Reflect, Connect, Empower: Highlights from the second annual RadReach event

As a co-founder of RadReach, I am keen to promote the benefits of building a strong network of allies and advocates. This is a key purpose of our RadReach events and along with the importance of reflection in personal and professional development was the focus of our recent second annual event. We welcomed medical school students and doctors who want to participate in our flagship mentoring programme, and with over 30 attendees joining us at the College offices in London, the day was filled with many honest, vulnerable and moving moments.

To begin, three RadReach Steering Group members discussed the practical skills needed to successfully enter and progress through specialty training. Dr Muneera Mohideen, RadReach Steering Group and WPMN member, shared the importance of seeking support and advice from a trusted mentor to guide you in building your portfolio and how to reflect on your experience to inform your application. 

An interactive session on interview skills led by my RadReach Co-Founder Dr Jade Scott-Blagrove, highlighted the importance of practicing interview questions in advance and going in with the mindset that your interviewers need good future colleagues like you. Getting over the interview nerves by recording yourself speaking, or having a mock interview with a mentor are great pieces of advice. Dr Zsuzsanna Iyizoba-Ebozue, RCR Fairer Training Outcomes Leadership Fellow, Clinical Oncology, shared invaluable tips on public speaking, reflecting on the importance of preparation, structure and developing an engaging style of delivery.

Schwartz Rounds

The second part of the day was devoted to RadReach Schwartz Rounds on the theme of ‘being on the outside’, and was co-facilitated by Dr Nicky Thorp, Medical Director Professional Practice, Clinical Oncology, and Aggie Rice, Point of Care Foundation. Schwartz Rounds offer the opportunity for healthcare staff to discuss the emotional and social aspects of their experiences at work. Three members of our community took the brave step to share their reflections on ‘being on the outside’ with the wider group. While their stories were all very different, they all spoke compellingly about the loneliness, shame and overwhelm that comes from a lack of belonging or support. It was clear that the stories they shared resonated in different ways for each attendee and that there is real value in building connections this way. We’re grateful to our storytellers for sharing their vulnerability and hope that our delegates feel empowered to reach out to the RadReach community for support when they need it.

Psychologically safe spaces

For the final part of the day, Georgina Charlton, Organisational Change Lead, Guy’s and St Thomas’s, reflected on the importance of psychologically safe spaces to ensure that there is an opportunity to speak up with ideas, questions or concerns without negative consequences. There are simple things that those in leadership positions can do to build a shared sense of psychological safety, chief among which, is to explicitly give people permission to speak up.

Overall, this was an energising and enlightening day for all of us and I hope that it has empowered our attendees to be authentic, vulnerable and brave as they progress through their training, careers, and indeed through life. 

RadReach’s very existence came from a desire to address racial injustice and challenged the RCR to take action. Our journey so far proves that each of us has the opportunity to influence and inspire others by reflecting on our experiences and sharing them authentically.