"I absolutely loved it, the whole team was so great, it was like a family all helping each other"
04 November, 2024
This blog post interview with Dr Fatma Ghoneim is part of the 2024 Choose Psychiatry campaign.
Why did you choose psychiatry?
That goes way back to when I was at college when I had psychiatry rotation I found it very interesting.
I admit it was a bit scary at first for me but made me very intrigued and curious to understand more. It’s amazing to know more about the human mind although we still don’t know a lot about it despite today’s medical advances which makes psychiatry a specialty that has a lot to explore and do research on.
Can you tell us about your years in core training?
I have 2 rotations (6 months each) in adult psychiatry, one rotation in older adult psychiatry and one rotation in intellectual disabilities psychiatry.
When I worked in old age ward it was a dementia ward, I absolutely loved it, the whole team was so great, it was like a family all helping each other. The consultant was so gentle and humble offering food to patients and helping different members of the team.
The registrar was very supportive as well. We had a project that we worked on to improve performing blood tests for inpatients and it got very good results and we also presented it in the RCPsych congress 2023 in Liverpool which was a great experience.
It was a different experience when I worked in the adult wards; There was always something happening. Things go at a fast pace, not like the older adult ward.
I think it was good experience for me to have my first year in training in the adult psychiatry rotations, it gave me a lot of experience and I learned a lot which helped me in the next years of my training.
My rotation in intellectual disabilities psychiatry was inpatient and outpatient.
It was very lovely, We work with a lot of teams, the Multi Disciplinary Team is crucial in working there, I think I loved the most how in this rotation different teams were working together in a harmony, supporting each other and supporting patients, their parents and their carers very effectively.
You’re currently on maternity leave during your CT3 year – how have you found that, and have colleagues been supportive?
Which psychiatric speciality do you want to pursue during Higher Training and why?
I would like to pursue combined training in adult and older adults in higher training and perhaps to special interest in psychotherapy.
I enjoyed working in both of these specialties, although it’s quite difficult somehow as you’re dealing with different generations different ideas however it’s very interesting to be exposed to this difference at work I think it will be very enriching.
What are you most looking forward to in Higher Training?
I look forward to learning more and teaching my colleagues.
I’ve always loved teaching and I’ve been trying to arrange some sessions while in my training for medical students and nurses.
I’d like to apply for one of the fellowships available for higher training, like clinical artificial intelligence or education as it has been always one of my passions.
Would you recommend psychiatry as a career to medical students and foundation doctors?
I would recommend psychiatry for medical students and I usually do this when I discuss with students rotating in psychiatry. It’s a very interesting speciality, it’s very satisfying how you are able to change not only your patient’s life completely but also their families.
it’s not an easy task to do, and needs hard work and commitment but it’s very rewarding.
Where do you hope to be in your career in five years’ time?
I think I might be toward the end of my higher training as I plan to apply for the full-time as I would like to maintain work-life balance and keep time for my family and my daughter.
I hope to learn more with regard to my training in psychiatry, being involved in teaching for my colleagues and being involved in more quality improvement project. I’d like to apply to be part of the Psychiatric Trainees’ Committee again as it’s a great opportunity to keep trainees voice heard.
Blog Author
Dr Fatma Ghoneim
England - Eastern
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