Information on medicine

[frosty03]

I'm very interested in becoming a doctor....

Why? What particular aspect?

 

[TheCenturion]

Why? What particular aspect?

studying medicine, but i haven't decided which specialty

 

[SexyGreyFox]

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

But it is the minimum requirement HOWEVER what matters most is what you do at College.

 

[Minstadave]

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.

The newbie docs are coming! All the wards are petrified Where are you working?

SHO in a week for me, scary stuff!

 

[Minstadave]

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!

Technicians are bus drivers, paramedics are bus drivers who have done a bit of first aid

 

[goldilocks]

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

you might want to sack your proof reader!

 

[Sin_Chase]

Technicians are bus drivers, paramedics are bus drivers who have done a bit of first aid

And bus drivers are first on scene at axe murders, to family's with deceased relatives, dead infants, hangings and RTCs where people end up losing limbs.

Despite the somewhat jovial tone in your post a little respect for what effectively will get you in front of a doctor in the first place would not go amiss.

 

[Doohickey]

The newbie docs are coming! All the wards are petrified Where are you working?

SHO in a week for me, scary stuff!

Haha, newbie here too. What are you SHO-ing in from next week? Plus, any handy last minute tips for FY1? (still bricking it 3 days into shadowing...)

Anant_Shah94:

Think about a particular aspect of medicine that has caught your attention or has ever stuck out in your head that has really fascinated you. This would be excellent to talk about in an interview, for example. I don't think you necessarily need to read any books, genuine enthusiasm will stand out if you have it. Try not to get too bogged down figuring out what you want to specialise in at this stage, unless of course you already have your heart completely set on something. It is good to show an open mind and heart and a willingness to learn and continue to learn throughout your career.

As for work experience, it can never hurt to ask. Pick up a Yellow Pages and send letters + CV to a whole bunch of GP surgeries, address to the Practice Manager. Hospital experience can be more fuss, but try the Education Centre of your local hospital if it has one.

Another thing, join one of the prospective med student forums, there is a wealth of information on there and help from others in your situation, some current students, and even a few doctors. I found this one the most helpful http://www.admissionsforum.net/ (mainly Barts orientated, but don't let that influence you, even though Barts is clearly the best medical school).

 

[Minstadave]

Whats your first job Doohickey?

I'm SHO in Medicine for the Elderly a week tomorrow, hope I get a house-monkey to do all the rubbish jobs

Tips wise, always carry the Oxford Handbook if on call, call for help early if you're out of your depth, be nice to the nurses if you want an easy life.

 

[Doohickey]

Whats your first job Doohickey?

I'm SHO in Medicine for the Elderly a week tomorrow, hope I get a house-monkey to do all the rubbish jobs

Tips wise, always carry the Oxford Handbook if on call, call for help early if you're out of your depth, be nice to the nurses if you want an easy life.

Starting on renal medicine (then Vascular surg, then gastro). Got our rotas earlier, I'm on call on my first day, just lol, my clerking skillz are pretty rusty... I can't wait to get my first med students to do all my rubbish jobs haha

 

[TheCenturion]

Think about a particular aspect of medicine that has caught your attention or has ever stuck out in your head that has really fascinated you.

There have been many things

One thing is that medicine is always at the forefront of technology, with methods and techniques advancing all the time, we are in a great age of discovery, and it seems a much better use of discovery to find cures for previously incurable diseases than to create weapons intended to kill.

Another thing, which I'm sure is one of the most important reasons for any medic, is the simple fact that you're saving and improving people's lives, which can never be a bad thing.

I've heard people say that medicine could be a backward step for humanity because it prevents the natural course of events from happening, things like natural selection. My counter argument to that is that this is actually the way humanity has evolved (can't argue with that, pretty much a watertight statement) and medicine is one of the aspects of this evolution, there are many others, but what is particularly fascinating about medicine is the constant evolution, and rapidly changing world. I'd like to be a part of that, because I'm the type of person who doesn't like things to stay the same for a long time. Having said that, I'd be much willing to study for a long time to achieve my aim!

 

[Minstadave]

Starting on renal medicine (then Vascular surg, then gastro). Got our rotas earlier, I'm on call on my first day, just lol, my clerking skillz are pretty rusty... I can't wait to get my first med students to do all my rubbish jobs haha

Renal medicine is pretty hardcore, attracts all the really academic types. It'll be interesting, but its no walk in the park.

 

[Minstadave]

One thing is that medicine is always at the forefront of technology, with methods and techniques advancing all the time, we are in a great age of discovery, and it seems a much better use of discovery to find cures for previously incurable diseases than to create weapons intended to kill.

Another thing, which I'm sure is one of the most important reasons for any medic, is the simple fact that you're saving and improving people's lives, which can never be a bad thing.

You wait until you work in the NHS, you'd be hard pressed to believe we're working at the forefront of technology, or improving peoples lives

 

[TheCenturion]

so you're saying I should go into private practice?

 

[Dr House]

Try and do as much work experience as you can, you may find it’s not really what you want to do after you have spent some time in a hospital.

Poor working conditions, crap money and as someone said it’s really not that glamorous.

However if its really what you want to do you will not be happy in any other job.

FY1 here I come

EDIT: I forgot to say, its REALLY hard work!!!!

 

[Minstadave]

Try and do as much work experience as you can, you may find it’s not really what you want to do after you have spent some time in a hospital.

Poor working conditions, crap money and as someone said it’s really not that glamorous.

However if its really what you want to do you will not be happy in any other job.

FY1 here I come

EDIT: I forgot to say, its REALLY hard work!!!!

Another FY1? There's loads of you on here

so you're saying I should go into private practice?

Not at all, private practice is the same out of date medicine done a bt quicker with a nice veneer over the top.

 

[Doohickey]

I've heard people say that medicine could be a backward step for humanity because it prevents the natural course of events from happening

Although obviously you're getting into the philosophy of medicine here, please don't get stuck into this in a 10 minute interview

Also, I know Biology isn't a compulsory A-Level like Chemistry, I wouldn't advise dropping it unless you really dislike it.

Whatever you write about in your personal statement, or talk about in your interview, be prepared to talk about it at some length, hence I said to think about stuff that REALLY grabs you. E.g., you said

One thing is that medicine is always at the forefront of technology, with methods and techniques advancing all the time, we are in a great age of discovery, and it seems a much better use of discovery to find cures for previously incurable diseases than to create weapons intended to kill.

So for instance, think about what important advances have been made in medical history, how current technology/techniques improve the quality of healthcare, and perhaps in your own opinion, what are the next most important advancements and why. Plenty of stuff to think about!

 

[Minstadave]

So for instance, think about what important advances have been made in medical history, how current technology/techniques improve the quality of healthcare, and perhaps in your own opinion, what are the next most important advancements and why. Plenty of stuff to think about!

This is exactly what I was asked in my Cambridge undergrad interview

 

[Dr House]

Another FY1? There's loads of you on here


.

Well im doing it in Prague as it’s a compulsory part of my course and will move back to the uk to do my FY2 next year.

My partner is starting FY2 next week in Birmingham

 

[Doohickey]

attracts all the really academic types.

^ That is so not me! I'm pleased with my rotations I think, though I've never done a renal firm as a student, as you say, it looks very interesting. Will have to be sharp on my drugs too. Renal looks like there will be plenty of general med, so that's good, and also looks good for auditing to get that out of the way.

Have you any experience of vascular surgery?