Medics in Control

What happens when you've spent years building a medical career, earning qualifications and collecting professional credentials, only to realise that some of the things you've been paying for may no longer provide the value you expected?Join the Medics in Control Network. Join the conversation with other doctors rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction. Visit: https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkFor doctors, professional qualifications, titles and memberships can feel like an unquestionable part of a medical career. But what happens when you stop and ask: What am I actually getting in return?In this episode, Fanny and I explore the controversy around FRCA and Royal College membership, after I questioned whether continuing to pay around £600 a year to maintain my fellowship was still worthwhile.What begins as a conversation about four letters after a doctor's name quickly becomes a much bigger discussion about identity, professional status, patient trust, cost, value and personal agency.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why Jamie chose to cancel his Royal College membership• The difference between passing the FRCA exams and maintaining Fellowship• Why professional letters after your name can become tied to identity and status• How patients may perceive doctors with and without professional post-nominals• The potential mismatch between the GMC's description of FRCA and Royal College membership• Why doctors should question the value they're receiving from professional subscriptions• How professional memberships can affect doctors' sense of agency• Why the value of a membership can be completely different from one doctor to another• When paying for professional membership may make sense for your career• How your future direction should influence the decisions you make today• Why this isn't simply a debate about whether Royal Colleges are "good" or "bad"• The importance of fair exchange of value between doctors and professional organisations• Why reviewing your medical subscriptions could be an important financial exercise• How questioning established systems can help doctors regain control over their choices• Why professional agency matters when thinking about career satisfaction and burnout⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Identity, being a doctor and the letters after your name01:21 Why the FRCA conversation became controversial02:32 Jamie's experience with medical subscriptions08:46 What doctors are saying about FRCA11:36 Is FRCA a qualification or Fellowship?13:42 The GMC, regulation and ongoing competency15:18 What does FRCA actually signify?18:18 Have doctors earned the right to use the letters?21:25 The impact on patients and professional credibility25:41 The mismatch between the GMC and Royal Colleges28:03 Identity, agency and being more than a doctor30:38 Questioning the value of professional subscriptions32:45 How much did Jamie spend over 13 years?34:46 What value should Royal College membership provide?36:54 Would FRCA matter when applying for a new job?38:40 Making decisions based on your future direction40:34 The key takeaway: review what you're paying for41:25 Final thoughtsConnect with Jamie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegross-medicsincontrolConnect with Fanny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannysnaith/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations helping doctors regain control of their time, money, and direction.About Medics in Control:Medics in Control is the podcast for doctors who want more control over their time, money, and direction without leaving medicine.Hosted by NHS consultant Dr Jamie Gross and certified money coach Fanny Snaith, each episode explores the challenges many doctors face but rarely discuss openly, helping you create more clarity, agency, and options in both your career and life.

What happens when you've spent years building a successful medical career, only to realise that earning more isn't giving you the financial freedom you expected?Join the free Medics in Control Network and connect with doctors rethinking their relationship with time, money and direction:https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkFor many doctors, working hard, progressing through medicine and earning a good salary were supposed to lead to financial security.But rising living costs, pay erosion and NHS pension changes have challenged that assumption.Even well-paid doctors can find themselves taking on extra shifts or private work just to keep up with expenses. And when you're already stretched for time, managing your finances can feel overwhelming.In this episode, Fanny and I explore why doctors can struggle with money despite earning well, why working harder isn't always the answer, and how your beliefs about money influence the decisions you make.We discuss the eight money archetypes, how medical culture can reinforce unhealthy financial habits, and why building wealth starts with understanding your relationship with money rather than chasing investment returns.In this episode, you'll discover:Why a high income doesn't guarantee financial freedomWhy earning more may not solve your financial problemsHow to build a financial foundation before investingWhy chasing Bitcoin or individual stocks may be the wrong starting pointHow the eight money archetypes influence financial decisionsWhy doctors often avoid managing their financesHow medical culture shapes our relationship with moneyWhy childhood experiences can influence financial behaviourHow the Warrior and Magician archetypes encourage healthier money habitsHow to start taking control of your financial future⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Why doctors struggle with money despite earning well01:06 Taking control of your financial future02:43 Why financial freedom starts with a system03:53 Jamie's experience of financial overwhelm08:12 Building a strong financial foundation17:09 Why doctors avoid managing their money20:51 How money archetypes influence decisions21:49 Why medicine no longer guarantees financial security23:14 The danger of assuming you'll always earn enough25:48 Money types that keep doctors financially stuck27:14 How medical culture influences money habits29:59 Doctors' love-hate relationship with money33:19 How childhood shapes your money mindset37:44 The Warrior and Magician money types42:25 Why we repeat financial habits43:46 Discover your own money type44:56 Final thoughtsDiscover your money type:Take Fanny's money type quiz:https://fannysnaith.com/Connect with Jamie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegross-medicsincontrolConnect with Fanny:https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannysnaith/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations about reclaiming control of your time, money and direction.About Medics in ControlHosted by NHS consultant Jamie Gross and money coach Fanny Snaith, Medics in Control explores the challenges doctors face but rarely discuss openly, so they can reclaim agency and build a life worth waking up for.

What happens when the way you practise medicine starts changing faster than you can control it?Join the Medics in Control Network. Join the conversation with other doctors who are rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction. Visit: https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkNHS England is planning to significantly expand robotic-assisted surgery, with an ambition for 90% of keyhole procedures to be robot-assisted by 2035. But what could that mean for the doctors working alongside this technology?For many doctors, AI and robotics raise questions that go far beyond whether the technology itself is good or bad. As more routine and lower-complexity work becomes automated, delegated or protocolised, what happens to the role of the doctor and where does that leave your career in five or ten years' time?In this episode, Jamie and Fanny explore the rise of robotic surgery, the changing role of doctors and what an increasingly technology-driven NHS could mean for professional autonomy, responsibility and the doctor-patient relationship.We discuss whether AI and robotics could eventually take over more of the work traditionally performed by doctors, whether doctors could be left managing increasingly complex cases, and why an uncertain future makes it even more important to think about the value and skills you have beyond your current role.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why NHS England is expanding robotic-assisted surgery• What the current limitations of robotic surgery are• Why AI and robotics could change the work doctors actually do• What happens if routine and lower-complexity medicine becomes increasingly automated or delegated• Why doctors may be left dealing with more complex cases• How technology could affect responsibility and accountability when something goes wrong• Whether robotic systems could become tools for measuring and monitoring doctors' performance• Why the doctor-patient relationship could become even more important as medicine becomes more automated• How the NHS has moved towards a more systemised and protocolised model of care• Why doctors may feel they have less professional autonomy than previous generations• What transferable skills doctors have beyond their clinical role• Why an uncertain future doesn't mean leaving medicine — but it may mean creating more options• What doctors can start doing now rather than waiting to see what happens⏱️ Chapters:00:00 The future of robotic surgery and medicine02:22 How robotic-assisted surgery is already changing the NHS03:26 The evidence, benefits and limitations of robotic surgery11:40 Could robots monitor the surgeons using them?14:50 Could robotic surgery eventually be performed remotely?15:20 What happens if a robot can do your job?17:24 Why the NHS may increasingly delegate lower-complexity care19:03 How the doctor-patient relationship has changed since 194821:35 What could the doctor's role look like in the future?25:31 Why doctors could be left with increasingly complex cases26:11 Could AI change the doctor-patient relationship?28:45 How healthcare technology could become increasingly connected30:39 Why doctors are losing professional autonomy33:39 Who is responsible when AI or robotics gets it wrong?35:07 The growing question of responsibility in medicine38:04 What value do you have beyond being a doctor?40:00 Why doctors need to create more options for their future41:48 Why these conversations need to happen now42:55 What should doctors do next?Connect with JamieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegross-medicsincontrolConnect with FannyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannysnaith/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations helping doctors regain control of their time, money, and direction.About Medics in Control:Medics in Control is the podcast for doctors who want to reclaim agency and build a life that's worth waking up for.

What happens when you spend years building a career, only to realise you're no longer in control of how you experience it?Join the Medics in Control Network Be part of the conversation with other doctors who are rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction. Visit: https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkFor many doctors, losing that sense of control happens gradually. The demands of the job, endless responsibilities, bureaucracy and the pressure to keep going can leave you operating on autopilot.In this episode, Fanny and I explore what it means to reclaim your agency and start taking back ownership of your time, choices and direction.We discuss why doctors can become trapped in "doing mode", why self-care often gets pushed aside, and how stepping back from the constant list of things that need to be done can help you see your life differently.In this episode, you'll learn:• What agency really means and why it matters• Why doctors can feel like a small cog in a big wheel• How the medical career path can reduce your sense of choice• Why financial security can become "golden handcuffs"• How doctors can become trapped in autopilot and resignation• Why reclaiming agency starts with how you choose to be, not just what you do• How to step back and look at the bigger picture of your life• Why "I don't have time" can sometimes be part of the problem• How making time for yourself can help you regain control• Why constantly pushing through can leave you exhausted when you finally stop• A simple exercise to start recognising that you matter• Why reclaiming agency is the first step towards changing other areas of your life⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Why doctors are losing their sense of agency02:12 What does agency actually mean?04:08 Does the medical career path reduce agency?05:19 The knock-on effect of losing control09:19 Why doctors feel like a small cog in a big wheel12:22 The "golden handcuffs" of medicine12:54 Fighting the system vs reclaiming your own power14:27 Why agency starts with reflection17:42 What medical school doesn't teach you17:50 The never-ending A&E to-do list19:01 Taking agency beyond work20:18 The problem with "I don't have time"20:59 Why making yourself matter is difficult22:52 Putting self-care into your schedule25:07 The tsunami of things we feel we have to do26:11 When doctors fall back into doing mode27:56 Why you get sick when you finally go on holiday28:38 Why doctors shouldn't need holidays just to recover30:00 Reclaiming agency beyond medicine30:48 Who are you choosing to be?32:12 Reclaiming agency is only the beginning33:23 The 20-second exercise that could change how you see yourself34:14 Share your experience35:00 Final thoughtsConnect with JamieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegross-medicsincontrolConnect with FannyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannysnaith/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations helping doctors regain control of their time, money, and direction.About Medics in Control:Medics in Control is the podcast for doctors who want more control over their time, money, and direction without leaving medicine.Hosted by NHS consultant Dr Jamie Gross and certified money coach Fanny Snaith, each episode explores the challenges many doctors face but rarely discuss openly, helping you create more clarity, agency, and options in both your career and life.

What happens when you realise the career you worked so hard to build no longer feels like the career you wanted?Join the Medics in Control Network. Be part of the conversation with other doctors who are rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction. Visit: https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkFor many doctors, the problem isn't necessarily medicine itself. It can be the environment in which medicine is practised, the pressures of the system, and the growing distance between what they actually value and what their working lives have become.In this episode, we explore the idea of your “big why” - the deeper reason behind the choices you make and the work you do. Jamie reflects on why he chose medicine, what originally gave him a sense of purpose, and how that purpose can become buried beneath bureaucracy, organisational demands, and the day-to-day reality of working in the NHS.The conversation looks at why doctors can become resigned to an unfulfilling career, how easy it is to fall into autopilot, and why simply counting down the years until retirement may mean giving up more of your life than you realise.In this episode, you'll learn:• What your “big why” really means and why it matters in medicine• Why doctors can lose connection with the reasons they chose medicine• How the NHS environment can bury a doctor's sense of purpose• Why feeling disillusioned doesn't necessarily mean you need to leave medicine• What the “bandwagon of resignation” is and how doctors can fall into it• Why counting down the years until retirement can have a bigger cost than you think• How to identify what gives you energy and what drains you• Why taking time to reflect can help you break out of autopilot• How to reconnect with the reasons you originally chose medicine• Why personal growth can continue outside the traditional medical career path• How changing your approach can change the way you experience your work• Why it's never too late to reconsider the direction you're taking⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Why doctors are losing their sense of purpose01:24 What is your “big why”?03:07 Why Jamie chose medicine05:45 Is medicine about kudos and money?07:13 What Jamie really wanted from a medical career10:23 Start with why13:36 When the big why starts to disappear14:15 How the NHS can disconnect doctors from their purpose17:17 What happens when your big why is gone?19:10 The “bandwagon of resignation”20:47 Why counting down to retirement can cost you21:45 You don't have to accept the way things are22:48 The 20–30 minute exercise to regain clarity23:54 What journaling actually means26:01 Finding your original why27:55 When doctors stop growing29:39 Can your big why be rekindled?30:00 Changing how you approach the NHS31:42 What if you never had a big why?33:45 It's never too late to changeConnect with JamieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegross-medicsincontrolConnect with FannyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannysnaith/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations helping doctors regain control of their time, money, and direction.About Medics in Control:Medics in Control is the podcast for doctors who want more control over their time, money, and direction without leaving medicine.Hosted by NHS consultant Dr Jamie Gross and certified money coach Fanny Snaith, each episode explores the challenges many doctors face but rarely discuss openly, helping you create more clarity, agency, and options in both your career and life.

What happens when the admin meant to support doctors starts taking them away from the work they trained to do?In this episode, Fanny and I have an honest conversation about the growing burden of administration in medicine, from paperwork and mandatory training to appraisals, inboxes, checklists, and endless tick-box exercises.Join the Medics in Control NetworkBe part of the conversation with other doctors who are rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction.Visit: https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkWe explore the difference between admin that genuinely protects patients and processes that primarily serve organisational governance. We also discuss how layers of bureaucracy can build frustration and resentment over time, why doctors often feel unable to push back, and how constantly taking on extra work can blur the boundaries between professional and personal life.The conversation also challenges the idea that doctors simply need to "manage their time better." Sometimes the problem isn't time management at all. It's recognising what is actually your responsibility, what belongs to the organisation, and where you need to set boundaries.In this episode, you'll learn:• What admin is actually supposed to do for doctors• Why some administrative processes genuinely improve patient safety• How pointless admin can contribute to frustration, resentment, and burnout• Why doctors shouldn't automatically blame themselves for being overwhelmed• How bureaucracy can take doctors away from the work they trained to do• Why boundaries around emails, WhatsApp groups, and unpaid admin matter• How cutting admin staff can push more work onto clinical staff• Why doctors need to distinguish their responsibilities from organisational problems• How pushing back can force organisations to address inefficient systems• Why being intentional with your time can help you regain control⏱️ Chapters:00:00 What actually is admin?02:24 What admin is supposed to do for doctors03:59 Why doctors hate pointless admin06:34 How tick-box exercises affect doctors09:09 Why completing admin can feel satisfying10:55 When admin creates frustration and resentment13:33 The admin that genuinely protects patients15:06 Why doctors question the value of appraisals16:05 Is there enough evidence behind NHS admin?17:19 Why admin won't necessarily prevent another Harold Shipman18:09 Why organisations rarely remove things that don't work20:57 Why something should be taken away when something new is introduced21:58 Why admin frustrates doctors more than medicine itself23:26 Learned helplessness and burnout23:48 Are doctors taking on too much themselves?23:57 The problem with blurred work-life boundaries25:48 What happens when you're always on the back foot27:55 Why cutting admin staff creates more work for doctors28:50 Learning to push back29:32 Being intentional with the time you give to work31:00 Human beings vs human doings31:29 Regaining your internal locus of control32:03 Why boundaries matter33:18 Why it's okay to say no33:34 Could AI and outsourcing solve some admin?34:41 The big takeaway: pause and make a conscious decision35:20 Reframing organisational responsibility36:17 Final thoughtsConnect with JamieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegross-medicsincontrolConnect with FannyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannysnaith/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations helping doctors regain control of their time, money, and direction.About Medics in Control:Medics in Control is the podcast for doctors who want more control over their time, money, and direction without leaving medicine.Hosted by NHS consultant Dr Jamie Gross and certified money coach Fanny Snaith, each episode explores the challenges many doctors face but rarely discuss openly, helping you create more clarity, agency, and options in both your career and life.

What happens when someone who has always been highly disciplined with time suddenly finds their system no longer working?Join the Medics in Control NetworkBe part of the conversation with other doctors who are rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction.Visit: ⁠https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-network⁠In this episode, Fanny and Jamie have an honest conversation about Jamie's recent struggles with time management, distraction, and feeling constantly mentally busy. For most of his life, managing time has been one of his greatest strengths. He plans his days using structured time blocks, set clear priorities, and normally protect my schedule carefully. But recently, he found myself planning less, reaching for my phone more, and becoming frustrated when he didn’t achieve what he expected of himself.We explore why knowing what to do doesn’t always mean we’ll do it, how phones and social media drain both our time and headspace, and why even disciplined people can fall into reactive patterns.We also discuss the importance of genuine rest, creating barriers between yourself and digital distractions, planning tomorrow before today ends, and responding to an unproductive day with self-compassion rather than self-criticism.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why even highly disciplined people can struggle with time management• The difference between knowing what works and consistently doing it• How phones and social media drain your headspace as well as your time• Why scrolling doesn’t give your mind the rest it actually needs• How being constantly busy can make you reactive rather than intentional• Why planning your priorities in advance makes focused work easier• How simple barriers can help you break the habit of checking your phone• Why being hard on yourself after an unproductive day makes things worse• How movement, family time, and genuine rest can help reset your mind• Why effective time management should support your life rather than control itConnect with Jamie LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegross-medicsincontrol⁠Connect with Fanny LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannysnaith/⁠If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations helping doctors regain control of their time, money, and direction.About Medics in ControlMedics in Control is the podcast for doctors who want more control over their time, money, and direction without leaving medicine. Hosted by NHS consultant Dr Jamie Gross and certified money coach Fanny Snaith, each episode explores the challenges many doctors face but rarely discuss openly, helping you create more clarity, agency, and options in both your career and life.

Why do so many doctors feel like they never have enough time, even when they're working harder than ever?Join the Medics in Control NetworkBe part of the conversation with other doctors who are rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction.Visit: https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkIn this episode, Fanny and I discuss one of the biggest challenges facing doctors today: time. Many doctors feel constantly busy, stay late at work, and struggle to find time for their health, family, or personal goals. But is the real problem a lack of time, or something much deeper?We explore why doctors so often give their time away, how mindset and identity influence the way we use our time, and why procrastination, perfectionism, and fear quietly keep many people stuck.We also discuss practical strategies for taking back control, from setting boundaries and time blocking to building small daily habits that create lasting change without relying on motivation. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, constantly reactive, or wondered where all your time goes, this episode is for you.

Why do some doctors achieve everything they set out to achieve yet still feel unfulfilled?Join the Medics in Control NetworkBe part of the conversation with other doctors who are rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction.Visit: https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkIn this episode, Fanny and I discuss something that many doctors experience after years of following a clearly defined path through medicine.From medical school to speciality training and finally becoming a consultant or GP, the next step always seems obvious until suddenly it isn't.We explore why so many doctors lose momentum after reaching their career goals, why success doesn't always create fulfilment, and how understanding your values may be the missing piece.We also dive into why ambitious goals often fail, how identity shapes our behaviour, why self-sabotage happens, and why building small, consistent habits is far more powerful than relying on motivation alone.If you've been feeling stuck, reactive, or unsure about what's next in your career or life, this episode is for you.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why reaching consultant level can leave many doctors feeling directionless• How your core values should shape the goals you set• Why most people fail to achieve goals (and how to avoid it)• The importance of having a strong "why" before taking action• How small daily habits create lasting change without burnout⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Why even doctors struggle to change00:54 Life after reaching consultant level04:20 Why your values matter more than your goals05:53 The hidden challenge after achieving success08:13 Why reaching your goal isn't always enough10:22 Setting goals that align with who you are12:20 How a lack of goals leads to feeling stuck13:51 Why goal setting is harder than it sounds17:52 The danger of settling for compromise19:58 Systems beat motivation every time24:19 Identity, self-belief, and staying stuck25:20 Finding your "why" before setting a goal28:36 Starting small when you feel overwhelmed31:30 Atomic Habits and building consistency35:24 A practical framework for setting meaningful goals39:38 Why people struggle to choose what they really want42:19 Values first, goals secondConnect with:JamieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiegross-medicsincontrolConnect with FannyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannysnaith/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations helping doctors regain control of their careers, well-being, and future.About Medics in Control: Medics in Control is the podcast for doctors who want more control over their time, money, and direction without leaving medicine.Hosted by NHS consultant Dr Jamie Gross and certified money coach Fanny Snaith, each episode explores the challenges many doctors face but rarely discuss openly, helping you create more clarity, agency, and options in both your career and life.

Why do so many doctors feel stuck, even after reaching the top of their profession?Join the Doctor Reset Programme: https://medicsincontrol.com/doctorreset In this episode, Fanny and I explore a challenge that many doctors quietly face. After years of following a clear path through medical school and training, what happens when you finally reach consultant level and discover the next step isn't so obvious?We discuss why success doesn't always lead to fulfilment, how loss of purpose and growth can leave doctors feeling trapped, and why the answer may not be a career change at all. From identity and financial security to burnout, comparison, and personal development, this conversation shines a light on what is really happening beneath the surface for many doctors today.If you've ever felt stuck, disconnected, or unsure about what's next in your career, this episode is for you.⏱️ Chapters00:00 Why doctors are more vulnerable to feeling stuck01:41 Following a prescribed path through medicine06:39 What growth looks like when you're already successful07:55 Career change or life change?10:29 Why consultants lose their sense of purpose15:15 When job security starts to feel like a cage19:16 Identity, expectations, and the fear of judgment23:02 The reality of modern consultant life26:32 Why many doctors feel like a small cog in a big machine30:05 The 20 Minutes a Day principle32:45 Human doings vs human beings35:15 Why personal development matters36:26 Reclaiming control and finding what energizes you38:40 The Doctors Reset and taking the first stepJoin the Medics in Control NetworkBe part of the conversation with other doctors who are rethinking their relationship with time, money, and direction.Visit: https://medicsincontrol.com/medicsincontrol-networkIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe for more conversations helping doctors regain control of their careers, wellbeing, and future.About Medics in ControlMedics in Control is the podcast for doctors who want more control over their time, money, and direction without leaving medicine.Hosted by NHS consultant Dr Jamie Gross and certified money coach Fanny Snaith, each episode explores the challenges many doctors face but rarely discuss openly, helping you create more clarity, agency, and options in both your career and life.