News
Faces of Joondalup – Dr Michael Gomes
May 03, 2024
In recognition of Heart Week, we celebrate the life changing work of our cardiology team, including registrar Dr Michael Gomes who is treading new ground enhancing the department’s training of junior doctors.
Born and trained in the UK, Michael came to Australia as a Resident Medical Officer (RMO), a move inspired by his childhood obsession with Steve Irwin.
Michael’s first experience with Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) was in 2017 as part of a rotation as a RMO from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital- a rotation option which continues today.
“I’ve been attracted back to JHC since then for multiple training opportunities as I’ve found the department to be one that really cares about me, my professional development and wants to help me succeed,” Michael said.
In his role as registrar, he’s worked with new Head of Department Cardiology Dr Wasing Taggu to redesign the education program for junior medical staff from interns through to registrars to make the specialty and its training at JHC even more attractive for junior doctors.
“We have weekly lectures on core topics delivered by consultants or senior registrars, a bi-weekly medical journal club where we review articles on emerging research, techniques and trends, and a weekly “ECG (electrocardiogram) of the week” competition where we invite the junior doctors to submit their diagnosis and award prizes,” Michael said.
Michael has had the opportunity to develop his own skills through caring for patients in the Coronary Care Unit, reviewing patients in the Emergency Department, and patients from other specialties and in theatre.
“In cardiology you need to be quick-thinking and flexibile in decision-making as patients can present in a whole host of ways, and are frequently unstable, necessitating rapid assessment and management plans,” he said.
“I’ve had great exposure in the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory - learning and practicing some of the basic skills required for coronary angiography, and the highlight for me so far has been my first pericardiocentesis where, under consultant supervision, I drained a large amount of fluid from the pericardium, a sac surrounding the heart.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be encouraged, and kept busy, by a very supportive cohort of consultants, allowing me to currently be working on three audits in exciting and developing areas at the forefront of cardiology as well as two clinical case reports and a multi-centre research project.”
Michael has been supported to attend a six-month echo course, with three hours of teaching and hands-on practice every week, enabling him to develop knowledge and skills in an area that is notoriously difficult to find training in, outside of an advanced training program.
“I’ve been encouraged and supported by a consultant body that is keen to teach, supervise and really feels like they want me to succeed in my career ambitions,” Michael said.
More information is available for on our website for junior doctors interested in training opportunities at JHC.