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13th August, 2024

“Having it All” as a Woman in Medicine

With Dame Carol Black

Photo of Dame Carol Black

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On this episode

Balancing personal life with a busy career in medicine is tough. It can feel almost impossible, even without thinking about having children.But help is out there. We can find mentors and adopt strategies to help us stay centred and effective.

In this special episode in partnership with the Physician Mums UK Facebook Group, Dame Carol Black discusses putting on her metaphorical helmet and Teflon coat for tough days, and presents her take on the often-raised question “Can professional women ‘have it all’?”

Without seeking the right support, we can end up overwhelmed and feel unsupported in our work. This can lead to dissatisfaction both at work and at home. And if leaders aren’t trained, their own mental ill-health can have a dramatic negative effect on teams.

But if you’re looking for support, this episode will help you find a potential mentor and reach out to them. Whether it’s someone in your network or a professional whose work you admire, support for women in medicine is within reach.

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About the guests

Dame Carol Black photo

Reasons to listen

  • To understand the challenges and strategies for balancing a demanding medical career with personal life
  • To learn effective leadership and communication skills in high-stakes environments
  • To discover the importance and impact of mentorship in professional development

Episode highlights

00:05:20

Dealing with the media

00:08:14

“Don’t talk to me about being a woman doctor”

00:10:06

The importance of mentorship

00:12:27

Finding a mentor

00:17:46

How you can have it all

00:22:10

The problem with workplace wellbeing

00:35:08

What to do if you’re not feeling cared for

00:39:24

Dame Carol’s priorities for fixing the workplace

Episode transcript

[00:00:00] Rachel: The question can women really have at all has become a cliche that’s formed the basis of countless articles in the New York times, the Guardian, the BBC, even. And balancing a successful career in medicine with childbirth childcare, a relationship and all the expectations that come with it, it’s a daunting prospect. [00:00:19] That’s why I was delighted when my guests, this week, Dame Carol Black gave me her very own take on this seemingly impossible issue. So for this summer special You Are Not a Frog is once again, teaming up with the PMG UK Facebook…

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