We are UHB: Yathu Maheswaran, Junior Doctor Anaesthetics

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust runs Good Hope, Heartlands, Queen Elizabeth, and Solihull hospitals and Solihull community services.

My career has taken me around the world, from studying medicine in London, to working in the West Midlands and even a short spell in New Zealand. In this time, I have dabbled in student politics and amateur dramatics, but also developed my professional interests in global health, medical education and the challenges healthcare professionals face in an increasingly digital world.

I considered many different career options, but ultimately decided on medicine because of the academic challenge, the wide-range career possibilities and the opportunities to work with so many different people. I am currently in training to become an anaesthetist, working on the intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. For me, working as a doctor is all about people and it is my privilege to, not only care for the patients, but also to be able to work closely with a wide range of colleagues, who are all integral to the functioning of the healthcare service. Anaesthetists get to work throughout the hospital setting, including in theatres, intensive care, and the maternity department. This variety is largely what drew me to the speciality.

As an anaesthetist in training a typical working day includes multiple ward rounds reviewing the patients’ progress, seeking advice from other specialties, and having discussions with patients’ families. All of the work is alongside the nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals in the intensive care team. It can be a challenging environment to work in, but it is very stimulating and a great place for teaching and learning.

I’m enjoying living and working in Birmingham; it is such a diverse and vibrant city. At work this means that I am always meeting interesting patients, and in my free time there are plenty of things to keep me busy!

In addition to my clinical roles, I have recently been awarded a scholarship by the Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA). The academy aims to foster frontline innovation and nurture the next generation of healthcare leaders. For me, it is an opportunity to develop my research interests and collaborate with professionals across the world to address challenges in healthcare.

In recent years, one of the many challenges to come to light is that of misinformation and the spreading of false or misleading information. While it is not a new problem, digital technology and social media platforms have amplified it, especially during times of uncertainty. We can see that this can have an affect of the public ignoring health guidance, vaccine hesitancy and an impact on mental health.

Over the next year, with my HLA scholarship, I will be creating educational resources and campaigning to guide healthcare professionals in the use of online media and digital platforms. I hope to explore the role misinformation could play in future global crises and the socio-political and public health implications this could have.

At the centre of this project is the hope that people can be safe from harmful content whilst continuing to stay connected to each other and be well informed. It is, as with much of my clinical work, all about people.

There’s so many career possibilities at UHB. Find yours on our jobs’ website:

www.jobs.uhb.nhs.uk