James Powles (BSc (Hons) FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Oto) FRCS (ORL-HNS))
Name : James Powles (BSc (Hons) FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Oto) FRCS (ORL-HNS))
Employer : Charing Cross Hospital, London
University : St Bartholomew’s Medical School, London,
Subject : MBBS
Graduated : 1994
My typical week involves three outpatient clinics, four operating sessions, a teaching afternoon and two study afternoons. In addition to this I perform short, daily ward rounds. I am on call one day in eight and one weekend in eight, but I am based at home and, as a registrar, I don’t get many referrals! This makes it easier to maintain a healthy work/life balance, which is vital for the sanity of both yourself and your family.
The realities of ENT
ENT specialists do not just unblock waxy ears – they deal with a wide range of diseases of the head and neck. Operations vary from microsurgical procedures to major oncological resections and our patients range from neonatal to the elderly, with the majority being young and relatively fit. We use a wide variety of instruments including highly specialised endoscopic/ microsurgical equipment and lasers. Specialties that complement ENT include plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, paediatric surgery, neurosurgery and audiological medicine. It’s a competitive area so you will need a decent work ethic to get on but the rewards are there to reap.
Best and worst
The case mix in theatre in terms of patients and the extent of surgery makes operating very interesting. We operate on more children than any other specialty and it’s great to feel you’ve improved their quality of life. ENT surgeons tend to be a particularly friendly and content bunch of doctors, who fully enjoy both their work and life outside the hospital. This makes the specialty extremely appealing as you may end up spending as much time with your colleagues as your family! Since it’s a competitive area, it can be frustrating to see your colleagues in other specialties progressing slightly faster, and there is a constant pressure to maintain the quality of your CV throughout your training.
Don’t bother if...
... you’ve got ‘ten thumbs’ – dexterity is essential.