S3 Ep 10 - Catch Up Episode with Imran, Doctor - Licence To Practise - from Pakistan to UK - OET for Doctors
** Sit back and listen, it's time for Licence to Practise by IELTS Medical.
Link: https://youtu.be/tDQimW_kgAo
In Season 3 Episode 10 - We caught up with Imran, Doctor; a UK registered doctor who moved to the UK from Pakistan.
Featured Course: OET for Doctors: https://www.oetdoctors.co.uk
Released fortnightly onto our Apple Podcast, (never miss an episode), Instagram, Google Play and YouTube Channel.
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Christina:
Hello. And welcome to another episode of Season Three of License to Practise from IELTS Medical. Today, we're going to be catching up with another one of my guests from two years ago, to see how he's been getting on for the last couple of years. Don't forget to like and subscribe so that you never miss an episode. And let's give him a call.
Christina:
Hello.
Dr Imran:
Hi.
Christina:
Hi. How are you today?
Dr Imran:
I'm good. How are you doing?
Christina:
I am very well, thank you. Thank you so much for coming on and talking to me again. I'm really excited to hear how it's all been going for you. Last time you came on the podcast, you had been living in the UK for two years, working in the UK for one. Now, just over two years on, you'll have been working for three years here. Are you still in the same sector, or are you doing something different, or what's been going on?
Dr Imran:
No. I'm in the same sector. And actually I'm very much enjoying my job. And actually, it's my field as well. But as you know, during last two years, we were living in a different world. It was tough time.
Christina:
Yeah.
Dr Imran:
Fortunately, we crossed it all. And I'm really adjusting in this place. And I'm really enjoying my job. And it was very good time. And yeah, you're right. More than three years for me. And it's going perfect.
Christina:
Good. Well, I'm very glad to hear that. Last time we spoke, I asked you why you chose the UK specifically, and you gave I loads of reasons actually. But I just wanted to touch on one or two just because obviously you've been here a lot longer now, you've got a lot more experience of living and working in the UK. You said that a big difference working in the UK was you had access to a lot of research. You actually used the words "groundbreaking research," and also that it was going to be good experience working in one of the biggest healthcare systems in the world. How has that been going for you, then? Obviously, you were only a year in last time we spoke. You've got two more years experience. Do you still feel the same about that? How is that all going?
Dr Imran:
Yeah, no. I'm doing well. As for research is concerned, I was in few projects and successfully I was leading part of those projects. It went well. So, by means of research I think I am reaching a milestone. And as per other professional growths are concern. Yeah, my academic growth is also going well. So, I think I'm following the 40 steps.
Christina:
Yeah. Yeah. Very good. You also mentioned that it was a great thing for overseas qualified doctors and nurses to move over to work in the UK health system. Obviously, that's been probably not the same as it was a couple of years ago because of the pandemic and it's not been as easy to move around and become registered here.
Christina:
Have you noticed any big differences, especially now that we're getting back to some sort of normality? What's going on with that side of things?
Dr Imran:
I'll say, still we are in need of healthcare workers in our system. We are lack of the staff, and definitely people are moving because of their own reasons. But definitely, our health system here they are short of people, including doctors and nurses and healthcare staff. So, we do still need people. But as you said very well, that because of pandemic, there are a few things which are changed. Probably they feel a bit challenging. But still, I'll suggest them, if they are looking forward to it, then UK is one of the best places for them. Definitely HNS is welcoming everyone across all over the world. And I am the example in front of you. Before three years, I was a different person. While working in the system, now I feel much better as compared to myself what I was three years ago.
Christina:
Oh, good.
Dr Imran:
Still there are lots of chances for my colleagues, those who are listening to me, for them to come and join here in the UK.
Christina:
Yeah. Yeah. Great. You've just mentioned there that you feel like you're a different person. Is that professionally, or is that everything to do with the UK, or is it just in the hospitals or the clinics that you work in and your career?
Dr Imran:
I think, as far as for my personal growth is concerned, yes. I'm in one the good systems. And fortunately, I've got a good learning environment. And actually, it's a blessing if are falling in your own department, in your own field. This thing happened to me. So, it was just a continuity for me to carry on where I left, myself, previously in the Middle East and then I came here. It was just for me to carry on into next setup. However, my field was the same. And definitely, again, me and professionally, I'm progressing.
Christina:
Yeah.
Dr Imran:
And I think everybody who is planning to join here in the UK, they will definitely get professional growth and academic growth.
Christina:
Yeah.
Dr Imran:
And you need to work hard for that. And everybody's working hard. So, definitely they will achieve their goals someday.
Christina:
Yeah. Good. That was really nice to hear. A really nice thing to say. Obviously, you've said that you've had a lot of professional growth whilst working here. But, as we previously discussed last time we spoke a couple years ago, you have had experience in the Middle East as well, and also you moved there from Pakistan.
Dr Imran:
Yeah.
Christina:
And you mentioned that overseas healthcare professionals coming to work in the UK can bring new skills and things that you've picked up working in other areas of the world. Have you found that you've managed to do that, at all?
Dr Imran:
Yeah.
Dr Imran:
While joining here as a very fresh candidate and joining as experienced healthcare professional, you don't need to start from zero, if you are holding an experience.
Christina:
Yeah, course.
Dr Imran:
What I did, I just collected all my experience, and then I just multiplied that here while joining in this setup. It helped me. So, if somebody is starting from the scratch in the NHS, definitely they need to work bit harder. But they will finally reach the step where they need to know that, yes, this is how I need to work.
Christina:
Yeah.
Dr Imran:
So, while working as a new professional as compared to the experienced one, is having some differences. But by the end of the day, everybody is in the same boat.
Christina:
Yeah. Yeah. Last time we spoke, I would've asked you if you had any advice for people that were thinking about moving over. I know you've actually given quite a lot already on this chat. But now that you've got more experience, now you've been here for a little bit longer, do you have any more words of wisdom for anyone that's considering starting their journey to becoming registered in the UK?
Dr Imran:
Yeah. I'll quote my example. When we were planning to move in the UK, I know it's bit challenging because we need to clear some exams, and so it is time consuming and it is a bit of a struggle. But trust me, if I can do, everybody can do it. This is my message to all my colleagues, those who are listening to me. It's not failure always. Keep on trying. And then... I'm the example in front of you. So, this is what I'm saying. If I can do, anybody in the world can do it. In one-liner, I can tell them, they keep on trying, and if are they're willing to come and join here in the UK, and if they have decided, then definitely they will come here.
Christina:
Yeah. Great. Well thank you for that. Thank you. I hope you've inspired some people, some more people, hopefully.
Dr Imran:
I wish. Yeah.
Christina:
Yeah. Hopefully. Well, look, thank you so much for coming on and talking to me, again. I'm really happy that everything's going well for you. And yeah, good luck for the future.
Dr Imran:
Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for calling me. And thanks for giving me this privilege. I'm really grateful to you.
Christina:
You are very welcome. And I'm grateful to you. And so is everybody listening.
Dr Imran:
Sure. Bye-bye.
Christina:
Bye.
Christina:
Thank you so much once again for listening to another episode of Season Three of License to Practise from IELTS Medical. Thank you to Dr Imran for coming on again, sharing all his wonderful words of advice, and hopefully inspiring a few more people to start the journey to move over to the UK. Don't forget to like and subscribe so that you never miss an episode. And we will see you next time. And, as always, to your success.
