the CMF podcast

‘I feel, therefore I am.'  ‘You do you. '  Statements like this are commonplace in our culture in which our feelings define reality. Dr Jim Paul of L’Abri Fellowship explores the implications for issues such as transgender, euthanasia and others at the interface of faith and medicine.   Support the show

Audrey is an ENT (ear, nose & throat) surgeon. Specialist teams like hers are being re-deployed to help manage the influx of COVID-19 patients, reducing the number of admissions as much as possible. With the sheer pressure and rapidity of change, how is she managing? And how is the situation opening up new opportunities and doorways?   Remember to join us every day at 7 pm (BST/UTC+1) for #COV...

Neil is a senior manager in the National Health Service (NHS) in London, leading a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). COVID-19 has meant that all the priorities and planning for the NHS across the capital has changed, and Neil has been part of one of several teams managing this reorganisation. How does he find God working through his role at this time?   Remember to join us every day at 7 pm (BST...

Helen is a GP in New Zealand who normally works with newly arrived asylum seekers. As COVID-19 becomes an emerging problem there, she is now re-deployed along with many others as part of a public health team. She is also an active member of the New Zealand Christian Medical Fellowship , which is also adapting to support its members as they respond to the crisis. How are Christians and medics in Ne...

Dr Stephen is a public health consultant in Kampala, Uganda, working globally in fragile states. Uganda went into a coronavirus lockdown just days after he returned from a recent visit. How is lockdown affecting Uganda, the church and how are he and his family coping with the lockdown? [Recorded 1 March 2020]   Remember to join us every day at 7 pm (BST/UTC+1) for #COVID1900Prayer , a chance to pr...

Graham and Christine work in a hospital chaplaincy team, providing spiritual care and support to patients and staff. COVID-19 has changed the way they can care significantly. Infection control means they cannot visit patients apart from exceptional circumstances. Caring for those who are seriously ill and isolated from loved ones is now very hard. Support for staff is also vital and is now the mai...

Alison is a nurse/midwife working in Southern Laos as part of a health and education project. Until recently, COVID-19 has not seemed like a big problem in Laos, but in the last week the national government has stepped up its response, despite the lack of resources to protect staff and treat the very sick. Alison and her team have sought to help the local community and local hospital prepare, but...

Alice is a trainee anaesthetist in the East of England. She is now solely working in critical care as the number of people with COVID-19 being admitted increases. Managing changing guidelines and limited access to equipment with limited control can create stresses and a sense of helplessness for all involved. How is her faith in Christ helping her to manage the situation without giving in to negat...

Abi is a perinatal psychiatrist (looking after mums and babies) in London. During a lockdown, vulnerable mothers face particular challenges, yet can only access services remotely. Maintaining services and communications with colleagues as well as patients creates particular problems. How can we pray for and support new mothers and those with mental health needs at this time [recorded 31 March 2020...

Dr Alva is a TB specialist with a nationwide role, as well as a leader in the Indonesian Christian Medical and Dental Association and the national Christian students' ministry. As a minority in a predominantly Muslim nation, what contribution can Christian health professionals make as COVID-19 becomes a growing health challenge? [Recorded 31 March 2020] Remember to join us at 7 pm (BST/UTC+1)...

The well-being of doctors, midwives and nurses has become a very topical issue. The General Medical Council has recently released a report looking at the systemic and organisational factors that lead to clinician stress. The British Medical Association is providing a 24/7 helpline and access to counselling services. But what about the Christian perspective? Do CMF members maintain their well-being...

Khara is an internal medicine doctor working in Barbados, where the COVID-19 pandemic is still in its early stages. How are health systems in the Caribbean managing and how are they seeking to limit the pandemic? What gives Khara hope in the face of the mounting strains on healthcare in Barbados and across the Caribbean? [recorded 26 March 2020 - please not the audio quality of this podcast is not...

Ed works in an accident and emergency department (A&E) in a major city. He is seeing fewer patients turning up due to social isolation but also dealing with more seriously ill patients with COVID-19. Despite the changing work profile and the pressures he faces, he is not fearful. What is the source of his confidence? [recorded 26 March 2020] Support the show

Santhosh is a consultant physician on the India/Nepal border and is the South Asia and Training Coordinator of our global network, the International Christian Medical and Dental Association ( ICMDA ). India is now on lockdown - how is this having an impact on the hospital, the patients and the community? How will they manage a surge of COVID-19 patients in a resource-poor setting? How are Christia...

David is a medical registrar in London. As more and more patients with covid symptoms are turning up at the hospital, they are having to rapidly change their clinical priorities and planning. How is he finding God at work in the circumstances? [recorded 24 March 2020] Support the show

Naomi is an international medical student in Limerick, Ireland. A few weeks from final exams and placements she finds herself unable to return home to Canada or to finish her studies. In the face of this, what opportunities to serve is God opening up for her in Ireland? [recorded 25 March 2020] Support the show

Beth is a midwife working in the Philippines. She faces the daily challenge of caring for vulnerable mothers and newborns with limited equipment and other resources as it is. How will COVID-19 affect her and her patients? [recorded 20 March 2020] Support the show

Zack is a medical student, whose exams have been cancelled, and who may soon be called upon to help in practice. What does COVID-19 mean for health professionals in training? [recorded 19 March 2020] Support the show

Adi is an ITU nurse. His team are gearing up for the increased number of people with major respiratory problems as a result of COVID1-9 infection. How does his faith prepare him for the challenges ahead? [recorded 20 March 2020] Support the show

In the first of a special series of podcasts telling the stories of CMF members working at the frontline of the response to COVID-19 in the UK and around the world, we talk to James, a GP (family doctor) who shares the pressures being faced by general practices and community health services as the COVID-19 outbreak intensifies and guidance changes on an almost daily basis. How does being a Christi...

At what feels like an unprecedented time in our history, how do Christians in healthcare respond to a global pandemic? Professor John Wyatt outlines the source of our strength to serve in costly ways, even risking our lives. He draws lessons from history when Christians have been at the forefront of treating the sick in plagues and pandemics, including birthing the whole nursing profession. You ca...

Dr James Tomlinson helps us explore the opportunities and challenges for Christians in leadership. What should distinguish us as Christians leaders? Is leadership in clinical practice as valid as in the church? Why should we even consider leading in this context?  Support the show

We speak to a RAF doctor about his research on men and women during arduous training. How do men and women perform differently? What are the implications for how we think about equality and diversity and what are the implications for a Christian worldview? Support the show

We hear a lot about corruption as a scourge affecting developing countries, but we often assume it is not something that close to home for those of us living and working in the West. But the reality of medical corruption and conflict of interest affects everyone working in healthcare in every corner of the world. Joining CMF's Head of Communications, Steve Fouch to explore this complex topic...

It is said the average adult makes about 3,500 remotely conscious decisions a day, with over 226 of them about food alone! Whilst we love to have choices in our life, an overabundance of demands, needs, requests and life-changing decisions can lead to worry, stress, guilt and confusion. In this episode, James talks to Laura and Noel  Aruparayil, exploring how to apply biblical wisdom (and some bra...