Can You Be a Surgeon and Have a Family? Orthopaedic Surgeon Cat Malik Explains

Cat Malik is a post-CCT trauma and orthopaedics fellow specialising in foot, ankle, and lower limb surgery. In this episode of Dokkcast, host Professor Nara Daubeney speaks with her about what it genuinely takes to build a surgical career — and how to sustain one alongside family life.Cat traces her journey from medical school through surgical training, sharing candid insights into orthopaedic culture, the stereotypes that still surround the specialty, and the very real challenges women continue to face in surgery. A particularly compelling thread is her experience raising three children while progressing through a demanding training pathway, with practical advice for doctors navigating the same tension between career and family.The conversation also looks outward at broader shifts in healthcare — the role of social media in spreading both useful information and misinformation, how doctors engage with these platforms professionally, and what AI means for the future of medical knowledge and patient trust.A frank and wide-ranging episode for anyone considering a surgical career, or interested in the evolving culture of medicine.