This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of pregnancy loss and death.

Kay explains that it is difficult to leave a career in medicine as there is always a new role just around the corner. When he became a senior registrar, he felt the perks of being a consultant (better pay, fewer hours, and the stability of staying within one hospital) were within reach. However, the role was also highly stressful as, out of hours, he was the most senior staff member. He was called on when the SHO and registrar were unable to deal with a problem. Due to the weight of this responsibility, he would anxiously pace the labor ward, checking for potential problems before they arose. He also developed high blood pressure.

Monday, 9 August 2010 - Friday, 24 September 2010

For the first time, a couple named their baby Adam, after Kay. He was delighted until he learned that approximately 9 out of 1,200 babies in the UK were named Adam. As he had delivered at least 1,200 babies, Kay surmised that he had discouraged “eight sets of parents from naming their child after [him]” (235).

In his new post as senior registrar, Kay had to familiarize himself with new eligibility criteria for infertility treatment, as the regulations differed according to region.