Episode 7: Ophthalmology Fellowship series – Laura Maubon – Balancing teaching, fellowships and family life

In this episode of EyeConnect, host Johnson Neo, a consultant ophthalmologist specialising in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery, speaks with Laura Maubon, a locum consultant ophthalmologist in London specialising in cataract, cornea, and ocular surface diseases. Laura is also an active member of various committees, including the ESCRS program committee young ophthalmologist program and the diversity and inclusion working group, and previously led the UK ICRS young ophthalmologist committee. They discuss Laura's training pathway, focusing on her clinical teaching fellowship and balancing her career with family life.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Insights into pursuing a clinical teaching fellowship after completing specialist training (CCT), noting that it worked well for Laura when returning from maternity leave as it offered a degree of flexibility, including no on-calls, compared to standard training roles. However, the financial reality of fellowships is often a major downside due to potentially lower pay.
• The essential "preparation" for a teaching fellowship is having a passion and genuine interest in teaching others, and while typically done after training, it's not just for junior doctors; senior ophthalmologists also undertake them.
• The significant challenges of raising a young family during training, including the physical and mental toll, the need for a supportive partner, and the reality that work and young children are difficult to combine without push, pull, and sacrifice.
• The importance of being flexible and adaptable in one's career path, making decisions that are right for oneself and family, even if they appear unconventional.
• Practical strategies for returning to work after a break (like maternity leave), including simulation, contacting colleagues beforehand, staggering re-entry into clinical/surgical work, staying in touch with the community, and crucially, prioritizing sleep, potentially by investing in professional help.
• The realities of being active in professional societies (extracurricular activities), which require significant time, energy, and financial cost, can strain relationships, but offer rewards in learning, skill development, and community.

Listen now to gain valuable insights into balancing diverse career interests, formalising educational roles, and navigating the personal and professional complexities of training and returning to work while raising a family. Laura welcomes contact from listeners on LinkedIn.