Medical Reminiscences

Abstract

Medical Reminiscences
NB as has been said in different contexts,
recollections may differ but the following
are my memories
Tell us a little of your time as a student at
Glasgow University.
I was a medical student at Glasgow
University from 1957-1963. My memory is
that the proportion of women in the year
was restricted to 1/3 of the 160 students in
the year. The six year course allowed us time
for long student vacations which I used to
the full; travelling one year to work as a
clinical clerk in Copenhagen and another
year with the National Union of Students
when 20 of us went as a student delegation
to Russia visiting Moscow Leningrad and
Kiev. Fascinating insights into Russian
medicine and state control.
I enjoyed a full student life being involved in
the students union. At that time there were
separate unions for men and women: Queen
Margaret for women and the Union for men.
We mixed very comfortably after 5pm and
student union debates were a highlight. It
was a golden age of student politics and
student debates with gifted orators such as
Donald Dewar, John Smith, Neil McCormick
and Jimmy Gordon sharpening their skills.
Tell us a little of your career and why you
chose the specialty you did.
I chose dermatology and in particular work
on malignant melanoma because of a
patient I encountered doing my surgical
pre registration house officer post. Mr X
was a Pakistani seaman who had been
admitted because of secondary melanoma
erupting in nodules all over his left leg
from toe to thigh but with no obvious
spread beyond the inguinal ligament. Mr X
spoke no English and interpreters were not
available. It was very clear that the
surgeons in charge of the ward did not
know how to manage the problem or how
to communicate with the patient. This took
me to general study of melanoma and its
treatment, to tumour immunology and to
patient support and communication.
Can you share some of highlights of your
career?
60 years on we know a lot more about
appropriate treatment of melanoma and
staging procedures. We are now much
more aware of the need for patient
support and information with support
groups for most skin diseases eg
Melanoma Action, the Psoriasis
Association and the national Eczema
Society; all groups who offer accurate
information to patients and also raise
funds for research.
From 1978-2000 I was professor of
dermatology and established an
internationally recognised department
which attracted trainees from overseas
Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

What would you say to your medical
student self?
I would continue to encourage myself
to take full advantage of the freedom
of student years and travel widely. You
will never be so free again.
What would you say to the medical
students today?
The current situation for students is
very different. I would however
encourage them to try to take part in
university wide events and societies
and not confine themselves to medical
school activities. Clerkships and
electives overseas give valuable insight
into the organisation of medical care
elsewhere.
And enjoy yourselves