Graham Ross (MRCOG)
Name : Graham Ross (MRCOG)
Employer : East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust
University : University of Witswatersrand, South Africa
Subject : MBBCH
Graduated : 1986
As a PRHO, I was fortunate enough to gain experience in internal medicine, general surgery and O&G. Right from then I knew that O&G was what I wanted to do. It wasn’t only the surgical aspect of gynaecology that attracted me to it but also the high levels of job satisfaction associated with obstetrics. As I have taken on more responsibility at each grade, my enjoyment of the specialty has increased.
Working life
As a generalist in O&G, my week incorporates both antenatal and gynaecological outpatient clinics. I have both inpatient and day surgery operating lists. My area of special interest is in high-risk obstetrics and fetal medicine so in addition I run specialist antenatal clinics in this regard. My outpatient clinics are hospital based but some of my colleagues run community-based clinics. Being responsible for high-risk patients also means I meet expectant mothers more regularly. This allows me to develop a close rapport with them.
Good communication skills are particularly important in all aspects of my specialty, as is the ability to empathise with patients. My allied passion is for medical education. In addition to being the education lead for our department, I am the college tutor and hospital undergraduate sub-dean. Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as general student affairs form a substantial part of my working week. My hours are usually 8.00 am to 5.00 pm and I’m on call one day in seven. We still do Friday to Sunday weekends but these only come up every seven weeks.
Best and worst
It may sound like a cliché but it’s extremely rewarding to see the delight on a mother’s face as she holds her newborn baby. This even more so if you have looked after her through darker earlier times. The least enjoyable aspect is of my job is the paperwork and endless meetings.
The realities of O&G
It’s often thought that you have to sacrifice your life to do O&G. It is not true that you are on call all the time and always rushing to emergencies on the labour ward. Modern obstetrics and gynaecology is far more a multidisciplinary team-based approach. There is also the misconception that doctors and midwives are permanently in disagreement with each other – once again, everybody is part of the same team and I’m fortunate enough to be with a group of people who work well together. Gynaecology is also a very rewarding area in which to work. The skills required are readily transferable from those needed for obstetrics and visa versa. Many of my gynaecology patients will ask to see me particularly if I have looked after them during pregnancy.
Top tips
As a medical student, O&G is often the first specialty that allows you to become involved and become part of the team. Almost universally students enjoy their time in O&G. I encourage our students to participate on the unit rather than just being an observer. You’ll get to see the results of your efforts immediately and experience how satisfying the specialty can be. To find out more about what working in O&G is like, please don’t be afraid of talking to the doctors, midwives, nurses who have already discovered the joys of O&G.