AMA VICDOC Spring 2023 - Magazine - Page 10

NEWS, VIEWS REVIEWS
ENQUIRY
Five questions about the
rewarding aspects of work in two
very different medical settings.
-
AT THE TABLE ON THE ROUND
Can you provide a brief overview of your medical career?
I graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1965 and
did post-graduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology
at the Royal Women’s Hospital (RWH). I was Professor
and Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology at the University of Melbourne from 19781998. In 2000, I worked for Duke University in the USA to
evaluate data on the use of hormone replacement therapy
in menopausal care, with this leading to the production of
education programs now widely used. I officially retired
from Melbourne University in 2004 and became Professor
Emeritus. I have been published over 100 times in refereed
journals, provided medico-legal opinions in more than 1000
cases and been a senior examiner for the Australian Medical
Council for many years.
Why did you choose to study medicine?
During year 12 I was working with an insurance company
and decided I wanted to become an actuary. However, after
gaining a Commonwealth scholarship, I came in contact with
someone who had just completed medicine at university and
thought I’d try it. At this time, I had no intention of pursuing
my career as it later turned out. I nearly withdrew in my first
year to pursue mathematics.
What was the best part about your work?
I have spent a lot of my life teaching and really enjoyed it,
in Melbourne and also in Malaysia for two years. I enjoyed
the method of teaching I used, giving trainees and students
experience in operating sessions in labour wards. I was
heavily involved with specialist trainees and medical
students at the RWH.
What was the hardest part about your work?
Coping with the changes at university which increased
the amount of administrative work I had to do. The
responsibilities of running a department often came at the
expense of clinical work and teaching. It wasn’t a major
problem though and the whole time I was in charge the
department never made a loss.
Do you have any advice for others pursuing a medical career?
Begin your research work when you are a trainee and
then make a decision about whether you want to go into a
university position with lots of teaching and research, or
clinical care.
10
AMA VI C TO RIA
AT THE TABLE WITH
PROF ROGER PEPPERELL AM
“I have spent a lot
of my life teaching
and really enjoyed it.”

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