MMI Physician Associate (Brunel) Flashcards
Why do you want to be a Physician Associate?
The fact that I can influence peoples lives for the better through my enthusiasm for human physiology and pathology makes it an incredible opportunity.
I genuinely believe I have the right principles and values to become a Physician Associate. Recently I have completed an online course for developing clinical empathy and understanding the importance of this skill in healthcare, as I know it can be easily missed.
I thoroughly enjoy helping people. I have had the opportunity to answer patients queries and concern over the phone. I get a sense of gratification when I help a patient that is going through a hardship to the best of my abilities, especially when they’re incredibly thankful for what you’ve done for them. It’s an amazing feeling.
I love the flexibility that comes with the career and also the fact that you can specialise in a particular field of healthcare whilst retaining the generalist knowledge.
What quality is most important to being a Physician Associate?
Maybe compassion as you’ve got to understand what your patient is going through and how their disease truly affects them and makes them feel. Then you can help them to the best of your capabilities. Offering compassion and empathy can lead to improved clinical outcomes.
2nd one.
Clinical competency. As Physician Associates are generalists it’s knowing what’s within your capabilities and skills and knowing what isn’t. It is also knowing when you need to ask for help.
What clinical experience do you have?
My Biomedical Science undergraduate degree has built a good foundation knowledge of various disease pathologies (like for example autoimmune disease, cancer microbiological disease) and how to treat and manage these diseases. (For example SLE, various cancers, HIV).
At my work, I communicate with clinical biochemists for sending referral tests. This has enhanced my understanding of why clinically certain tests are required. (So for example, so decide if we send a FT3 test it is based upon the results of the TSH and the FT4)
I have also organised a shadowing opportunity with a Physician Associate at a primary care provider (in June/July when GPs are completely open for face to face consultations) to get a more direct face to face understanding of observing and treating patients.
What healthcare work experience do you have?
I have had experience working in a laboratory reception that receives samples for biochemistry, coagulation and haematology tests. This has furthered my understanding of what sample types are required for certain tests.
I have had the opportunity to communicate with many healthcare professionals, reading out urgent test results over the phone.
My job has improved my understanding of how a hospital operates through its specialist wards, clinics and departments.
What are the current issues in healthcare?
We are currently an ageing and growing population. Therefore there is a greater demand for healthcare.
Previously long waiting times to be seen
Currently due to the covid outbreak there are longer waiting times for treatment and operations.
Lack of staffing in the NHS.
Post brexit cold lead to cuts in funds for the NHS.
The NHS depends on nurse from other EU countries however brexit can discourage nurses from wanting to move to Britain.
When have you gone out of your way or gone further for someone?
One time when on the phones speaking to a patient that was being treated by one of the haematology consultants at Broomfield Hospital.
She had been expecting a phone call from the haematology secretaries about implementing a new medication. The secretaries operate by replying back to answer calls from patients.
She never got a reply back it was getting closer to the deadline of when the consultant said she should be on the new medication. She was incredibly worried and anxious about this matter.
I searched on the directory for the exact location of the consultant she was with. It happened that he was only located 5 minutes away from where I was working. I managed to get hold of the consultant and transfer the patient to his personal work phone to sort the issue. The lady was incredibly thankful for resolving the issue.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths
I’m very empathetic. I love to listen to understand people - which is key for healthcare to understand patients
I’m a critical thinker. I like to tackle problems to the best of my abilities. I evaluate my decisions and the effects of my decisions on others.
I’m a very open-minded person. If something goes wrong I’m very eager to tackle the challenge, I don’t like sitting in self-pity or feeling sorry for myself.
Weaknesses
Sometimes I think I care too much about the little things or trying to perfect something that doesn’t need to be perfect.
Too willing to help doing overtime which can like burn me out and leave with less personal time.
Lack of experience in team leadership within my experiences. I have always been very committed to being a team player and helping eachother.
