* Background and Motivation Flashcards
Why medicine?
My choice to study medicine has been a gradual process but one of the main reasons that influenced my decision is my passion for science. I loved biology and chemistry in school and I always furthered these interests with programmes such as mini medical school. I learned really interesting facts like how the environment on our palm is so different to the environment on our finger that the same species of bacteria cannot survive in both places. The programme really showed me how that studying medicine means I’ll be continuously learning throughout my career because it’s a field that’s always progressing and this aspect really appeals to me. It’s an environment I know I’ll enjoy and can succeed in with the willingness to adapt.
I’m also drawn to medicine because of the social element of helping others. I know most jobs in one one way or another help people but I think doctors are in a privileged position to be able to use their intellectual skills to help a person get back to ideal health. I’ve also witnessed how empathy and respect can completely change a patient’s experience first hand though my sister’s treatment at the RVI. These are qualities I want to embody everyday because I felt the significant positive difference a compassionate environment made. As a person, I enjoy communicating with others and using my intellect to solve problems therefore it’s hard to see the explicit difference I can make in a patients life and not be inspired to study medicine.
Why not nursing/ other healthcare professions?
Nurses play an integral role and all healthcare workers have the same goal, which is to provide high quality care to patients. I know that the quality of care that patients receive would drop significantly without nurses or other healthcare professionals.
However what differentiated nursing and medicine for me is I think doctors have the ultimate responsibility for a patient. This is because even though both doctors and now some nurses can prescribe only doctors receive a general training and this element is highly useful to manage patients’ cases with a holistic approach. Due to this they generally lead the decision-making process even though other members of a team contribute greatly. Nurses may also receive similar medical training to doctors but only doctors may have a high standard knowledge of specific clinical procedures.
That being said, it is important that all members of a multidisciplinary team are valued each member’s responsibilities are acknowledged.
What would you do if you were unsuccessful getting into medicine this year?
If I don’t get into medicine this year although I will be disappointed, I understand that this is a highly competitive course.
Medicine has been my passion for a long period so I would choose to re-apply next year.
My first steps would be to find areas of my application to strengthen. I would do this by getting feedback from medical schools. I would also ask people who have helped me with my application this year, such as teachers and others about personal skills I can develop to aid me both in medicine interviews and the working world of medicine.
I would also assess what areas I feel are my weakness.
For example, if my weakness is an understanding of current issues or critical thinking then I would be more active reading about current topics and weighing up all points of views of situations.
In the year of my re-application I would try to gain as much experience as possible, especially since there are now more in person opportunities available. Currently, I’m part of the St John’s ambulance volunteer community. I’m also in the process of applying for a volunteer role in a cancer ward and gaining work experience shadowing a doctor. These are all roles I believe would help me develop my communication and teamwork skills and help me understand the day to day task of medical professionals and therefore strengthen my motivation and application to study medicine.
Understandably, I could only re-apply so many times, so eventually I would most likely decide to enter a career similar to medicine, such as pharmacy or trying to become a physicians associate which would give me a similar intellectual satisfaction. I also would consider graduate medicine as a path.
What Aspects Of The Working Life Of A Doctor Don’t Appeal To You?
It can be stressful, particularly if exposed to long hours, changing patterns, difficult patients, or having to face difficult decisions regarding a patient’s care. I would handle busy work schedules with organisational skills. Working as a secretary in a law firm I learned to use the prioritisation grid method to identify urgent tasks. To aid with motivation throughout work I used the Pomerado technique so I can take time to refresh and then fully focus. I know that delegation and support from peers can also help to manage this and this is why medicine is heavily reliant on teamwork. To manage a work-life balance I would use a routine. The is because a routine ensures I don’t send all my time with work but also allocate regular time for sports and hobbies. For example, I really like to crochet and I set a monthly goal to compete each project.
Doctors may have to face uncertainty. This can be emotionally challenging. I think this area can be managed with by focusing on my mental health and being able to gauge my limits. I practice reflecting on my performance both in my personal and professional life by journaling weekly. I also understand the importance of being able to ask for help in difficult situations, for example staff used the NHS staff support line which was sent up for healthcare members tackling covid.
Finally, dealing with ethical dilemma’s is a challenge I foresee in the life of a working doctor. However during these situations, I am assured that I have direction from the GMC and senior medics. In medicine there is always someone with more experience, or someone who’s experienced a patient situation you haven’t which helps to manage difficult scenarios.
compromised one work-life balance can be resolved with organisational skills. Make regular times for hobbies. Give examples of sport. Include physical activities if it helps mental health. Team work and delegation - never be afraid to ask for help.
Physical/Mental burnout
* 4-hour long bilateral mastectomy
* Up to 56 hours per week
Time pressures
* GP consultations limited to 10 minute slots
Ethical dilemmas
* Do No Harm - to operate or not
Building connection with patients for a brief time
* Royal Marsden work experience - many patients die
Dealing with mental illness
* GP’s manner with depressed patients
What Aspects Of The Working Life Of A Doctor Appeal To You?
I highly value that I would be able to use my skills to treat patients and make a difference. I want to build up a base of knowledge that is strong enough to allow me to pursue a career path of my choice, as well as a bedside manner that allows me to build a strong rapport with any patient.
I am excited that Medicine is a dynamic subject which requires constant learning and there are always new techniques to practice. Tis creates a fast-paced and academically challenging environment which I will enjoy.
A personal factor that appeals to me is the opportunity to teach. I have always been keen in tutoring and have led two different study groups - for Year 7 English and for GCSE science in the past. This is because I understand the positive impact I can have on development of medics junior to me and am passionate about being able to help as much as I can.
What Do You Wish To Achieve From Your Medical Career?
- Clinical - I want to build up a base of knowledge that is strong enough to allow me to pursue the specialty of my choice, as well as a bedside manner than allows me to build a strong rapport with any patient. Personally, I’ve developed an interest in child psychology as I’ve seen first hand the depth of techniques and treatment plans for conditions such as epilepsy. However, I understand that throughout my time in medical school I will develop a stronger understanding of the different areas and this will ultimately shape my decision.
- Academically, I would like to become involved in teaching. I have always been keen in tutoring and have led two different study groups - for Year 7 English and for GCSE science in the past. This is because I understand the positive impact I can have on development of medics junior to me and am by nature wanting to be helpful.
- Personally, I want to achieve a balance between and work and hobbies. I would want my personal life to help me flourish at work and vice versa. For example, allocating time for hobbies would improve my mental health and help me with my focus and motivation and work, and life as a doctor could help be build skills, such as confidence, to try new activities in my personal life.
- writing a book, fantasy.
Can Non-Scientific Hobbies Add To A Person’s Ability To Be A Good Doctor, And Why? Can You Think Of Any Examples In Your Own Case?
Most importantly non scientific hobbies can greatly help mental health. I learned from Brighton Sussex virtual experience that medical professionals are more likely than the average population to experience mental health issues. Taking time away to relax can help a medic be more focused and energised when they return to work.
You can also develop skills that are transferable to help be a better doctor.
Joining activities with other people can mean you encounter new opinions. For example, I participated in debate club in high school. Although you may not agree with all the opinions you encounter, it helped me develop an open mindset and allowed me to practice being respectful. This can transfer to medicine where a doctor may not agree with a patient’s choice but must let the. patient make choices about their care due to autonomy.
I enjoy activities such as crochet and knitting and this helps me learn how to focus on details. This is useful for diagnosing in medicine when a doctor has to find details based on the patients history and symptoms. Although not directly transferable these activity can help with dexterity which can be helpful in specialties such as surgery.
There are also sports activities which are great to help develop teamwork skills. This is transferrable for doctors because they are constantly supporting colleagues and working in multidisciplinary teams to priorities patient care. Sports can help you practice communication skills, empathy and adaptability.
Eg) Netball - centre/ goal attack
A final point, is that having many interests makes you a well rounded person. This can help doctors relate to and establish rapports with patients. Patients may therefore be more comfortable and honest.
What Do You Find Interesting About Medicine?
Talk about a specific area
What Excites You Most About A Career In Medicine?
