Episode 15: Dr Richard Laurent - Perpetual Physical Challenges, Barbican Student-Slumming, "Don't Just Do Something Stand There..." And The Phenomenon Of The 'Topper'

For the first installment of this double-platter edition, I have the sincerest pleasure to be presenting the powerful Dr Richard Laurent, now retired Maidstone GP and former  Programme Director of the Maidstone Vocational-Training Scheme- the organization that births new GPs every year. Richard has had a big impact on me in my early days when i trained on the VTS scheme. I found his example of keeping fit and rising to personal physical challenge ( mountain trekking and cycling anywhere and everywhere in Kent)  inspiring enough for me to change my life accordingly, having let the wheels fall off a bit at medical school. As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery. During the interview we talk about the time my world was shattered when i witnessed the cold assassination of a family-sized Diary Milk bar,  and Richard elaborates a bit about the time his consulting room was invaded by chocolate and Dorito crisps  on the 'last day of term’However, we do get serious from the start, and Richard reflects on how his medical school days  and early career changed course, becoming defined by family illness and tragedy that altered his outlook significantly, perhaps even for the remainder of his career. We lighten the mood as we discuss paradoxical yuppy-student life in luxury flats in the Barbican of London, and why his wife Liz is his greatest asset, which provides a more wide angled view of why wife's are so important in medicine. Poignantly,  Richard muses on why retired doctors are rarely quoted as stating “i wish i earnt more money in my career”, but are, in fact,  more likely to say “I wish I spent more time with my kids”..... We get embroiled into some deep and dark intra-partnership ethical murky water with the model of Dr Efficient versus Dr Popular, and the more widespread issues this throws up. Richard delivers a powerful piece of wisdom that he has fostered in his career of “Don't just do something, stand there”. What resonated with me however was the paradox of the Topper…..and why we should put it firmly back into the consulting desk drawer at all opportunities. This episode was an important one for me, perhaps even a perennial wish for the last 20 years.  What would be important for listeners to realize is that Richard spent several months deliberating whether he had anything interesting to say and worried about being boring. My feeling is quite the opposite, and Richard takes off like a rocket. For me, it certainly lived up to expectations, i hope it does for you, and sets you up nicely for part two next week.