How Doctors Actually Take Histories (and How to Get Commendations) with Dr. Steph Rixon

How Doctors Actually Take Histories (and How to Get Commendations) with Dr. Steph Rixon

Dr Steph Rixon breaks down how to take a better patient history: from pre-clin to real-life internship. Key topics include: * Practical OSCE/APEX preparation strategies * Structuring a patient history as a doctor (not a med student!) * Asking focused questions based on presenting complaints * Building rapport quickly with patients * Taking sensitive histories * Presenting histories to consultants * Common mistakes medical students make * Adapting histories across ED, medical and surgical settings * How history-taking changes after graduating medical school * The difference between a “scripted” and genuinely good history-taking style

Dr. Grace Walpole – Medicine’s Hardest Conversations

In this episode of the M&M Podcast, we’re joined by Dr Grace Walpole, a palliative care specialist at Eastern Health and senior lecturer at Monash and Deakin University. We chat about her journey through medical school and specialist training, what drew her to palliative care, and how communication became such a central part of her work. Dr Walpole also shares what palliative care actually involves day-to-day, breaking down common misconceptions and explaining the role it plays far beyond end-of-life care. We explore how doctors navigate difficult conversations around prognosis, hope, and decision-making, as well as the challenges and rewards of working closely with patients and families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Whether you’re a medical student, healthcare worker, or simply curious about the human side of medicine, this episode offers an honest and thoughtful insight into one of medicine’s most misunderstood specialties.

Dr Ben Amberg: A Med School Legend

** For the first time, Dr. Ben Amberg shares details about a brand new learning resource he’s currently developing, giving listeners an exclusive early look before its official release. ** In this episode of M&M, we’re joined by Dr Ben Amberg — an O&G registrar at Monash Women’s, Monash alum, and the mind behind some of the most widely used med school notes. We talk about his journey through med school, BMedSci/PhD and research, how he approached studying and scoring well, and his transition into O&G training

Dr. Shavi Fernando – More Than Just a Doctor

Dr. Shavi Fernando – how to be more than just a doctor. We sit down with Dr. Shavi Fernando (Consultant O&G) for an honest and insightful conversation about what it really means to be a doctor today. We explore how to stay motivated through the long years of medicine, how medical education has evolved from textbooks to hands-on learning, and how society’s expectations shape the doctor–patient relationship. It’s a thoughtful, relatable episode packed with practical advice on becoming not just a good doctor, but a well-rounded one.

Intro to M&M 2026!!

We are so excited to introduce you all to M&M 2026! ✨ Come meet the committee, learn what we’re all about, and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how our episodes are brought to life. From concept to final cut, we’ll be sharing a sneak peek into the process that makes it all happen 🎬 Plus, we’ll be giving you a preview of what’s to come this year… trust us, you don’t want to miss it 💫