Information on medicine

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:13

First off, this isn't a medical thread, in the sense that I'm not asking for any help with my own health.

I'm very interested in becoming a doctor, knowing that it's an extremely competitive field, so I need to be a cut above the rest of the people. I was wondering if anybody knew of any particularly good books to read, or any documentaries to watch? I know there was recently one on surgery, and I watched a few episodes of that. Could anybody recommend any reading or documentaries about the various specialities as well, as these would give me an idea about what type of doctor would be best for me.

Also, I'm going to be asking at my local gp surgery and the hospital whether I can do any work experience. I know this isn't the easiest field to obtain experience, but do you think there is any chance I can get a place? I'm skeptical because of the problems of swine flu, and all that jazz.

Thanks for any help

Hitman_Leon · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:16

5-6 years of uni, then on to be a junior doctor, you dont get work experience as a doctor, your not serious are you....................

Oh and if you are, lmao

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:17

Sorry for the confusion, I mean before you actually apply for a medicine degree at a university

Raymond Lin · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:23

anant_shah94 said:
Sorry for the confusion, I mean before you actually apply for a medicine degree at a university

Then study Chemistry at A-Level and get an A in it, and 2 others at A Grade, and its a myth that you need biology.

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:24

^^My A level choices: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry Biology Physics, probably drop biology after AS

Raymond Lin · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:26

If you can Ace them all then you have 1 foot in the door, apply to do medicine, and hope you get pass that interview !

Hitman_Leon · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:27

Thats better, read around and look at what takes your eye, there are lots of specialities, I suppose you will want to aim for something that you personally find interesting.

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:28

Raymond Lin said:
If you can Ace them all then you have 1 foot in the door, apply to do medicine, and hope you get pass that interview !

That's the most nervous part for me. I reckon I'll get thrown by an extremely complicated question, and not be offered a place

brai9dead · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:33

Having just graduated as a doctor and am about to start work next week I feel I can probably speak on this topic fairly confidently!

What I would say is that you need to make sure that it is definitely something that you want to do. The course is a long hard slog, you end up in a fair bit of debt and the job is not as glamorous as people imagine that it will be (espeically as a junior).

Not trying to put you off, just saying that it isn't a decision to make lightly.

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:40

brai9dead said:
Having just graduated as a doctor and am about to start work next week I feel I can probably speak on this topic fairly confidently!

What I would say is that you need to make sure that it is definitely something that you want to do. The course is a long hard slog, you end up in a fair bit of debt and the job is not as glamorous as people imagine that it will be (espeically as a junior).

Not trying to put you off, just saying that it isn't a decision to make lightly.

I am absolutely commited, there are various reasons why and I truly hope to achieve my goal.

What is the actual course? seven years then you become a junior?

brai9dead · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:43

Experience is invaluable in that case. Basically if you are committed you need proof to show it in interview. Knowledge of what happens after university is always a good thing to try and understand as well.

Apart from that just need to get the grades (and interviews!)

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:45

brai9dead said:
Experience is invaluable in that case. Basically if you are committed you need proof to show it in interview. Knowledge of what happens after university is always a good thing to try and understand as well.

Apart from that just need to get the grades (and interviews!)

Is there anything you consider worth reading or watching?

Thanks for information

brai9dead · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:51

Holby City....? haha

Ermm there are a couple of more humorous books which are still very relevant. One is 'Trust me, I'm a Junior Doctor' by Max Pemberton (who also writes in the guardian i think) and 'In Stiches' by Nick Edwards. Both are written as diary/blog form and give a light-hearted insight into what it is actually like to be a doctor.

For more serious stuff there are a couple of websites (not sure of names or URL of the top of my head), that deal with interviews, where to apply, how to apply what is good for getting a place, etc, etc. Just have a search.

Remember with medicine a big thing is work/life balance and it is something that I feel is essential. If all you did was work and books you would burn out in no time and that is something else that people look for in potential medical students.

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 21:57

^^Thanks , will look into those books.

goldilocks · 29 Jul 2009 at 22:03

if you cant get into medicine from A level, choose a degree which will lead to the possibility of doing short course post-grad medicine.
pharmacology, certain biology degrees, some AHP degrees, and loads more I'm sure.
As far as I am aware (this is certainally the case in the dept I work in) it is hard to get medical work experience as an under 18 as many insurances etc etc will not cover having a minor in even as an observer,
good luck to you though

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 22:06

goldilocks said:
if you cant get into medicine from A level, choose a degree which will lead to the possibility of doing short course post-grad medicine.
pharmacology, certain biology degrees, some AHP degrees, and loads more I'm sure.
As far as I am aware (this is certainally the case in the dept I work in) it is hard to get medical work experience as an under 18 as many insurances etc etc will not cover having a minor in even as an observer,
good luck to you though

Yeah I did read things about people doing a chemistry course then doing post grad medicine.

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 22:30

also would it help to know doctors. Have a friend who is a gp, the guy 2 doors down is a surgeon, and my friend's brother is studying medicine at ucl.

Sin_Chase · 29 Jul 2009 at 22:33

I have a Paramedic and a Technician (paramedic with a little less responsibility) in my house and while the training is not as intense or as comprehensive as it is to become a doctor it was still vastly different from their previous lines of work and the studies they chose to do.

If it is your goal, and you want it - Go for it!

SexyGreyFox · 29 Jul 2009 at 23:03

I deal with Work Experience at our hospital and we still take students on so don't worry about Swine flu.
Doctors are also the most helpful when taking on students for work experience compared to other Health Professionals.

I hope these screen grabs may be of some use to you.
Over the last few months I have been working on a project for AimHigher and my hospital to produce a booklet & Teachers pack for every school in the country.
I am quite proud of this and I've had Health Professionals proof reading everything I've wrote.
You are the first out of my office to see these screen grabs dedicated to a career in becoming a Doctor -

Doctor 1
Doctor 2

TheCenturion · 29 Jul 2009 at 23:35

Thanks a lot mate, that was an interesting read. But it says 5 gcses grades A-C, I think that just about every medical student has better results than that.
Thanks