motivation and background

Question 1

why medicine initial spark p1

Answer 1

• from a young age I have been exposed to the work of HCPs as I have supported my mother through struggles with chronic health conditions
• I became more involved with her care when I got older, dressing her wounds and administering her medications.
• I simoultaneously developed an interest in medicine as a potential career, and so decided to explore it further.

Question 2

why medicine confirmation from experience p2

Answer 2

• I organised work experience in an a&e centre and shadowed doctors from a variety of different areas within this
• across all departments I experience the swiftness with which doctors diagnosed and treated presenting concerns
• through shadowing a GP in the emergency GP clinic I saw numerous cases and observed the GP as he went through a list of differential diagnoses, narrowing them down through questions, to come to the final diagnosis and ultimately treating it.

Question 3

why medicine - excitement p3

Answer 3

• through observing doctors during my WE see, diagnose and treat patients solidified my motivation to become a doctor, to eventually be able to work with patient through their diagnosis, treatment and hopefully recovery.
• excited to have a career that is constantly evolving with the opportunity for constant learning and professional growth, this was further fuelled when during my work experience I observed a consultation with a man who had surgery to remove part of his small intestine and stomach laparoscopically to treat his cancer.

Question 4

why St Andrews

Answer 4

• the way in which the course is structured really stood out to me, especially that in the second year where we learn about systems, as each system is done individually simultaneously learning about the biological theory and medicine associated with each system, alongside dissection of that system as I feel as though this will help to put it into context and solidify the information
• appeals is the practical simulation whereby students can practice important skills such as communication skills with actors in a low stakes environment which allows patient skills to be built without the stress of real life repercussions
• am also interested in the societies it offers, as I am passionate about art and use that to relax and St Andrews has an art society and also a non selective wind band which I would be interested in as playing the bassoon also helps me to relieve stress.

Question 5

what have I learnt from my work experience ?

Answer 5

• the importance of self awareness and teamwork
• the respect that doctors had for senior nurses
• minor injuries someone had metal stuck in eye
• junior doctor on minor injuries rotation acknowledged that the senior nurse had more experience with injuries such as these as had spent longer in minor injuries so called in to look at it
• nurse helped to remove it
• showed to me the importance of both teamwork, communication and knowing the extent of experience and skills and working within these and asking for help when necessary to produce the best patient outcome.

Question 6

what challenges did I see from my work experience ?

Answer 6

• challenges with strain on a&e and breakdown in community care causing people with non emergent complaints going to the a&e department
• emergency GP put in place to reduce the strain of this on the a&e to filter out those with non emergent concerns, while also giving them an appointment to be seen by a doctor which they were so desperate for
• not an ideal solution as not usual gp so history not known and some found it difficult to remember, but again the way in which the GP dealt with this patiently using questions to gather more information, providing the patient with diagnosis and treatment and the sense of relief felt by patients that their concern was being dealt with was amazing to see
• was inspiring to see the way in which the doctor adapted and worked around problems caused by flaws in the system to provide the patient with the best experience possible.

Question 7

what was a difficult situation you saw in WE

Answer 7

• majors patient going through alcohol withdrawal medically fit to be discharged by nowhere safe he could go
• wanted to free up bed to allow for new patients to come in and be seen but the hospital has o options for detox and them man want going to drink when he got home
• as the man was not mobile, the doctor seeing him ordered a mobility assessment, which he failed, allowing him to be given a bed on account of safeguarding concerns due to his lack of mobility if he was to be released
• by doing this the doctor enabled the patient to be admitted, which both dealt with the issue of his safety upon discharge, and would potentially allow him to detox in a safe environment while also freeing up the bed in A&E to allow another patient to be seen.

Question 8

What Qualities Did You Learn Are Important From The Doctors And Nurses During Your Work Experience?

Answer 8

Seeing how the Doctors and nurses were able to adapt their communication skills to any given situation really highlighted the importance of adaptability and flexibility in healthcare. In one case when I was observing the rapid response team in the a&e a girl with learning disabilities can in with her parents because she hadn’t been able to see anyone and her parents were desperate as she was having fits where she was a danger to herself.