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod

How to get into medical school 24.07.2025 45min

In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel made up of Elgan, Anna and George get together to talk about medical school interviews. They are joined by expert guest, Paul Garrud who is chair of the Medical Schools Council Selection Alliance. The episode covers topics including how you can best prepare for medical school interviews, what the different types of interviews you may encounter are, what interviewers are looking for, and tips to help you manage nerves and anxiety. The panellists chat about their own experiences of interviews as well as their advice. The episode goes on to emphasise the importance of fitting in time to practice before your interviews, ensuring that you reflect on your experiences, and how to find ways to show authenticity rather than rehearsing scripted answers. The episode also discusses misconceptions applicants may have about what interviewers are looking for and the widespread availability of free online resources for preparation. Follow BMJ Students on Instagram, X and TikTok https://www.instagram.com/bmj_student/ https://x.com/BMJStudent https://www.tiktok.com/@sharpscratchpod