February 2005

I'm getting ready to join the Sun Princess on 17th February 2005 for my first four-month assignment as ship's doctor, cruising the Mexican Rivera.

Medicine is one of those fields that allows you to travel around the world if you want to, which is the path I decided to take in my career. My background is in emergency medicine but I also developed a specialism in expedition medicine.

Despite my work in international and maritime medicine, being a ship's doctor on a cruise ship is still a new experience for me and one that I am very much looking forward to. I think it's ideal to combine work with travel and I love the thought of waking up in a different place every day.

I wouldn't say that I was worried about anything, except perhaps putting on a bit of weight! There is such a regular passenger changeover on the ships that I hope to treat a broad range of medical conditions. As the junior doctor I will also be taking the daily clinics for the crew and in essence, become their regular GP for the months they are onboard. I think you have to be prepared for anything in this role. Alongside the senior doctor and team of nurses, I'll be operating a general practice, A&E department and an intensive care ward onboard! I'm guessing that my experience in expedition medicine will come in handy when advising crew and passengers about health and safety measures in different countries. For example, whether the ice ashore is safe to drink or not! Perhaps what I will welcome most is the opportunity to take time over patient care and really see it through from start to finish, which is often a luxury in medicine these days.

Of course there are the additional perks such as the pay, tax-free incentives, and general cruise ship lifestyle - but I know that I'm going to be driven by the interesting medicine and the opportunity to see more of the world than anything else. I think this is an exciting time to pursue a career in maritime medicine as it is advancing by the minute and any qualified doctor with three years experience including A&E or CCU/ICU can apply.

Next time you hear from me I will have completed my first week onboard the Sun Princess - bon voyage!"