We get a lot of questions about the work/life balance of being a neurosurgeon and whether it's possible to have family... hopefully this will answer that.
this post is awesome encouragement for dr’s wives... so much of what’s going on in our heads isn’t expressed and we feel compelled to withhold them in order to avoid undue distraction... but i thoroughly enjoyed tha bit about making sure that there is family like grandparents/kinfolks around... -happy holidaze👩🏾💻
What a great video! I've always envisioned that, to pursue neurosurgery, you need to "sacrifice" the rest of your life. Framing this as "compromise" is far more useful, and is very applicable to most careers. Thank you Alex 😊
I find your videos fascinating. I work as an apprentice ODP and it’s so enlightening to see a doctor passionate about their job and hearing how hard you had to work to get where you are. Often my colleagues paint surgeons as selfish and self absorbed but at the end of the day you are human and it’s great to see and hear how elated you were when your hard work paid off.
Well we can be. The stereotype is there for a reason. But we're all still fallible and very very human. Many have self esteem issues or big egos and it manifests like that. The stress of the job doesn't help either but it's something you have to work on day in and day out.
I’m a first year medical student in the US and have no current interest in neurosurgery. However, this is invaluable advice. I will continue to stay up to date on your videos!
I loved this video. Thanks for telling us your personal experience; this is very valuable for people like me, who are very interested in neurosurgery but were rather afraid of not being able to do any remarkable thing other than being a neurosurgeon. Very wise advice :)
This chanel is a source of blessing and hope. By your names I think you're believers. Even if it's right or not, I'll pray for you. My vocation is also neurosurgery, and looking to you, I see myself in future. With fights, failures but also joy and fulfillment of yours, but into a particular way. Stay close to Emperor, to family, to vocation. I know you try. I love your trying!:)) Thanks for reminding: " compromise".
Hey! Glad to see that you are trying and succeeding :) Cant help to ask, i am an a next to be IMG and trying to persue a carreer in UK. What did you do while you were not shortlisted to neurosurgery? You said to be on CST, so, that means you applied to do a different residency and then switched, is that right? If you dont care and could explain it with details, i would be grateful (cause seeing the requirements for the interviews to CST i got really scared haha) Best wishes!
Thank you so much for your advices, they seemed to come from the bottom of your heart. You know, as a young med student you have plenty of questions about what to do with life and how to become a better doctor yet not to forget about family. I’m in the middle of Med school and I still don’t know how to deal with things, and I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to help this rookie over here. Again, thank you so much, you’re like a role model for me. Greetings
Thank you for being so open and honest. I'm a pre-med student currently doing my A Levels and I love your videos! I've been fascinated by neurosurgery and I'm trying to immerse myself in the area as much as possible by reading books, watching videos etc. Do you have any book recommendations regarding Neurosurgery and/or Neurology?
Absolutely. Neurology - The Man who mistook his wife for a hat by Oliver Sacks Neurosurgery - When the air hits your brain by Frank Vertosick When breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi Do no harm by Henry Marsh
@@Brainbook Thanks for these recommendations. I really appreciate your efforts for posting such useful videos and replying to the questions in comments. Respect.
I was looking for explanations on why people gets forgetful as i tend to forget a lot of things now and came across your channel. Now im hook. ❤️ I forgot about my previous reason 🤣
Hi there! I am just about to graduate and embark on my foundation years from August. I was wanting to ask, how many first author publications had you done in order to get into Neurosurgery? Thanks, and all the best!
Great video Alex!! Would absolutely hear about what you did to improve your application, after having initially not being shortlisted. A great story of persistence, there!
Thank you for your very personal video, it is invaluable to hopeful prospects such as myself. I have a question that you may be able to answer, coming from a similar environment (EU). I'm a prospect for a neurosurgery position in Scandinavia where I study and have had all of my research in the past two years in neurosurgery. I will likely be offered a PhD programme if I'm not competitive enough on my day of graduation, which should seal my entrance. For the past few years I've not thought about anything but neurosurgery, but as the choice starts to loom for real and after having children, I start becoming conflicted on the quality of life and money issue. I could apply to dermatology or even general practice instead and earn multiple times the amount I'd earn in neurosurgery, doing half the work. Did those thoughts cross your mind as you were working to apply for neurosurgery? I realize you only apply for neurosurgery if you really want to do it, but I can't shake the thought of sitting comfortably in an office doing something I may not enjoy AS MUCH, but whether earning xfold the amount while doing it and seeing my family every day may outweigh that.
Yes I hearted only to remind myself to reply! There is a short answer to this, and that is to do what gets you out of bed every morning. Financial security is important when you have a family, but hating your job and yourself doesnt help anyone. Financial security doesn't help give you a sense of purpose, satisfaction or pride (well it doesn't for me anyway).
I’m seriously thinking about trying to become a neurosurgeon. My only worry is that it is gory! Is it cutting people head open and working on the brain or just bones? Thanks
Hi im a 5th year medical student from Australia who also does vlogs :) ur videos are incredible and inspiring . keep it up. Ur channel is gonna explode was wondering if u ever do paediatric neurosurg or is that a further subspecialty
@deoumipotatoes I did some practice q and signed up to one of the tutoring company medonline I think its changed now its ucat I think its very different I heard learning computer shortcuts helps tremendously hope this helps
this is so awesome! i was so curious about a real surgeons life at work and at home and with one search i found your channel. im so inspired by your channel!!
How would you go about someone who graduated from medical school in Ireland with an M.D., who wants to continue their training in the UK and more likely than not, practice there also? What would the next step be after medical school for foreigners?
I wonder how this differs from US neurosurgeons. I'm a current medical student in the US and all I hear about is the bane of EMR and legal stuff. Obviously our healthcare systems are different (ours being a mess), but I was wondering if you guys have to use EMR and how it impacts your work-life balance. Thanks, great videos!!
Oh wow I thought the whole residency thing was only in the US I didn't know that it existed in the UK I thought it was down as locum doctors or junior doctor or some known as clinical fellows or registrars but correct if I'm wrong I probably am so massively wrong and I apologise
@@Brainbook oh gosh that's longer than the US med school ... does the fellowship then require for med students to pick a speciality or can they cover pretty.much anything they want to?
I’m a woman and I don’t want have kids ever or married because I want to be a Surgeon they always put all the responsibilities on the mother even gives up her job for her children so I don’t want even maternity experience.
We get a lot of questions about the work/life balance of being a neurosurgeon and whether it's possible to have family... hopefully this will answer that.
Defentiy not a surgeon but your advise is so encouraging and a blessing . Thank you for sharing your story and being open about your life
I am so grateful that this channel exists. Thank you Brainbook Team for another wholesome and inspirational video ❤️
Thank you Gabriella!
I’m not a surgeon and don’t do anything to do with medicine yet I still find these videos very interesting. Amazing how hard surgeons work
I can barely take care of myself in med school 😂
I can barely take myself out of bed 😂
@@身赤-w3w😂😂😂😂🤣
You are such a sweet, sweet man for what you did for your family. You deserve all the success.
this post is awesome encouragement for dr’s wives... so much of what’s going on in our heads isn’t expressed and we feel compelled to withhold them in order to avoid undue distraction... but i thoroughly enjoyed tha bit about making sure that there is family like grandparents/kinfolks around... -happy holidaze👩🏾💻
omg I've just realized your wife reminds me of Emma Watson!! She seems so intelligent, put together and caring!
Haha that's sweet of you to say. Thank you
I thought same
She's probably banging some mail guy
Don't compare her to that radical feminist
What a great video! I've always envisioned that, to pursue neurosurgery, you need to "sacrifice" the rest of your life. Framing this as "compromise" is far more useful, and is very applicable to most careers. Thank you Alex 😊
It really is, not just neurosurgery. The same could happen in any other medical speciality if you invest too much time into it.
Brother... you r a true star. Love from East London to your family.
Thank you!
I find your videos fascinating. I work as an apprentice ODP and it’s so enlightening to see a doctor passionate about their job and hearing how hard you had to work to get where you are.
Often my colleagues paint surgeons as selfish and self absorbed but at the end of the day you are human and it’s great to see and hear how elated you were when your hard work paid off.
Well we can be. The stereotype is there for a reason. But we're all still fallible and very very human. Many have self esteem issues or big egos and it manifests like that. The stress of the job doesn't help either but it's something you have to work on day in and day out.
This was beautiful and it fits everyone not just neurosurgeons . As a dentist i can relate too . God bless you and ur family 🙏🏻
And God bless you too :)
Agreed. This message goes out for any professional. I am a Solicitor and have recently given birth to a beautiful baby boy😍
@@sobhiaayub538 many congratulations!
Brainbook
Many thanks. Bless you.
Thank you for your honesty including the info about failing at first.
I’m a first year medical student in the US and have no current interest in neurosurgery. However, this is invaluable advice. I will continue to stay up to date on your videos!
Glad you found it useful Chris
This is the channel that I’ve been searching for! I’m going to share your vids with all my Med friends. Awesome stuff!
Thank you Korona!
Thank you for your insight! This gives me hope on balancing my life during medical school
Medical school is honestly a time when you should also try to enjoy yourself as much as possible..
This is such a beautiful video, I love the message you give about compromise ❤️
Thank you Elena :)
One of the best ones so far!!
I already admired your work with this channel but this particular vlog really hit home!
Thanks for the inspiration mate
Thanks a lot Juan. I didn't think anyone would be interested!
I loved this video. Thanks for telling us your personal experience; this is very valuable for people like me, who are very interested in neurosurgery but were rather afraid of not being able to do any remarkable thing other than being a neurosurgeon. Very wise advice :)
I'm glad you found it useful!
I'm a aspiring neurosurgeon and this helped so much. Do you have any days off?
Haha sometimes. Yes we do. We take leave and have time off after our on calls. Many of us will come into work on days off though in order to operate
This chanel is a source of blessing and hope. By your names I think you're believers. Even if it's right or not, I'll pray for you. My vocation is also neurosurgery, and looking to you, I see myself in future. With fights, failures but also joy and fulfillment of yours, but into a particular way. Stay close to Emperor, to family, to vocation. I know you try. I love your trying!:)) Thanks for reminding: " compromise".
Very useful seeing that I want to be a neurosurgeon!
Thank you 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you 🙏🏻 for everything.......and all the love in the World to you and your family......👍🏼😉😎💯👌🏼
Hey! Glad to see that you are trying and succeeding :)
Cant help to ask, i am an a next to be IMG and trying to persue a carreer in UK.
What did you do while you were not shortlisted to neurosurgery? You said to be on CST, so, that means you applied to do a different residency and then switched, is that right? If you dont care and could explain it with details, i would be grateful (cause seeing the requirements for the interviews to CST i got really scared haha)
Best wishes!
What a wonderful, beautiful family you have. Congratulations on your choice of specialty it obviously suits you.
Thanks Holly!
Amazing message! Bless you and your family
Thank you!
Thank you so much for your advices, they seemed to come from the bottom of your heart. You know, as a young med student you have plenty of questions about what to do with life and how to become a better doctor yet not to forget about family. I’m in the middle of Med school and I still don’t know how to deal with things, and I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to help this rookie over here. Again, thank you so much, you’re like a role model for me.
Greetings
Blessings to you both..wonderful video to watch
Prayers for you! This is a great video 👍🏼
Wonderful talk.
Thank you for being so open and honest. I'm a pre-med student currently doing my A Levels and I love your videos! I've been fascinated by neurosurgery and I'm trying to immerse myself in the area as much as possible by reading books, watching videos etc. Do you have any book recommendations regarding Neurosurgery and/or Neurology?
Absolutely.
Neurology - The Man who mistook his wife for a hat by Oliver Sacks
Neurosurgery -
When the air hits your brain by Frank Vertosick
When breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi
Do no harm by Henry Marsh
@@Brainbook Thank you :)
@@Brainbook Thanks for these recommendations. I really appreciate your efforts for posting such useful videos and replying to the questions in comments.
Respect.
I was looking for explanations on why people gets forgetful as i tend to forget a lot of things now and came across your channel. Now im hook. ❤️ I forgot about my previous reason 🤣
Welcome!
do you get time to pursue any hobbies of your own? sports, exercise, music etc
This kind of made me cry.. 👐🙏
incredibly honest and love it man
Thank you!
Thank you for the informative video, wish you all the best!
Could you please do a video about what to do if you are not accepted into residency?
Yes absolutely
His daughter is cute
Hi there! I am just about to graduate and embark on my foundation years from August. I was wanting to ask, how many first author publications had you done in order to get into Neurosurgery? Thanks, and all the best!
Amazing explanation !!
Great video full of advice , thank you .
Glad it was helpful Majda
Truly amazing and inspiring, thank you 👍😊, jo
I hope it was useful...
AMAZING VIDEO, you're a role model too!
And a psycho
@@Brainbook 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@Brainbook You made my day ❤ Thankyou ⚘⚘
@@fatimasohail7045 :) pleasure!
You both look very alike. It's just brilliant, as I'd put it.
Great video Alex!! Would absolutely hear about what you did to improve your application, after having initially not being shortlisted. A great story of persistence, there!
I can definitely do a video on that. F3 years weren't really the done thing back then so there was a lot of anxiety about it. Now everyone does them!
Great advice
Thank you for your very personal video, it is invaluable to hopeful prospects such as myself. I have a question that you may be able to answer, coming from a similar environment (EU). I'm a prospect for a neurosurgery position in Scandinavia where I study and have had all of my research in the past two years in neurosurgery. I will likely be offered a PhD programme if I'm not competitive enough on my day of graduation, which should seal my entrance. For the past few years I've not thought about anything but neurosurgery, but as the choice starts to loom for real and after having children, I start becoming conflicted on the quality of life and money issue. I could apply to dermatology or even general practice instead and earn multiple times the amount I'd earn in neurosurgery, doing half the work. Did those thoughts cross your mind as you were working to apply for neurosurgery? I realize you only apply for neurosurgery if you really want to do it, but I can't shake the thought of sitting comfortably in an office doing something I may not enjoy AS MUCH, but whether earning xfold the amount while doing it and seeing my family every day may outweigh that.
Thank you for hearting my comment but I'm actually very interested in a reply if you could find the time. Again, thank you!
Yes I hearted only to remind myself to reply! There is a short answer to this, and that is to do what gets you out of bed every morning.
Financial security is important when you have a family, but hating your job and yourself doesnt help anyone. Financial security doesn't help give you a sense of purpose, satisfaction or pride (well it doesn't for me anyway).
@@Brainbook Thank you!
I’m seriously thinking about trying to become a neurosurgeon. My only worry is that it is gory! Is it cutting people head open and working on the brain or just bones? Thanks
Obviously you work on the brain
Hi
im a 5th year medical student from Australia who also does vlogs :)
ur videos are incredible and inspiring . keep it up. Ur channel is gonna explode
was wondering if u ever do paediatric neurosurg or is that a further subspecialty
@deoumipotatoes I did some practice q and signed up to one of the tutoring company medonline I think
its changed now its ucat I think its very different I heard learning computer shortcuts helps tremendously
hope this helps
This is so inspiring
Really a great video !!! Sir can you plz make a video on salary of GPs n consultants in UK !!! N how much more can they earn !?
Can I still be a surgeon if I start medical school in my late 20s?
Of course you can!
I did.
I'll be starting at 32.. It's never too late. It actually helps you stand out.
Being a neurosurgeon, my story relates with your one
You are doing a great job.
this is so awesome! i was so curious about a real surgeons life at work and at home and with one search i found your channel. im so inspired by your channel!!
Was it difficult having kids while being in residency??
“But we do get time even if it’s for a few hours” 😂 ha surgeons should marry surgeons I guess
well done mate, great vid
Thanks Seb and congrats to you ;)
I just found this channel. Now I'm curious of how different the path is to become a neurosurgeon in the UK is to NA.
NA?
NA is North America.
Find a decent balance ! 😊
How would you go about someone who graduated from medical school in Ireland with an M.D., who wants to continue their training in the UK and more likely than not, practice there also? What would the next step be after medical school for foreigners?
Very inspiring
Please what did u do personally to get into the programme?
What’s the difference between a neurosurgery registrar and a neurosurgical resident?
you made me tear up!
Oh no! Hopefully not in a bad way!
Not at all! Hearing the story about you calling your wife is pure inspiration!
I wonder how this differs from US neurosurgeons. I'm a current medical student in the US and all I hear about is the bane of EMR and legal stuff. Obviously our healthcare systems are different (ours being a mess), but I was wondering if you guys have to use EMR and how it impacts your work-life balance. Thanks, great videos!!
I mean good going boss
Thanks mate!
Alex what was the ‘some stuff’ you did to help you get into neurosurgery ?
I want to be a neurosurgeon and I will be a neurosurgeon
What did u get in your A levels?
AAB
B in chemistry
what was your planB?
😂❤ may god bless your family and please download more videos dr Alex
Wow!
Oh wow I thought the whole residency thing was only in the US I didn't know that it existed in the UK I thought it was down as locum doctors or junior doctor or some known as clinical fellows or registrars but correct if I'm wrong I probably am so massively wrong and I apologise
That's ok, that's what the channel is for :) a registrar is a resident. Our training programme is 8 years plus a fellowship usually.
@@Brainbook oh gosh that's longer than the US med school ... does the fellowship then require for med students to pick a speciality or can they cover pretty.much anything they want to?
It wouldn't be as a med student. We've done a video on the whole process here:
ruclips.net/video/yV5KLDx5cms/видео.html
I’m female so I’d have maternity leave, could I still be a neurosurgeon and have a normal family life
There’s no way you can have a normal life while working 100+ hours every week ://
How to approach you ,I have a big nerves problem
Cool...
❤️❤️❤️❤️ baby girl
Nice video
Thanks for the insight
It's a pleasure
❤
Why do you say after several years of failure?
Are you saudi ?
No I'm not. Warm though
I’m 13, what am I doing here?
Me too lol
doc you looked like a model back in the days. well you do now too ^^
Lol I don't think I ever did and certainly don't now! But thank you anyway :)
Is your wife a physician as well?
🤗😭♥️
I’m a woman and I don’t want have kids ever or married because I want to be a Surgeon they always put all the responsibilities on the mother even gives up her job for her children so I don’t want even maternity experience.
Hello Doctor ! What is ur nationality?
Half Iranian half Yemeni
Soo I’m only eleven so do you guys think I could still be a surgeon without robots taking over? Someone pls reply 😰
Robots will probably work with surgeons
How can you even make money while you are learning neurosurgery?
Sir please help meeeeeeeeee.
0
Imagine crying about your career when ur 14🙋🏼♀️🥺
Same story here
Im 13 and stressing on how hard medicine will be if i wanted to do it
Lovely life story but you need braces