Show Notes
In this episode, Dr Sophie Lumley interviewed Dr Nadia Tharib, a GP with an interest in expedition medicine, mountain medicine, tropical and humanitarian medicine. Find out how Nadia got into this field of work, the challenges and the highlights of her role and more! Top tips
The variety is unmatched - From following a group of teenagers doing a Duke of Ed to going to going to Mount Everest basecamp, there is huge variation in what constitutes as expedition medicine
Educate yourself - There are courses available to provide education in expedition medicine. There are also diplomas and masters level qualifications. These are a great way to build your knowledge and confidence and to network with like-minded people but they are not essential to be an expedition medic
Make friends for life - Expedition medicine is an exciting opportunity to meet a range of really interesting people, make friends for life and share your incredible stories with your patients in your day to day GP job!
It’s never too early to start - Don’t be afraid to explore courses you are interested in early on in your GP career journey. Nadia completed an expedition medicine course in her F2 which helped her to think on her feet and improvise – great skills that compliment everyday general practice
Trust your gut - In expedition medicine, have the confidence to recognise a sick patient when you see one and be prepared to potentially manage them on your own.
Is it for you? Nadia advises to go on a trip as a member first to find out if you enjoy expedition medicine, as it may not be suitable for everyone. For example being ‘on-call’ during the expeditions in often hostile environments whilst always remaining calm and positive can be challenging.
Dr Nadia Tharib is a GP Partner in Shropshire. She has an interest in expedition medicine, mountain medicine, tropical and humanitarian medicine. Nadia holds the UIAA Diploma in Mountain Medicine and the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Further reading
The Adventure Medic website: https://www.theadventuremedic.com/ Raleigh International website: https://raleighinternational.org/ World Extreme website: https://worldextrememedicine.com/ RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
More from The GP+ Careers Podcast
In this episode of the GP+ Careers series, host Sophie explores the medical examiner role with Bristol based GP partner Dr Justine De Mink. Now a statutory requirement in England and Wales, this position involves scrutinizing deaths to improve certification accuracy and provide an independent voice for families. Justine explains how the role offers vital clinical governance while impacting public health data and service funding. Discover the entry pathway, including 26 mandatory e-learning modules and specialised training for this "intellectually satisfying" addition to a portfolio career. RCGP Podcast Feedback Your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve the CPD products and services we offer. We would be grateful if you could please complete our short RCGP Podcast Survey, which will take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Top Tips
This episode of the podcast features Dr Charlie Andrews, a GP Partner in North Somerset who has developed a diverse career as a GP with an extended role (GPwER) in gastroenterology. His journey began after a personal experience with inflammatory bowel disease as a history student, which inspired him to enter medicine via the graduate entry route. Charlie highlights a new, fully funded national training programme he developed with NHS England, offering GPs a structured two-year pathway into the specialty. By combining clinical sessions in secondary care with a 12-month educational curriculum, the programme aims to provide career variety and improve patient access by bridging the gap between primary and secondary care. Top Tips
In this episode of the GP+ Careers podcast, host Sophie is joined by Dr Rammya Mathew, a GP in Northwest London and a borough medical director in Brent. Alongside these leadership roles, Rammya is a regular columnist for the BMJ and a GP appraiser. The episode explores her journey into medical journalism, from her early days being active on social media to being headhunted for one of the most prestigious journals in medicine. Rammya shares her tips on overcoming imposter syndrome, finding your voice, and the practicalities of balancing a varied portfolio career. Top Tips
Join us this month as Sophie speaks with Dr Maisun Elftise, a GP and Consultant in Integrated and Community Care working in an urgent care setting in Coventry. She highlights the improved work-life balance she gained in a shift-based model that eliminates traditional administrative burdens like practice lists and blood result follow-ups. Maisun also discusses her passion for tackling health inequalities and provides practical advice for GPs looking to explore this career path.
In this episode of the GP+ Careers podcast, Sophie interviews Dr John Diamond, a GP based in Northern Ireland as he shares his journey of developing an extended role in dermatology to tackle Northern Ireland’s multi-year secondary care waiting lists. Drawing on his experience with the Cardiff diploma and the GPECs elective service, he provides practical advice on finding a clinical "spark," collaborating with colleagues, and starting small within your own practice. Top Tips