Rowan Gillies
Rowan Gillies is a 33 year old surgeon from, Sydney, Australia. He completed his basic surgical training in 1999 and is currently in his third year of advanced surgical training. He has worked as a field doctor for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. Thereafter he became MSF medical coordinator in South Sudan and then Liberia. He became president of MSF Australia in January 2002 and then the following December was elected International President of MSF. Karen Hebert caught up with him in between press engagements.
What was your route from fieldworker to president of MSF?
My getting the job is a reflection of the strength of MSF Australia. We sent 120 doctors away last year and they have got a very good reputation in our organisation, so my appointment was recognition of that in some ways. I became a field worker and then became a board member of MSF Australia. I became president of the Australian group after my predecessor became pregnant. International president is chosen from the various group presidents--and so I decided to do this for about two years.
Have you always wanted to do humanitarian work?
To a degree, I always wanted to do it. As a student in 1994, I went to the border of Burundi and Tanzania and saw some of the genocide third hand. So, yes, I have always wanted to do this kind of work. But I wouldn't want to do it for the rest of my life. I want to stay involved for the rest of my life of course, but not to this extent. It gets tough on you after a while.
Are you ever overwhelmed by human suffering?
The important thing to keep in mind is that while it may be difficult for us, it is so much more difficult for our patients, for their lives. Their whole lives have been destroyed. I could go home to Australia next week and I have family and friends who could support me and so on. These people have lost their families and lost their abilities to cope... so that's one of the ways it keeps things in perspective. It makes you realise how lucky you are as opposed to getting constantly upset and affected by it. So maybe it's a denial mechanism but it's very true I think.
What are your family's feelings about your job?
Oh, they get used to it. When there is a security problem--and I have had a few security issues--then they obviously get concerned around those times. Now that I am president they are happy that I am spending a lot of time in Europe rather than all my time in conflict countries. They are both medical and they are very supportive.
Have you had to make any sacrifices to get to this point?
There have certainly been career sacrifices. It has taken me longer to get through my surgical training, there is no doubt about that. Personally, well currently in this job I travel two to three times a week so to have any form of relationship at this stage is very difficult. But I have a good bunch of friends at home and a few good friends in Europe. I think career wise it actually helps you in the end. Not necessarily to get up the greasy pole to professor but it makes you realise how lucky you are. I mean I am going to be much older than most when I am qualified but I would have had an amazing experience along the way. And every time I have worked with MSF I have learnt much more than I am given. That's the other important thing--you can't replace what you learn about yourself, about life and about the world.
What would you say you find most difficult and what do you find most rewarding?
Most difficult--patients dying without doubt. Especially young patients. To some extent one is used to elderly patients dying but not young children.
Most rewarding--so many things. I mean it's the whole medical act. The fact of being given the benefit and the trust of my patient to tell you what's wrong with them, to tell you they've been raped, to tell you what's been happening... that's a privilege that we don't really recognise as much as we should. That is something we should recognise more as medics worldwide, not simply the act of medicine, but the privilege of being able to do it--and that privilege is the rewarding thing.
Have you got any advice for medical students or doctors interested in this sort of work?
I used to be really worried that I would miss out on all the humanitarian disasters because I was still a medical student and then an intern. Don't be. They will keep coming--unfortunately they will keep happening. So take your time. When you are ready for being a doctor, making medical decisions that you have to back up yourself, then it's OK to go.
Are any particular skills useful?
The ability to be a good doctor and the ability to put up with changing circumstances is as important as medical skills. You can learn how to treat malaria and diarrhoea--that's not so tricky. But when it comes to living in difficult circumstances, eating bad food, getting sick, being involved in security incidents, all that sort of stuff, that's where you need a more balanced head as opposed to a more medical head.
How can the average doctor who wants to stay in the Western world still be involved and make a difference?
It's a difficult question because a lot of people do want to do that but they can't because of their families or jobs or any number of reasons. Stay involved, keep talking about it, read the stuff, discuss it with people. And if you are a more senior doctor and your registrar or resident wants to go away for a year to do this work then let them do it. They will learn so much about life, and they will come back a more interesting person with better stories so you won't get so bored when you have to talk to them on the phone.
Karen Hebert Clegg scholar, BMJ
Email: khebert@bmj.com
studentBMJ 2004;12:309-348 September ISSN 0966-6494
| 
