Senior Medical Doctor qualified with an MB BS (Distinction, London, UK) and BSc. in Primary Health Care (Hons.) with a passion for medical/nursing/healthcare-related education, tutoring and mentoring.

Find out more about Paul

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  Since I can remember, I have always had a thirst for knowledge and an inquiring personality. I often couldn't accept answers handed to me by individuals who used to say, "that's just the way it is", so I would look for the answers myself, sometimes guided by another person.
  By adopting this approach to my learning, I would further consolidate my own knowledge and personal development.
  I always had a natural tendency and gravitated towards any areas incorporating science, mathematics, and English as reflected in the grades I obtained from high school that enabled me to read medicine.
  When I finally secured a place at medical school in London, UK, with my lifelong aspiration to become a doctor (following a stressful admission interview), I discovered that the only way I could genuinely comprehend complex concepts was to explain them to others who were struggling more than me. And when my peers understood what I was teaching, the pleasure I derived from imparting my knowledge was inexplicable.
  This paved the start of a journey to becoming a tutor in any capacity.
  I also guess that is why so many students turn to Superprof. Sometimes there is a lingering gap in one's knowledge and it often takes another person who can provide extra assistance in explaining something in a different fashion until they finally understand.
  Many of my students also find one-to-one tuition better for them as opposed to group learning where they are not as confident.
  Furthermore, students sometimes need additional words of support and encouragement and this is where mentoring clearly differs from tuition. This is something I deem very important in the process of learning as this role is more of a 'guide by your side'.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I can honestly say that I enjoy teaching all aspects of medicine, particularly the basic sciences, i.e., anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pathology. The latter involves teaching about disease processes on a macro- and micro-level.
  I have also had the opportunity to teach nurses, paramedics, allied health, and other individuals who are considering applying for this degree.
  Historically, when it came to putting all that theory into practice by examining and treating actual sick patients upon qualification, I just knew I had chosen the right career path in treating the sick. From here, I knew that my destiny was to become more involved in teaching medicine and the various healthcare subject areas falling under this umbrella; something I find rewarding each and every day.
  I have also worked as a flight doctor alongside paramedics, so one of the other subjects I like to teach is aeromedicine.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I had so many inspiring teachers at school and university, it's impossible to name them all as they all had their individual style of imparting their knowledge to me.
  I always remember the most influential teachers at school reminding me of the Latin adage:
  "Scientia potentia est", which in English translates as "knowledge is power."
  On the days I felt less motivated or thought I was never going to achieve my goals or pass all my exams (something we all go through at some point), more inspiring tutors and mentors reminded me that:
  "The journey to success always begins with those small few steps. And remember, along the way, success is not final and failure is not final; it is the courage to continue that counts."

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  To reiterate how I deliver my lesson, the 5 A's framework is what I believe makes an engaging tutor.
  This is something I learned when I completed a course on becoming a mentoring champion during a post-graduate course in Australia:
  - Approachable: I would always like to consider myself a friendly individual that has taught students at all levels of their training with varying degrees of knowledge.
  - Ability: meaning I am confident I know my subject matter well and am able to impart this to my student(s). If I do not understand, I will always ask for clarification
  - Amicable: learning and tutoring should be fun for all involved!
  - Adaptable: I am always driven by my students' needs as everyone learns at a different pace and often, one needs to exercise an element of flexibility. During a session, I have often had questions unrelated to the original subject I was asked to teach about as the student has suddenly found something more important they would like to discuss/workshop
  - Available: when teaching, I do not want to feel like a lesson is 'rushed' and always appreciate both of us coming prepared with the student ready to learn - just like one would act in a classroom face to face. Otherwise, both student and tutor are destined to lose focus and concentration on the task(s) at hand. After all, this will be reflected in the student making progress.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  At primary and secondary school, many of my teachers knew that I loved English, Maths and all aspects of science more than the rest of my subjects and knew that I eventually wanted to study medicine, so I was nurtured and learned in the most welcoming of environments. The journey to qualify as a doctor and continue post-graduate studies wasn't easy, especially as I had moved to the other side of the world during this time by myself. It required perseverance and determination. Several years later, I contacted several teachers from my childhood and adolescence in the UK and organised an online reunion. I thanked them for providing me with words of encouragement and made it clear to them that I could never have achieved my goals without their assistance every step of the way. More recently, and having worked in the healthcare system all over Australia, I have crossed paths with many of my ex-students (medical, nursing, paramedics, physiotherapists and allied health professionals) who decided to change their career trajectory and become fully-fledged doctors.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or are still facing in your subject?

  I find it particularly difficult when any prospective student contacts me at next to no notice and may send me pages and pages of material they do not understand that I have not had time to digest myself before we can begin to move forward.
  It is understandably frustrating for me when a student wants me to cram material into a one-hour session that took me weeks or even months to learn when I was learning the material for myself.
  I do empathise that students are often time-pressured, but I don't think this is fair to the tutor. Quality teaching takes time and patience and I like any material well in advance so that I can do my lesson preparation for them on my end. For example, this could be a curriculum if they are learning from one, sample exam questions if they have exams pending (written or oral), or any background material/literature involved in writing a well-constructed essay.
  I have also been asked to write an actual essay for the student, meaning I am doing all their work for them.
  Not to put a finer point on this, I deem this as an unethical practice and am pretty direct with the student that this could be deemed as a form of plagiarism, cheating, or a combination of both. And if they truthfully ask themselves, they will quickly comprehend that I am 100% right after the explanation and our working relationship is usually very brief.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  No, I just love teaching within my chosen fields of science, medicine, and healthcare in general. Keeping up to date with the material around these subjects is something I particularly enjoy.
  As far as I am concerned, once you are a student (and despite being a tutor) you will always be a student for life to ensure you are imparting the most current material available to your students at all times.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions)?

  To be called a Superprof is a huge compliment for me to accept, and I answer this question humbly and with utmost humility as I genuinely believe there is a Superprof for everyone out there! It's all about finding the right one that you get along with who is an expert in your particular subject(s). I genuinely believe there are other Superprofs out there who most certainly are experts in their chosen field.
  It is a privilege to be part of this global online student/tutor platform, and I genuinely hope each and every learner on here connects with that person that will help them excel and prosper in any endeavor they are pursuing.