Q1. What is your name? 

Mustafa Mehmood 

Q2. What is your medical specialty? 

Emergency Medicine  

Q3. What hospital do you currently work in? 

St James's Hospital Dublin 

Q4. Why did you choose to go into Emergency Medicine? 

Emergency Medicine offers variety, pace, and purpose. You’re making real-time decisions, managing the undifferentiated patient, and often seeing the immediate impact of your actions - that’s incredibly rewarding. 

Q5. What advice would you give an NCHD looking to get into Emergency Medicine Training? 

Build a strong clinical foundation, stay organised, and practise your communication. Write your exams early, attend training days and life support courses, and engage with the specialty. Engage early in audits and research—it’s a massive learning experience. Most importantly, discuss your career trajectory early with EM consultants and senior trainees. Seek feedback and act on it, prepare well for your interviews—don’t leave it to chance. Finally, prioritize self-care and personal wellbeing to maintain resilience in a demanding specialty. 

Q6. How did you prepare for a career in Emergency Medicine as an NCHD? 

I focused on broad clinical exposure and decision-making, while staying patient-centred in every interaction. I actively sought mentorship and feedback—and acted on it daily, whether during clinical shifts, life support courses, training days, or departmental teaching. 

Q7. What habits would you recommend developing early to succeed in this career? 

Be reliable, stay calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and remain consistently patient-focused and empathetic. Reflect regularly, act on feedback, and look after your own wellbeing—consistency and attitude are key. 

Q8. What has been the most rewarding aspect of working in Emergency Medicine? 

Making a difference when it matters most—delivering timely, compassionate care to patients in crisis, while also supporting and mentoring the next generation.