Background and motivation Flashcards
1
Q
Why have you applied to study medicine?
A
- Why have you applied to study medicine?
- didn’t come from 1 moment → gradual process
- shaped by love for science + talking + caring for ppl
- school → drawn to understand intricacies of body + about what can go wrong w it + how to fix it
- gcses → enjoyed learning ab brain → inspired me to read extra material → though which i learned ab common neuro disorders (parkinson’s + alzeimers)
- inspired me to find work experience in neuro → witnessed complexity of brain firsthand + observed patients w disorders i read ab + various others
- gained insight into disease management + treatment + importance of providing comfort
- eg one patient feared she had neuro disorder bc of blackouts → witnessed Dr’s reassuring explanation + diagnosis highlights importance of comm + empathy in patient care (displayed by all consultants i shadowed) → creates an environemnt that resonates w my passions
- experience solidified belief med is a profession where 1 can make a sig diff in life of others
- caring aspect → prevalent when volunteering in hospice
- discovered the value of presence + providing comfort in quiet moments w end of life pts → felt rewarding at end of each shift
- eg i engaged w distressed pt + diverted her mind from illness through conversation
- conclude: understand med is rewarding but can be challenging + stressful neverthless i have potential to thrive in the dynamic field → eager to develop skills to provide pt centred care in future
2
Q
If you couldn’t study medicine, what else would you do instead?
A
- first aim to get my a level grades
- gap year + reapply following year
- try to find more work experience (eg become HCA bc already have care certificate)
- study for ucat + begin preparing for interviews
- neuroscience degree
- then graduate medicine
3
Q
What do you think would be the worst part of a career in medicine?
A
-
Demanding Workload: long hours, irregular schedules + high levels of stress. can affect work-life balance + personal well-being
- to manage dedicate time for relaxation + hobbies + establish clear boundaries between work + personal life. have good coping mechanisms for stress eg going for walk, sewing, playing tennis. seeking support from colleagues can help manage workload stress
- burn out risk (^^ + prioritise self care when free)
-
Emotional Toll: Dealing w illness, suffering + death on a regular basis can be emotionally challenging. HCPs may face difficult ethical dilemmas
- seek support from mentors, colleagues, or mental health professionals + emotional resilience is important
- how i’ve developed emotional resilience: learning from setbacks (eg chess), ask for help when needed + build a support system,
- hospice: Rather than being overwhelmed by emotional weight of the sitches, I learned to embrace empathy as a strength → Connecting w patients + families on a deep emotional level allowed me to provide more meaningful and compassionate care. Working in a hospice team encouraged a culture of mutual support. Colleagues shared experiences, provided emotional support + offered insights into coping mechanisms. This sense of companionship became crucial in developing emotional resilience, as we faced challenges collectively
4
Q
What excites you most about a career in medicine? (4)
A
- patient interaction + impact + emotional rewards (eg time in hospice w distressed pt + seeing cardioversion making impact on pts)
- medical problem solving (puzzle to diagnose pts + understand them → critical thining talk ab chess)
- diverse specialisation options
- lifelong learning (w new advances in tech etc)
5
Q
What scares you most about a career in medicine?
A
- can be stressful (but have good coping mechanisms for stress eg going for walk, sewing, playing tennis)
- burn out risk (^^ + prioritise self care when free)
- lack of work life balance (dedicate time for relaxation + hobbies + establish clear boundaries between work + personal life)
6
Q
Why do you want to be a doctor instead of a nurse?
A
- acknowledge that nursing is a !! role in MDT
- DR training = more general w more opps to specialise later on → 5+ yrs of med school + FY training gives opps to explore diff specialties to help decide what u want to specialise in
- DRs have ultimate responsibility over their pts → when observing urology surgeries i saw it was mainly the dr making critical decisions + performing the surgery whilst making adjustments to course of action is necessary HOWEVER while nurse rolse was still vital, more aligned w assisting Dr + managing logistical aspects of surgery
- DRs have more opps to be involved w research (appeals to me since doing an EPQ → hope to get involved w more independent research in future)
7
Q
What experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine?
A
- work experience in neuro → gained insight into disease management + treatment + importance of providing comfort
- eg one patient feared she had neuro disorder bc of blackouts → witnessed Dr’s reassuring explanation + diagnosis highlights importance of comm + empathy in patient care (displayed by all consultants i shadowed) → creates an environ that resonates w my passions
- experience solidified belief med is a profession where 1 can make a sig diff in life of others
- caring aspect → prevalent when volunteering in hospice
- discovered the value of presence + providing comfort in quiet moments w end of life pts → felt rewarding at end of each shift
- eg i engaged w distressed pt + diverted her mind from illness through conversation
Areas of difference | Doctors | Nurses |
8
Q
What do you think are the most important qualities for a doctor to possess?
A
6Cs v important (care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment)
- care = !! for patient centred care + ensuring acting in pt’s best interests. also !! for building trust w pts leading to better dr-pt relationship
- compassion = !! understanding + showing empathy to physical and emotional challenges patients face. empathy helps build trust too. !! to help reduce pt anxiety → better for pt wellbeing
- competence = having necessary medical knowledge, skills + expertise to provide effective + safe HC.
- communication = effective communication ensures pts understand their conditions, treatment options + HC plans + promotes shared decision-making. also !! for team collaboration → enhances coordination, minimizes errors + ensures a comprehensive approach to patient care.
- courage = allows them to make difficult decisions in the best interest of patients while upholding ethical principles
- commitment = dedication to the well-being of patients → going above + beyond to provide quality care. commitment to continuous learning ensures doctors stay updated on the latest advancements, contributing to improved patient care
9
Q
How do you plan to balance the demands of medical school and a future medical career with your personal life? (5)
A
- create schedules + organising tasks into google calendar
- prioritisation → prioritising tasks using eisenhower matrix
- ask for help when needed (eg support from personal tutor/family)
- collaboration + delegating tasks in medical school to break down tasks + make them more manageable
- schedule times to just relax to separate medical related demands from personal life (eg go for a walk, play a sport)
- keep a healthy lifestyle (good sleep, nutrition + regular exercise)
10
Q
What do you think sets you apart from other applicants to medical school?
A
- my clinical exposure (through work experience placements + as a hospice volunteer) has allowed me to witness the intricacies of patient care firsthand
- my other volunteering roles as an assistant tennis coach and as a service volunteer at school has provided me with: leadership skills → mentoring children + using appropriate language. adaptive comm → different approaches to communicating w diff types of ppl
- bilingual ** would allow me to connect w a more diverse range of patients
11
Q
Can you discuss any obstacles or challenges you have faced in your pursuit of a medical education?
A
-
Academic Rigor:
Navigating through challenging coursework, achieving good predicted grades + working on getting a good UCAT score demanded high level of dedication, perseverance + time management. -
Balancing Act:
Juggling academic demands w engagement in extracurricular activities to build a well-rounded profile required careful planning + prioritization, showcasing my ability to manage multiple responsibilities. -
Application Challenges:
Crafting a compelling personal statement + preparing for interviews were intricate components of the application process, requiring introspection + self-reflection. -
Overcoming Self-Doubt:
Confronting feelings of uncertainty + self-assessment was necessary, particularly in the face of the highly competitive nature of medical school admissions. This challenge underscored the importance of resilience + maintaining composure under pressure.
12
Q
What do you think are the most pressing issues facing the healthcare industry today?
A
-
NHS Funding:
NHS has faced challenges related to funding shortages → adequate funding !! to maintain high-quality patient care, reduce waiting times + address staffing issues. -
Staffing Shortages:
There has been a shortage of HCPs (inc drs + nurses) → can impact quality + timeliness of HC services. -
Mental Health Crisis:
Mental health issues have been on the rise + demand for mental health services has outpaced the available resources -
Impact of COVID-19:
global pandemic put immense pressure on HC systems → vaccine distribution + addressing the backlog of non-COVID-19-related HC needs. -
Technological Integration:
Incorporating + maximizing benefits of health technologies eg electronic health records + telemedicine, while addressing issues related to data security + privacy. - Health Inequalities
-
Preventive Healthcare:
Promoting preventive measures to address lifestyle-related illnesses + reduce burden on HC system. -
Elderly Care + Aging Population:
aging population presents increased demand for HC services, long-term care + managing complex health conditions associated w aging. -
Post-Brexit Impact:
The UK’s departure from the European Union has implications for HC industry, inc workforce recruitment, medical research collaboration + regulation of medical products.
13
Q
Can you discuss any experience you have had working with patients or in a healthcare setting?
A
- emotionally profound → enriching + influencing my understanding of compassionate pt care + end-of-life support.
- established genuine connections w pts + their families, witnessing resilience, strength + unique stories.
- Engaging in convos, actively listening + providing companionship = integral to my role, fostering meaningful connections
- Creating a Supportive Environment: !! of creating a physically + emotionally comforting space → Simple acts of kindness = !! in providing comfort + dignity to patients.
- Patient-Centered Care: Navigating delicate balance between being present for pts + respecting their autonomy emphasized !! of patient-centered care
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Working closely w the HC team + collaborating w nurses + volunteers underscored !! of effective teamwork in providing comprehensive care.
- highlighted value of a multidisciplinary approach → team contributes skills + compassion to create a holistic support system.
14
Q
What are your long-term career goals in medicine?
A
- become a competent + compassionate specialist Dr dedicated to providing patient-centered care.
- clinical excellence + a commitment to positively impact individuals’ lives.
- contribution to medical research + advancements.
- engaging in research to enhance understanding of medical intricacies + contribute to evolving HC solutions.
- pursue continuous learning + potentially take on academic roles to impart knowledge + mentor aspiring HCPs
- contribute to improving HC on a broader scale through medical missions, collaborative projects + partnerships with international HC organizations.
- Commitment to making holistic + impactful contributions to the field of medicine, guided by a dedication to enhancing well-being of ppl + communities.
15
Q
Can you describe a time when you had to make a difficult ethical decision?
A
- As a ward support volunteer at a hospice, I faced a significant ethical challenge when engaging w a terminally ill patient who expressed a strong desire to spend his last days at home but hospice staff believed it was in his best interest to remain in the facility for optimal medical care
- i realised it would be important to balance his autonomy with his well-being, so i informed the hospice staff + through empathetic dialogue + collaboration, a consensus was reached to transfer the pt home with palliative care.
- This experience underscored the complexity of ethical decision-making in healthcare, emphasizing importance of advocating for patients’ rights while upholding principles of beneficence + non-maleficence
16
Q
What do you think is the most important role of a doctor in a patient’s care?
A
- serve as an advocate for the patient → involves ensuring patient’s best interests, preferences + well-being are at the forefront of medical decision-making
- encompasses effective comm, active listening + consideration of the pt’s values + goals.
- By acting as a dedicated advocate, a Dr can foster a trusting + collaborative relationship w the pt, leading to more patient-centered care.
17
Q
How do you plan to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in medicine?
A
- Engage in medical conferences + workshops for updated knowledge
- participate in discussions w peers, gaining insights from diverse experiences.
- Regularly read reputable medical journals + research articles for the latest studies.
- Utilize online platforms + attend webinars for convenient access to medical updates.
- Review + incorporate updated clinical guidelines to align with current standards.
- Seek mentorship, engage w experienced professionals + build a strong network.
- Actively engage in research initiatives within a field of interest.
- Take on teaching + mentorship roles in academic or clinical settings.
- Regularly self-assess to identify areas of improvement + learning needs.
18
Q
How do you plan to contribute to the diversity of the medical school class and the healthcare workforce?
A
- Growing up in a culturally diverse environ → equipped me w a deep appreciation for varied perspectives → I plan to share my cultural insights, fostering an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates diversity within the medical school class.
- Being proficient in multiple languages, I aim to bridge communication gaps + enhance pt care for individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds → Effective comm = integral to providing equitable HC
- advocating for needs of underrepresented communities in HC → Through active participation in student organizations + community outreach programs, I intend to amplify voices of those often marginalized in HC discussions
- Mentorship + Support: I plan to actively engage w underrepresented students, providing guidance + support → Building a network that encourages diversity in med is crucial for creating a HC workforce that reflects the broader community.
